Senator David Norris has spoken about life, death and his legacy while walking through the North Inner City of Dublin with Newstalk reporter Henry McKean.

It's part of Concern Worldwide's Step In Their Shoes fundraising campaign which asks people to take 10,000 steps every day between September 21st and 27th and raise money for the millions forced to flee their homes to find safety.

On their walk through Georgian Dublin, the 76-year-old activist was aghast to note that someone had taken an 18th-century brass knocker from his front door.

He said: "Some blaggard has wrenched the 18th-century brass knocker that's been there since 1787 off my front door as an act of absolute vandalism.

"I don't know why I was targeted, I've done a lot for this street and it seems like an extraordinary reward.

"I don't want to harp on about it, I'm going to see if I can get another one but it won't be the same as the original.

"But that's the bad side of life, most people are decent and good and wonderful and Irish."

Legacy

He said that in terms of his legacy, he hopes that when he is gone people don't comment exclusively on his activism for gay rights.

He would like to be remembered for his work in "rescuing" the street he lives on, as well as his shows promoting James Joyce and his teaching career in Trinity College Dublin.

He added that he has "absolutely no regrets" in life.

Senator Norris said he hadn't been great at going walking during lockdown as he lacked motivation but now he goes for a walk around the block most days.

He said that he has been spending his time sleeping, reading "an immense amount of detective fiction", and watching programmes about antiques.

He added: "I'm lucky that I'm used to being solitary, I'm very happy with my own company so I haven't noticed as much as people who are used to being social and gregarious.

"I think the pandemic has brought out the best of people, people have been so kind.

People have been making bread for him, doing his shopping and checking in on him to make sure he's doing alright.

Senator Norris said: "I'm interested in life, I love life and I have huge resources of intellectual energy."

He said he goes to church every week and has his funeral already planned out.

He said: "The only thing I have to do is make sure I don't die during this bloody pandemic because no one will be able to come.

"I don't care whether I'm remembered or not, it doesn't matter to me.

"But I would hope I've made the lives of people better in some way."