My Weekend: Cork is buzzing with live music and events which I think we sometimes don't appreciate enough

Fiddler Lisa O’Sullivan, performing as part of the 44th Cork Folk Festival, says playing sessions and gigs at the weekend is more pleasure than work
My Weekend: Cork is buzzing with live music and events which I think we sometimes don't appreciate enough

Lisa O'Sullivan

Tell us a little bit about yourself:

I live in Cork city with my husband Steve and two children (Ciala aged 20 and  Conor aged 12). I'm a fiddle player and arts manager and I am completing my final year of a Fine Arts Degree in MTU Crawford. I grew up in Freemount, a small village in north west County Cork, playing lots of traditional music as a young one.

As part of Cork Folk Fest, I will be playing with The Ceili Allstars, a group originating from the Sliabh Luachra area where I'm from and with Tinol, a new band formed in 2022 as part of an Arts Council funded international residency, organised by Baltimore Fiddle Fair which took place in Norway, Baltimore and  Finland.

What is your ideal way to spend a Friday night?

Friday nights vary, I play an early session in Sin E on Coburg St. every second Friday evening with a great bunch of musicians. 

I'm happy to take it easy on the alternate Fridays unless there's a good gig on or a night out with friends organised. 

Cork is buzzing with live music and events which I think we sometimes don't appreciate enough. 

We're missing some decent sized venues though, hopefully one day the promised Event Centre will materialise to plug that gap.

Lie ins or up with the lark.. which is it for you?

A bit of both, Saturday I'm up early, there's usually training or drops to be done with the kids and a stack of jobs from the week to get through! Sundays I tend to lie in listening to radio and taking it easy.

Does work creep into your weekend at all?

As I'm a freelancer, a musician and student, work does creep in depending on what is happening. I often play sessions and gigs at the weekend, which I see as pleasure more than work. There's also a stack of reading and research to be done for my course which I try to slot in. Its important to rest too of course!

If money was no object where would you head to on a weekend city break? And who would you bring with you?

Buenos Aires with my best pals.

Lisa O'Sullivan, pictured right, part of Tinol, a new band formed in 2022.
Lisa O'Sullivan, pictured right, part of Tinol, a new band formed in 2022.

Closer to home, is there some place you like to head to recharge the batteries?

We have an energetic border collie so walking in the woods -Garryduff or Currabinny are favourites of ours and hers. I love to head to some of the lovely beaches a short drive away such as Roberts Cove & Garretstown. 

Marina Market is great to grab food and coffees and go for a stroll. It's another amazing resource we have in the city.

Do you like to catch up with family/friends at the weekend?

Yes definitely, we visit family and much as we can, my parents are an hour away and two of my siblings live in the city so we try to catch up often. 

Lots of close friends live in Cork so we do our best to meet for a pint/food when we can, even though people are busy with family and commitments. It is so important to stay connected though!

Do you get to indulge any hobbies? Even as a spectator?

Drawing, seeing live music, visiting galleries, eating out, going for a cycle.

Entertain or be entertained? If it's the latter do you have a signature dish?

I love both! you cant beat being cooked for, but I also enjoy making food for friends. I'm not entertaining as much these days being a full time student but when I do I'll usually go for a big old curry with all the trimmings.

We have so many places to eat out in Cork - where are your go to spots for coffee/ lunch/ special meal?

For coffee my go to's are Filter or Soma, for great food, Nell's Wine Bar do amazing small plates which I'm particularly fond of. Breakfast and brunch - Liberty Grill is still a gem and Miyazaki for take out which we sometimes eat with a pint at Osho's down the road.

Sunday night comes around too fast.. how do you normally spend it?

If I'm not playing a session, I'm taking it easy reading papers and listening to music/catching up on the dozens of series/movies I'm well behind on.

What time does your alarm clock go off on Monday morning?

7.15.

About Cork Folk Festival 

One of Ireland’s longest-running and most treasured folk festivals, Cork Folk Festival, is underway.

Now in its 44th edition, there are 40 events taking place across the city featuring over 200 musicians. It began on Wednesday and continues until Sunday October 1.

For full details, and booking, visit www.corkfolkfestival.com

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