Ashley Keating of the Frank and Walters features in our My Weekend

Fri, 15 Mar, 2024 - 12:07

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I was born in Erinville Hospital in Cork city way back in the 60s and I currently live about a mile away from the same spot, I think I may be part homing pigeon.

Left school and joined the Naval Service and after that moved to London with the band, The Frank and Walters.

We’re still together 30-odd years later and still enjoying it.

The day job is in Cork Opera House which, strangely enough, is also about a mile from where I was born, spooky.

What is your ideal way to spend a Friday night?

Because of the band and the job I don’t really have weekends in the traditional sense, I’m either playing or working or both, it suits me though, I like to keep busy.

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

Definitely a night person, the morning is over-rated.

Does work creep into your weekend at all?

A little bit, but it’s part of being in the industry I’m in, I could complain but no one would listen

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

I like most cities, not a huge fan of the countryside, it’s fine for ten minutes but a tree is a tree.

Cities are multi-layered and the more you explore the more they reveal, I don’t get bored in cities.

Members of the iconic Cork Band, The Frank and Walters pictured in Fitzgerald Park with the Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Kieran McCarthy at the launch of the Cork St. Patrick’s Festival. The Frank and Walters are the Grand Marshal of the Cork St Patrick’s Day Parade. See www.corkstpatricksfetival.ie Picture: Clare Keogh

And who would you bring with you?

Family, friends, anyone really, I’m not a solo traveller, I don’t particularly like sight-seeing so just aimless wandering with people I get on with usually turns into a bit of an adventure

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

I really like the old parts of the city, around Shandon or the South Parish where both my mam and dad’s family were from. I like the harbour and the beaches around Myrtleville and Roberts Cove.

I do like west Cork, particularly the Beara Peninsula, but don’t visit half enough.

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

Doesn’t have to be weekends but yes, whenever possible. We’re quite a close-knit family and I still keep in touch with friends from school and from the Navy.

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

I do a bit of swimming. I watch ridiculous amounts of sport, any sport, it’s such different discipline from the world that I work in.

Entertain or be entertained?

Definitely entertained.

If it’s the latter do you have a signature dish?

I can make toast.

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

I like Cork Coffee Roasters, Perry Street is nice for lunch.

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

Cowering from that Riordans/Glenroe feeling and worrying if I’ve done my maths homework or not.

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

Various, but always too early!

ABOUT THE PARADE

Ashley Keating is a member of the Frank and Walters who are the Grand Marshal at this year’s Cork St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 17.

The Cork St. Patrick’s Day Parade will begin at 1pm, on the familiar route from South Mall to Merchant’s Quay. The parade will include more than 3,000 participants, performance showpieces from professional art groups Cork Puppetry Company and Spraoi, and marching bands and groups from America, United Kingdom, Germany and Ireland.