Person to Person: I love writing in any form...

Tell us about yourself;

My name is Ana Spehar. I moved to Cork about eight years ago and it was love at first sight! I love writing, mostly poetry, and most of my poetry is either love themed or with the theme of Ireland as both are an endless inspiration to me.

My work was published in Boyne Berries, A New Ulster, Good Day Cork, Qutub Minar Review, poetry anthologies A Journey Called Home and Blue Mondays: Poetry Anthology and in a book of songs for children, Around The World In A Song.

I shared my work at the Winter Warmer poetry festival, Many Tongues of Cork, at the Hidden Stories for LifeFM, made a poetry video for Waterstones for Irish Book Week and curated a poetry video for Culture Night 2021 for Cork City Library.

I love writing in any form, so I wrote a series of interviews with poets of Cork for the City Library blog.

Where were you born?

I was born in Zagreb, Croatia.

Where do you live?

I live in Cork city, in Shandon Street.

Family?

The most important family member is my four-year-old daughter Erin. I have a brother that lives in Sligo, but I don’t get to see him too often. And my boyfriend and his parents, who are not family by blood but treat me like I am a part of their family.

Best friend?

My best friends are Goga, she is as well from Croatia and we came to Ireland at about the same time, we worked together and lived together, and Jim, who is an amazing poet!

Earliest childhood memory?

That would be spending summers in our little cottage at the river. 

Those were the best days, we always had family over and I loved going there.

Person you most admire?

My grandfather! He had this amazing super- power that he never raised his voice at us kids, but we always did what he said! He was the kindest person I have ever known. Hard-working too, and he taught me a lot of things for which I will be forever grateful to him.

Where was your most memorable holiday?

In Zagreb, when I took my daughter to see the house that I grew up in. 

It was very emotional and so exciting to be there with her and show her the neighbourhood and tell her all the stories from when I was a kid.

Favourite TV programme?

The Wire, Breaking Bad, Curb Your Enthusiasm…

Favourite radio show?

I don’t listen to the radio much these days but when Erin was born and I was in all the time, I had RedFm on all the time.

Your signature dish if cooking?

I wouldn’t be able to decide on one as I love cooking and baking. I have a few dishes that I make more often than others, but I also love to try out new recipes.

Favourite restaurant?

I don’t eat out much at all.

Last book you read?

Born To Run, by Christopher McDougall.

Best book you read?

It would be impossible to name just one book as there are so many amazing books out there. One of my favourite books would be The Thorn Birds, but mostly because it was the first book that I read when I was a teenager and I could discuss it with my mam and grandma as they both loved it.

I have to mention The Witch Of Grič, a series of novels by Marija Juric Zagorka. The novels altogether have about 4,000 pages and once I started reading, I couldn’t stop. 

I haven’t left the house in a week.

Last album/CD/download you bought?

I recently got a record player for my birthday. And I am listening to Pavarotti, Caruso, Johny Cash, Sinatra…

Favourite song?

This is such a tough question. I love music and it would be too hard even to name a few songs.

One person you would like to see in concert?

My boyfriend!

Do you have a pet?

Erin and me both love animals so we have a guinea pig, a hamster, a budgie, a goldfish, and two axolotls. And dreaming of a day when we can get a dog!

Morning person or night owl?

Definitely a night owl. I don’t sleep much so night time is when I do most of my creative work. I love the calm of the night.

Your proudest moment?

Besides the obvious one - when Erin was born - my proudest moment was having one of my poems displayed in the City Library.

Spendthrift or saver?

I will never learn how to save…

Name one thing you would improve in your area in which you live?

More bins around the whole city is the first thing that crossed my mind. I walk to Blackpool every day and it’s so sad to see so many houses just falling apart, empty and rotting. 

It would be amazing if something is done about that.

What makes you happy?

My daughter, my partner, being creative, baking.

How would you like to be remembered?

For me, personally, it’s most important how I will be remembered by the people that mean something to me. So I hope that they remember me as a good friend and a good person.

What else are you up to at the moment?

I am collaborating with an amazing artist, Meri Misljen Grubic on a series of story books for children and I hope that you will get to read them soon! I am also helping organise a couple of events and regular workshops at The Living Commons, which is a non-profit organisation for community building. It is such an amazing, colourful and inspiring space.

I have recently found a new love-clay, so I am making sculptures and really enjoying that, and I also make artisan soap and have a stall at the Coal Quay market on Saturdays.