My Weekend: I love to travel... I've been to just under 200 cities in over 50 countries

 Tell us a little bit about yourself:

I’m Troy, aged 37, and I live in Ballyphehane, just south of the city centre. I live with my partner, Lorna, and I have four siblings (scattered all around Cork), as well as four energetic nieces and nephews.

I consider myself a “crazy cat man”, and I cared for a number of cats in my home until the eldest, Putty, passed away in February just gone after 15 years. I am looking forward to adopting a new cat in the coming months. Up until recently, a weekend activity of mine was to bring one of the cats for a walk around The Lough in a cat buggy, which gave the locals a laugh if anything.

One of my biggest passions is to travel, explore, experience new cultures and the like. 

After finishing secondary school, I spent the next few years working and travelling before returning to college as a mature student, where I studied Travel and Tourism. After graduating, I began my career with EazyCity and I have been with the company for almost 11 years. I began as a tour guide, accompanying groups all around Ireland before becoming more integrated into the company. I currently manage self-catering accommodation around Cork City where we welcome clients from around the world who partake in internships, English-language courses or who are looking to start a new life abroad. 

As an Irishman, I am a minority in the company, as the majority of my colleagues come from Italy, Spain, France, Canada etc. and I love being able to spend time with them and learn about their lives, cultures etc.

Outside of EazyCity, I am involved with the annual pantomime at the Everyman Palace Theatre each year. I have been part of the backstage crew for the last 14 years, and I have ended up onstage once or twice in small roles. It is always a great laugh and you meet some characters along the way.

What is your ideal way to spend a Friday night? 

Friday is one of the quietest nights of my week, usually my cinema night. I am a huge film buff and I go to the cinema at the very least, once a week. I used to go to the Gate Cinema in the city centre regularly but the Omniplex Monthly Pass in Mahon Point (any movie, any day, any screen) for €14.99 a month is hard to beat. I like to go to the Triskel Cinema also for more independent movies and documentaries (it is a beautiful venue).

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

I would be lying if I did not say I prefer a lie-in, especially at the weekend. Mid-week, I would be up a bit earlier, but the weekends are for lie-ins.

Does work creep into your weekend at all?

Working in accommodation management, with clients arriving 7 days a week, it can be quite a 24/7 role at times. So, yes, work can creep into my weekend.

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

As mentioned above, travel is one of my biggest passions and I try to fill my year with a multitude of experiences.

During the pandemic, I downloaded one of those “where I’ve been” apps and was surprised myself to see that my partner and I have been to just under 200 cities in over 50 countries since we started to travel.

In terms of Europe and a weekend city break, destinations on my wish-list include Athens, Seville and Zagreb with my partner Lorna.

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

I live practically a stone’s throw from The Lough, which is always perfect for a walk. I also like spending time in Cobh, with a nice pint on the waters edge.

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

When possible, of course. Trying to find a convenient time for us all to be together can be challenging with so many different schedules, work and family commitments but when we do get together, we have a skit.

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

During the lockdown, zoom quizzes became a hobby (and saviour) of mine, and this has continued post-Covid. I regularly attend pub quizzes run by Patrick Ahern Entertainment throughout the city from Gaia on Bandon Road to The Anglers in Ballincollig. Pat is an excellent quizmaster and there is a great buzz at his quizzes whenever they are on.

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

Be entertained, always. Indian Butter Chicken.

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

Liberty Grill for brunch, Spitjack for dinner, Eastern Tandoori for an Indian.

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

Can depend on the time of year – during the darker nights, normally we just catch up on TV and during the brighter nights, we enjoy a late-evening walk and maybe a cheeky pint before the week starts.

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

Normally around 7.45-8am.

Anything else you are up to right now?

Work-wise, I still lead the odd group or two throughout the year and I will be leading my first group in the UK shortly where we will welcome US students to London and Edniburgh.