My Weekend: Just add water for perfection

Tell us a little bit about yourself

I live with my partner and our three-year-old little girl and our two cats. I grew up in North Cork but I fell in love with the sea and now I live in Ballinspittle. I’ve worked in outdoor recreation and youth and community work over the last 20 years.

I enjoyed travelling and working around the world in my younger days, spending time in the Caribbean, New Zealand, Spain and Greece. I also spent a couple of years in Bundoran in Donegal and I loved it there.

Now I’m working at Meitheal Mara in the heart of Cork city. I am the assistant water sports manager and trainer on the Bádóireacht youth rowing programme.

What is your ideal way to spend a Friday night?

I like to go for a swim, read my book or watch a movie. The week is usually so busy that I like a quiet Friday night.

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

Up like a lark the last three years since I’ve become a mum. My little girl is very chirpy in the morning!

Does work creep into your weekend at all?

I usually have weekends off unless we have a special event at work — the Dragon Boat challenge coming up in April and the Ocean to City race in June. It’s all-hands-on-deck for the big events and we have a small but powerful team at Meitheal Mara. 

A big shout out to all our volunteers, they work so hard and we couldn’t do it without them.

The big events usually have a great atmosphere, which makes the work very enjoyable.

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

I’d love to visit Iceland and do some kayaking around the glaciers, I’m not sure if I’ll fit that in on a weekend city break. If I only make it as far as Reykjavik city I’ll find some hot springs, eat in some nice restaurants. If I’m bringing my partner and three-year-old, we’ll definitely check out the local playgrounds. If I bring 10 of my closest gal pals, it’ll be a bit wilder with more pubs and dancing.

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

I live near Garretstown so I love to go for a surf, walk or swim here. There are a couple of saunas at the beach, so I often head over for a sauna followed by a refreshing sea dip. The Wild Wellness collective sauna in Garretstown have a lovely big window — it’s like a live sea TV. The Sauna Snug in Garrylucas is lovely too, it’s a great place to watch a sunset.

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

Yes, I usually visit family at the weekend. I also love to catch up with friends for a surf or coffee or the occasional gig at Primm’s Bookstore in Kinsale or Debarras in Clon.

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

When the conditions line up, I love to go surfing. I occasionally go for a row with Naomhóga Chorcaí or get out sailing when the opportunity presents itself. I like swimming at the pool too.

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

I like a bit of both. I love having friends or family over to my place for dinner. My partner often does the cooking when we entertain. He is French so we have a tasty French dish like a tartiflette or a raclette.

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

Wild restaurant in Ballinspittle is one of my favourite places to eat out, and I love Stranded tapas and pizza cafe at Garretstown too. 

If I’m up with my family or friends in North Cork, I like to visit the Thatch and Thyme café in Kildorrery or O’Mahonys in Watergrasshill.

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

I like to watch an episode of Young Sheldon or watch an inspiring feel-good movie. I also like to listen to some good music on an internet radio station or on Spotify. And of course, I prepare for the week ahead.

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

My little human alarm clock is usually up by 7.

Anything else you are up to right now?

I’m starting to do a little bit of gardening. We have a small back yard with a little greenhouse and some raised beds. I’m planning to grow some fruit, veg and flowers.

The Dragon Boat Challenge

Meitheal Mara invites companies, organisations and groups to take part in their spectacular Dragon Boat Challenge on April 27. Experience a unique event as the River Lee comes to life to the sound of drums, the splashing of paddles and the roar of the dragons.

In total, 16 crews will compete to become the 2024 Dragon Boat Challenge Champions.

Starting opposite the site of the iconic R&H Hall, crews will race 250m to the finish line at Lapp’s Quay, powered by the beat of the dragon’s drum. Each crew comprises 17 hardy members.

The Dragon Boat Challenge is a fun, sociable and colourful event, and no previous experience is necessary.

A pre-race training will take place for crews in the two-week lead-up to the main event.

Regularly supported by teams from Pfizer and Musgraves, to Amazon and Cork County Council, the Dragon Boat Challenge is an important fundraiser for Meitheal Mara, Cork’s community boatyard and nationally accredited training centre.

The organisation is dedicated to fostering and promoting maritime culture and seamanship through traditional currach and wooden boat-building skills.

Meitheal Mara in particular provides training and development to those who are at risk of social exclusion, who are recovering from addiction and those living with disabilities.

Registration is €680 per team of 17 (€40 per person) and this is all inclusive, including the training session.

Contact dragons@meithealmara. ie / 021 4847673 for more.