My Weekend: I like making memories...

Tell us a little bit about yourself;

I come from a farm with the address of Kinsale, which lies in the Parish of Ballinspittle, home to the moving statue. I am from a family of seven. I have 18 nieces and nephews. I have red hair and can throw out a song when needed. One could say I am a bit of an Irish cliché! And I guess in some ways I am. I definitely feel an affinity to the land of this small island. I feel like I am carved out of it. No matter where I travel to… the connection to the land and the cráic calls me back eventually.

My mum still lives a happy healthy life on the farm now owned by one of my brothers. My dad, though, passed away almost three years ago. It is a strange thing to mourn the loss of a parent. I have lost friends and other extended family members and been so heartbroken but losing my dad is something I have not yet found words for. I think sometimes it could be because I haven’t fully realised his passing. In my 47 short years on this planet, I have learned many things and still have so much more to learn. One of them for sure is “time is a healer”.

Connie, my dad, had a very strong connection to the land here too, So I guess I didn’t lick that off a stone.

I work in the arts, the performing arts. When I left school I studied theatre, worked as a bitteen in the industry and then moved into outdoor sports, which took in all over the world for many years. 

At some point 14 years ago or so I started to miss being in the arts and I straddled both careers until I finally moved fully into working in the arts.

I have an affinity for working in nature and on the street. It is so lovely to bring people into nature, not only to be part of a performance but while there, feel the connection between nature and themselves I find the street exciting because of the unexpectedness of it. One can never know what is going to happen, ‘keeps me on me toes’.

Working outside means I get to bring art into places where every person is welcome and bring shows to people who may never get the opportunity to buy a ticket to see a show. Doing a show outside also creates a memory of the place where it is held. 

Thereafter when someone is going about their daily routine, passing the same place every day, they will now have a memory connected to the place because of a show or happening that was presented there.

What is your ideal way to spend a Friday night?

Most likely taking in a show, out on the town. I like making memories.

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

Definitely lie-ins, I am a thinker and I need a lot of time in my bed to enjoy all me thoughts!

Does work creep into your weekend at all?

All the time, normally the weekend lands and I am working.

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

I would bring my husband and all our besties to New York. We would have a ball!

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

I love to lie on my bed and take in the tree outside my window. Everyone should plant a tree within the line of sight of your bedroom window - it is a fantastic gift of constant gentle change.

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

I get nourished from spending time with family and friends at any time in the week.

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

Hobbies? I love splashing around in water, bathing in rivers or oceans, anytime of the day or night - water dissolves any stress I might be holding. I also love to lie down on the ground, inside or outside no matter, and let my body completely release into the ground and completely let go for a few minutes.

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

I like entertaining. Winter time is when I have the most down time, So I love to put on a big Gluten Free Vegan Stew and invite everybody around, the more the merrier. 

I love the buzz of a big crowd. Lots of different conversations and big belly laughs. “Da Cráic”.

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

My husband and I recently ate out at Paradiso. You want a beautiful night out enjoying food from a set menu with wine pairing to every course, go for it, it is a real treat.

We discovered “Jacobs on the Mall” If you haven’t been, Go. The entrance of the building feels like you are walking into an old Victorian town house, down the hall and the whole restaurant opens up into what used to be the Cork City Victorian Turkish Baths, it is spectacular. The staff are wonderful and the food is perfect. There is absolutely something for every easter, they even have an A La Carte Vegan menu.

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

My Sunday evening could be spent in many ways; driving home from a gig, watching a movie, a pint with some friends or family or a plain and simple early night. I am not a fan of feeling worn out. So Sunday night can often be catch up on rest time.

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

If I can at all, I keep the alarm off on a Monday because in my profession we often work over the weekend.

Anything else you are up to right now...

Right now I am working on a project called “When I was your age?”. Sometime ago Jessica Bonenfant, Creative Director of Greywood Arts in Killeagh Co.Cork, called me up and asked if I was interested in partnering with Greywood Arts on a project for “The Age and Opportunity Bealtaine Hero Award”. I said ‘Yes Please’. I have worked many times on projects with Jess and some where we made work to involve and engage older aged people.

Having witnessed, on many occasions, how my mum, 18 times a Grandma, lights up when the grandkids ask her to do things with them and how often at times their youthfulness manages to give energy to my mum that otherwise might not be there, I really was excited about this project.

This is where the idea for “When I was your age?” was born out of….

The project is also part of a bigger festival called “May Sunday Festival” Killeagh, East Cork. Check it out there is so much happening there over the May bank holiday weekend there. www.maysunday.ie

On Monday May 6 I will be facilitating an Intergenerational Storytelling in Glenbower Woods, Killeagh. It is a space for older adults to share their stories to younger people and in return the children are welcome to speak about their experiences and hopes for their future. A structured sharing if you will!

So I am reaching out to young people, roughly around the ages of nine to 13 years, to ask an older aged person in their life, gran, grandad, neighbour, aunt, uncle, to come along with them on Bank Monday of the “May Sunday Festival” Killeagh East Cork to share stories with each other and others.

I am really looking forward to being there, I love to tell and hear stories and get real joy out of sharing moments together. So see you there!