My Weekend: It's tempting to put the feet up after a busy week, says Cork film-maker

Tell us a little bit about yourself:

I’m a film-maker based in Cork – I’m not originally from Cork but having been here for over 30 years, Cork is definitely home to me. I set up a production company called Frameworks Films in 1999 with a fellow film-maker Eddie Noonan (whom I subsequently married) and we have two boys, a dog, a cat and a large film collection.

We both also have a strong interest in social justice issues and developed a way of working over the years to combine film-making with this approach. 

We love to work in collaboration with different groups around the city, providing access to the medium of film to tell their stories.

What is your ideal way to spend a Friday night?

I’m usually pretty busy all week so it can be tempting to put the feet up on a Friday night, but if there’s a chance to get out to a show or meet up with friends, I’m always up for it.

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

I’ve no choice but to be up with the lark because of animals demanding to be fed and school runs etc. but if ever I get the chance for a lie in, I’ll grab it.

Does work creep into your weekend at all?

Yes despite resolving to try and keep weekends free. We’ve just set up Cork Community Media Hub and have lots of interesting projects on the boil but I love what I do so that makes it easier.

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

I think I’d head to Florence in Italy. Ever since I saw the film ‘Room with a View’ when I was younger, I had a yearning to go there. 

I was lucky enough to live there for almost a year many moons ago and would love to go back and re-visit some old haunts. 

I’d bring Eddie and the boys – they’re good travelling companions – and maybe try going by train to get there.

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

Anywhere by the coast – east to Garryvoe or west to Myrtleville or Fountainstown – a walk by the sea does it for me.

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

Yes whenever possible. My brother has a roundy birthday coming up so I am hoping we can celebrate that either here or in Copenhagen where he lives. I love a good get together with friends, preferably over a meal with a few glasses of wine.

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

I try to get to a weekly yoga class to keep my sanity with the fairly chaotic lifestyle that I lead. And I love to get along to music gigs, a night in the theatre and of course the cinema whenever possible.

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

A bit of both. I’d love to have more time to experiment in the kitchen and especially to use what we grow in the garden – one of these days.

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

A favourite is definitely the Quay Co-op on Sullivan’s Quay and Naturally Nourished in Blackpool is a nice spot for when we’re on the road.

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

Ideally watching a movie at home but often finishing off one project or another.

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

7am and it’s on with the show Anything else you are up to right now...

We’re really looking forward to screening our latest documentary ‘Meitheal Mara – the Voyage’ about a fantastic community boatyard in Cork which is being shown on Friday October 11 at 8.30pm in the Arc Cinema as part of IndieCork Film Festival, plus getting to see some other great films!

See https://indiecork.com/