My Weekend: Preparing for a busy season of entertaining in Ballycotton, East Cork

Tell us a little bit about yourself;

My name is John Kidney, I am from Cobh where I grew up with my parents Maurice and Mary, and three sisters Alice Frances and Marie. I spent my childhood on the water, which, looking back now I know how lucky I was, but then like everything I probably took all that for granted.

I now live in Coachford with my wife Maria, daughter Mary-Kate and son Ben. It has lovely walks such as the Greenway, and Mullinhassig Waterfall and is only a 25 minute drive from the city.

Ballycotton is just under an hour’s drive from Coachford (without traffic). I have always enjoyed driving so the daily commute to work is not an issue for me at all.

I first started working for the Flynn Cush group in October 2020 (right in the middle of lockdown), after 13 years with a company called Sodexo where I held a number of different roles during that time.

My current role involves a number of different projects; the main ones being managing the restaurant and venue Sea Church; award winning restaurant and guesthouse Cush Ballycotton; and Ballycotton Sea Adventures where we run lighthouse tours. We also run a few festivals each year such as The Ballycotton Comedy Festival, and FAT Fest (folk alt and trad).

What is your ideal way to spend a Friday night?

If I am not working it’s normally feet up at home, but I am lucky in the sense that, if I am working, that normally means I am taking in a show at Sea Church.

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

Up at the lark for me - one year olds do not understand the concept of a lie-in yet.

Does work creep into your weekend at all?

Yes it can do, although not as much as it does for most people in hospitality. 

I am lucky to be in the position where I can take most Sundays off.

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

I have great memories of Budapest so it would be great to get back there soon - just myself and Maria.

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

Mullinhassig Waterfall is beautiful and a lovely walk that we do not do half enough. There’s also the cliff walk in Ballycotton (had to say it) but it is an amazing place to blow off the cobwebs , and Killarney for a few nights is always a great recharge.

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

Not half enough- it is really hard to do so with everyone being so busy, but it is something we try to do every few weeks.

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

I love rugby. I played for as long as I could but I am well retired at this stage. 

I still enjoy watching and cheering on Munster and I keep an eye out for the results of my former teams. I also enjoy cooking at home.

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

We love to entertain at home. I have no particular signature dish - I like to pick a theme and run with it.

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

I have a voucher for the Glass Curtain which I can’t wait to use, and the Marina Market has so many choices and new trends. Locally, The Boat House has been a great addition, as has Pickled in Macroom. You can’t beat Boxd Coffee, Blue House Coffee or Cork Coffee Roasters. I’d like to also give a special mention to Hilliards in Killarney. We were recently there for a family occasion and couldn’t have been better looked after with great food, service and décor.

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

On the couch relaxing - boring out.

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

We have creche and school run on a Monday, so I’m normally up at 7am.

Anything else you are up to right now...

Preparing for a busy Christmas in Ballycotton with the likes of Jack L, Celine Byrne , Mary Coughlan all coming to Sea Church in December, along with a very special act that we can’t reveal just yet.

For more see https://seachurch.ie/