My Weekend: 'I work every weekend and I love it'

Tell us a bit about yourself and your work:

My name is Pádraic Di Fusco and I’m from Dungarvan in Waterford. I studied music in college and now my job is to entertain people at all sorts of occasions with my guitar and voice.

Although I’m a Waterford native I was born in Cork, and my grandad Jack was from Cobh. I love to travel and eat too much food. Fun fact about me is that I am terrible at writing Q&As.

What is your ideal way to spend a Friday night?

My ideal Friday night would be to have some friends over, order some kebab calzones from Pizza Bay in Dungarvan, some cold beverages, and board games.

I love board games.

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

I would be lying if I said I didn’t love to sleep in. I would say I’m definitely a night owl.

Does work creep into your weekend at all?

Playing music in pubs and other venues means I work every weekend. And I love it.

If money was no object where would you go for a city break?

I’ve been meaning to visit Budapest and Prague but I’d have to say Nashville. I don’t think there’s anything better than spending a weekend listening to live music.

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

Clonea Beach is a lovely place in the summer to recharge but I’m in my element on a rainy day at home beside the fire, rewatching Harry Potter movies.

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

Everyone is so busy that whenever a day pops up to go for a coffee and a catch-up I’ll jump at the opportunity.

Do you get to indulge any hobbies, even as a spectator?

I love trying new recipes. I am in no way a good cook but I do enjoy being in the kitchen with my partner, throwing ingredients together and hopefully it turns out edible.

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

I love hosting game nights. My friends know that if I invite them over for the evening it means when they arrive they will be greeted by a tower of board games on the kitchen table.

Throw on some random NPR Tiny Desk concerts on the speaker. Some oven pizzas and chilled drinks. We love to see it.

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

There are so many to choose from. Some of my favourites for coffee include Cork Coffee Roasters, Bus Stop Coffee, and MYO.

For food, I’d have to say Il Padrino, Quinlans, and Cask. For drinks I love the Roundy; live music gigs and comedy nights are great. I can’t forget Impala, clear favourite for me with the selection of drinks and the board games.

Have I mentioned I love board games? Oh also for lunch no better sandwich than at Five Points. Changed my life last year. Last but not least, big shoutout to Leisureplex and the Mardyke for feeding my seasonal love for playing pool.

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

Sunday night is usually spent gigging but when I do have it off I love to go to Merry’s in Dungarvan for live music and of course a lovely pint.

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

Having worked hard over the weekend I don’t like to set an alarm for Monday morning. I’ll wake up when my body tells me to.

Anything else you are up to right now...

I’ve been working on recording and releasing original music with some friends of mine. 2025 looks to be an exciting year.

Pádraic is performing in The Everyman/CADA production of Red Riding Hood.

See www.everymancork.com