My Weekend: 'I try not to do too much admin at weekends'

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your work

Originally from Ballyduff, Co Waterford, I’ve been a singer for more than 35 years, working as a jazz singer in Dublin in the early ’90s and moving to NYC in 1993 where I had numerous jobs including being a waitress, a nanny, and working in education until the singing took off. I’ve recorded 12 albums to date and work a lot still in North America.

I live in Cork with my family now and have been in Cork for more than 25 years. Where does the time go? I’m delighted to be putting on The Women, We Will Rise show in The Everyman on February 1 in Cork.

It’s a project I’ve been working on for more than ten years and it has taken an enormous amount of energy for me to set up these productions.

It has song, theatre, videography, and sound design, directed by Tom Creed, and I’ll be onstage with Niamh Dunne and Sean Óg Graham, with Niall Vallely and Dónal McNinch behind the scenes. In this show I am giving voice to some of Ireland’s amazing women who shaped our cultural and political landscapes particularly during the rebellion of 1916.

We will be singing songs about the great patriot Kathleen Clarke, the Countess, and my great grandmother Agnes Ryan of the hotel. Please come along as I need the support and this a project I really love.

What is your ideal way to spend a Friday night?

There is no set plan. I could be away on tour or doing a gig in Ireland which often falls at the weekend. I could be at a concert or going out for a meal or at home with the feet up. I like doing all of the above and really like having them all to choose from. I am often tucked up in the bed reading a book.

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

Over the holidays I’ve been really enjoying the lie ins but I prefer getting up early enough. Our two daughters are older now so I don’t have the school runs anymore but I prefer to be up, fed, and at the desk for 9am. I really don’t like working late in the evenings and if I don’t clear all of the admin work I find I’m too tired after 6pm. Also because I work a lot in America, coming up to tours I can be working all hours so I prefer to sort out the emails, social media, advancing of the tours (the list is long here), etc, from nine to five.

Does work creep into your weekend at all?

Yes. I often am either doing a gig or touring and travelling on the weekends but I try not to do too much admin work over the weekends.

I am really looking forward to putting on The Women, We Will Rise show in The Everyman. And that will be over the weekend and I will only have to walk in the road to perform. That is really nice.

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

And who would you bring with you?

I’d really love to go to Africa — to Morocco, to Fez, and Marrakesh, or to Istanbul, or to Sofia, or Budapest. I think what I’d really love to do is travel by train to somewhere different and to see the sights. I’d take my husband with me.

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

I love going home to Waterford and spending time with my wonderful dad, Karl. We often go for walks in Tramore or the Mahon Falls or on Youghal beach. I love Waterford and the Copper Coast and its hidden treasures including Bunmahon beach as well.

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

Yes I like having weekends off and meeting friends on Saturday mornings for coffee and also meeting up and going out or staying in. My husband is a really good cook.

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

I like going to gigs and concerts, the theatre, poetry readings, and book launches and love the cinema as well, which we often do as a family. Also I really love walking and being out in the open air, that’s my favourite thing to do and I treasure the Glen Park and behind the Vienna Woods and tramping around there.

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

We have been entertaining less since covid, but are getting back into it now. I love entertaining and having people over and even like getting the house clean beforehand. Well kind of.

I like to make curries but to be honest my husband does most of the cooking and I love that!

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

 I love Izz Café, The Farmgate Café, Orso, and for special treat I love Paradiso, Elbow Lane, and Ichigo Ichie Bistro.

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

I’m often travelling back home from a gig or if I’m at home I’d have the feet up watching the box.

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

I wake at around 7.30/8am, sometimes earlier. As you get older you wake up earlier. I love writing in the morning so I sometimes work in the mornings when everyone is asleep and it’s nice feeling when the sun comes up and listening to the birds.

Anything else you are up to right now…

I’m preparing for The Women, We Will Rise show in The Everyman next month. I’ve started rehearsing my lines and I can’t wait for it. Please come along.

Tickets are priced at €28 and are on sale now from everymancork.com.