My Weekend: 'We have young kids, so going out is rare'

What is your ideal way to spend a Friday night?

At the moment it’s feet up at home, we have young kids so going out has become rare. But after the little fella is asleep, I’ll try watch something, but I’ve taken to watching two-hour films in three parts over three nights. Very boring stuff.

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

I used to be a lie-in person but now it’s up at 6am, my son makes sure I’ve no choice in the matter.

Does work creep into your weekend at all?

It does sometimes unfortunately, if I have deadlines and haven’t got something I’m writing finished, I’ll crack into it, but only early Saturday morning or late Sunday night. I try not to work at all on the weekend but sometimes it’s the only time you can get something done as there’s no emails coming in.

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

Tokyo in Japan and I’d take my wife – she’s never been.

I went in my 20s while travelling and it’s an incredible city and the surrounding areas just outside the city.

Dublin is as expensive as it now, it’s just the getting there that’s the big drain.

The food, the cultural spots, theatre, festivals there’s always something going on year round. And the night life is amazing.

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

Glendalough in Co Wicklow, but not on busy weekends. It’s really beautiful and has walks for different abilities.

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

Yes, I really try to see both, but always I think when kids are young every parent is just thinking of something to get them out of the house and keep them moving and entertained.

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

My wife is an amazing cook, a real foodie which is in stark contrast to my very basic ‘food is fuel’ kind of attitude, so we’re quite spoiled when we have people over as she really goes above-and-beyond – one of her signature dishes is ‘Birra Tacos’, it’s slow-cooked beef in a spiced broth consomme with chilies, tomatoes, and aromatics.

The beef is cooked until it’s fall apart tender, you then shred the meat. Dip corn tortillas in the consomme, fry them on a hot griddle, fill with the shredded meat and cheese, and fold until crispy. It’s served with a side of the consomme for dipping, topped with onions, cilantro, and lime. It’s an amazing dish.

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

I had really lovely food a few times in The Spitjack, Cork. Highly recommended!

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

Probably trying to unsuccessfully finish a book I’ve started for the fifth time before I fall asleep.

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

Mine is a two-year-old who changes the time every morning; great kid, bad alarm clock.

Anything else you are up to right now...

My show Accents is on tour with two nights in the Everyman Cork (February 18 and 19) and then on to the Town Hall Galway to end this tour.

In June the theatre company THISPOPBABY is bringing back a show we made in 2016 called RIOT. It’s coming to Vicar Street in Dublin and features Panti Bliss, Lords of Strut and Up and Over It. It’s a huge circus style spectacular. Don’t miss it!!

See https://everymancork.com/events/accents/