My Weekend: 'I honestly don't ever get Sunday fear'

Cork artist and vocalist Laoise Leahy is preparing to perform at a gala event at Cork Opera House this weekend to marks its 170th anniversary. 
My Weekend: 'I honestly don't ever get Sunday fear'

Laoise Leahy was born and raised in Carrigaline. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your work.

My name is Laoise Leahy, and I am a Cork-based artist, vocalist, songwriter, educator, and quickly turning into a bit of a pseudo-philosopher in a world gone mad!

I was born and raised in Carrigaline. After some adventuring, studying, and working in London and beyond, I’m now happily settled back home in Carrigaline with my husband, Barry, our two beautiful children, Finn (8) and Saoirse (6), and our four-legged first-born, Butters (15). Music and theatre run deep in both sides of my family, and I’ve always been drawn to the stage — I’ve never done anything else!

I did my first professional show at Cork Opera House at age 13 in Verdi’s La Traviata, singing with the IORC chorus. I went on to perform in more operas and musicals, but when I joined the CSM Jazz Big Band at 15, I became hooked on jazz! It was an incredible time where I also collaborated with local musicians, bands, and producers, writing songs and playing improvised funk, pop, and jazz gigs. If there was something musical going on, I’d throw a microphone in my handbag and get involved!

I’ve since had the privilege of working with notable acts such as Dermot Kennedy, Damon Albarn, Bon Iver, Damien Rice, The Staves, Gilbert O’Sullivan, Richard Reed Parry (Arcade Fire), MayKay, Ólafur Arnalds, Ye Vagabonds, Niall McCabe, Brian Deady, Jack O’Rourke, Cormac McCarthy, Paul Dunlea, the New Irish Jazz Orchestra, RTÉ Concert Orchestra, and many more, through live shows, festivals, writing, TV, and recording sessions.

Laoise says she loves to spend time with friends and family at the weekend. 
Laoise says she loves to spend time with friends and family at the weekend. 

In 2022, I began to explore my own sound and expression as an artist, releasing a trilogy of singles. I am currently continuing to hone my sound with producer Christian Best at Monique Studio and am excited to release my upcoming debut EP, Breathe In & Let Go, very soon.

In 2023, I was honoured to serve two residencies: one as artist-in-residence at Sounds From A Safe Harbour (curated by Mary Hickson and Cillian Murphy), and another as a jazz artist-in-residence at Cork Opera House. During my time at the Opera House, I developed my craft through monthly jazz club-style concerts, large-scale orchestral shows, and devised an original concept theatre show with the Johnny Taylor Trio, which sold out two shows at the Granary Theatre during the Cork Jazz Festival.

Earlier this year, I was also involved in a moving tribute to the much-loved Cork artist Talos, who we lost far too soon. The artists performed We Didn’t Know We Were Ready (written during the 2023 SFSH Artist residency) live on The Tommy Tiernan Show on TV, and the studio recording was released on Opia Records on January 31, 2025. It was such an emotional and meaningful experience. As always, I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to express and process difficult things through art, music, and community.

I proudly lecture in contemporary music and vocal styles at MTU Cork School of Music, which is quickly becoming a leader in contemporary and collaborative music education in Ireland and beyond. The emerging talent and growing artistic possibilities and community are incredibly exciting.

I continue to collaborate with musicians, singers, songwriters, and producers in my own work. Recently, I’ve also begun experimenting with spoken word, Irish language, audience-prompted improvisation, FX pedals, percussion, self-accompaniment, and soundscaping. I’m not afraid to explore meaningful and often raw themes. I feel like I’m entering a very creative and formative time in my life and career, and I’m excited about what’s to come!

What is your ideal way to spend a Friday night?

I think I lived it earlier this month! I met my lovely husband Barry for a spontaneous wander around town and tapas at Paladar on Bridge Street after performing at an International Women’s Day & Cork Migrant Centre event for Cork Opera House at UCC.

We ended up at a beautiful book launch of Kinship by Dorothy Cross, presented by Sounds From A Safe Harbour and Liliput Press in Waterstones. There was a live reading by Max Porter, and songs by Lisa Hanigan that brought tears to my eyes.

It was such a meaningful and moving experience. The whole day was a dream.

I think enjoying intimate and meaningful moments with family, friends, and the arts community is my favourite way to spend time these days.

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

I have no choice but to be up with the lark with my kiddies, LOL!

Laoise said she's "excited and honoured" to be joining a host of artists and musicians to celebrate 170 years of Cork Opera House with an epic upcoming gala tomorrow night. 
Laoise said she's "excited and honoured" to be joining a host of artists and musicians to celebrate 170 years of Cork Opera House with an epic upcoming gala tomorrow night. 

Does work creep into your weekend at all?

Always! If I don’t have a gig, work engagement, or specific research or practice to do, I try my best to carve out some time for myself on weekends to listen to music, write, record, or practice. Barry is also a beautiful musician, producer, and songwriter, so we collaborate when we can.

We try to drag the kids into it all, but they’re not always as excited as I am about whatever music project I’ve got going on, or our deep dive into the ’90s back catalogue. They usually have much more interesting lives to get on with, so we don’t always succeed unless I get the FX & loop pedals out... haha! When your work is also your creative hobby and brings endless fun and fulfilment, it doesn’t really switch off for the weekend. In fact, the opposite - it’s a joy!

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

Oooh, this sounds lovely! I coordinate Erasmus mobility for the contemporary music students at CSM, and I’m just back from representing MTU at an AEC Pop & Jazz Conference in Pamplona — it was completely gorgeous! I adore Spanish people, culture, and the pace of life. There’s something very special about northern Spain, the drive through the mountains, the music, and the Pinxtos. But there would need to be beaches!

So, maybe somewhere like San Sebastián by the coast, with Barry and the kids or close girlfriends.

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

Cork is a rugged beauty, especially the further west you explore. But we’re also completely spoiled with little gems like Crosshaven and Kinsale nearby, and beaches like Roberts Cove, Fountainstown, and Rocky Bay on our doorstep to blow the cobwebs away with a sea swim, cliff walk, and a sauna. 

There are artisan food and coffee vans popping up everywhere, creating beautiful community vibes. It’s so wonderful to see outdoor wellness and culture taking centre stage these days.

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

Yes, absolutely! Although there’s a running joke now that they have to buy a ticket to see me! But I object to that - I’ll always manage to get them on the guest list, haha! I love catching up with family when we can, to fill the cup. Avril Leahy (Barry’s mum) does an epic traditional Sunday roast (or the ‘Lamb of God,’ as she likes to call it!). It’s great when the cousins are around. And when the days get brighter and Finbarr pulls out the BBQ, it’s happy days in the garden!

I can’t always pin my own mother, Rosaleen, down, which is probably my favourite thing about her. If she’s not up a mountain or on a plane to track down another art exhibition or theatre show and glass of wine in some new corner of Europe, she’s out walking, exploring, taking a course, learning, appreciating nature and culture, cherishing life, family, and friends, and finding good coffee and conversation somewhere... she’s my absolute inspiration and life goals!

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

Some might say my work is also my hobby, and I would have to agree for the most part. But I also love to swim, walk, read, and practice yoga whenever I can. I’m a proud spectator at many underage sports and hobbies, cheering from the sidelines! I’ve also taken up Duolingo lately and am really enjoying bringing a cúpla focal back into my life!

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

We love to entertain at home. I love the atmosphere and warm glow after filling the house with visits from family and friends. I’m more the candle-lighting, snack-arranging, and napkin-folding department of the operation, while Barry goes deep into the food prep. He loves to do mad things like roast spices or nuts, brine, flambé, and marinate things, so I’m happy to leave him to it and concentrate on the important things – like filling the glasses, preparing the playlist, and catching up on the D&M chats with friends and family. I like to think we’re a good team!

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

Yes, we’re spoiled! A wander through the Victorian Quarter is a joy these days – it’s so great to see the place alive with so many lovely cafés and restaurants. I also love the Marina Market – it has such heart and soul, and lovely outdoor seating and space for the kids and dogs to run free. The atmosphere is so special, and there’s an amazing selection of delicious local food and produce.

We’re going to visit the beautiful family-run Bastion restaurant in Kinsale for a birthday night out soon — it’s such a treat! Dede in Baltimore is another incredible spot for a very special meal.

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

The ultimate Sunday for me is chilling at home after a Sunday roast with my family, feet up, a fire lit, and a good book, album, or film.

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

I don’t think I’ve set an alarm in eight years... haha! Some day I might regain that pleasure! But for now, it’s up at 7.30am to bring my kids to school and then hit the road to work with the new wave of talent at MTU Cork School of Music.

I honestly don’t ever get Sunday fear — I’m so grateful for my day job, sharing the love of music at CSM. 

It’s such a joy to work with so many talented young contemporary musicians. It’s an exciting time for CCM music education, and no two days are ever the same!

Anything else you are up to right now...

I’m excited and honoured to be joining a host of incredible local artists and musicians to celebrate 170 years of Cork Opera House with an epic upcoming gala on March 22!

I’ll be joining the Cork Opera House Concert Orchestra to perform, among other pieces, a tribal arrangement of Zombie by The Cranberries. It’s one of the most powerful songs to sing at the best of times, but Paul Frost’s incredible arrangement, and the support of a full orchestra in times like these, is truly an honour and a privilege.

I’m excited to be involved in the celebrations and getting back onto my favourite stage in the city!

I’m also very excited to release my Breathe In & Let Go EP soon and hope to announce some live shows to celebrate the launch.

So stay tuned and feel free to connect! I do most of my announcing on my Instagram account @laoise_leahy. I also have a mailing list if you’d like to join the fun or make an enquiry. Don’t hesitate to get in touch at laoiseleahymusic@gmail.com.

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