My Weekend: ‘I like to leave Sunday as a day to reset’

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your work:

My name is Stephen O’Leary and I am from Rathcormac, County Cork. I’m from a family of nine, four sisters and two brothers. I’m right in the middle, two older and four younger.

My father, Donal, owns a haulage company and my mother, Valerie, is a drama teacher, which probably explains why I’m working in this industry today.

I graduated from the Gaiety School of Acting in Dublin in 2014 and since then I have been lucky enough to work on various theatre, film, and tv productions.

I am currently taking part in Brian Friel’s Making History, which runs in The Everyman until April 26. Set before and after the Battle of Kinsale in Cork, it follows Hugh O’ Neill who leads the rebellion in Ireland during the Nine Years War.

I’m very excited to come home to Cork with such a fantastic play and creative team.

What is your ideal way to spend a Friday night?

I do enjoy meeting friends for a drink after the week on Friday but there’s something very comforting and nostalgic for me in getting home on a Friday, ordering some nice food, and putting on The Late Late Show. That’s what we used to do growing up and so it reminds me of home.

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

That depends. If I’m working on something I usually get up earlier to give myself time in the morning. When I was filming Fair City we would have very early starts, which I don’t mind as long as I get to bed early, which doesn’t always happen. If I’ve a bit of time off I’ll try set a routine in the mornings but I would be guilty of a lie in here and there.

Does work creep into your week

Yes it does which I don’t mind. There’d be a lot of weekends where I’d use the time to prepare for auditions or shows I’m working on. But I like to leave Sunday as a day to reset.

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

I’d love to go to Nashville. My dad is a big fan of country music so growing up we’d listen to a lot of that. It would be amazing to go there with the whole family.

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

Definitely where my family home is. We’re out in the countryside so it’s where I go when I need to recharge the batteries. There’s a little river about a 15-minute walk from my house... it is extremely peaceful and calming. And just being with family helps me to relax and get away from the busyness of the city!

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

Yes it’s how me, and my girlfriend Lauren, love to spend our weekends. Meeting her family for dinner or going for walks and coffee with friends.

I love getting down home as much as I can too to catch up with mam and dad.

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

I used to play a lot of sport growing up and I still love watching the football and GAA at the weekend.

I ran my first marathon in Vienna last year and I love going out for a run early on Saturday or Sunday.

If I had to pick one thing that I missed when I moved to Dublin at 18, it was playing hurling for the club at home, so my interest in that as always stayed with me.

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

My mother Valerie has always been an amazing host. There’s always a table full of gorgeous food whenever there is people over. When I was younger, I used to love being in the kitchen with her. Now, I’m nowhere near as good a cook as she is, but she did teach me a few things. I love making a shepard’s pie, with some homemade coleslaw. So I do like to entertain but nothing will beat the dinners at home.

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

My favourite coffee spot is Cork Coffee Roasters. Anytime I’m in the city that’s my go-to coffee spot. Masseytown Rotisserie Deli on Paul Street have amazing sandwiches! When I was doing Copper Face Jacks The Musical in the Opera House that was my go-to. More locally, Hannah’s in Fermoy is a gorgeous spot for lunch with great coffee also. Luigi Malones was where we used to go when we were younger. After seeing our mom in a show or just a get together so we still enjoy going there. I also love Market Lane for a special meal!

Sunday night comes around too fast. How do you like to spend it?

Yes it always does. We love a Sunday roast. I’ll try to catch some of the football if it’s on. Me and Lauren love a Sunday market too. There’s a lovely one by St Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin that is close to our house. Other than that we just like to relax, get ready for the weekend ahead.

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

My alarm goes off at 7:30 on a Monday morning and I’m out of bed by 7:45 — after a few presses of the snooze button.

Anything else you are up to right now?

After Making History, where I play the role of Harry Hoveden , I will be working on A Low and Quiet Sea by Donal Ryan, which Andrew Flynn has adapted for stage. It will be on in The Gaiety from April 29 to May 3.