My Weekend: ‘I am always last to leave as I love dancing’

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your work:

Hi, I’m Alice Barry, from Carrigtwohill, and now lucky enough to live at the harbour’s edge in Aghada with my children, Murragh and Amelia. I’ve spent most of my adult life working as a writer, actor, director, and producer. I began my career as a medical scientist, working as a microbiologist for two years, before a trip across Indonesia inspired me to pursue my dream of becoming an actor. I graduated from The Samuel Beckett Centre, Trinity, in 1995, and, from there, my creative journey has taken me in all sorts of directions.

Over the years, I’ve written and performed plays that have toured nationally and internationally, including Fruitcake, Violet Gibson: The Woman Who Shot Mussolini, and Liv. These shows all had productions at The Everyman Theatre, which was very special for me. My mum used to take me to see shows in Cork as a young girl. It’s where my love of theatre and live performance began.

I’m always looking to learn and grow in my work. I earned a screenwriting certificate from UCLA and later completed a master’s in creative writing at UCC. My placement from the master’s was as an artist liaison at West Cork Literary Festival. I love it there and have returned every year since.

As artistic director of Noggin Theatre Company and a director of Midleton Arts Festival, I aim to inspire a deep connection to creativity within the East Cork community and keep the art of storytelling alive and well.

What is your ideal way to spend a Friday night?

I’ve never been a creature of habit and am quite spontaneous, to my detriment at times, so it’s a matter of what’s on offer and whether or not I am ferrying either of my teenagers anywhere. Usually, a home-cooked meal, where devices are off limits, followed by a good movie. My Place Community Centre, in Midleton, has recently started exhibiting some amazing art, so I try to make the openings, which are on Friday evenings. Great art, good company, and a few glasses of vino — what’s not to like?

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

I can do either and love a good party. I am always the last to leave, as I love dancing. Good parties can be rare enough now, and so I’m often up early and out to the Sweaty Sanctuary Sauna at Inch beach. I love the heat in my bones, followed by a cold dip, and then repeat. I like a good cycle or hike, and I’m lucky to have great beaches, woods, and cycle paths on my doorstep. Hang on, don’t print that, I’m supposed to keep it a secret. ‘Nothing to see here, go on down west with the rest.’

Does work creep into your weekend at all?

The great thing about being an artist is that it’s a lifestyle choice. Work is always with me, and I love it. I don’t listen to much media anymore, so my thoughts are always ticking away. I could be inspired by anything from dog poop on the people’s path (hate that!) to the sun setting behind Cobh.

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

It’s hard to beat Venice; culturally different, with fabulous food, and steeped in art. I’d bring my mother and my sister to Le Biennale. My mother is 87, the epitome of positivity, and always up for an adventure. My sister and I are lucky to have inherited her joie de vivre. I was there last year with my daughter for the Homo Faber 2024, an immersive craft exhibition staged across the magnificent spaces of Fondazione Giorgio Cini. It was lovely for me to share the excitement of discovering hundreds of incredible objects made by artists from all over the world with a 15-year-old, fresh eyes.

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

I’ll head to Roches Point or Guileen and fling myself off the rocks. Nothing recharges the batteries like a shock to the system — pure energy, the best kind. You can think of nothing when your brain is freezing. I grew up near Brown Island, and we always swam there as kids. Sandy sandwiches and warm cordial picnics, but I’m a recent convert to sea swimming. The sauna helps once the winter kicks in, but I’m sure that’s cheating to a die-hard.

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

I always have my mum for Sunday dinner, or we’ll go out somewhere with Murragh and Amelia. We’ll catch up on the week’s activities if we haven’t met during the week. My daughter might have a camogie match, or my son displays a 32-scale model farm at shows. He’s a member of the Garrison Model Club led by Brendan.

It’s great for a young lad who has no interest in sport. He’s found a supportive, interesting tribe.

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

The weekend always begins at 4.30 on Friday, when I play tennis with a group of incredible, fun-loving, slightly competitive individuals. I play tennis at least three times a week, and if I’m participating in a tournament or league, it can take up a large part of the weekend. I also go kayaking with my son around East Ferry or further afield.

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

I enjoy entertaining when I can and have several reliable dishes, but, for me, it’s more important that everyone feels relaxed. I don’t stress over the food, even though I am no Darina, but there will be plenty of it, along with some interesting drinks and chat.

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

You can’t beat Cork Coffee Roasters in the city but, locally, Corkbeg Cafe and Rostellan Farm have incredible coffee and treats. New to the area, both are unique experiences for lunch. I did my play, Fruitcake, at Corkbeg Cafe in Whitegate last summer. It’s on a pier, on the water. The tide was in, and the water was like glass. A beautiful, balmy summer evening — very special. If it’s an occasion, Ferrit and Lee, in Midleton, never fail to impress, but, of course, if it’s a significant occasion, it has to be Ballymaloe.

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

Sunday night is movie night. After my mum has headed home, we get ready for the week ahead and then curl up on the couch with Kitsit, our cat. A nice, roaring fire in the winter.

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

We start at 6.45am on Monday to get Amelia to the bus for 7.30am. We’re enjoying the sleep-ins at the moment, although she is working at Fota Island Adventure summer camps, so we’re still up by 8am to get her there for 9am some mornings. She loves it, though — great fun and outdoors without devices. I kinda love it for her, too. My son is working at Walls Honest Proper Chips, not too far from us, so if Amelia isn’t going to Fota, I’m still up with Murragh. It’s great for me as I’m rehearsing and learning an incredible script at the moment, a new play called The Silver Case, by Brendan Griffin, which will be at Cork Arts Theatre the last week in July as part of their summer season. Original music by Lewis Barfoot.

Anything else you are up to right now...

I’m gearing up for Cabaret, which I do every year in My Place for Culture Night, but I am most excited to be doing a workshop this year at West Cork Literary Festival. It’s on Monday, July 14, called Performance Is a Verb, where I will explore how performance techniques can enhance the writing process, amplify storytelling, and engage audiences more deeply. I’ll get a chance to show this in action as I’m also running the open-mic sessions this year. It’s always exciting to listen to new and established voices. West Cork Literary Festival is my absolute favourite week of the year, and I get to be on the programme with Richard E Grant. Of course, Graham Norton, Neil Jordan, Carol Drinkwater, Eimear McBride, and many others are also there, but so are Withnail and I.

• Alice Barry will be at the West Cork Literary Festival on Monday, July 14, at 5pm in The Maritime Hotel for an interactive session, which explores how performance techniques can enhance the writing process, amplify storytelling, and engage audience more deeply.
  See www.westcorkliteraryfestival.ie.