Person to Person: 'I’ve turned into something of a serial complainer'

Tell us about yourself:

I am a writer, poet, and performer from Clonakilty. I have worn many hats and have worked in communications, copywriting, and was a columnist for several years. My passion has always been writing and performing, and so, after many years of dipping my toe into the creative scene, I am finally taking the leap and trying to commit to being a writer! (No easy feat in this economy!) I am doing a Masters in Creative Writing at the University of Limerick and have started performing poetry professionally. I was honoured to represent Ireland at the 2025 Poetry Slam World Cup in Paris in May, where I made it to the final and finished third. There is something so special about sharing something you’ve written with an audience, and so the whole event felt truly magical.

Where were you born?

I was born in Dublin - please don’t hold that against me! My family moved to Australia when I was a toddler, before finally settling in West Cork.

Where do you live?

I live in Limerick city while I finish my Masters.

Family?

I am one of five kids, so it’s not that surprising that I’ve taken to performing - how else can I get attention?! I have three sisters, a brother and two wonderful parents - I am lucky to be very close to them all.

Best friend?

I can’t pick just one, I’d be killed! But given that she is currently texting me right now, I have to give a shout-out to glorious Vivienne. We met doing our post-grad together almost ten years ago and have been pretty much inseparable ever since. She is joy personified.

Earliest childhood memory?

My granny lived in Kildare and had this really long gravel driveway up to her house. One of the first things I can remember is driving up to see her on Friday nights from Cork. It would take hours and so the sound of the car crunching on the gravel as we slowly turned into her driveway and could see the lights on waiting for us was one of the best sounds in the world!

Person you most admire?

Mary Robinson is forever and always one of my biggest heroes. Recently, I have been completely in awe at the integrity of UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese, who has steadfastly and resolutely called out the genocide in Gaza and, more importantly, Western governments’ complicity in it. We need more of these women in power!

Person who most irritates you?

Hah! Again, they aren’t in short supply! Let’s just say the orange man and leave it at that.

Where was your most memorable holiday?

I spent a summer in India when I was a student and have never had an experience before or like it since. The intensity of it all - from the flavours of the food, to the colours, the traffic, and the heat - was unlike anything I’ve experienced before or since: I loved it.

Favourite TV programme?

Keeping Up Appearances - I have no notes.

Favourite radio show?

I’m not sure if it’s still running, but it has to be The Love Zone - a nightly radio show that played love songs from 10pm to 12am. I think my sister and I fell asleep listening to it every night for most of my teenage years, and I still think it has the best radio jingle I’ve ever heard.

Your signature dish if cooking?

If I’m having people over, I tend to do something like the spanakopita, a Greek pastry pie filled with spinach, feta, and herbs. If it’s just me, my go-to is always some kind of one-pot beans and veg dish.

Favourite restaurant?

Izz Café on George’s Quay.

Last book you read?

Leaving The Atocha Station, by Ben Lerner. Interestingly, it’s about a poet struggling to find his place in the world and who is filled with insecurity and imposter syndrome and so naturally I loved it.

Best book you read?

This is outrageously tough to answer and so I’m going to go classic and say Pride And Prejudice by Jane Austen. It’s got love, it’s got comedy, it’s got messy and outrageous families, it’s got revenge - it has it all!

Last album/CD/download you bought?

MARINA’s latest album, PRINCESS OF POWER. It has everything you need to dance, scream, take on the world.

Favourite song?

This is another impossible question but if I simply HAD to choose, it would be Fake Empire by The National.

One person you would like to see in concert?

This is a bit wacky, but I would give anything to see Neil Diamond in concert! Hot August Night, the concert album, remains my favourite album of all time and I think he is one of the underrated greats!

Do you have a pet?

We have a family cat called Pooka who is completely disinterested in and honestly downright mortified by my existence.

Morning person or night owl?

Morning person!! But as I struggle with time management, I tend to find myself up later than I would like most nights of the week…

Your proudest moment?

Getting the email to say my one woman show had been selected for Dublin Fringe Festival.

Spendthrift or saver?

Saver, so that I can be a spendthrift. I am always planning huge adventures and so spend most of my life saving, only to spend all my money on travelling or experiences.

Name one thing you would improve in your area in which you live?

More third spaces that encourage community and connection.

What makes you happy?

Being outside! Good food! Excellent company! A fantastic coffee! A really good hug!

How would you like to be remembered?

It’s a cliché, but I would like to be remembered as kind. As someone who people felt happy to be around - I don’t think there’s anything better than that. Oh, also funny. I would like people to remember me as hilarious.

What else are you up to at the moment?

I am hard at work on my first one-woman show which will be premiering at Dublin Fringe Festival this September! It’s called I Want To Speak To Your Manager (How I Was Radicalised And Became…Karen) and it’s a comedy about how I’ve turned into something of a serial complainer recently, but why I actually think this is something to be proud of. I’m having an absolute ball writing it and can’t wait to unleash Karen to the world in September.

• Tickets are on sale now on www.fringefest.com.