My Weekend: 'It would be normal to find me at 2am, eating goujons and watching TV'

Cork comedian Sinéad Quinlan is preparing to bring her first solo comedy show to the Dublin Fringe Festival
My Weekend: 'It would be normal to find me at 2am, eating goujons and watching TV'

Sinead plays at the Dublin Fringe Festival next month. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your work:

Hi, my name is Sinéad Quinlan. I’m a comedian from Cork. The lovely people of Cork might also know my voice from the radio as I’m a presenter on Cork’s Good Times on Red FM.

I have so many degrees from college my family were considering getting the army in to remove me from the UCC campus. I first got a bachelor’s degree in English and history as I was planning on being a secondary school teacher....then swiftly changed my mind and went down the social work route, which involved a higher diploma in social policy, followed by a two-year master’s in social work.

I took a year out after the master’s, and that’s when I first tried stand-up comedy. It was only ever meant to be a bucket-list thing that I could say I did, when old and grey in a nursing home. However, it took off for me, and I’m now working full-time in the world of entertainment.

Funnily enough, I recently had a discussion with my lecturer on the social work master’s in UCC, Kenneth Burns. We came to the conclusion that actually my stand-up career started in college, as I always brought a level of humour into my presentations.

Having done tour support for Dylan Moran and Des Bishop last year, I finally feel ready for my first-ever solo show as part of The Dublin Fringe Festival 2025. It’s called The Cultured Culchie and it’s about me coming out … as a culchie. I can’t wait to bring my Cork wit to the Dubs this September. After all, they were the ones who were calling me a culchie long before I realised I was one.

What is your ideal way to spend a Friday night?

Friday nights will usually involve a gig. I love Friday gigs actually, as people have just finished work and are ready to unwind. A comedy gig is such a great way to start your week-end. Everyone comes in and leaves their troubles at the door. They have to collect them again when they leave... we’re not miracle workers. Saturday nights can be more rowdy with stag parties etc, more chaotic, but still a lot of fun.

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

I’m a night owl without a shadow of a doubt. I come alive at night, which works well for my line of work. It would be quite normal to find me awake at 2am, eating chicken goujons and watching an episode of Criminal Minds.

Does work creep into your weekend at all?

I haven’t had a weekend off in five years. It hasn’t ever bothered me, because I love what I do.

Just because I’m not off on weekends doesn’t mean I don’t get weekends, though. It just might be on a Tuesday and Wednesday instead of a Saturday and Sunday. 

It’s also a great excuse to get out of going to things I might be invited to, but don’t want to attend. Sorry Susan, I’m working that evening actually…

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

I went to New York last Christmas and I fell in love with the place. I went with the fam for my mom’s birthday and we had the best time. I’d bring them again, as they’re sound enough.

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

There are a few places in Cork I like to go. I enjoy a browse and some food in the Marina Market, but only during the week when it’s not too busy. Walking with my AirPods in is my favourite way to unwind. I like Ballincollig Regional Park, the Blarney walk, and down by the Marina. If I’m writing something, I like to pull up to a beach and write in my car. Garryvoe Beach seems to be my favourite spot of late.

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

Yes, we are caffeine mad and our catch-ups will always happen over a coffee of some form. I’m usually either a skinny cap or my most recent venture has a bang of notions off it with an iced strawberry matcha.

Sinead first got involved in stand-up after her master's  and hasn't looked back. 
Sinead first got involved in stand-up after her master's  and hasn't looked back. 

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

As a kid I would always start things or join groups and then immediately move on to something else. My parents still give out about the time they bought me the full uniform for the Guides and a week later I decided I was going to play soccer instead. That didn’t last too long either. As soon as the ball started coming towards my face while practising headers, it was game over ... literally. Something I did keep up was music. I play the violin and have completed all the grades. I can also play by ear, which is quite cool. This question has reminded me, I bought a candle-making set a few weeks back. Must get cracking with my new candle-making business.

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

My role at a dinner party is to bring a playlist and a box of pringles. At Christmas time, I have the very important role of making the gravy. As we all know this could make or break the meal. I take it very seriously, and even bought a thermal gravy jug from Brown Thomas. No expense spared when it comes to gravy.

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

I mentioned the Marina Market, and I think it’s one of the best things to ever happen to the city. Now, it depends what you’re looking for. Italian is my favourite food and you can’t go wrong with Rossinis. If I’m feeling a Chinese, but want it to be slightly healthy, I’ll get a chicken cha han from Soba.

My favourite coffee spot is anywhere with a good people-watching spot. Farmgate in the English Market is elite for just watching the world move by.

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

I’m on the radio on Red FM on Sundays 2pm till 6pm. I’ll try get a walk in before work because by the time I finish work I just want to chill. I will often meet my friends for food and a catch-up. The Angler’s Rest seems to be our favourite spot lately.

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

I’ve started personal training a few weeks ago because I have the goal to be able to do one pull-up. Can be quite early in the morning, maybe 8.30am. As a night owl, this is not ideal, but just shows my commitment to getting that pull-up.

Anything else you are up to right now...

I just got a new slot on Red FM. I’m now weekdays, 10-midnight, as well as my Sunday slot 2pm to 6pm. Working in comedy and radio is honestly like a fever dream. I’m loving every second and I’m so excited to be bringing my first solo comedy show, The Cultured Culchie, to Dublin Fringe Festival this September. If any Cork people are going let me know, and we’ll go for pints together afterward.

Sinéad Quinlan’s ‘The Cultured Culchie’ premieres at The International Bar, as part of Dublin Fringe Festival 2025 (September 8-13). See https://www.fringefest.com/festival/whats-on/the-cultured-culchie

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My Weekend: ‘Friday evenings are for family’

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