My Weekend: 'Social media falls way down my list in terms of hobbies'

Tell us a little about yourself.

My name is Tadgh O’Donovan, and I’m a teacher in Carrigaline Community School. I’ve been teaching in CCS for the past five years, but before that I taught in the UK for five years as well. I grew up in Bandon and moved back there after my time in the UK, where I renovated a house with my dad, and my now wife, Chelsea. Outside of my job, I’m probably best known for my social media content, under the username ‘TeachWithTadgh’. Like most content creators, I started during covid, when we were all locked indoors, looking for creative ways to keep busy. I ventured onto TikTok and started posting school/ Irish content, and spent a few years teaching live science lessons on the platform. Five years on and I still find myself posting videos regularly, but nowadays my time is mostly spent coaching rugby in my school, or playing with my local club in Bandon.

What is your ideal way to spend a Friday night? 

My ideal Friday night starts with playing a rugby match at my home in Bandon RFC, and then cozying up by the fire with my wife while watching a movie.

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

Up with the lark most of the time. During the week it’s up at 5.30am to be in the gym for 6am, so the hardest part of the day is done before work even begins. On the weekend I might have a cheeky lie in every so often.

Does work creep into your weekend at all?

I do my best not to let it, but sometimes it feels unavoidable. If there’s tests that need correcting, it’s nearly impossible to find the time during work hours to do it, so Sunday gets sacrificed.

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

I’d take my wife to Italy, as it’s somewhere we’ve never been before and it’s currently top of our list for a weekend getaway

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

Inchydoney beach is a great spot to just get away from the world for a few hours.

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

As much as humanly possible. My wife’s family live in Offaly, so we do our best to spend our weekends catching up with either her side or my side.

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

While I’m probably best known for my social media, it falls way down my list in terms of hobbies. Rugby would have to be my number one, and I’ve been involved with every aspect of the game. Player, coach, and referee, I just think it’s a great sport to be involved in, and can teach young people a lot of important life skills.

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

As much as I like to just rock up and be a guest, there’s something I enjoy about hosting as well. During the summer, I love throwing barbecues, and I’m quickly seeing myself morph into that guy who looks for any excuse to have one. Five minutes of sunshine expected in the afternoon? Better crack out the bbq!

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

My go to spot is the Copper Grove in Bandon. Unbelievable grub! When the in-laws come down it’s the first place they always want to go as well, so it’s a no brainer. Plus the staff in there are incredible.

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

Panicking mostly, wondering if I’ve everything sorted for the next day! 9 times out of 10, I’ve everything ready to go, but the odd occasion I’ll have forgotten something, and then it’s panic stations to get it done.

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

5:30am, and into the gym for 6… insert crying emoji 

Anything else you are up to right now...

Just enjoying watching A Rebel Educationand seeing people’s reactions to what life is like inside our school in Carrigaline. It was nice to be involved in the series, but it’s probably only capturing 1% of school life. There’s so many staff doing incredible things behind the scenes in our school, but it was nice to give the world a taste of what we do.