My Weekend: 'My ideal Friday night? Being wrapped up by the fire'

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your work.

I live near Kenmare in South Kerry, pretty close to the West Cork border. I feel very content living here because of the landscape; we’re nestled between the Ring of Kerry and the Ring of Beara, so we have the sea, the mountains, woodlands, all things good.

I live here with my partner and we’re in the middle of a house build - a mammoth project! But I feel very grateful to be able to do it. I work as a musician, writing, recording, collaborating, touring and teaching.

My main instrument is the harp and I’ve been playing for so long now I could barely get my head around an existence without it.

What is your ideal way to spend a Friday night? My ideal way to spend a Friday night is by the fire, wrapped up in something cosy, and watching a movie. Don’t mess with the classics, eh?

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

Provided I’ve gotten a good sleep, I’d be up with the lark. I enjoy the mornings.

Does work creep into your weekend at all?

Yes, being self-employed and a musician, you often work on weekends.

You also tend to have a pretty dodgy work/life balance, so any and every day can be a work day. I try to be more intentional about keeping work life and the outside world separate, but it’s a practice!

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

If money was no object, I’d be tempted to say somewhere far-flung, but that might not be the wisest choice for a weekend trip.

Bergen in Norway is beautiful, maybe I’d go there. I’d have to bring the other half, Sean.

Closer to home, is there some place you like to head to recharge the batteries? I love a walk down Derrynane beach in Kerry or through the woods in Glengarriff.

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

Sometimes, I am a bit of a hermit so if my week has been full and busy with people and travel, I will probably opt for doing something on my own/out in nature to recharge.

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

I quite like baking, when I get the time. And smelly things, I like making candles and body oils. Also some hiking.

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

I very much enjoy both. I don’t think I have a signature dish, I quite like to experiment with different recipes - which doesn’t always go well, such is the nature of experimentation!

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

There aren’t any good sushi spots near where I live and I’m a big fan so I would definitely opt to get my fix in any good sushi spot. And regarding a coffee spot, I love anywhere chilled out that has good matcha. For a special meal, Cafe Paradiso is gorgeous.

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

Would it be bad to say I spend it like how I’d spend my ideal Friday night? With slightly more existential dread.

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

I don’t really need an alarm as my partner has one for work and I’m usually awake before that goes off anyway.

I’m the lightest of sleepers and find alarms deeply disturbing and try to avoid them at all costs. I used to have a particular song as my alarm where the first four seconds or so were the sound of distant air, and this would wake me up.

Anything else you are up to right now… I’m releasing my second solo album on November 19. It’s called The Other Place and was recorded by the mighty Brian Casey of Wavefield Recordings near Clonakilty.

Irish harper and songwriter Aisling Urwin is set to release her second solo album The Other Place on November 19. Listen to singles Wild! And Flying Colours now at https://aislingurwin.bandcamp.com/