My Weekend: 'My ideal Friday...bingo followed by a bag of chips'

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your work?

My name is Róisín Lane. I am a singer, teacher, and performer from Cork. Within the last year myself and my fiancé Colin (and our two beautiful cats) have been lucky enough to have bought our first home in Glanmire village. Growing up, I always knew that music was for me, I never once questioned it and I never even considered a back-up plan. I always say ‘if you have a back-up plan, you will use it’. 

I don’t think I was even that strong of a singer when I was younger, I certainly never received main parts as a child when auditioning for solos. 

I never got the coveted role as ‘Mary’ in the Nativity, but boy was I happy to be ‘villager number 3’ nonetheless. 

I was incredibly nervous when it came down to auditions. However, I watched, listened and learned! I fell in love with performing in bands as a teenager. 

The underage music scene is Cork was alive and well, thanks to a wonderful woman, then a teenager herself, Lauren Cahalane, who would organise gigs every month! Myself and my best friends at the time would rehearse all month, and when it came time for our first gig – I was ready! I bounced onto that stage and stepped into the shoes of the woman I would become – confident, spontaneous, and an absolute chancer! 

From then, I went on to study in the Cork School of Music in the newly founded Popular Music Degree. I was mesmerised by all the talented musicians in my year and even more taken aback by the teaching staff. I absolutely adored my time in this degree, I learned so much and, thankfully, my heroes in life, Dr Trish Rooney and Karl Rooney saw a little spark in me and, upon graduating, hired me to become student co-ordinator for The Academy of Music. 

As the years went on I have become vice principal (if anyone’s parents are reading this – I will reply to your email asap ha!) and singing teacher. I could not be more grateful to Trish and Karl for everything they have taught me over the years. I have also been teaching in a few other schools throughout the years – Footdreams Performing Arts under Tracey O Donovan Linnane, who has since passed. Tracey was the epitome of what it is to be a professional, kind and amazing teacher while also being the most fun person in the room. I was constantly in awe of her! I am now, alongside The Academy of Popular Music, also teaching in Centre Stage School under the incredible director, Aideen McAuliffe. This is where I have nurtured my love of Musical Theatre. 

The incredibly dedicated and talented staff and, of course, the amazing students, have all led me to this year where I have been cast as ‘The Ugly Stepsister’ in The Everyman Panto. Of course, special mention to my fiancé Colin, who has been a musician in the Opera House panto for a number of years. We are becoming a little panto power couple (oh yes we are!)

What is your ideal way to spend a Friday night?

It may not sound so exciting, but my ideal Friday night is attending Ballyphehane Bingo with my mom Rosaleen. We might even share a bag of chips with a cheese and onion pie. I suppose to make it even sweeter, I might even shout ‘CHECK’ and bring home a few bob.

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

Lie ins BIG TIME! Myself and my partner both work later into the evening, so a lie in is my preference. However, my cat Duckie will always wake me up at 4am for breakfast, which of course I oblige!

Does work creep into your weekend at all?

Oh does it what! I am a singer in The Offbeats, led by the wonderful Dylan Tierney (all the way from Texas currently while he studies for his masters). We are a nine-piece band and we recently finished off a wonderful Jazz weekend playing in our favourite venues! Special shoutout to Dwyers, who always look after us with a few beverages on our last gig. A very special send-off for a spectacular Jazz weekend. Now alongside all of this, I also teach on weekends in The Academy of Popular Music. Our students are truly incredible so it really is a pleasure to peel my head off the pillow on Saturday mornings after a late gig the night before.

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

If money weren’t an object I would head away on a weekend cruise. I am one of those people who loves a cruise. I don’t even mind where it goes, just pop me on a ship, hand me a cocktail, and once I find myself in the buffet….life couldn’t get any better. Of course, I would only be delighted to bring my fiancé Colin. We are currently planning our honeymoon and it will either be a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Japan or a cruise.

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

I’m lucky enough to live right on the Glashaboy river. To recharge my batteries, I just like to pop outside, take in the beauty and breathe! Of course, I have wonderful neighbours, Pauline, Dennis and the wonderful Rosarie, who makes living here so special with her amazing gardening skills, and on occasion I am lucky enough to catch them for a chat!

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

Yes and no. I love meeting with people and spending time together, however, in my line of work (teaching and gigging) I use so much of my social battery so I tend to keep my weekends as chilled out as possible!

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

I love bouldering in Awesome Walls. I’m not that good and I don’t go often enough, but it is my favourite hobby. Even though sometimes I can find myself just in awe watching all of the amazing climbers!

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

I love to entertain! My signature dish is ordering pizza and let me tell you, it never disappoints. I would love to dive deeper into my culinary skills, which are currently at a zero.

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

My favourite spot to have a special meal is Cafe Mexicana in Cork city – beautiful food, wonderful service! For dessert, we pop across to Intermission bar for the best cocktails. My favourite lunch spot at the moment has to be Carved Cafe by the Kinsale road roundabout. I have no grá for coffee - a blessing to my purse.

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

Well, my Sunday night is technically my Saturday night as I take Mondays off, but to be honest I treat them all the same. I curl up with a great book, I’m fixated on anything written by Sarah J Maas, both my kittens curled up either on my lap or sometimes just right up on my book (very practical, thank you guys), and if I’m lucky enough, my partner will pick up a guitar and become my soundtrack for the evening.

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

10:30am but I won’t even consider leaving the bed until 11am. I don’t begin work until 3pm! However, on Saturdays, my alarm goes off at 6:30am, 6:40am, 6:50am and goes on for about an hour.

Anything else you are up to right now...

I’ve commenced Everyman Panto rehearsals for Cinderella. I have never been more excited for anything in my life - eek!!

I could not be more grateful to our wonderful director, Catherine Mahon-Buckley who has entrusted me to take on Chloe, an Ugly Stepsister, alongside an incredible cast.

I suppose there’s only one question to leave you with… Will you be going to the Ball?