My Weekend: 'I like a pint with mates..but not one that involves looking for a taxi home'

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your work:

My name’s Killian Donnelly, born in Meath, now live in Dublin with my wife and two children and dog.

Being a singer/actor in musicals I have performed in the West End and on Broadway, however in the last year I travelled the world taking part in Les Miserables World Tour. I’m taking a break from that to direct Come From Away with the Cork School of Music.

What is your ideal way to spend a Friday night?

My ideal Friday night would be definitely IN. I love a bit of telly with my wife once the kids are in bed, or if she wants to watch her dreadful reality shows, then I’ll pop into the front room and play some PS5.

Love a game to chill out. Cup of tea and an hour or two in a game is my ideal wind down.

Now I do like a pint with mates, but not one that is until the early hours and involves looking for a taxi home- no thanks.

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

Lie ins (when I get them).

Does work creep into your weekend at all?

Not really. I’m getting better at that. An actor once taught me to work for the time you’re paid. Now I would find myself opening a script for an hour across the weekend to memorise lines, but nothing overwhelming. The rehearsal room is the space to work.

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

You’ll laugh and everyone reading this will probably laugh too but… Cork. I’ve been across the world the past year with work and seen some incredible places. Loved the lifestyles, but I started a love affair with Cork when I did the pantos 20 years ago.

A weekend break for me is walking round and seeing friends and if I went to NYC or Australia, it wouldn’t have that touch of home. My wife also would be my plus-one.

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

Haha CORK! I live in Dublin as I married a Dublin girl, so any chance I get I like to get out of this city. My parents home in the Meath countryside is my relaxing safe space too.

If I can, I love visiting family. It’s hard to load the children into the car and drive the 45 mins to them, but when we’re there, it’s always worth it.

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

Cycling is something I like to do when I can. Since having kids, myself and my wife’s hobbies and interests tend to take a backseat (for the time being), but I do love cycling instead of driving when I can.

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

I guess to entertain. I don’t want to leave my house and head to someone else’s and follow their rules and dress up etc - Nah! You’re more than welcome to come to mine anytime, I’ll be in my comfies and I suggest you bring yours too. And also we’re having a curry paste chicken with veg (Jamie Oliver dish).

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

Cork has changed so much over the years and I’m not there as much as I’d like so a few places have changed. But I always love to head to Market Lane on Oliver Plunkett St for a gorgeous meal. When I’ve a break in rehearsals, I’ve always loved an O’Briens sambo and a coffee. Sit in the window and watch the world go by.

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

Recharging for the week ahead. Either cleaning the house (which I find therapeutic) or if I’ve not had a pint that weekend and I’ve put the permission slip in on time, I head down the road to my local for one or two. But they’re mainly lazy days in our house.

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

7:30am.

Anything else you are up to right now...

After Come From Away ends I’ll be into a short rehearsal period before heading to China for all of March. A series of concerts will take place there and then in May I’ll return to the Les Miserables World Tour.

• Killian Donnelly is directing the MTU CSM Graduating Class Production of Come From Away which runs at The Everyman from Wednesday, February 11 to Saturday, February 14 with a matinee on Saturday, February 14 at 2.30pm. See www.everymancork.com.