Person to Person: 'It doesn’t really bother me how I’m remembered...they can think what they like'

Tell us about yourself

I am the Operation Manager of the Cork Deaf Association. In my spare time I am a punk poet and musician. I love reading, jazz music, cricket and football. I am married with three grown-up children (almost).

Where were you born? Lincoln, in the UK.

Where do you live? Carrigaline for the past 25 years.

Family? A wife and three children, two cats, Luna and Dave.

Best friend? Have to say my wife and a musician friend in the UK called Eg, who I’ve known for 40-plus years.

Earliest childhood memory? Not sure there was a particular moment, life comes into focus gradually. You don’t see the details until you’re older.

Waiting for an older friend to come home from school, must have been two or three. Standing on this wobbly fence.

Person you most admire? There’s lots of people in the arts who I admire. Miles Davis, who released over 60 albums in his lifetime. Writer Irvine Welsh. Poet Dylan Thomas.

We also have some great staff working here in the Cork Deaf Association that certainly set a high bar.

Person who most irritates you? I try not to get too irritated by people, but without naming names, negative people. People who only see the bad, not the good.

Where was your most memorable holiday? We had a fabulous holiday in Venice some years ago. What an incredible place to visit. Sadly, a place that is sinking. With no roads, it completely changes the dynamic

.Favourite TV programme?

I tend not to watch TV. I do indulge in watching cricket and football, and my beloved team Newcastle United.

Favourite radio show? In my younger days in the UK, that was John Peel on Radio One. I was lucky enough to be played by him back in the eighties.

Your signature dish if cooking?

It would have to be fish curry. I also do a mean lentil dahl.

Favourite restaurant? Ritu Indian Restaurant in Carrigaline, gorgeous food.

Last book you read? Skagboys by Irvine Welsh. (Author of Trainspotting)

Best book you read? Ulysses by James Joyce, or East of Eden by John Steinbeck.

Last album/CD/download you bought?

The Sorcerer by Miles Davis (on vinyl).

Favourite song? God Save the Queen , by the Sex Pistols.

One person you would like to see in concert? Seen some great concerts over the years, Prince, Bob Dylan, Lou Reed. I didn’t see Bowie, that would have been good.

Do you have a pet? Two cats, Luna and Dave. I’m a cat guy. Dogs are too demanding.

Morning person or night owl?

Morning person, but not too early.

Your proudest moment? I guess becoming a dad was pretty special and mind-blowing. Releasing a novel on my 50th birthday.

Spendthrift or saver? A bit of both really. A balance. You’ve got to treat yourself, but not too much to the extent where you haven’t got any money left.

Name one thing you would improve in your area in which you live? A decent transport infrastructure - totally overlooked in Carrigaline. Traffic is off the scale bad.

What makes you happy? Good friends, good food, good company. Creativity, music, writing, reading. Not taking life too seriously. The ability to laugh. See the funny side.

How would you like to be remembered? It doesn’t really bother me how I’m remembered. They can think what they like when I’m gone.

What else are you up to at the moment?

Working hard. Releasing music. Writing a book.