My Weekend: 'I've turned my hobby into a business. I love it'

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your work?

I grew up in Cork. We have one son, who’s about to turn 18, so that’s happened way too quick. I joined the army at 20 years old.

I’ve spent 24 years so far in the Defence Forces and love my job. I’ve completed five overseas missions, but nowadays, I stay closer to home and run whiskey events with my wife Sonya, like the annual Cork Whiskey Fest in March, in my spare time. My passion for whiskey has led me to proudly be chairman of the Cork Whiskey Society since 2021.

I have also run my own podcast, Whiskey Chats, since 2020.

What is your ideal way to spend a Friday night?

At home, chilling out, watching a great TV series. Not a fan of pubs on the weekends, too busy.

A good comedy gig is always on the cards. Cork is the culinary capital of Ireland, so a good restaurant is regularly an option.

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

For most of my career in the Defence Forces, early starts were the norm. Not these days, a lie-in is always welcome.

Does work creep into your weekend at all?

Yes, every weekend. We both work during the week, so all company work gets done in the evenings or at weekends.

We put a huge amount of effort into creating an amazing experience for everyone who attends the three days of Cork Whiskey Fest, attendees and distilleries alike, so the planning does take up a lot of our weekends in the lead-up.

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

Well, money would defo have to be no object to go back to Reykjavik in Iceland, but it’s an amazing city and worth every penny. It took my wife and I three attempts to go there, between volcanoes exploding and pandemics, but I’d love to go back again with her. Four-hour flight too, so easily accessible.

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

I have an obsession with woods and trees. Heading down to Killarney National Park for a stroll through the ancient Irish forest at Ross Castle always recharges my batteries.

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

I do try to make the most of the weekend and catch up with friends. A lot of my friends have younger kids, so my son turning 18 has given us back our weekends, of late.

I have turned my hobby into a whiskey business. I love it. Cars are a big obsession of mine, and I spend way too much time on my own machine or watching car shows on YouTube. I have a huge interest in military service medals, and I mount them for wear on uniforms as a hobby as well.

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

Both. I love to BBQ and slow cook for friends and family outside a lot in the drier months. Dry-rubbed beef ribs are my favourite to cook. But we are spoiled in Cork for good eateries, so we take full advantage.

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

The Marina Market is one of the best things to happen to Cork. Nowhere else on the island has anything like the selection of food trucks there.

I always make the effort to go to the English Market for my BBQ meats. Best quality and value.

Mantra on Princes St is possibly the best Indian restaurant I’ve ever been to.

Mahers Coffee on Oliver Plunkett St has the most amazing selection of loose coffee beans anywhere.

Gallagher’s Gastropub on MacCurtain St is perfect for some comfort food. If I want to give myself a real treat, you can’t get better than The Glass Curtain on MacCurtain St also.

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

On Sunday evening, you’ll find me out in my workshop, tinkering on some project or brewing up a new beer. I might even be found putting together a few sets of medals at my workbench.

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

7.30am — up and get my young fella out to school. I don’t mind Mondays; I look forward to getting things done that week.

Anything else you are up to right now?

Planning our trips away towards the end of the year, after my son completes his Leaving Cert.

• Cork Whiskey Fest, returns to Cork City for its fourth year from March 27- 29. See corkwhiskeyfest.com.