Person to Person: 'I’m a mediocre cook, but I can make a sort of decent French toast'
Ciara Ní Tuathaigh, a theatre maker and actress
Tell us about yourself:
My name is Ciara Ní Tuathaigh, and I’m a theatre maker and actress who just launched sassyCOW productions in 2025, a female-founded and led production company.
I founded the company in tandem with our first production, The Scent Of A Mock Orange, which I wrote, produced, and performed. It premiered at Cork Fringe 2025, and is returning to the stage as part of the 50th anniversary programme of the Cork Arts Theatre.
Where were you born?
In County Cork, Ireland.
Where do you live?
I currently live in Cork, and as much as I love being from here, I ultimately would like to live in a big, busy city - like New York or London. It’s odd because I didn’t grow up in one, but I do feel most like myself when I’m wandering around a city, with my earphones in.
Family?
I’m incredibly blessed to have the family that I do, especially for their support of my work as an artist. My parents exposed me to so much art and culture growing up, and never once made me feel that my dreams were silly or trivial, even if they might not be a conventional path. I’m grateful for that, and for everything else - all the love and laughter I had growing up.
Best friend?
I really wouldn’t feel right about naming just one, because I’m also so lucky to have a great core group of friends and I love them all so much. But I will give a special mention to Sinead Crowley, because she’s directing my upcoming play, The Scent Of A Mock Orange. There is no-one I would trust with this story other than Sin’. She’s magic.
Earliest childhood memory?
Sadly, it’s me squeezing my dad’s hand at my grandad’s funeral. He was a real legend, Christy Twohig. I take three spoons of sugar in my tea for him every now and again
Person you most admire?
I have endless admiration and respect for my good friend Sally. We went to drama school together, then I watched her become a mum. The bond she has with her little girl and the life she has built for them is so special. It’s genuinely the greatest love story I’ve ever seen. And she’s definitely far too cool to be my friend.
Person who most irritates you?
Conor McGregor, obviously. And people who are rude to waiters
Where was your most memorable holiday?
That’s a hard one, because I’m fortunate enough to have visited a few countries. I did really enjoy my time in Rome. I love history and Italian food, so that was pretty heavenly.
Favourite TV programme?
I’m currently on my third re-watch of Adolescence, and it only came out last year, so I think that speaks volumes. It’s brilliant, and I think everyone should watch it. If not that, then the BBC’s Pride And Prejudice because it’s perfect, and so is Colin Firth
Favourite radio show?
I don’t have a favourite, I just play whatever one has good music on that day
Your signature dish if cooking?
I’m a mediocre cook, but I can make a sort of decent French toast
Favourite restaurant?
This is going to sound very fancy altogether, but it’s Le Moulin de la Galette in Paris. I got spoiled with a trip to Paris for my 18th birthday, and we ate there one evening. The food was insanely good, and it’s a lovely memory. (I did have to Google the name before answering, as we just remember it as the windmill restaurant in Paris. If you look it up, you’ll see why.
Last book you read?
I recently finished Talking At Night by Claire Daverley, and I loved it. I’m really excited for her next one. That was the last fiction I read, and now I’ve just moved on to The Opposite Of Loneliness, which is a collection of essays by Marina Keegan.
Best book you read?
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. It’s very special to me, and so are all of the characters in it, especially Jo. If I could only read one book for the rest of my life, that would be it
Last album/CD/download you bought?
The last album I downloaded in full was West End Girl by Lily Allen. A perfect album, no skips.
Favourite song?
Both Sides Now by Joni Mitchell, I never get sick of it
One person you’d like to see in concert?
Freddie Mercury, specifically Queen’s Live Aid performance in 1985. I dressed up as him for my birthday party a few years ago. I painted on a moustache and wore black hot pants.
Do you have a pet?
I come from a dog family, so I’m always surrounded by them, which I love. PS. Adopt, don’t shop.
Morning person or night owl?
Night owl, through and through - which is actually good for a stage actor because our work starts and ends much later in the day
Your proudest moment?
I would have to say performing The Scent Of A Mock Orange in Cork Fringe last May. I was genuinely shocked to have my script accepted, and the process of staging the production was a lot. I wrote, produced, directed, and performed the piece myself. I remember hearing the audience coming in and thinking, ‘Everything will be fine if you just let them in’. That’s the hardest part as an actor, just letting yourself be seen. And I’m proud of myself for choosing to be an artist and share my work because that’s a really scary thing to do. But I believe art really connects us in a way few other things do, and I think the world needs as much of that as possible. So I’m proud of the job I’ve chosen.
Spendthrift or saver?
I’m working hard to be a saver, but I do find it hard. Books and coffee are my weaknesses.
Name one thing you would improve in your area in which you live?
I don’t think I’m the best person to ask for that, to be honest. There are people far more qualified. But I would say there is an amazing community of artists in Cork who are all dying to share their work, so perhaps developing more theatre and performance spaces would be a good shout.
What makes you happy?
Walking around a bookstore, a meal with my family, and coming up with new ideas for scripts. I have a notes app on my phone with about 25 ideas on the go. Sometimes it is just random words I write down and forget about, and then I’ll re-read it three months later and think, ‘What on earth was I on about there?’
How would you like to be remembered?
I’d like people to remember my work more than me. There’s a Bertolt Brecht quote I always come back to - “art is never without consequences”. So I hope I’m remembered for the consequences of my work, and I hope those consequences are good ones.
What else are you up to at the moment?
To be honest, I’m less than a month out from show week, so that’s pretty all-consuming. But I’m really excited about this next chapter, both for myself and for sassyCOW. I set up the company to give myself a space to tell the kinds of stories I was drawn to - that sit in the messier parts of being a woman. That’s where The Scent Of A Mock Orange came from. The play follows Mara, who opens by telling the audience: “To be honest, I’m probably the worst person I know.” Her story deals with grief, rage, sex, power, and ultimately love. She’s deeply flawed, and I’m excited - and a bit nervous - to share her with audiences. Hopefully, they see what I saw when I wrote her: someone who just needs to feel less alone. And I think we all need that sometimes.
I’d love to keep building sassyCOW, collaborating with other women, and expand as far as I can. There’s such a strong creative energy in that space, it’s something I want to be part of long-term.
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