My Weekend: 'I feel like Hannah Montana..I live a few different lives'

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your work

I’m 26, originally from Mallow in Cork, and living in Manchester since 2023. Before moving, I lived at home with my family, my mam Carmel and my two older brothers Ray and Gavin. We’re a very close family. My dad passed away unexpectedly when I was 13, and I think that brought us even closer together.

I currently work as an Associate Client Partner at Open Partners, a media advertising agency in Manchester.

I studied marketing in MTU and graduated in 2022, but I wasn’t entirely sure what I wanted to do straight away. I continued working as a barista, which I had done for about five years, for another year before deciding to branch out and move to Manchester. That move led to my first role in media as an Account Executive for the BBC, where I spent two years before moving on to Open Partners. While I really value the stability of a remote 9 to 5, a part of me still misses café life. I’ve always loved the idea of owning my own café, so who knows, I might take the plunge someday when I’m ready for a change from marketing and media.

What is your ideal way to spend a Friday night?

I sometimes feel like Hannah Montana, I live a few different lives. No two Friday nights are the same. I could be out with friends, especially in the summer, heading for drinks or doing something active like bouldering. Other times, I’m more than happy to stay in and recharge. It really depends on the mood. If a friend asked me to go watch paint dry, I’d probably go.

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

Definitely up with the lark. I can barely keep my eyes open past 9pm, or at any time of day to be fair, I’m a serial napper.

Does work creep into your weekend at all?

Not at all. I’m very conscious about maintaining a healthy work and life balance, and I made that clear when I started at Open Partners. I’m lucky to have flexible, remote working, so I usually start early, around 7.30 or 8am, and finish by 4 or 4.30pm. It really helps keep my weekends and evenings free.

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

I’m fairly simple when it comes to travel. I’m not much of a city break person, I’d much rather spend time in a small coastal town by the beach. If money was no object, and I could justify flying midweek for a weekend, I’d love to go to Noosa in Australia. I’d bring my family and my boyfriend Dan, and keep it relaxed.

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

There are a few places I love. Ballyhass Lakes is a favourite for a swim and a sauna. I worked in the café there for years as a teenager/college student and made some great lifelong friends, so it’s always a special place to go back to.

In the summer, I also love heading up to MPHC in Mallow, a bit random I know, but the sunset views up there are unreal.

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

That’s pretty much all I do. Whenever I’m home in Cork, I make a point of catching up with all the important people in my life.

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

I’ve been involved in track and field for about 10 years, specialising in pole vault. I’ll be honest, I wasn’t great at it between the ages of 15 and 17, I can laugh about it now, but when I turned 18, something just clicked. With additional coaching from my brother Ray, I started to improve and became really competitive.

Since then, I’ve won three national senior titles and four national university titles representing Abbey Striders (home club) and Munster Technological University, most recently the outdoor title in 2025, along with U20, U23, and Varsity titles. I also had the opportunity to represent Ireland at the European Team Championships in Slovenia in 2025.

I picked up a stress fracture in my spine in 2023, which sidelined me for well over a year, so to be back competing at a similar level has been a huge achievement for me. At the moment, I’m dealing with another injury, my Achilles this time, but I’m hoping to be back fit and ready to start the outdoor season in May.

Outside of athletics, I try to go bouldering once a week. It’s something I enjoy doing with friends in Manchester, and it doubles as a great way to build strength while staying social.

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

I’d say I like to entertain. I enjoy cooking, but I’m definitely a better baker, probably why I’d love to open a café someday. My chocolate chip cookies and Oreo truffles are a hit, and I’m hoping to start experimenting with pastries next.

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

Since moving away, so many new places have opened that I haven’t had the chance to try yet. For coffee, I love The Bookshelf by the Elysian, and Guji is another great spot. Cask and Café Mexicana are always solid choices.

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

Usually at home getting organised for the week ahead, or sometimes at the cinema or the bouldering gym with friends.

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

I’m an early riser, so I’m usually up at 7am, and I think I’ve been that way since primary school.

Anything else you are up to right now?

Just making the most of my twenties. Working, training, saving, and then spending those savings on holidays, travel, and the odd car expense, before repeating the cycle a few times a year.