My Weekend: 'I like to entertain..I don't do it often enough'

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your work:

I’m a writer and journalist and I live outside Durrus in West Cork at the beginning of the Mizen Peninsula, where I work from my office at home. As a journalist, I write on a number of subjects – mainly the unrelated themes of travel and agricultural land. I also work as a ghostwriter and am occasionally on RTÉ radio doing a World Report.

I wrote a biography of my late father, Ned Power and this led me on to my debut novel, Hurling 1810, which is about a fascinating period in Irish history when there was a level of professional hurling.

It was a wonderful experience writing it. I love reading historical novels, and it was a great experience writing one, plunging me into a chapter of our history that almost nobody knows about.

What is your ideal way to spend a Friday night?

Feet up at home in front of the telly: Chili with rice, beer, watch a film (preferably a French one!)

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

I tend to be up with lark 90% of the time, which makes the occasional lie-in all the more sweet. That said, I’m a big fan of taking a nap in the afternoon too, if the schedule allows.

Does work creep into your weekend at all?

Yes. But I fight hard to prevent it doing so. When you’re doing the kind of work that I do, there’s a tendency to use the weekend as a means to get on top of things, and your working doesn’t end.

But that’s just bad time management. If you have a deadline, you have to respect it, which means that sometimes you do have to put in that late night or that busy weekend at the desk, but you also need to set aside time for relaxation and family.

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

Buenos Aires. I’ve only been there once on a very brief visit, so I’d like to spend at least an entire weekend there. It’s a city that fascinates me, as does Argentina as a country. I’d bring my wife, and we’d have to include a tango lesson at some point in the weekend.

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

Walking the Sheep’s Head Way. I normally go for 1.5 hours across the spine of the peninsula in one of the most glorious places on earth, with views of Bantry Bay and Dunmanus Bay on either side of you.

Every time, I feel recharged, rebalanced and newly appreciative of living where I do. I’ve done a good bit of hiking in lots of other countries, and in Ireland, it’s still relatively poorly promoted. Maybe it’s better that way and kept as our little secret. When I do that section of the Sheep’s Head Way, I rarely meet another person.

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

In principle, yes. Ideally, I’d like to walk down to my local in Durrus (Ross’s) once or twice a week for a few drinks. In practice, though, I’m a bit of a hermit, and I barely make it to the pub more than a handful of times in the year.

One thing I do manage, however, is to meet my brother Seán every couple of months. Of my five siblings, he’s the only one that lives relatively close by, so we usually meet in Dunmanway for a pint and a packet of crisps.

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

I play the guitar and love finding the chords of songs that I like and having a go at them.

During lockdown, my three sons bought me the present of a drone and I still love spending time playing with it and taking photos and video shots.

From a sporting point of view, I do try to watch hurling (Up the Déise!), although the GAA have been trying to block me doing so.

I also love following the fortunes of Munster rugby – on TV and going to see a match once or twice a year.

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

I like to entertain, and I don’t do it often enough.

I’m not the main chef in our household, but I do have a few signature dishes: my entirely home-made bespoke pizza; prawn linguine; and vegetarian Korma.

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

Blairscove in Durrus is one of the best-located quality restaurants in the country for that special meal. For coffee or lunch, The Stuffed Olive in Bantry is really hard to beat.

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

Getting organised with work for the week ahead.

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

6.30am. I don’t always get up when it rings, particularly if I’m just too tired!

Anything else you are up to right now?

With a friend who’s also a journalist and broadcaster, I’m working on the script for a sitcom which is set in a travel agency.

I’ve always wanted to write comedy, so we’ll see where it takes us. So far, it’s making us laugh at least, so that’s a hopeful sign.

Hurling 1810 is published by Menma Books and is available at Easons, online (menmabooks.eu) and from local bookshops.

Conor Power will be at the West Cork Literary Festival on Monday, July 13, at 11.30am at Bantry Bookshop. This is a free event and open to all to attend.

The West Cork Literary Festival takes place from July 10 to 17. See www.westcorkliteraryfestival.ie.