Person to Person: 'I’m very close to my family...They’ve always been my biggest supporters'

Tell us about yourself:

My name is Darragh Shannon, I am from Douglas in Cork.

I graduated with an Honours Degree in Acting from The Lir Academy in 2017. I have an ever-growing love of theatre, film, and story-telling in all its forms. I was lucky enough to discover acting at a young age, and it has taken me to incredible places, from performing Shakespeare for school audiences to working on stages like the Everyman, the Abbey and the Gate. What I enjoy most is meeting new people, telling meaningful stories, and never quite knowing where the next project will lead.

Where were you born?

The Erinville with a staggering weight of 7 and a half pounds.

Where do you live?

Douglas.

Family?

I’m the youngest of three. My brother Eoin, my sister Aoife, my brother-in-law Ivan and their baby John, who has brought great joy to our family.

I’m very close to my family. They’ve always been my biggest supporters.

Best friend:

My brother. As my older brother, I’ve always looked up to him, and we have quite a similar personality... but I never trust him with a TV remote.

Person you most admire?

There are so many living and gone from us.

Anyone who creates with courage: writers, musicians, actors, artists - people who are brave enough to put something of themselves into the world.

Person who most irritates you?

People who are unkind for no reason.

Where was your most memorable holiday?

A family holiday is hard to beat.

Most recently went to the island of Jersey with my girlfriend Lydia-May, and had an absolute blast. There are some incredible beaches there.

Favourite TV programme?

The Office (UK and US). I will never get tired of both, and I can surprisingly shut my mind off to the blatant comparisons.

Favourite radio show?

The John Creedon Show.

Your signature dish if cooking?

I make a superb shepherd’s pie with sweet potatoes.

Favourite restaurant?

Market Lane on Oliver Plunkett Street. Superb food and lovely staff.

Last book you read?

A Hero Of Our Time, by Mikhail Lermontov.

Best book you’ve read?

East Of Eden, by John Steinbeck.

Last album/download you bought?

Euro Country by CMAT. Flawless album.

One person you’d like to see in concert?

Paolo Nutini.

Do you have a pet?

No, but I grew up with two brilliant dogs: Taz, a fearless Jack Russell who loved taking on dogs much bigger than himself, and Cody, a Bichon Frise whose greatest ambition in life was finding the next snack.

Are you a morning person or a night owl?

A night owl, “twit-woo”.

Your proudest moment?

Walking on stage for the curtain call after the first preview of Asking For It at the Everyman. The audience sat in complete silence for what felt like forever before rising to their feet and giving an amazing rapturous applause. I’ll never forget that moment.

Spendthrift or saver?

Spendthrift, when I have it.

One thing you’d improve where you live?

Bring us back our cinema in Douglas.

What makes you happy?

Good conversations with good company, good books, being outdoors, making people laugh, and telling stories that connect with an audience.

How would you like to be remembered?

As someone who was kind, worked hard, and left a positive effect on people.

What else are you up to at the moment?

I’m always reading, learning, and looking ahead to the next creative opportunity.

I am always playing away on guitar and have about 10 or so songs written over the years that I would love to record and release some day.

Darragh Shannon appears in the upcoming production of Judy – End Of The Rainbow, a play by Peter Quilter that blends music, humour and drama

Set in the final months of Garland’s life, the play follows iconic Hollywood star, Judy Garland, as she struggles to complete a run of concerts at the Talk of the Town in London. Accompanied by her loyal pianist Anthony, and new fiancé Mickey, and drowning in problems, she must battle to reclaim her crown as the greatest performer of her generation.

A major West End success in 2011 and a Broadway hit in 2012, End Of The Rainbow has been performed in more than 24 countries. The production received three Tony Award nominations and four Olivier Award nominations, including Best New Play, and later inspired the 2020 Oscar-winning film Judy.

Judy – End Of The Rainbow is at The Everyman from Thursday, August 27 to Saturday, September 5.

Tickets are available from https://everymancork.com/events/judy-end-of-the-rainbow/