My Weekend: 'I prefer to be entertained..I'm a poor cook' 

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your work.

I’m an actor from Rochestown, but I’m living in Ringaskiddy with my boyfriend at the moment. I would normally have a lot to say about how I’m preparing for an improvised theatre show like the ones I’ve put on with my troupes The Keta-meanies and Flipped Script in the past, but I’ve been on a bit of an extended hiatus on that front because I’ve been doing my best to return to college at MTU’s Cork School of Music for the last few years.

In the meantime, I’ve spent most of my creative energy on writing short bits of poetry for open mics, or just to keep to myself. I’ve been doing my best to write a few longer plays and maybe host a variety show as well, but none of that’ll be ready for a while. Don’t get too excited though, I’m very flighty about these things.

Right now I get my fix of performance from the Behind the Scenes Tours at The Everyman, which suits me brilliantly. I love local history and I love theatre, so it’s a natural fit. I’d love to tell you all about it but you’re better off coming to see for yourself. I will be performing a Behind the Scenes Tour for Culture Night on Friday, September, 18.

What is your ideal way to spend a Friday night?

The best Fridays for me are spent in the back corner of a pub with good company, chatting absolute rubbish and not moving from there until it’s my turn to pick up the next round. If I get out of the pub early enough, I’ll even grab a takeaway on the way home. Heaven on earth.

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

Lie ins all the way. That’s what Saturdays are for if you ask me. Sleep for as long as possible, wake up in a panic at 11, then remember you don’t have to go anywhere. The panic at the end makes the rest that much sweeter.

Does work creep into your weekend at all?

Luckily not! I do my best to get something done nonetheless, but I always come to the conclusion it can wait ‘till Monday. I might do a bit of writing or housekeeping come Sunday morning, but to say I work would be pushing it if you ask me.

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

I’d go with my boyfriend to Chongqing, China. They’re a civil engineer, so just the look on their face when they see the multi-levelled streets and the massive skyscrapers would be enough for me, but the city itself would be good craic too I bet. I’m pretty simple, so all the shiny lights would be enough to please me.

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

If I can get the chance, I love a walk in the mountains. Mount Mellary and Knockmealdown up north of Lismore have a special place in my heart from many trips with the scouts when I was younger, but the Galtees have to be my favourite walk. More often, though, I end up in the City Library or Bishop Lucey Park, even if the latter isn’t what it used to be.

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

I love to catch up with my friends as often as I can! When we don’t get the chance to see each other in a while we might even take a trip out to some field near a cliff and have a camping trip and just catch up for as close to 48 hours straight as we can.

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

I play a load of tabletop roleplaying games. Right now, I’m running a Vampire the Masquerade game set right at home in Cork for a small group of friends, and I’m looking forward to one of those friends taking over and running a more indie RPG, Pandora Total Destruction for a while. If I’m not doing that, I’m either playing videogames or digging through any old bits of history I can find.

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

I much prefer to be entertained. I’m a poor cook and I’d hate to disappoint my friends. Plus, the standard has been set so high for me with the tea parties my friend Aobha throws, that I’d just embarrass myself trying to measure up.

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

Myo Café is the spot for me, especially with all the good weather we’ve had lately. There’s nothing like Cork in the sun, and a seat by the Lee just makes it that much better.

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

Cuddled up at home with a cup of tea and whatever videogame has been holding my attention recently.

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

The alarm goes off at 6 for the day job, But I’m lucky if I can make it out the door by 7.30am.

My boyfriend saves my life every day by driving me to the train station so I can get myself to town in time for work.