My Weekend: West Cork has a spell over me 

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your work.

For many years I thought of myself exclusively as a songwriter. A carrot on a stick I made for myself maybe.

And I am a songwriter, no doubt. But I see myself in less limiting terms now, creatively, and personally too.

The enjoyment I found writing literature in recent years, and, even more recently, in acting, have made me realise I’m just a creative person, and an artist.

The form is irrelevant. In any case I’m very lucky to have found my calling.

I’m human first of course, and all art must be informed by our humanity.

The above notwithstanding, my greatest job is being Dad to my eight-year-old son. Everything else comes second.

I grew up in Dublin, and spent significant parts of my life in Australia. But my wife and I live in Galway now. I followed my roots back here to the seaside village my grandad came from.

The paintings he made of it captivated me as a child.

I have two sisters and one brother, who live in Dublin. And my parents are still in great nick. We are all very close. Long may we run.

What is your ideal way to spend a Friday night?

If I’m not away playing a show somewhere, there’s a great local pizza joint in Kinvara, The Rustic Oven. Really authentic stuff. So Friday night pizza is a treat we always look forward to.

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

Lie ins?

School runs, and dogs barkin’ on the weekend, usually put a stop to that.

I do have a romantic notion of rising with the dawn, and did so for months when I was writing my first book. But I’m usually burning the candle and often resort to staying up late to get things done. I don’t get enough sleep as a rule, or certainly don’t over sleep. So I’m closer to needing a lie down than getting a lie in!

Does work creep into your weekend at all?

Touring is one of the biggest aspects of my working life, so I often work weekends. It just comes with the territory. When I’m at home on weekends ... emails and social media stuff inevitably creeps in from time to time. The latter especially is inevitable now in this game. But I try to keep whatever feels like ‘work’ to business hours. The creative end is welcome anytime and I put no limitations on that.

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

Italy, Italy, Italy. I’d bring my family of course. But my wider family too ideally!

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

I walk the dog every morning on the beach.

We like the islands too, ‘bofin is our fav. But also discovered Inis Mor recently, and am a little bit in love with it. West Cork too has a spell over me.

Not just saying that. Jaysus, I’ve based half my career on it.

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

Always!

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

Might surprise you to hear it, but even after all this time, playing the guitar. Classical guitar, and flamenco especially.

Reading history, ancient stuff. I fall down the rabbit hole of watching great old boxing fights on YouTube quite often.

Art and the history of art are a bit of a passion for me. A little bit of painting from time to time.

Myself and the boy have taken up fishing recently, for father-and-son time, and maybe learning a bit of survival skills mostly. But it’s a tough gig for a vegetarian like me lol.

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

I am an entertainer, but not usually of the culinary variety. I learned to make salmon en croute for some guests recently. Went down a bomb. I made myself a veggie version with asparagus and broccoli. Both were a big hit. I can’t pass pastry!

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

I like to find a good cafe for breakfast and have a great history of finding them around French Church St, or thereabouts. They keep changing on me, though. Any recommendations?

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

Getting ready for the school run!

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

8.

Anything else you are up to right now…

Putting out singles and videos for my new record OCEANIC, which comes out October 16.

You can pre-order it right now through my website, declanorourke.com, to have it straight to your door in time for release day.

The tour kicks off at Cork Opera House, October 8.

I’ll be there with a rockin’ band. Can’t wait!