My Weekend: 'I'm up with the lark..whether I like it or not'

Tell us about yourself.

I’m Frank Brennan, CEO and owner of Republic of Work, Cork’s coworking and innovation hub on South Mall. I’m originally from Cork and now based out in Carrigaline with my wife and our four kids — three girls and a boy — plus Gus, our dog, who thinks he runs the house.

My route into this job was anything but straight: mechanical engineering in college, personal training, door-to-door sales in Australia, and seven years running weight management clinics before I stumbled into Republic of Work almost by accident and never left.

These days, my work is a mix of strategy, member relationships, and a fair bit of hands-on building — we’ve just expanded onto two more floors and brought in some great new companies and partners.

What is your ideal way to spend a Friday night?

Feet up at home, most weeks — four kids under one roof means Friday night is often just about getting everyone fed, bathed, and into bed without incident. If we do get a night out, I’m easily pleased with good food and good company.

Lie-ins or up with the lark, which is for you?

Up with the lark, whether I like it or not. Between the kids and Gus needing his walk, a lie-in is a rare and beautiful thing.

Does work creep into your weekend at all?

Constantly, if I let it. Running a business like this means there’s always a tender, an email, or a fit-out detail that could eat into Saturday. I try to ringfence family time, but I won’t pretend I always succeed. If a spin into the office on a Saturday is needed, there’s usually one of the kids in tow.

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

Anywhere the sun is shining, if I’m honest — I’m easily sold on a city break as long as there’s good weather and good food.

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

Anywhere I can get the bike out on. I’ve moved from road cycling into enduro mountain biking, so trail centres around Cork and Limerick are where I go to switch off completely.

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

Yes — between four kids there’s always some family gathering happening, and I try to make time for a coffee or a pint with friends when I can grab it. We’ve a very close family, so there’s usually a Sunday dinner in one of our houses.

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

Mountain biking is the big one — enduro riding specifically. It’s the one thing that gets me completely out of my head and off email.

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

I love having family and friends over to the house.

Let it be a BBQ or a Sunday roast, you can’t beat having people over.

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

Coffee – Three Fools; Breakfast – Duke Coffee Co, Lunch – ORSO; Sambo – Twenty; Dinner – Market Lane; Pint – Corner House in Carrigaline.

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

Trying to get everyone organised for the week ahead, but let’s face it, my wife has that covered.

I always spend 20 minutes sneaking a look at my week ahead.

What time does your alarm clock go off on Monday?

Early — usually before 6am.

Anything else you’re up to right now?

Republic of Work has had a big year.

We’ve expanded onto two more floors, brought in new companies including an aquaculture-focused VC firm, and we’re deep into an Enterprise Ireland tender and a new cross-border partnership with a coworking space in Edinburgh. Plenty on.