Marie is enjoying her role as an actress

Tell us about you;

I am a proud Corkonian, born and bred, grew up in Ballinlough, moved around for a while and now settled in Turners Cross.

I'm a professional actor, I love my job – well, you have to love it in this business, with its ups and downs and instability. But I love creating and exploring characters and sharing their stories with an audience, it's incredibly rewarding.

I often play (and write) multiple characters in shows like the hilarious The Adult Panto in An Spailpin Fanach.

I am autistic and have ADHD, diagnosed last year. My neurodiversity does not define my life, but knowing my diagnosis has transformed my life and given me invaluable coping mechanisms and an understanding of myself that I wish I had grown up with.

I love animals and foster dogs through Dog Action Welfare Group. It's heartbreaking to see how some people treat animals when all they want is to be loved. It's such a joy to be able to give them a little love and watch them transform and then help them find their perfect forever home.

In my free time I enjoy walking my dogs. Some of our favourite places are Fota Gardens, Farran Woods and Glen Park, then I settle down on the sofa with my boyfriend, my dog, some snacks and a good gory or mind-blowing TV show (I also enjoy some trashy reality TV, but don't tell anyone).

But I'm also known for donning cheerful clothes and going out on the town, some of my favourite haunts being The Roundy, Vibe, The Pav and The Crane Lane.

I have also enjoyed welding a mallet and chisel and tearing out parts of my house to get a head start on the house renovations. I am having a blast rehearsing for Summer Revels and can't wait to be in front of an audience with this fantastic show with such a talented and stellar cast and crew, honestly they are all fabulous people, an absolute joy to have in a rehearsal room.

Where were you born?

Cork.

Where do you live?

Cork, at Turners Cross.

Family?

My mother Kay lives in Ballinlough, my older brother Tim lives around the corner with his wife Rebecca and children Liv and Maiti, my older sister Suz lives in Somerset with her partner Rich and their children Senan and Ran. Yes I am the baby of the family and I only have fur babies.

Best friend?

This is going to sound a little corny, but my partner, comedian Chris McShane, is my best friend. I never thought anyone would like all my quirks, or that I would let anyone like them, but he came along and managed to worm his way into my heart permanently. We laugh so much together and are comfortable being our weirdest selves around each other.

First childhood memory?

I used to think it was on a beach with a bath book when I was about three or four, until I discovered that my first trip to the beach wasn't until I was six or seven, so I'm not sure what was real or imagined anymore.

I remember my brother and sister pinning me down and tickling me until I cried, I was about seven I think, maybe that's why I'm not ticklish anymore.

The person you admire the most?

Chris McShane (he told me to say that).

The person who irritates you the most?

Chris McShane (he also told me to say that, haha).

Where was your most memorable vacation?

It wasn't really a holiday but I did a couple of internships at Actors Space near Barcelona, ​​we were in the mountains and the scenery was breathtaking and then on the days off I would walk around Barcelona and soak up all the fantastic architecture and art, the city was just incredible. All that travelling fed my creative soul.

Favorite TV show?

Right now I like The boysI'm a huge fan of gore and super-power movies. I think my partner finds it a little disturbing to see my face light up with joy at particularly gruesome moments on TV and in the movies.

What is your favorite radio show?

I don't listen to the radio very often, but I enjoy The Arts House with Elmarie Mawe on Sunday mornings on 96fm

Your signature dish in the kitchen?

Does frozen pizza count haha. When I get around to it, I make a really good chili con carne.

Favorite restaurant?

It's a cross between Market Lane and Amicus, both have great food and lovely staff.

The last book you read?

A squash and a squeeze by Julia Donaldson (at the request of my three-year-old niece).

What is the best book you have ever read?

The Pillars of the Earthby Ken Follett.

Last album/CD/download you purchased?

I mainly stream, lately I've been listening to Ren, he's brilliant.

Favorite song?

It's a tough choice, different songs for different moods across many genres, but maybe Postcards From Italy by Beirut.

do you have a pet?

I am currently fostering a beautiful seven year old Collie x GSD called Jack, and Chris and I have completely fallen in love with him and are going to adopt him.

Your proudest moment?

It's a real pride to see giant images of me on the side of the Opera House and on billboards and buses all over the city.

Spender or saver?

A bit of both, I can meticulously search for the best deal on an item, then the next day spend frivolously on an impulse purchase

Name one thing you would improve in the area where you live?

Parking, I live near Cork City FC, a funeral home and a school and I regularly have people parking in front of my driveway.

What makes you happy?

Happiness can come in many different forms. I am happy when I am relaxing on the couch with my partner. Playing and petting Jack the dog’s belly. Hearing my niece and nephews laugh. Playing and feeding off the energy of a live audience. But I also love a good dose of organization and a clean kitchen counter. and cheese.

How would you like to be remembered?

She had the talent to make us laugh and to make us cry (on stage and off, haha)

What else are you doing at the moment?

It's been a busy few months for me, as well as starring in the spectacular Summer Revels at Cork Opera House from 24th July, I'm also starring in the hilarious dinner theatre experience Hysterical Histories every Thursday to Saturday until 14th September at Amicus, then I'm in The Everyman with Noel Coward's brilliant play Present Laughter from 24th to 28th September.

Off stage, I'm writing this year's adult pantomime show Chattyboos, returning to An Spailpin Fanach, and completely renovating my house. Oh, I might sleep at some point too.

For tickets to Summer Revels visit www.corkoperahouse.ie