When you were small, what did you want to be as a grown-up?

I was all swinging, singing, dancing, when growing up. I watched the ballet after mass on a Sunday. I wanted to sing and dance just like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Maybe I will never reach those heights but I am performing.

Tell us about your career progression to your role today:

I left school at 17 and studied all aspects of theatre under the guidance of Belinda Wild at Kinsale College of Further Education. I joined a company called Craic na Coillte where I learnt stilt walking and puppetry. I worked in performance for a few years. Returned to college, I studied outdoor education. I’ve worked with marginalized communities through sport and art. I returned to study once more, counselling this time. I have never used it in a professional context but I use the tools I learnt almost every day. One day, some years back, I decided I was ready to become a full-time artist, and BANG, here I am.

What is the most enjoyable aspect of what you do?

Having an idea drop in, then following that idea through all its twists and turns, until it comes out the other side as a performance. Circus Factory has always been a great supporter of this process for me.

What motivates you?

Taking something I want to say, working away on it to find the best way to tell what I am wanting to say, show it to an audience, and then having them leave talking about their feeling on what I was saying.

What advice would you give your 15 year old self?

You're beautiful, you're gorgeous, you are meant to be here. Take up that space.

If you weren’t in the job you have, what would you be doing?

Non applicable. There is nothing else I would do.

What is your greatest life or career achievement to-date?

My greatest life achievement to date would be finding contentment, working to maintain it and be grateful for it. My greatest career achievement would have to be the supporting role I had in a feature film called ‘Float like a Butterfly’ by Carmel Winters, a beautifully shot film with a great storyline.

Who has had the biggest influence on you in your life?

I have had loads of people influence me throughout my life. The people who have had the biggest influence on my life though, would have to be my parents.

What is the life dream now?

I would like to go out on tour, leave the island, see if my work translates or find out what I have to do to modify it and make understandable. Be in more movies. Get married to Cormac, so if anyone knows where we can pitch a circus tent, DM me . . .

How do you switch off?

I sleep, float on the water, lay under trees, sleep, haha. Cuddles on the couch watching telly. Very little anyways.

What is your favourite Cork memory?

Shifting Cormac for the first time. We were up on Bells Field overlooking this beautiful city and I got the courage to ask him to “shift me” after a few cans.

What is your favourite place in Cork?

Well, after that I guess it has to be the Bells Field. Haha. It’s a beautiful place in the morning to have a cuppa and watch the city wake up, and a lovely place to watch the sun go down and there's always good people watching up there too.

Do you have a favourite quote or motto?

I love a good quote or motto. The one I use most must be from Sue Morrison, a clown teacher of mine: “Gently, gently, go gently”, so simple yet so important for us all, I feel.

When are you at your happiest?

Happiness is so fleeting and moment to moment like all emotions. All I know is that when it does arrive, anything could be going on and for that moment, it just feels wonderful.

What is your hidden talent?

I can move really fast, like superhero fast, when I need too. Because of this talent I have saved lives