Cork Profile: Norma Sheahan, Actor/comedian
Factfile:
Name and position: Norma Sheahan, Actor/comedian
Age: 49
Lives: Dun Laoghaire Dublin
Family: 3 daughters aged 15,18,18
Pets: no - but from a farm in Whitechurch- cattle/horses- I think pets should be outside.
Some loons have them in the bed.
Favourite thing about Cork:
Without sounding like a tosser, my body calms down when I’m in cork, my middle-rage reduces a bit. Or maybe it’s just the shot of Whiskey in Buckleys Pub with my Dad that sorts everything. People in cork have a higher bullshit radar too, so you have to just stop talking bollix & chillax. Corkonians are less PC, so you’re not afraid to be cancelled when you open your gob.
Least favourite thing about Cork: the parking is a sham at the moment in Cork with the roadworks, widened footpaths, bike lanes with no cyclists in them. But maybe someone has a plan.
One thing you’d change about Cork: I’d move it an hour or two closer to Dublin because I’m down and up a lot. But it’s a great road in fairness. Maybe if we just got rid of Laois & Tipperary that might shorten the trip.
When you were small, what did you want to be as a grown-up?
Always wanted to be an actor. It’s one of my first memories. Singing on the bar counter at the age of five in the pub in Burnfort on the way back from the point to points. I did think I’d represent Ireland in the Eurovision until they told me in RADA drama school that I’m not a singer. But there’s still hope, I couldn’t do much worse than what we send some years.
Tell us about your career progression to your role today:
Well, Montfort’s, School of Music, played Little Red Riding Hood in Cork panto, did dramsoc whilst at UCD, did three years at RADA, Enda Walsh’s 'Bedbound', 'The Clinic', 'Bridget & Eamon', 'Mooneboy', 'The Young Offenders', 'The Dry', 'Damo & Ivor', 'Kneecap', 'Celebrity Ireland’s Fittest Family', 'High Road Low Road', 'Callan’s Kicks', 'Shirley Valentine', 'Heal Your Hole', 'The Matchmaker', 'Sive', 'Cripple of Inismaan', 'Vagina Monologues', 'Celebrity Gogglebox', 'Living with Lucy', etc…
And I’m loving ‘It's Wine O'Clock' comedy tour (which hits Cork Opera House tonight).
What is the most enjoyable aspect of what you do?
Making people laugh so they can develop abs at a comedy show, and even making people cry the odd time to release their pressure valve.
What motivates you?
Bills, three teens, and wanting to share my ability to entertain. Being idle doesn’t suit me anyway.
What advice would you give your 15 year old self?
15 to 17 were my lowest years. I’d say: “You’re not crazy, it’s puberty, everyone becomes a horrid angst ridden head wrecker for a few years in their teens. It’ll be fine.”
If you weren’t in the job you have, what would you be doing?
I did a commerce degree in UCD because my mum insisted I have something to fall back on. And that’s how I survive the arts. I’m 80% business and 20% creative.
What is your greatest life or career achievement to-date?
I was told I probably wouldn’t have kids and got three through acupuncture. Getting into RADA. Wining €10k on 'Celebrity Ireland’s Fittest Family' for Arc House with sister Paula, niece Sheena, and cousin Leonard.
Who has had the biggest influence on you in your life?
Probably my dad. He treats everyone the same from the bishop to the beggar. He sees the good in people and he never mopes around - always looking for craic.
What is the life dream now?
Day by day; I’ve two doing the Leaving Cert FFS!! I’m lucky that I’m great on stage, screen, stand up, radio, voiceover, writing, producing, podcasting, so I’m always useful to someone. I’d love to write and produce a tragicomedy movie or series.
How do you switch off?
I’m a yoga teacher. Teaching steadies me. I also swim in the public pool - 45 mins - 1.75km - and you can’t bring the phone into the pool and you have to breathe.
Do you have a favourite quote or motto?
Mum said when dying: “It’s not hard to die when you know that you’ve lived.” And Dad says: “Stop feckin’ thinking and start feckin’ doing” when I got low. Or: “There’s a job for everyone if you look hard enough” when I was on the dole. Or when I divorced: “No fights now, just look after the kids.”
When are you at your happiest?
On stage or on radio.
What is your hidden talent?
I show them all off! I’m from Cork, like. I’m actually great on a horse. Dad had thoroughbreds on the farm. Planning to get back on the horse soon after decades.
What might we be surprised to know about you?
Even though my show is called ‘It's Wine O'Clock’, and I love a prosecco, I usually only have the one.
Anything else you’d like to share with us?
Get to the Opera House tonight Thursday 22 January. If you don’t laugh your hole off, I’ll give you your money back! ‘It's Wine O'Clock’ with Norma Sheahan.