Ever wanted to know what the Corkonians think about Cork, presenting Interviews with the Irish:

What’s your name: 

Fiona Loughran

What do you do: 
I am a Personal Trainer. I train people in fitness and nutrition changing their lifestyles. I basically make my clients fit, healthy with the added bonus of losing a few kgs and inches plus increase their energy levels, look and feel amazing.

What is the best thing to do in Cork:

Visit one of the counties award-winning beaches in West Cork. My particular favourite is Inchydoney Beach just outside Clonakilty which is an hour’s bus ride from Cork. Although we don’t always get sunbathing weather here, it’s a great place just to see the ocean and breathe in the fresh clean air!

Attend one of the many festivals which take place in Cork right throughout the year. Some of my favourites are the Cork Midsummer Festival, The Cork Jazz Festival and the Cork Film Festival. For a small city we have a great variety of festivals.

Check out our many pubs. A great way to do this is a pub crawl with a group of friends. You need to make a list of the pubs and a map for everyone in your group. Each person must have at least one drink in each pub. A good route is to start with a few pubs on Barrack Street (Bar Pigalle, Tom Barry’s) then down North Main Street (The Raven, The Classic, Suas) around the corner to The Roundy and The Woodford near Daunt Square. Carry on down Grand Parade to Soho and around onto South Mall to Electric. Cross back over to Oliver Plunkett Street to An Brog, An Bodhran, The Old Oak, The Ovens Bar finishing off in Crane Lane. Is that more than 12???

What do you like to do in your spare time: 
I love to be active in my spare time I love to visit West Cork and go for long walks you feel fresh energetic and invigorated when you exercise. I also love to cooking a preparing new healthy recipes.
Travelling and discovering new parts of the World home or abroad.

Where do you do your shopping: 
Groceries? To get all the foods I require to maintain healthy and balanced diet I shop in variety of stores from Lidl, Tesco, Quay Co-op Organic Produce and Ayishas on Shandon St which is Indian/ Pakistani store and I also sprout my own seeds grow lettuce, chives and parsley.

If you came to cork for a day, what would you as a corkonian do:

Oh there is so much to do English Market is a must to pick up some tasty treats for the perfect Apero with a Rose D’Anjou. Taking a stroll around Cork City and even venturing along the River Lee to Fitzgeralds Park and seeing the Shakey Bridge also known as Daly’s Bridge. To me this Park is a little Gem so close to Cork City especially in the summer and brings many happy memories.
Then a short trip to Kinsale to admire the gorgeous views including the Old Head of Kinsale.

Where have you been as a tourist and never wanted to leave:
I recently spend three weeks in the Caribbean visiting Guadeloupe, Les Saintes and Saint Martin/Marteen.
It was an amazing experience and will be revisiting again in the future.
It was a mix of the aqua crystal clear water, scuba diving, hiking in the forest, picking fresh tropical fruit from the garden every morning, the energizing sun on my skin it was paradise.

What do you suggest to combat the rain and cold of Ireland:
Hmm… it is a tough one for both natives and visitors but it is what makes Ireland special. Waterproof everything  plenty of hot drinks and fresh Vitamin C rich produce. And just embrace it. You will appreciate the hot bath/shower after then get nice and cosy in front of a blazing fire. I nearly forgot start your day with a full Irish Breakfast before venturing out this will prepare you for anything.

Many thanks to Fiona for taking part in Interviews with the Irish.