Person to Person: David O'Mahony is excited to see his film premiere in Cork 

TELL us about yourself;

My name is David O’Mahony and I’m a director, writer and actor in film, theatre and audio. I’ve starred in West End shows like Mamma Mia, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, and The Bodyguard. My wife (actress Ali Bastian) and I moved over to Cork last May with our two girls. My Grandad was from just outside Union Hall so I’ve been coming to West Cork all my life, but if you ask our five-year-old, it was all her idea to move to Ireland.

Where were you born? I was born in North London and spent most of my life with London as a base, but I was so lucky as a kid to come to West Cork for most of my holidays. Seeing my grandparents, fishing, and hanging out with my friends here.

Where do you live? Well, now West Cork is home! We made the move last May and have never questioned it. My work is far more focused on writing and directing - the bulk of which I can do from home or is on location. We’ve made the move and, one year on, couldn’t be happier.

Family? My wife Ali, our daughters, Isla and Izzy; my parents; brother, sister, nephews, niece, uncles, aunts, 12 first cousins, their families… and quite a few people I’ve met recently who say ‘Oh, we’re a sort of cousin…’.

Best friend? I would say Ali. We’re an absolute team and I’m so lucky to have someone so ive and loving by my side (no, she didn’t force me to say that!)... though if my dog Molly is reading this: It’s you Mols! You’re my best buddy!

Earliest childhood memory? Our neighbour coming over to tell us our little sister had been born. I seem to being fairly nonchalant about it… sorry Claire!

Person you most ire? We moved over last May and within a few weeks Ali had found a lump in her breast. A few weeks later she was diagnosed with cancer. I’m happy to say she’s out of active treatment but this year has been so tough on her - chemotherapy, a mastectomy, radiotherapy, and now the preventative drugs have put such a toll on her… but she’s still here. She’s still dancing around the kitchen. She’s still joking with me. She’s still here to cuddle me and the kids.

I ire her strength, her stamina, and her commitment to live for our family.

Person who most irritates you? Ali. Ha!!! I joke… or do I?!!? I would probably say the person who irritates me most is myself - my brain works at a thousand miles an hour, or I can’t where I’ve put the thing I had in my hand a minute ago. I’m always looking for more time to get things done, and I should learn that I can’t do everything all at once.

Where was your most memorable holiday? Honeymoon to the Maldives was amazing - a stunning place to go after a big wedding but also we tried scuba diving for the first time and it was just magical! Also, Bali: it was just after we got engaged and we had a brilliant time - mainly as Ali planned it all and wouldn’t let me organise anything. It was hugely relaxing!

Favourite TV programme? Gosh. The West Wing I think is one of my favourite ones for Aaron Sorkin’s writing. Anything Star Wars related I will watch eagerly so I’m just watching Andor in between work and kids. I love how much our five-year-old is into Smurfs at the moment - I love the nostalgia of thinking that I was watching them when I was her age!

Favourite radio show? I really love Irish radio! I have a friend, David O’Reilly, who was presenting on 2FM so I’d tune in to listen to him. Cork’s 96FM and Red FM are on in the car a lot.

Your signature dish if cooking? Roast Lamb… but if you ask the kids, it’s fish fingers and waffles!

Favourite restaurant? Arrrgh… I love the Glandore Inn but I’m hugely biased. The Dock Wall is lovely; The Church Cafe and Brew in Skibb; Milano’s in Cork city as they are so good at looking after Isla’s food allergies.

Last book you read? I’ve just started Into The Woods by John Yorke

Best book you read? Fatherland by Robert Harris - it’s a fun murder mystery but I love the way he weaves history with an alternate, terrifying universe. It’s so clever.

Last album/CD/ you bought? We went to Spotify a long time ago - but I just scrolled through iTunes and apparently Jason Mraz’s Love Is A Four Letter Word was the last album I bought…

Favourite song? Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey (been a fave all my life and Izzy was born while it was playing!), You’ve Got A Friend by Carole King (Isla was born while it was playing and it reminds me of my three and a half years with the show), or Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls which was mine and Ali’s first dance.

One person you would like to see in concert? I used to work at the O2 Arena in London and was lucky enough to see some amazing acts - Guns N’ Roses are incredible live; I’ve seen Bon Jovi about 5 or 6 times; Bryan Adams was amazing; Buble; Westlife (but I’m biased there as Kian is an old friend of ours). I’d love to take the girls to see Kian and the Westlife boys here in Ireland. I think that would be really special!

Do you have a pet? I have my best friend Molly if that’s what you mean!? Yes, she’s my shadow and she tends to follow me around. She can sense when I get stressed and she starts pawing at me - she’s basically an emotional dog! We sadly had to say goodbye to our other dog Mable just before we moved - That was so sad as I had dreamed about her retiring to the countryside and making friends with the cows, but unfortunately we couldn’t move quick enough. I love dogs and I love Molly. I hope she lasts another 15 years.

Your proudest moment? Becoming a Dad, both times. Getting married to Ali. West End debut. Seeing myself on a movie poster. Getting the call home and making this massive move to Ireland. It’s been the best thing we’ve ever done - even looking back over the toughness of Ali’s last year - being here has been a Godsend.

Spendthrift or saver? Is it Lego? Spendthrift. Is it clothes? Saver.

Name one thing you would improve in your area in which you live? Maybe the train line to the city that used to go out west? I think a lot of people would use it; for Screen Cork to get local and central government funding to push our film industry in Cork; more for freelancers through the winter.

What makes you happy? Sleep. I should say the kids and Ali being happy, but sleep… or building Lego with Isla.

How would you like to be ed? I’d love to make impactful, meaningful films and TV shows that are entertaining and fun. I’ve recently been thinking writing and/or directing a Christmas movie would be amazing. To think that decades on, families would be sitting down at my favourite time of year and watching something I helped make. That would be pretty cool.

What else are you up to at the moment? Gosh, where to start: Firstly, my film Memorial is premiering at the Fastnet Film Festival this year which is really exciting. Secondly I have a film optioned by an Irish production company so we’re beginning the funding process; there are various writing and pitching meetings going on; then thirdly, I direct and produce Dr Who audio dramas and I’m in the edit process for four of those; then, fourthly, I’m having some really exciting meetings with Irish production companies about collaborating on some of my ideas; fifthly, I’m teaching private singing and acting lessons over in Union Hall; sixthly, I’m writing other scripts; and seventhly, I’m trying to paint our house while the good weather is here! I think seven things is enough for now… there’s probably more I’ve forgotten!!