Gavin O’Callaghan: “Cork is a very positive County and Cork Beo reflects the best of it.”

What was your first job?

I started sorting bottles for my local pub when I was 12, I'd say a good percentage of people in Ireland are familiar with this gig. Went in the morning after peoples' ravenous nights out. Sorted a few bins full of glass for recycling, cleaned a few toilets, brassed a few doors etc.

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

I didn't know and I'm not sure if I know today.

Best story you’ve come across in journalism (yours or someone else’s)?

Hard one. I'll go for Swing Gate - that whole saga was enthralling.

Who would your fantasy dinner guest(s) be and why?

Alan Shearer, Colm Meaney, Brandon Flowers, and Martin Storey. 

How do you switch off from work?

Basketball has become a thing over lockdown, an empty court and a podcast is all I need to zone out.

Someone you’d love to meet, living or dead?

Tom Barry - I'd say that lad has plenty of stories.

When it's safe to do so, what will be the first bar you head to and the first drink you will order?

Cork's full of colourful spots with no shortage of character so this is a tricky one. Probably The Oval, it's got a great old feel to it. I'm not much of a connoisseur with my beers, a Heineken will do just fine.

GAA or soccer?

Love both, but the soccer shades it for me. Dabbled in all three as a nipper but stuck with soccer into the late teens and adulthood.

Facebook or Twitter?

Twitter. 

Phone call or text?

Calls.

What is your favourite restaurant?

Had some great meals out in Electric in Cork - delighted to see them coming back again. When home it's The Bistro in Gorey, chef James Bursey does a perfect Surf N Turf and Tina keeps the wine flowing.

Where is your happy place?

Ballymoney beach in Wexford. Will always be home.

The movie you last watched?

Mighty Ducks

What’s one of your favourite memories at Reach?

We once got a random voice note into Dublin Live that went something along the lines of "there's something going on down at The Marker, ambulances, police, special branch. Get down, get down, get down."

Turned out there was nothing going on but the message itself became a bit of a meme, then one day Alex Dunne remixed it into Paul Johnson's "Get Get Down". It's a piece of art and we still go back and listen to it years later.

What is your most treasured possession?

My dad is a photographer, and for my 21st he printed a 300-page book cataloging my life from the day I was born up to 21. My three siblings have their own ones too, they're very special to us.

To the audience: You should make CorkBeo a part of your day because…

You'll learn about something good happening right on your doorstep. Cork is a very positive county and CorkBeo reflects the best of it, even during the worst of times there were people giving us something to smile about. We know news can be grim some days, there's no avoiding that, but we'll always make sure we've stories that'll inspire too.