My name is Rónan McLoughlin, I'm the creative director of ROGU Arts, a fire, light and movement arts performance and education company (@roguarts, www.rogu.ie).
I grew up in West Cork and was always a shy, introverted boy, more comfortable on a computer than with any attention on me, so I could never guess the direction that life had in store for me. I went to Galway for university, and there I came across someone spinning fire poi at a beach party. I never talked to them, but I was taken by the beautiful effects of the movement of the fire and the trails it left behind. I searched online to see if I could find some more information about the art and since it was pre-YouTube found some written instructions that I printed out and attempted to follow. This led to discovering the local circus and juggling club, and on to the wider juggling community of conventions and festivals around the country and the world. You wouldn't know what kinds of communities of subcultures exist until you explore them! I found the circus, juggling and "flow arts" community a wonderfully inviting, inclusive and enthusiastic worldwide family united through a shared passion.
I became obsessed with unlocking the skills of these arts and spent more and more time practising. Suddenly, people started to ask me to teach and perform, and I was pushed way out of my comfort zone!
Now over 20 years later, I've travelled the world teaching, performing and training. These arts opened the door to the world for me, taught me body awareness, coordination and confidence, led to exploring dance, physical theatre, yoga, Tai chi, and meditation. And maybe most of all, they taught me how to learn, and that learning is a process of transformation, not a switch to flick, and if we put ourselves through the process change is inevitable.
I tend towards the night owl side of the spectrum and love myself a lie in, especially now that winter is upon us.
Does work creep into your weekend at all?
Self-employed, there's always something that my attention is pulled towards, but I try to make space from it when possible. When we're performing, it's often at the weekend too.
If money was no object where would you head to on a weekend city break? And who would you bring with you?
I've always wanted to head to Japan, so maybe stroll the streets of Tokyo with the spirit of Miyamoto Musashi.
Closer to home, is there some place you like to head to recharge the batteries?
The ocean, the forest, the mountains. Nature is the great recharger. Where exactly would be telling! Take a wander, get lost, visit a fairy fort, bathe in the forest, throw yourself in the ocean, sit around the fire. The best stuff is often right under our noses and so simple we forget about it.
Do you like to catch up with family/friends at the weekend?
Nothing quite like catching up with an old friend and chatting into the night. Always a pleasure to gather with the family around food (both my parents are chefs, and so we all grew up around cooking).
Do you get to indulge any hobbies? Even as a spectator?
Some of my big passions are the arts of Tai chi and Qigong. Beautiful moving meditation practices that are simply transformative on multiple levels, nourishing body, mind and spirit.
I always say find the things that make everything else easier, and then give priority to them!
These arts have been incredibly generous to me.
Entertain or be entertained? If it's the latter do you have a signature dish?
Could go either way. I'm a big fan of spicy Asian noodle soups. One of those things that my body just says YES to.
We have so many places to eat out in Cork - where are your go to spots for coffee/ lunch/ special meal?
Friday night at my parents if I can wangle my way in. They're both retired from cheffing now, but it's hard to beat Friday night fish dinners.
My mum teaches some very popular cooking classes for anyone who wants to pick up a few delicious recipes www.lettercollum.ie
Sunday night comes around too fast.. how do you normally spend it?
What time does your alarm clock go off on Monday morning?
We are performing our fire show, Stories from the Book of Fire, in Cork at 5pm and 7pm tomorrow at Counting House Plaza, South Main Street. It is suitable for all ages.
I love to teach these arts and often host workshops, so keep an eye on our social media for opportunities to learn in the new year.