First up is the always glam and totally sassy Eimear Varian Barry, here to fill us in on all the best things about her current and hometown of Cork City!
At just 22 years old EVB (love people whom you can refer to with initials!) is one of the youngest members of the RedFm Fam. The self-confessed fashion obsessed, travel guru produces the stations show 'Cork Talks Back', acts as the stations Entertainment correspondent by updating the listeners hourly on all the juiciest celeb gos as well as hosting her own brilliant program on Saturdays where guests have included Tom Baxter, Ironik, Roisin Murphy and the crew of the super Fab SATC;TM!
Eimear is loving her life in Cork City and Radio right now but we here at Cineal Saoil don't think she will be staying put for too much longer. Having taken up photography as a hobby, her talent has commuted into professional success as she now is working for Lockdown Model Agency. On top of this she has filled roles as an Event Coordinator and Presenter working on such large scale happenings as Cork Fashion Week.
EVB has always harboured ambitions to be on the screen telling us that "TV is her original ambition". Earlier this year she did a stint as an intern in New York where she was able to get on movie shoots as well as the set of hit TV show 'Ugly Betty'. So while she has been courteous enough to answer our Cork Q&A perhaps sometime soon she will be doing a second one on the Big Apple!
So Eimear, we absolutely adore your style and know you are a very fashion-conscious lady. What shops make your list for some of the best in Cork?
Cork City is definitely coming along for shopping and Cork women in general have great style. I love French Church Street in the Huguenot quarter of the city where my family is originally from. I started working there when I was 13 part time in Toni and Guy and to me it was always the coolest area to hang out in . We have some really cool small funky shops like DV8 and vintage store Positively Eighth Street and I'm really looking forward to the big new Topshop that’s opening near that area in a few months! I'd love to have an H&M in Cork as well as Bershka and Zara. 
And for shoes? DV8 in French Church Street
What about when you've gotta get your glam fix? Where do you snap up make up and other cosmetics?
Brown Thomas and Make Up Forever on Winthrop Street, where I stock up on their amazing false eye lashes.
When you need a buff and polish, where is the best place to head in Cork for a mani-pedi?
New York Nails at Island House in Morrisons Quay which is right next to Sobe Brown Salon. Its so relaxing and you can surf the net, or have a lovely catered lunch while you enjoy your treatment! Ooooh! Sounds so glam!
What about when you need the whole top to toe shebang? Foil, highlights, permanent, shampoo, trim, blowout, the works!?
Pamela Morrisey is my personal hair dresser and her team at Sobe Brown Hair Salon at Island House in Morrisons Quay are amazing. Pam has worked as a stylist for Bumble & Bumble in Manhattan’s fashionable meat packing district and also in ‘Alice’ - a Bumble & Bumble upper east side salon. I got my hair done there when I was in New York in March and it is ultra cool ! Apart from being the nicest gal ever , shes extremely talented and has worked on "Saturday Night Live” and did Fox News casts hair on a regular basis . She works closely with fashion magazines, modelling agencies and photographers in the city. Shes so down to earth and so amazingly inspiring.
How bout when you are looking to treat yourself? Maybe a facial or a massage?
Susan Ryan's in South Main Street is great too. My mother has being going there for years. I'm a member of the Clarions Sanovitae Health and Fitness Club and the ultra-nice staff there really take care of you and they have some brilliant treatments.
OK so you've done all that girl stuff and now you wouldn't mind just being one of the guys for an hour or two, or maybe just to keep your fella happy, where do you head to catch a match?
Depends on what you are like and what your looking for. Theres some stereotypical places. If you’re looking for a GAA mad-farmer, hit Rearden's. If you're a rugger hugger, Bob Fox's.
When you feel like going out for a girly-meal with the ladies, where are some of the spots you like to stop at for a bite?
Wagamama and The Market Lane are my fave with the girls. I am obsessed with the Red Curry in Banna Thai too.And for coktails?
Definitely SUAS –Its Corks only rooftop bar and it is ultra cool. It's really small and the interior is very modern which I love . Music there is generally house and is such a cool place to have drinks in the summer. It's my fave bar in Cork!
And when it is time to dance?
For me , definitely the Pavilion on a Saturday night with Greg and Shane playing the best house. Or JAM on Fridays with Stevie G for a more hip- hop vibe
What about when you are feeling broody? Where are the top spots for a low-key evening or evening a good night in?
You can't beat having pints in Tom Barry's in Barrack Street on a summers evening out the beer garden. Its about 3 minutes walk from my house so its now become my local .In the Winter its so cosy as it has a massive real fire to cosy up to. The corner house and the Sin E are great craic and have brill trad sessions on a Sunday too. For a take-away? KC’s in Douglas . The Creoles there are legendary! There, or Lennox's on Bandon Road. And a wee nip? For me – The 6euro bottle of Pinot Grigio in Lidl is actually not that bad for a Recession session!
Ok you've spent an evening in and now you need some fresh air, where to?
Anywhere in the The Huguenot Quarter – just off Patrick Street. And of course Cork's English Market, I've been going there as a kid and am still fascinated with the place. Its so colourful and is such a brilliant spot for photography. It has so much character and energy about it .My favourite sections are The Olive Stall which has the best selection of olives and the fish section of the market which has great mussels and sushi. I love the Coal Quay market and Fitzgerald's Park too.
What is Cork's hidden gem for you? Which place is your little secret?
Two Years ago, I had my 21st birthday in Café De La Paix. It's a European Style wine bar & restaurant on Washington Street. It is set in tranquil colours situated on the River Lee. It's small, artistic, soothing and is the best for stylish intimate parties on the deck . I love it but try not to go there a lot as I like to keep it as a treat!
And the best way to get around to all these places?
By foot. Cork is small, and everywhere is 10 minutes walk from each other!
Ok EVB, in a nut shell, Top Three Greatest Things about the city? some of it's pros and some of it's cons;
I love the size of Cork. Its just right. Not too big and not too small. Everything is close to each other. Being from the inner city , before I worked in Red I was constantly in the city. Went to school there, worked there, lived there. I feel safe in Cork. There are vibrant festivals every year in Cork like the Midsummer Festival which always provides something different. Live at the Marquee I think has revolutionised the experience of going to a big concert for the Corkonian. We now have an event in Cork which has brought massive acts to the county the past few years and is bringing even bigger acts this year. No longer is it a case of a big hike up to the ‘Point” ,staying over etc but you can now see RedFM bringing acts such as Kayne West and Jay Z literally in your back garden. Its fantastic.
I also love the fact that Cork is a coastal town. If you are in the city, you are within 20 minutes of a beach. I love the fact that you are constantly around water.
City Pros; Great restaurants, bars , cafes, the English market ,great talent ,a fantastic university , the legendary Coal Quay in Cornmarket Street , and of course , having RedFM being the biggest station for under 35’s in Cork
City Cons; Public transport is lacking in Cork and so are cycling facilities.
Well there you have it! The In and Outs of a real Insider! thanks Eimear, we can't wait to plan a trip to the Rebel City real soon!
Eimear Varian Barry-Corks RedFM104-106-The Saturday Show-021 4865517
