My Wexford: actress Ruth Codd

Home is Wexford.

Where was your first home outside of your childhood home?
A college house in Glasnevin, Dublin with my friends. It was the coldest, most run-down shithole to ever exist but I loved every minute of it. I shared a room with my best friend and the absolute debauchery that took place in that house will never be matched.

What was your first job?
Working at a make-up counter in a well-known department store that shan’t be named. I hated every single second and the general public at Christmas deserve jail time.

What’s your favourite memory in Wexford?
Probably after a night out when I was a teenager, my friends and I “found” a shopping trolly and spent about 2 hours spinning each other around in Redmond Square whilst waiting for a taxi. No taxis came, 4am phone calls to parents were made. Safe to say none of us were let out again for quite some time.

Where do you go to let your hair down?
Me, my dog Betty, box wine, a lamb vindaloo and a trashy series to binge on Netflix.

If you could buy any building in Wexford, which would it be?
Loftus Hall where I could live in unison with all the ghouls and adopt 37 dogs, 9 donkeys and a cat.

Where would you recommend for a first date?
Nowhere. Stay single. Put men in the bin.

What’s your favourite hotel in Wexford?
Whitford House Hotel. I go there on a weekly basis. Their food is fabulous and the owners are the nicest people you’ll ever meet. Their cocktails are also class.

What are your favourite local shops?
I buy most of my clothes in local boutique called Frock. I also spend countless hours in the miscellaneous aisle in Aldi.

What makes someone a Wexfordian?
Rissoles, day drinking in Mackens, saying the word “quar.” An adverb meaning “very” – for example; “she is quar annoying”.

Who is the most iconic person from Wexford?
Apart from myself, Nicky Rackard.

Best thing a taxi driver has ever said to you?
Probably the time I told a guy I was an actress and he responded with “I thought movie stars were meant to be pretty.”

Favourite pub in Wexford?
The Sky & The Ground.

Favourite coffee shop in your county?
Karoo Farm Shop.

What’s your favourite Irish work of art?
I’m going to say the painting my friend Jimmy made me when I went to a local art group in Wexford called “Brush Strokes”. I was a member the year before I got my leg amputated when my health wasn’t great and I was off work. They unknowingly helped me through a really tough time through art and just generally being great craic.

Who’s your Irish hero?
Marty Whelan.

Favourite hairdresser in your Wexford?
H2O hairdressers in New Ross. I’ve paid extortionate amounts all over the world for my hair and the best haircuts I’ve ever had were in this salon. Ask for Niall, he’s a wizard.

Favourite way to spend a day in Wexford?
Supermacs drive-through but eat it in the car in the car park with your friends and then go back through the drive-through for hot cookies afterwards.

Best meal you’ve had in Wexford?
Cisten Eile slow-cooked beef but the restaurant has since closed down and I’m absolutely devastated. I wasn’t emotionally prepared the that to be my last ever slice of Guinness chocolate cake ever.

The best walk in Wexford?
Hook Head.

What’s your Wexford secret?
What happened in Metro will forever stay in Metro. RIP to the most iconic spot for (alleged) underage drinking in Wexford.

What’s the most exciting Irish plan you have this year?
Spending Christmas with my family. Me and my cousins have made a gin bar a tradition, however, we have since had to ban Monopoly due to (false) allegations of cheating.

My favourite thing about Ireland is… how much good fun we are as people. No lock-ins in Vancouver, let me tell you that much.

What are you up to with work at the moment?
Yano yourself, doing bits.