Niamh McKernan from Co. Clare, is a movement teacher for performers. She trained in physical theatre at the London International School of Performing Arts before specialising in movement for actors during an MA at Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
Where do you live?
De Beauvoir, a small quiet area tucked in between Dalston and Angel that recently got lots of attention because Russell Brand staged a mini uprising here. It’s beautiful and I love living there because it’s right in the middle of all the action but it’s also possible to just stay in De Beauvoir, hang out in the garden and with a bit of imagination feel a bit like living in the countryside.
I moved to this area because…
I was lucky enough to be chosen as a flatmate! When I moved to London it was really hard to get rooms and every room viewing was like an audition. When I came to this house the guy interviewing me thought it was very boring that I was a vegetarian so I told him I would start eating chicken and I got the room. True story!
One of the best things about living here is…
The community. I know some of my neighbours which is unusual in London I think.
One restaurant I love to go to is…
My local Vietnamese. It’s in an old school building with folding chairs. There are lots of great Vietnamese restaurants in this area actually. I would recommend coming here just for that.
My local is…
The Scolt Head. The bars in my area are all very trendy so it would be nice to find a low key mediocre sort of place. But I think it’s impossible. I need to up my cool.
On my downtime I love to go to…
Hyde Park.
An insider tip on my area would be…
Café Otto. They have amazing jazz and new music concerts and it’s really spacious for a London café. It has a real Berlin vibe.
Best place to go for a first date would be…
Sushi Samba. It’s very impressive and the weird cocktail flavours break the ice. To be honest at the end of the day I think if you like the person, you could walk along the back streets of Homerton or the freezer aisle in Tesco and have an amazing time.
One place not many people know about but I love is…
Columbia Road Flower Market.
If you try one thing in London…
Try the charity shops in Notting Hill or Baker Street. It’s where the ladies of London leave their cashmere.
The place that I love to bring visitors is…
The Southbank. You can see an exhibition at the Tate, check out Westminster and Trafalgar Square and then go out for drinks in Soho. I find it really relaxes visitors if they get all their sights in quickly and then hopefully on day three, they will be happy to just hang on the sofa and drink tea with me.
What do you collect?
I don’t collect, I throw everything out.
Biggest extravagance?
I always get fresh flowers.
If there was soundtrack to my area it would be…
You really need to be very down with the kids to answer this question. Someone who does electro pop.
See More: London, Niamh McKernan, Where I Live
