Viral TikTok comedian Emma Doran on getting relationship advice from taxi drivers, going for a mooch around town and why a good first date ends in Coppers.
Home is Dublin.
My first home outside of my childhood home was a home that I rented in Rathfarnham.
My first job apart from babysitting was in a corner shop. My friend was working there and she got me in there because I was mad to get a job and to get money.
My favourite memories in Dublin are doing stuff around Dublin with my mam. I’ve two older brothers and as a very small kid, there was a period of time when I was at home with my mam and my brothers were at school. We’d go into coffee shops and go for “a mooch” around town as she would have called it, little things like that.
To let my hair down, I go to my local, because I feel like I’m at the age now that I don’t care where it is, it’s more about the people that I’m with.
If you could buy any building Dublin, where would you pick?
I wouldn’t buy a building, but I’d buy the Molly Malone statute.
Where would you recommend for a first date?
Coppers! Because that’s where I met my fella – it wasn’t the first place we went but we ended up in Coppers after our first date. I always feel like if you end up in Coppers after a first date, you can’t bear to say goodbye to each other. If you can handle Coppers as a first date, I think you can handle anything.
What’s your favourite hotel in Dublin?
I always like the Radisson in Stillorgan because I always find the staff really nice, I know that’s really cheesy.
What are your favourite local shops?
Topshop and Centra in Whitechurch.
What makes someone a Dubliner?
It has to be the sense of humour.
Who is the most iconic Dubliner?
There would be a lot of contenders, probably Colm Meaney but you know what, it’s probably people who aren’t celebrities. It’s probably the taxi drivers or the people in local shops or on the stalls in the markets.
Best thing a taxi driver has ever said to you?
Something along the lines of “he’s not worth it.” Definitely relationship advice.
Ever had a run-in with a Garda?
I have but most of my Garda activity would have been when I was young with them trying to move us on, but you’re never really scared of a guard. When I was out learning to drive, there was a Garda check-point and I panicked because I thought I was about to get in trouble but he was actually really nice and just said “you’re getting on great now!” so I liked the guards.
My favourite pub in Dublin is Whelan’s or The Foggy Dew – if a pub has a snug it’s always good. Or the one off Grafton Street before Marks & Spencer’s, it’s got red on it, it has everything. If you go upstairs you can hide, but depending on what floor you’re on you get a different vibe, a bit like The Workman’s is now. There’s all these different floors, you can go and socialise and be in the thick of it if you want or you can go and hide in a corner if you want as well – I like places like that.
My favourite Irish work of art is the painting A Family by Louis le Brocquy in the National Gallery.
What’s your favourite beauty salon in Dublin?
Cut Social, Katrina Kelly’s place. You can get hair and nails and make-up done there if you want, that’s my favourite spot.
My favourite way to spend a day in Dublin is to just stroll around. Spontaneous – I prefer to just happen to go somewhere and bump into somebody, they’re my favourite days.
The best meal I’ve had in Dublin is Farmer Browns in Churchtown with the family.
My Dublin secret is a good secret; the sneaky laneway between Camden Street and Iveagh Gardens is a perfect place to park. It is paid parking but there’s always parking there – I shouldn’t have said that because I’ve been keeping that to mysel but if you need parking in town at night, it’s a good place to go.
@emmadorancomedian if covid had happened in the 90s #90s #oasisorblur #panstick #over30
The best club in Ireland was The Palace. The Palace was the place to be back in the day, that was the best place I have to say, that was hopping. I’d be in Whelan’s a good bit now but there was TramCo in Rathmines back in the day too – I have fond memories.
A podcast I’m currently obsessed with is the BBC one called Unreal. I’m nearly finished it, it’s a look at the history of reality TV. I remember when I watched the first Big Brother, I watched it at home with my mam and my brother and it was groundbreaking television. It’s interesting to look back at all that stuff now through a loving critical eye, so I’m obsessed with that.
The last thing I Googled was – let me have a look, if it’s something scandalous, obviously I have to change it, I’ll lie. It was this morning, I Googled what’s the difference between a photo call and a photoshoot. It’s the same thing – so that was the last thing. But then the other thing I Googled was actually the gym because I was I thought, I must join my local gym again, because my membership lapsed during lockdown. I’m like, it’s time to go back. So that’s where my mind’s gone, “photoshoot… then I better go to the gym!”
What’s the most exciting Irish plan you have this summer?
This summer, I’m part of the relaunch of West Coast Cooler. When I heard mention of it I was like yeah! West Coast Cooler has always been a favourite drink of mine and now I get to work with them – it’s the exact same drink but now it’s snazzed up with cans, so if you’re out and about meeting up with your pals, you have your little cans. I’m going to be doing bits and bobs with West Coast Cooler over the summer which is very exciting!
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