Pianist John O’Conor describes his holidays
What's your earliest holiday memory?When I was a kid we would take a house in Rush, Co Dublin, for two weeks in the summer. The family would go down to the beach and we would build sandcastles. I was the fourth of four children. We would have marathon games of Monopoly for days when the weather was bad.
What was your worst holiday?When I was a student in Vienna, I remember sitting on the floor of Vienna airport waiting for the plane to leave when it was delayed due to snow. I went to school in Vienna for five years and would get trains, boats and flights. Sleeping on trains was very uncomfortable, as I could never afford a couchette, and student flights were never great.
What was your best holiday?The best holidays are often when I am playing somewhere. I played at the Honolulu Symphony Beethoven Festival and stayed at Halekulani Hotel on Waikiki Beach, in Hawaii, for two weeks. It was divine. When I was a student I couldn't afford a proper honeymoon. But when I won first prize at the Beethoven competition in Vienna we decided to take a trip to Athens. To save money we arrived at 3am, walked to the apartment and watched the sunrise. It was very special. Also, I give a course in Positano, in Italy, every year. It is one of the most beautiful places in the world.
If budget or work were not a restriction, what would be your dream holiday? I have always wanted to go to a resort where the hotel room is on stilts in a lagoon, breakfast is delivered to you and you can hop out of bed and into the sea immediately; somewhere like Mauritius. I am hankering for that and hope to do it.
If you had your pick, who would you bring on holiday with you? My wife is my best friend, so always her. Also my kids, aged 34 and 30, as time with them is precious. We used to have great family holidays. I've also had great holidays with friends like Ann Fuller – we run the Dublin International Piano Competition together – and Ciara Higgins, the art director of the Music in Great Irish Houses festival.
What's your favourite place in Ireland? I would say Clifden, in Connemara. When driving out there at Oughterard, I see the Twelve Bens and feel all my cares slipping away.
Your recommended holiday reading?I'm looking forward to reading Colm Tóibín's new book, Brooklyn, on my next holiday.
Where will you go to next?I have a condo in Florida, and my wife and I will be there for the bank-holiday weekend. Nobody there knows us, and I'm not even bringing my laptop or making calls.
* Pianist John O’Conor will perform with the Navarra Quartet in Killruddery House, Co Wicklow, on June 9th as part of this years KBC Music in Great Irish Houses festival (01-6642822 or www.ticketsireland.ie.)