MY HOLIDAYS: What was your best holiday?I went to New Zealand for a few days as part of my honeymoon to Australia. I loved it and said that one day I'd go back.
So I went back a few years ago, it’s the most visually beautiful country I’ve ever seen. You didn’t have to drive far and the scenery would change entirely – from small hills, to huge snow-topped peaks and then, a few hours later, a beach. There was so much to do and it’s such an outdoor life.
We did whitewater rafting and zorbing – rolling down a hill in a gigantic plastic ball. It’s not nearly as scary as it sounds, I laughed the whole way down. We went to Rotorua in the North Island which has famous volcanic material. There was so much to do there.
What was your worst holiday?I went to Andorra skiing for the first and only time about six years ago. I did not really know what to expect. I wanted to ski but it was more like Ibiza in the snow. But I went to ski school and the instructor was only interested in going out for the night and the other skiers were not interested in skiing. Also there was too much snow to do any skiing for three of the days.
If budget or work were no restriction what would be your dream holiday?I really want to go to western Canada and check out the Rockies and the beautiful lakes. I'd hire a caravan or campervan to travel around.
However I’d prefer to do it in the summer and that’s always the busiest time work-wise.
Who would you bring on holiday with you?My husband and my new baby daughter.
What's your favourite place in Ireland?I regularly go to Stradbally, Co Waterford and to the gorgeous blue-flag Clonea beach. It's also near Dungarvan which is a lovely town.
Your recommended holiday reading?We tend to do things on holiday so I don't bring books with me as I don't get a chance to read.
Where will you go to next?With a new baby I don't know where we'll go. But I'd love to go somewhere quiet in Italy or France. Perhaps a nice beach near a small little town.
Joanne Cantwell presents rugby show
Against The Head
, Mondays on RTÉ Two and
Saturday Sport
on RTÉ Radio 1.
In conversation with Genevieve Carbery