Dr Nina Byrnes
What was your best holiday?I was very fortunate to sail around the British Virgin Islands in someone's boat. We'd drop anchor at these amazing ports which would normally cost you thousands to stay at but it cost us $20. We'd get up at the crack of dawn, put on our swimsuits and get on and off the boat for swims. I didn't wear shoes or make-up for a week. It was the ultimate relaxation.
What was your worst holiday?I went on a package holiday to Cyprus back in college with a sister and a friend. It was a disastrous resort and the short stroll advertised to the beach was the whole way up a hill. One day I went on a banana boat. I was at the front and it was going really fast when we hit a wave. I was thrown in the air and into the water. I ended up in hospital with whiplash for four days.
If budget or work were no restriction what would be your dream holiday?I've travelled a lot, but no matter what I do or where I go, I never have enough time. So my dream holiday would be to rent a nice house for an entire summer and have a caterer. I would sit on a beach and relax. I'd probably pick a gorgeous house in the Caribbean to chill at for three months.
If you had your pick who would you bring on holiday with you?My husband, hands down. I am happy with a book by the pool. He loves to be active. But we both enjoy a really nice meal.
What's your favourite place in Ireland?My husband is from Wexford and we go there a lot, to Wellington Bridge where it is nearly always sunny and the beach is lovely. I took my family on holiday to Kenmare, Co Kerry, last year. It was beautiful and a great outdoorsy holiday with lots of horse riding. But the best thing about Kenmare was the food – whether it was breakfast, tea or takeout, the food was amazing.
Your recommended holiday reading?When I read A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle I could almost taste the food and smell the air. I thought it would be an amazing book to sit and read in the south of France. Generally the whole idea of reading on the beach is nothing deeply intellectual.
Where will you go to next?I desperately need some sun so I am toying with a week in the Canaries, I turn 40 this summer so would like to do something special.
Dr Nina Byrnes is a GP, TV presenter, author and medical advisor to Hidden Hearing. An awareness campaign around hearing loss runs next week, see hearingaction.ie
In conversation with
GENEVIEVE CARBERY