Actor Ingrid Craigie
What was your best holiday?A holiday to Venezuela when I left school. My friend's parents moved to Caracas and invited me for the summer. It was a long time ago, so going to South America was extraordinary and different.
Everywhere I looked there were new experiences and different landscapes such as going up the Andes and seeing rainforests. It was also an education for me, as while the country seemed very wealthy from oil, I was very shocked by the poverty and shanty towns around Caracas. It was a very important holiday for me and I grew up there.
What was your worst holiday?I got stuck due to the volcanic ash cloud when visiting my partner in Canada – but it was actually good as it meant that I could spend extra time with my man.
The night before I was due to fly back to Dublin from Toronto via Philadelphia I got a text from a friend and thought it was a joke. When I got to the airport luckily they said not to go to Philadelphia as I would be stuck there.
I was meant to start rehearsals for a play and it was a nightmare trying to work out a flight. Every day I didn’t know whether or not I was about to leave. In the end I scraped in just in time for rehearsals.
If budget or work were no restriction, what would be your dream holiday?Going to a Canadian cottage on the lakes is the most wonderful thing to do, especially after working. I'd like to go up to northern Ontario where there are so many beautiful lakes with islands. I'd rent one of the little cottages on an island, which are like Russian dacha with a veranda and a canoe. In the morning I'd go out early to see the birds and wildlife. The canoe is so silent they don't even know you are there. In the evening I'd light a fire and watch the sun go down. It's so peaceful there and just a wonderful holiday.
If you had your pick, who would you bring on holiday with you?My partner as we tend to see each other mostly on holiday.
My friend Sarah and I share a house in Samos and we both love looking at ruins, it’s great to have people who like doing the things you want to do.
What's your favourite place in Ireland?I love walking Howth Head in Dublin, but also love Kerry where I often visit my friend Sarah. Boarding the train for Kerry my stress instantly disappears.
Your recommended holiday reading?I like to bring a big book which I have the time to get into. I enjoyed Charles Dickens: A Life by Claire Tomalin and on my next holiday I want to read The Stranger's Child by Alan Hollinghurst.
Where will you go to next?I'm going to the beautiful island of Samos, Greece in September with my partner for a relaxing holiday after working all year.
In conversation with
GENEVIEVE CARBERY
* Actress Ingrid Craigie stars in A Woman of No Importance by Oscar Wilde, which is running at the Gate Theatre, Dublin. See gatetheatre.ie