SENATOR KATHRYN REILLY
What’s your earliest holiday memory?
The highlight of my summers was spending two or three weeks in Kells with my cousins each year. I remember being excited going to the swimming pool, trying Chinese food for the first time, buying presents for my parents at the bric-a-brac shop. I only realised when I was older that Kells was only 20 minutes from home!
What was your worst holiday?
I went to Co Clare last summer for a bank holiday weekend with my boyfriend. Clare is lovely but that trip was doomed from the start. We got lost, as the place we had booked was in the middle of nowhere so we couldn’t find it. We put diesel into the car instead of petrol and couldn’t find an ATM when going to get food. It was like something you’d see on a comedy, everything that could go wrong did go wrong. After that we were in such foul moods that we came back early.
What was your best holiday?
During my masters I spent two weeks studying in Florence. We took a weekend trip to Pisa which was really nice and where I had the best meal I have ever eaten. It was nothing fancy but the waiter was lovely, the food and wine were fabulous and it was a lovely experience that left you with a warm feeling. Even a mosquito in my room keeping me awake that night couldn’t spoil it!
If budget or work were not a restriction, what would be your dream holiday?
I’d love to bring my mother on safari as she has always wanted to go. I really like lions and tigers, and used to love the television programme the Lionman. So a trip like that would be great.
If you had your pick, who would you bring on holiday with you?
I’d stick with my boyfriend. I could bring some eye candy but we might not get on!
What’s your favourite place in Ireland?
Westport, Co Mayo. I went there for a weekend last April and had a really nice holiday. Westport is a lovely place with lots to see and do. I went up Croagh Patrick. I had thought if older people can walk it in bare feet on pilgrimage then surely I can, but I didn’t have the stamina to make it the full way.
Your recommended holiday reading?
When in college I went to Edinburgh for a weekend at the time when the last Harry Potter book was being released. After a night out I queued surrounded by kids to buy the book and I sat in the hostel that night reading it because I could not bear to have anyone tell me what happened.
Where will you go to next?
I’m going to Tunisia soon. I look forward to sitting at the side of the pool and relaxing on the beach. After two elections this will be my first real break. A week away will give me a chance to catch up with myself and possibly get rid of my milk bottle white colour.
Kathryn Reilly is a Sinn Fein senator
In conversation with GENEVIEVE CARBERY