What's your earliest childhood memory?When we were kids, I was the eldest of six, we would take a house in Garretstown near Kinsale. It had no running water, so we would have to go to the pump, get plastic bins, and bring the water back inthe car, holding it to keep it steady. But I remember how the sun always used to shine there.
What was your worst holiday?We took a house in Derrynane, Co Kerry, one July. It's a beautiful spot, but it rained solidly and we even had to use sandbags. We had four young kids and no television, so we had to make do with scrabble and cards. You went full of the joys at the start of the holiday, but all I remember is the rain, the steamed-up windows and going into the pub for a coke and a bag of crisps to try and stretch the day.
What was your best holiday?The best from a family point of view was a cruise on the Shannon. We started in Killaloe and went as far as Athlone. It was beautiful and something different to see Ireland from the water. It was a novelty to sleep on the boat and cook a fry in the morning. It was a brave move as we're not "boaty" people, but it worked out well.
If budget or work were not a restriction, what would be your dream holiday?I'd love to go to China and visit both the cities and countryside to see how people live as it's a whole different culture.
If you had your pick, who would you bring on holiday with you?My husband, without the children for a change!
What's your favourite place in Ireland?West Cork. I go down there quite a bit. It seems to get a better climate. I switch off immediately there and sleep better. It's a different world.
Your recommended holiday reading?I'm in the middle of reading Solarby Ian McEwan. I read a lot of his books. When I get time to read, I don't like to spend it reading rubbish and tend to read reviews first.
Where will you go to next?West Cork this month, but I'd love to go to Nice in September.
- Deirdre Clune is TD for Cork South Central and Fine Gael spokeswoman on Innovation and Research
- In conversation with Genevieve Carbery