Father Peter McVerry , director of the Welcome Home charity

Where did you go to school?

CBS Newry and Clongowes Wood College, Co Kildare. I loved boarding, but I would never do that to my own children.

What was your best subject?

Maths and science.

What was your worst subject?

Irish - we didn't study it in Newry so I had to start from scratch at 12. I got through the Leaving by learning essays by heart. I don't speak a word of Irish now.

If you could put a new subject on the Leaving Cert, what would it be?

In fact, I think we should get rid of a few instead of adding more.

What was your earliest career ambition?

To be a dentist. I think it was to spite my family who were all doctors. I'm very glad I'm not staring into people's mouths today.

Who was your favourite teacher and why?

An old retired Jesuit priest who came from the farm in his wellies to teach us maths when our regular teacher was sick. He was so good that when the old teacher came back we went on strike and succeeded in getting the retired farmer back for the rest of the year.

Who was your childhood idol?

Matt Busby of Manchester United.

Who was your best friend?

John Nolan.

What is he doing now?

He came to stay with me in my tenement flat in Dublin when we were both studying chemistry and while there he heard a fight between a alcoholic couple upstairs and decided to become a priest. He's in the Solomon Islands now.

What song most reminds you of your schooldays?

Anything by Elvis

What food most reminds you of your schooldays?

Any ruined dish - the food at school was terrible.

What's the boldest thing you ever did in school?

We sometimes used to sneak out of the school grounds and go for a meal in town. You could get expelled for that.

What was your most memorable holiday?

I've been to Laos twice and it's incredible. The people are so poor but so laid back. There's no electricity, no road into town and nothing to do. It's nice to go on holidays to a place where the natives have time for you and nobody's busy at all.

What's the last book you read?

Globalisation and its Discontents by Joseph E. Stiglitz. A fascinating account of a major modern phenomenon. Stiglitz basically supports the concept but is critical of how it is developing.

Did you go to college and if so, what did you study?

Chemistry as UCD. I loved it and started a PhD before I decided to change tack completely.

Would you send your own children to the same school that you went to?

I'm opposed to fee-paying schools, single sex schools and boarding schools, so no.

What was the best thing about your education?

It was an excellent all round education with plenty of debating, sport and other opportunities.

What was the worst thing about your education?

I had no reason to be unhappy in school. I was a very enthusiastic athlete so I had plenty to keep me happy at Clongowes. It might have been tougher for those boys who weren't into sports.

Father Peter McVerry is director of the Welcome Home charity young homeless people in Dublin (contact www.welcomehome.ie to make a donation).