My holidays

Mary Ann O'Brien in conversation with GENEVIEVE CARBERY

What's your earliest holiday memory?We always went to the same place, an idyllic village in east Waterford called Annestown. It was a real bucket-and-spade place with no shop. But the lady we rented the cottage from had her own dairy and used to make milk, butter, cream and scones.

What was your worst holiday?Turkey. It had just opened up, and we thought it sounded fantastic. I am well travelled, so I like to do it independently, and rented a house there. But we flew to Antalya (via London), which is the other end of Turkey, an eight-hour flight. We could have gone to Mexico. It was a three-hour transfer from the airport to the village. There was no shop, and you had to eat four loaves of bread to get the wine down or it would kill you. It was unbearably hot, with no ice and no air con. The second day we went to the beach, which had jagged rocks, and the house was robbed. I'd also invited a friend to stay for the weekend, as I thought it was only a couple of hours away. Not a very restful holiday.

What was your best holiday?South Africa was a very good holiday but very opportune for me, as I had no notion of starting a chocolate business. I lucked into spending two weeks a beautiful thatched hotel at Hermanus. It's a famous for whale watching and for whales teaching their babies to swim off the coast. In the hotel I met Mandy from Zimbabwe, who was the daughter of the owner, and she made chocolate. I spent two weeks with her in the kitchen. She has become a lifelong friend and was my inspiration to make chocolate.

If budget or work were not a restriction, what would be your dream holiday?I'd love to take a beautiful chalet somewhere like Val d'Isère, get into the skis outside my door and ski down, then get the lift back up for lunch and home in the evening. I'd have a big fire waiting and someone to cook for me. I would also have my best pals and my family around me.

If you had your pick, who would you bring on holiday with you?My three children and my husband.

What's your favourite place in Ireland?Kenmare. I love it. It's different there, and the people are great. It's like the world has stopped and the people got off.

Your recommended holiday reading? The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari, by Robin Sharma. It's a great holiday book, as it would make you stop and think, especially in this day and age.

Where will you go to next?Not a plan in the world, but I would like to go to New Zealand. I spent a year there when I was in my early 20s, and my best friend lives there. They are beautiful people, and they haven't a problem in the world, as they are so far away from everywhere that nobody gives a damn.

Mary Ann O’Brien is founder and managing director of the Lily O’Briens chocolate company