My Holidays

Karen Hennessy - Chief Executive, Crafts Council of Ireland

What’s your earliest holiday memory?

A lot of childhood holidays were spent at my cousins’ houses in Kerry, Tipperary or Waterford. I’m from a farm, so we never went on holidays as such. One of my earliest holiday memories was going to the Rose of Tralee festival. I remember all of us piling into the car in Kilkenny and having the sense that we were actually going on holidays!

What was your worst holiday?

One year I went to Majorca with my mum, dad, pregnant sister and my two small children. I had come back from a week in China and had just enough time to pack and fly straight to Majorca. However, I ended up coming home from the holiday early as it was cold, miserable weather, the apartment was not as nice as you’d expect and there weren’t many attractions.

What was your best holiday? My honeymoon to Italy. We spent the first week in Rome, which is a beautiful city. It was during the World Cup, so there was great excitement. We spent the second week in Sorrento where the countryside was magnificent. We visited Capri island which was magical and where I’d go on holiday if I won the lottery.

If budget or work were no restriction, what would be your dream holiday?

For a short-term holiday, I’d definitely go back to Rome. For a longer holiday, I’d go to Australia with my family. I’d travel there for three or four weeks to give us a chance to see the country and would start in Sydney where I have friends.

Who would you bring on holiday with you if you had your pick?

My husband Mark and I work well together as a unit, and my three children.

What’s your favourite place in Ireland?

I’ve very fond memories of Kerry. Parknasilla and Sneem are beautiful.

Your recommended holiday reading?

I’ve just finished reading The Hare with Amber Eyes by Edmund De Waal. It’s slightly different to what I normally read, but it’s very gripping and I’d really recommend it. De Waal is a ceramicist who inherited a Japanese netsuke (small carvings) collection. The book goes back in time and history to trace where they came from. De Waal spoke at Dublin Castle recently and had the audience mesmerised, and left not a dry eye in the house.

Where will you go to next?

I’d like to go to Donegal. The Year of Craft 2011 is taking me to exhibitions around the country such as the Blacksmithing Festival in Monaghan and the Galway Arts Festival.

* craftinireland.com

In conversation with GENEVIEVE CARBERY