LAURIE UPRICHARD, Director of the Dublin Dance Festival, talks about her holidays
What's your earliest holiday memory?I grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. Between the age of four and eight my family and a bunch of other Irish families would go to a lake called Clear Lake, in Indiana. We would stay in the water all day, until our lips turned blue, and we'd go horse riding, too.
What was your worst holiday?A couple of summers ago I spent a week in Paris in July. I had hurt my foot from walking. It rained every day and it was 12-15 degrees. At least there were museums and restaurants.
What was your best holiday?I often combine holidays with work. One of the best places was a dance festival in Montpellier, in the south of France. I was at the beach during the day, and there were performances in the evening. We had fabulous outdoor meals. I also spent a week teaching arts management in Solo in Java, Indonesia. It wasn't touristy at all but very busy, with lots of traffic and markets – quite exciting.
If budget or work were not a restriction, what would be your dream holiday?The sea is a quintessential element, and it might include dance performances. A warm place with the sea. I am really lucky I get to travel with the job I have. I haven't been to India or South America.
If you had your pick, who would you bring on holiday with you?My partner, Philip, is a very good explorer and very curious. My sister, who lives in San Francisco, knows a lot about food and wine, and plays a good game of Scrabble.
What's your favourite place in Ireland?Last summer I went to Inishmaan and stayed in a wonderful bed and breakfast owned by a great woman, Zelma. She is a fantastic cook, and we had great fresh fish and vegetable concoctions for dinner. We walked the entire island. It's like being in a different world, with sea all around.
Your recommended holiday reading?I am a New Yorker subscriber, so it is a good time to catch up. I love reading novels you can get lost in, such as those by Caroline Williams (she works in my office) and Ann Patchett. Also, Alan Bennett's The Uncommon Reader is good to sink your teeth into.
Where will you go to next?I'm going to New York City for a celebration of the 90th birthday of the choreographer Merce Cunningham at the Academy of Music. I hope to go to Montpellier at the end of June with work – I sometimes pinch myself!
** Laurie Uprichard is the director of the Dublin Dance Festival (www.dublindance festival.ie), which runs from May 8th to 23rd
** In conversation with Genevieve Carbery