My Holidays

Charlie Murphy - Actor

What’s your earliest holiday memory?

When I was four I went to Australia visiting family with my mum and younger sister. I vividly remember getting a Teddy Ruxpin (talking bear with a cassette in its back) and thought it was the best thing. I also recall the stifling weather in my cousin’s back yard which was so foreign to me and the magic looking big insects.

What was your worst holiday?

Fresh out of college I got a job to make a suit advert in Thailand and would get to stay for two weeks afterwards. But the day after filming I crashed a moped and broke my toes, got badly sunburned and lost a lot of skin off my leg. It disabled me so I hobbled around and there was not much I could do. Only after the crash did I notice so many others with broken legs and bandages because anyone can rent a moped and you don’t have to have documentation.

What was your best holiday?

A short citybreak with my boyfriend in Barcelona last year was lovely. The people were so sociable and many parts of the city looked like a filmset. It was a nice surprise, as I was not really expecting anything and it turned out to be a really gorgeous place.

If budget or work were not a restriction, what would be your dream holiday?

I went straight from school into acting and didn’t get to do the usual inter-railing experience, etc, so I’d love to travel across America. I’ve been there before, such as New York with work earlier this year, but I’d like to have the time to drive down Route 66 for two months. But I’d bring friends to drive as I can’t!

If you had your pick, who would you bring on holiday with you?

My boyfriend and two best mates – they are always up for the madness and you wouldn’t know what’s going to happen on an adventure with them.

What’s your favourite place in Ireland?

I’m from Wexford and during my teenage years we lived over my parents’ business on the main street. The town was completely transformed during Wexford Opera Festival and it’s my favourite place at this time of year. The anticipation was great with so much preparation and so many foreigners coming in.

It is what got me into acting as we lived across the road from one of the theatres and in school we were allowed to go and watch dress rehearsals – it was really magical. I look back now and realise what a privilege it was.

Your recommended holiday reading?

On a recent holiday in Turkey I read Russell Brand's My Booky Wookand My Booky Wook 2back-to-back – they were a fun read.

Where will you go to next?

I’m tied up for the moment working like a mad thing. We will be touring all around Ireland for the next few months and after that a sun holiday!

Charlie Murphy stars in Druid’s production of

Big Maggie

by John B Keane at Galway’s Town Hall Theatre (November 11th-19th); the Gaiety, Dublin (November 21st-26th); and a nationwide tour (druid.ie).

In conversation with GENEVIEVE CARBERY