This week My Holidaytalks to Darina Allen, chef
What's your earliest holiday memory?
Going to Lisdoonvarna every summer between the ages of seven and 13 with my father. I remember eating periwinkles from paper cornets in Lahinch, and seeing the Aran Island fishermen coming in on their currachs and landing their catches at Doolin. There was traditional music at Doolin and I remember watching set dancing beside the spa in Lisdoonvarna.
Your worst holiday?
Some years ago on a walking holiday in Mexico one of our friends broke her leg and she had to be airlifted to a hospital in Mexico City. We had to abandon the walk in Baja. Later we discovered it was a blessing in disguise - we were told the plateau on the hill where we were walking was full of deadly vipers.
Your best holiday?
I've been to India several times and absolutely love the country; our visit to Rajasthan was the best holiday. There are wonderful temples and street food in the city. Unless you've been to India, it's very hard to imagine it and hard to describe. It's amazingly colourful, even the men dress in wonderful colours. And the food is great. I took cookery classes in the desert and a nomad woman taught me how to cook over a fire of dry cow dung patties; the patties don't smell and make very good fuel. We cooked vegetarian food, beans and vegetables from the desert.
If budget/work was no restriction, what would be your dream holiday?
I would like to go trekking in Bhutan, I've heard a lot about it and it sounds intriguing. I really like that area, I enjoy the extraordinary contrasts, like in Calcutta; you see hand drawn rickshaws beside Mercs. There are expensive hotels, yet in the countryside, oxen plough the fields.
If you had your pick, who would you bring on holiday with you?
My family.
Where's your favourite place in Ireland?
West Cork is my favourite place in Ireland. It's a very special place. There is a wonderful, friendly, old-fashioned way about people there.
They have time to stop and chat, the food is good and, of course, the scenery is tremendous. And also it's not terribly far for us to travel.
What book would you recommend to read on holiday?
The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals by Michael Pollan.
Where to next?
I would love to see Lebanon and Istanbul.
In conversation with Fiona Gartland