What's your earliest holiday memory?We travelled quite a lot as children and one of my earliest memories is being in New York for the St Patrick's Day parade. But what made it memorable was that I put an ice cream on my head!
What was your worst holiday?During a trip from Ireland to New York I decided to visit some relatives in British Colombia. However, I forgot to bring my return ticket from New York back to Ireland and the Canadian authorities thought I was trying to stay. I couldn't get through to anyone on the phone for hours and customs went through all my stuff and even read my diary!
What was your best holiday?Tioman Island in Malaysia was extraordinary. We went to a part of the island with no phone and no internet, which was really hard for me. I was practically phantom typing with no computer! It was beautiful and the hut was right on the beach and only €200 for the stay with food. While it wasn't luxury, we laughed as we swam in the sea and thought of the people who pay thousands to stay right on the beach.
If budget or work were not a restriction, what would be your dream holiday?My ideal holiday would probably be with my family in the Caribbean. Although I am not a big beach person, I love the notion of lots of sun. Otherwise, living in New York or Paris for a month with loads of money!
If you had your pick, who would you bring on holiday with you?Two of my best friends from university. I tour a lot and love meeting people that way. But for travelling you need good friends who like the same things – otherwise it could result in big arguments and the end of a friendship.
What's your favourite place in Ireland?Inishmore is my favourite place in the world. I first went there as an architecture student. It makes you feel you understand life from thousands of years ago, like on the cliffs at Dún Aonghasa. I love the boat journey there and cycling around the island.
Your recommended holiday reading?I like three different types of books on holiday. More meditative ones when I am on a hectic schedule of touring like The Power of Nowby Eckhart Tolle or The God of Small Thingsby Arundhati Roy. For something more full on, I read Ian McEwan and, because I am half-French, I always have my French books with me because my language is fading.
Where will you go to next?Argentina with my sister, where I'll dance the tango every day! Many people tell me that it's their favourite place in the world. I love getting tips from friends about things they have done or places they have discovered because, when you visit somewhere they loved, you feel the fact that they were there.
- Camille O'Sullivan will play a clifftop gig venue at Charles Fort as part of Kinsale Arts Week (kinsaleartsweek.com) on July 10th. camilleosullivan.com
- In conversation with Genevieve Carbery