Senator Catherine Noone
What was your best holiday?
Back in 2001 I travelled with my friend Thecla from London to Bangkok by land. It was a complete adventure; no planes, but trains and all sorts of automobiles, including a month on a 350cc motorbike from Hanoi to Saigon. The highlight was travelling through Vietnam as it was beautiful, historic, and the food was amazing.
One of the most frightening parts was being taken off the Trans-Siberian Railway at the Belarusian border when travelling to Moscow because we did not have a visa (even though we had been told we did not need one travelling through Belarus). We were put on a train but not told where it was going. Through broken French and German we finally figured out that it was going to Prague. We went instead to Warsaw ,where we got our visas eventually got back on the train.
What was your worst holiday?
A family holiday to the Algarve, Portugal, as a teenager. It was like National Lampoon's Vacation– anything that could go wrong did. My brother nearly drowned, but my mother saved him. Another day my granny came looking for me and cracked a rib. We all got sunburned despite oodles of sun cream and the wine my parents bought to bring home was stolen the night before we left. But, still, I have really good memories of it.
If budget or work were no restriction, what would be your dream holiday?
The biggest luxury nowadays is having time, so I’d go on an extended holiday. I’d love to travel through some African countries such as Kenya, Ethiopia and South Africa. If money was no object, I’d do a safari which was luxurious at night, rather than staying in tents. I’ve travelled on a lot of other continents but have only been to the north of Africa.
If you had your pick, who would you bring on holiday with you?
I’m thinking I’d bring Brad Pitt, if Angelina wouldn’t mind; he’d be nice to look at.
What’s your favourite place in Ireland?
I’m from the west and really like the islands off the west coast. I was lucky enough to spend some time sailing last summer and we moored at various islands. I spent some time on Inish Turk Beg, which was amazing, and stopped at Inishbofin, where weather always seems to be good.
Your recommended holiday reading?
The biggest thing on holidays is getting so much time to read. I'll generally buy something like the Irish Arts Reviewin the airport. I like to read a book that is based in the country while I am there. I enjoyed reading Bill Bryson's Down Underwhen I was in Oz.
Where will you go to next?
I hope to get away in Ireland at Easter, as I’m more conscious than ever of holidaying here. I got a brief glimpse of lots of places during my Seanad campaign and travelled from Malin to Mizen Head in 72 hours. If budget and time allowed I’d like to go and see Sri Lanka as my friend has a place out there.
Catherine Noone is a Fine Gael Senator
In conversation with
GENEVIEVE CARBERY