My holidays

LORRAINE KEANE: What was your best holiday? The first time I went to Disneyworld, Florida, aged eight, with my family

LORRAINE KEANE: What was your best holiday?The first time I went to Disneyworld, Florida, aged eight, with my family. It was exactly as you'd expect; a dream come true. At the time it was a big deal to go, but my dad's showband, The Indians, had a particularly good year. I went back with my own children when I left TV3 – even as an adult it warms your heart.

What was your worst holiday?We stayed in an Irish B&B that was recommended as a traditional old-world big house. Peter and I thought it would be romantic. But when we got there I expected the Candid Camera crew to jump out at any minute. The bedroom ceiling was covered in bluebottles – we changed room but I knew I wasn't going to sleep.

We went for a romantic dinner and the owner sat between us for the meal while he ordered his wife and son around. It was so uncomfortable. As I was tucking into my cod, a beetle swam across my cream sauce. I excused myself, went upstairs and packed. We left money for the room and hightailed it.

If budget or work were no restriction what would be your dream holiday?I would love to go back to Denis Island, a private island in the Seychelles. You arrive on a tiny plane which lands on the beach. There were no cars, TVs or technology so you switch off from the world. The food was amazing. You would see the staff catching the fish in the morning and serving it to you for lunch.

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What's your favourite place in Ireland?Aghadoe Heights Hotel in Killarney always feels like a home-from-home. The hotel is amazing, I have the spa to totally switch off and for a meal we can go to the fine-dining restaurant and there is a local babysitter and for the girls there is a pool, a playroom and movies. The landscape is incredible and the Gap of Dunloe is great to do as a family

Who would you bring on holiday with you if you had your pick?Aside from the obvious I'd pick Oprah Winfrey as she is my idol and I'd love to get inside her head. I'd also pick comedian Michael McIntyre as he would guarantee a laugh.

Your recommended holiday reading?The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is an incredible, gripping story and a tear- jerker. Memoirs of a Fruitcake: 2000-2010 The Wilderness Years by Chris Evans takes his 10 years of madness, his rise, fall and rise again. It's incredibly funny with a real honesty.

Where to next?A long weekend at the Fota Island Hotel, Cork. It's great, the girls enjoy the wildlife park, I enjoy the spa and we all enjoy the food.


Broadcaster and journalist Lorraine Keane is on tour as part of Girls Night: The Musical which will play the Gaiety Theatre from April 10th. See girlsnight.ie