David McKernan - Java Republic Coffee Company
What’s your earliest holiday memory?
At Cranny in Co Clare, saving hay and working in the bog. I have fantastic memories of going to Kilkee and the Pollock Holes or the beach at Doonbeg to swim. It was great for me to get out of Dublin. My mother grew up there, so we would go at summers, Christmas, and Easter.
What was your worst holiday?
The honeymoon and another holiday to the Caribbean. I think they are disgusting islands. There are British and American hotels around the coast but inland it is horrendous, an ethical disaster. I travelled inland in Barbados and Saint Lucia, and they exploit the hell out of locals. The poverty was a pure shock. We stayed in great hotels, but there were dumps for natives in between. I would never go back.
What was your best holiday?
At 26, I went to India for three weeks and travelled to Bombay (Mumbai), Rajasthan and Delhi. I remember the smell, the culture and the food. But I saw lots of leprosy, children dying and shocking poverty. At 26 I though Lucan was the centre of the world, so for this reason it was one of the best trips for me.
Within two days I was so shocked. I didn’t understand poverty as I hadn’t travelled. I never saw religious fanaticism like it, and the caste system was shocking.
The trip changed my whole life, seeing children dying and seeing the poorest communities. It had a long effect on me and stayed in my head. Even today in Africa is not as bad as that trip. The British should have stayed there for another 50 years to sort it out.
If budget or work were not a restriction, what would be your dream holiday?
The dream trip would be with the family to India for six weeks when the kids are older, maybe over 14. I’d like to dig in and understand it all.
But give me a beach in the Algarve as I am the best sandcastle maker and can spend hours on the simple pleasure of building them with the kids before knocking them down.
If you had your pick, who would you bring on holiday with you?
Outside of my wife and kids, Michael O’Leary. I am a lad’s lad and I reckon he would be good fun, and I would learn a lot.
What’s your favourite place in Ireland?
West Clare and Co Kerry for climbing mountains, walking and the sea. My favourite hotel with the kids is Kelly’s in Rosslare – it’s the best family environment I’ve ever seen and it gives the parents a break. There is a unique level of service with great food and French wine.
Your recommended holiday reading?
One guy, Haruki Murakami. He is a Japanese writer and a fantastic read. I've read 17 of his books at this stage, The Wind-up Bird Chronicleis the best book he has ever written.
Where will you go to next?
I’m supposed to be going to Haiti, Zambia and Sumatra for a business and coffee trip. I travel a fair bit with coffee. The coffee trips are adventures and I stay in the coffee business because of it. For holidays I am staying local this year – Cork and Rosslare.
- David McKernan is the founder of Java Republic Roasting Company, javarepublic.com.
- In conversation with GENEVIEVE CARBERY