Dearbhla Molloy- Actor
What’s your earliest holiday memory?
My earliest memory is of my parents with a caravan shaped like a semi-circle and my father trying to go up Patrick’s Hill in Cork in the Morris Minor while my mother stood hysterical on the pavement with three small children thinking their time had come.However, most of my childhood holidays were spent on the beach in Rush, Co Dublin, where my parents had a house.
What was your worst holiday?
Staying in a very tiny house in Corfu in heat like I’ve never experienced and where there wasn’t enough room when we all arrived. A completely out-of-control teenager dictated the whole holiday. We had to drive to the beach and queue – the beach was jammed as you’d try to find a place to lie down. I was there for two endless weeks. I would have gone home early except I couldn’t get a flight.
What was your best holiday?
As an actor I rarely take designated holidays, but my work often brings me somewhere that I will then take a few days off. One great holiday was Kruger National Park in South Africa, it was astonishing. The first time you see an elephant or a giraffe in front of you is overwhelming. You are allowed to get out of the car at your own risk. We went wandering at a waterhole at sunset and when we were leaving found a leopard standing in our way! The other was travelling on a very small bus in Turkey with my son on an archaeological tour for three weeks. I’d love to do it again. Travelling recently with work I took time off to visit the Grand Canyon. It was one of the great experiences of my life and is “awesome” in the best use of the word. I also went whale watching in San Francisco with a marine biologist who could answer all my questions.
If budget or work were not a restriction, what would be your dream holiday?
I’d love to do more whale watching up the coast of Newfoundland. If I had loads of money I’d go to the Galapagos Islands. I’d like to go to places where visitor numbers are controlled with someone who knows all about the environment. I’m not interested in hotels, beaches, night clubs or crowds.
If you had your pick, who would you bring on holiday with you?
Barack and Michelle Obama would be good gas. If I won the lottery, I’d bring about eight people including my son and best friend.
What’s your favourite place in Ireland?
It’s a toss-up between the Beara Peninsula and the Aran Islands. The Beara Peninsula is the most gorgeous place in the world. My brother lives in Inis Mór, but I find it crowded in the summer. However, Inis Meáin is gloriously empty because it is not as easy to get to. Both have the same appeal as the Galapagos, emptiness and nature.
Your recommended holiday reading?
I am looking forward to rereading Hilary Mantel's book Wolf Hall. I just reread Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evilby John Berendt because I recently visited Savannah because of the book.
Where will you go to next?
I’ll go to Minneapolis to visit friends, go up to the lakes and forests and explore the area.
Dearbhla Molloy stars in Druid's The Cripple of Inishmaanby Martin McDonagh in Galway's Town Hall Theatre (June 22nd-24th), Inis Meáin (June 26th), and also in Give Me Your Hand, in Druid Lane Theatre (June 21st and 23rd).
In conversation with GENEVIEVE CARBERY