What's your earliest holiday memory?My mother is from Bray, so we used to go there most weekends. With seven kids and the way the economy was at the time, there wasn't a lot of money to go around. Our first foreign family holiday was to the Isle of Man. I remember how excited I was getting the boat from Dublin port.
What was your worst holiday?I went away with about 25 lads to Crete went I was about 18 or 19. I didn't drink alcohol at the time (I was 24 when I first had a drink). I remember it being a sloppy teenage messy holiday with all the lads in five apartments, screaming, shouting and drinking all night. I was worn out by the end and ready to come home.
What was your best holiday?A holiday to Italy with my wife and a number of friends about five years ago. We all live around Europe and every year since then we pick a destination to rent a villa for 10 people. The first year it was north of Rome. It was the most beautiful villa in an old-style Italian farmhouse with a private pool. We had great conversations all day long and some of the good cooks prepared the food. It was the nicest holiday I've ever been on. It's a cheap and cheerful reunion.
If budget or work were not a restriction, what would be your dream holiday?I'd love to visit Vietnam and the Great Wall of China. What appeals to me about that would be the eastern culture and philosophy. I'd love to visit more of central Australia. When I was there with Boyzone, we visited the mining town of Broken Hill and it was fascinating to see the buildings left over by the first settlers. I'd also love to go on safari in Africa.
If you had your pick, who would you bring on holiday with you?It is wonderful to meet up with friends and family, but I am quite a solitary creature. I like quietness, not being bothered by anyone and reading a book. Sometimes I'm my own best company. So me, myself and I.
What's your favourite place in Ireland?All along the west coast and Donegal in summertime. In wintertime, all around Connemara is lovely.
Your recommended holiday reading?I read a lot of biographies as well as books on psychology, astronomy and philosophy. I don't read fiction. For a good read at a peaceful time, I'd recommend The Power of Nowby Eckhart Tolle.
Where will you go to next?I've no holiday plans at the moment. Maybe I'll go back to my home in Spain which I haven't had much time to spend at this year.
Boyzone member Mikey Graham is starring in the pantoAladdin at the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin, until the end of January.
In conversation with Genevieve Carbery