Enda Kenny TD describes his holidays.
What's your earliest holiday memory?My mother is from Malin Beg, in Glencolumbkille,Co Donegal, so I remember being on the Silver Strand and at Slieve League when I was four or five.
What was your worst holiday?In 1979 myself and a few mates went to Wales, camping. It teemed out of the heavens from the beginning to end, and in the middle of it all Elvis died.
What was your best holiday?Every year I go to Kerry for 10 days at the end of August. I enjoy those holidays and have visited Skellig Michael and the Blaskets. I'd put these holidays as my best experiences. I've gone with my family – my three children, aged 16, 14 and 12 – every year since they were little kids. Fionnuala's dad has an old house outside of Killarney. It's a great place to do whatever you want, like cycle in the Black Valley, climb Carrauntoohil, walking or fishing.
If budget or work were not a restriction, what would be your dream holiday?I'd like to take a big Harley-Davidson from New York and bike across the US. I'd love to do that with the wind in my face, the sun on my back, wherever freedom takes you. It was strictly business when I was there before, but the energy of the place always astounds me. It is a continent of difference. I did a lot of hillwalking out in Oregon years ago and walked 100 miles south over the Rockies. It's a magnificent country with so many out-of-the-way places.
If you had your pick, who would you bring on holiday with you?My wife and I can have conversations about everything and about nothing. It is real husband-and-wife companionship, and wherever we go we are very happy. She also helps me to pick which collar and tie to wear.
What's your favourite place in Ireland?My favourite places are west, somewhere on the Nephin Beg range, in Mayo. I am a part of that and feel at peace with myself there. A two-hour hike up and you can see as far as Donegal, over to Longford and the midlands, and down south to Galway and beyond on a clear day.
Your recommended holiday reading?I have a mania about bookshops and will go to Hodges Figgis and get a bag of books to bring away on holidays. Reading is a trigger for me to fall asleep in July or August, as when you leave behind eight or nine months of Dáil business it takes a few days. In this business you might not get to finish a book for months. That's why I love to bring 15 or 20 books on holiday and see how I get on.
Where will you go to next?I'm going to Kerry again this year but not until August, as the children are in the Gaeltacht. I'm looking forward to Puck Fair, the Rose of Tralee and going to Inch beach and Glenbeigh.
Enda Kenny TD is the leader of Fine Gael