My holiday - Matt Cooper

What’s your earliest holiday memory?

It might sound ridiculous but we never went on holidays. But we used to go and mind my grandmother in July because my uncle’s family would get out of Belfast around the 12th.

One of my earliest memories was a British soldier searching the house. I remember soldiers patrolling up and down the streets and hearing bombs going off.

It was always a bit scary for a child from Cork and a very different summer holiday to anyone I knew.

What was your best holiday?

Earlier this year Aileen and I brought the five children to Orlando. We went to Universal Studios and Sea World and had great fun. We’d get up every morning with smiles on our faces – we were like kids doing all of the rides. We managed to get a good deal on a house where the kids could swim every evening and we put them to bed exhausted.

I was trying to work on my book and would be on such a high from the day that I got two or three hours done each evening.

If budget or work were not a restriction, what would be your dream holiday?

I’d love to go back to South Africa. I’ve been there once and would like to see more.

I spent a week in Zimbabwe 20 years ago and it’s the most beautiful country. Southern Africa is so lush compared to north Africa and you don’t appreciate that until you go.

If you had your pick, who would you bring on holiday with you?

I love family holidays. Only in the last couple of years have we taken foreign holidays as it was too much hassle when the kids were small.

What’s your favourite place in Ireland?

As a Cork man I shouldn’t say it but Kerry. We had a great holiday in Dingle and Killarney is a great spot.

What is your recommended holiday reading?

This year I was writing the whole time – not reading on holidays. The past few years with the kids I haven’t had time to sit and read.

Where will you go to next?

I’ve never been to Germany. I’ve heard Munich is great for a holiday. My eldest is studying German in secondary school so I’d like the children to be interested in Germany and the language – if only because it is now so central to life in Ireland.

Matt Cooper is the author of How Ireland Really Went Bust

(Penguin Ireland, £14.99) and presents The Last Wordon Today FM

In conversation with GENEVIEVE CARBERY