Evelyn Cusack
What's your earliest holiday memory?I was born in the only county in Ireland that is surrounded by counties that don't touch the sea. Every Sunday, our father drove us across the midlands, visiting relations and examining every hedge, field and graveyard en route. So the annual two-week holiday to the beach promised unsurpassed joy. We went to a different spot each year – Clare, Donegal, the Giant's Causeway, Arklow – and stayed in caravans, guesthouses and half-star hotels. But those days were not all warm, and my abiding memory is of dressing my little brothers, purple with the cold and trying to get the wet sand off with hard towels! But to this day I love al fresco "hang" sandwiches and tea.
What was your worst holiday?A cycling holiday in France. It sounded great – cycle leisurely through Burgundy tasting the local produce followed by gourmet dinners, but I just don't get eating snails, and rural France closes at 8pm.
What was your best holiday?The treks I've done with MS Ireland are hard to beat, last year to Cuba and the year before to the Himalayas. They are hard work but rewarding and great craic.
If budget or work were not a restriction, what would be your dream holiday?My top places to visit are: Galapagos Islands; Easter Island; the Mayan ruins in the Yucatan Peninsula; Egypt and a Nile cruise; Iceland; Antarctic weather station; Sicily; three months overlooking the Coral Beach in Carraroe in Connemara; and watching the Aurora Borealis.
If you had your pick, who would you bring on holiday with you?Fifty or so MS trekkers – someone new to talk to every day and lively dinner company to boot!
What's your favourite place in Ireland?Dún Laoghaire, home for the past 30 years. A walk down the pier and to the 40 Foot on a sunny morning lifts the spirits. In fact, it's all down to the negative ions from the sea, or so Dr Tony Scott told us in UCD physics many years ago. This is followed by delicious food from Cavistons in Glasthule and I get to sleep in the comfort of my own bed.
Your recommended holiday reading? Bad Scienceby Ben Goldacre, which I would like to become compulsory reading for every journalist, health professional, teacher, student, parent – everybody really.
Where will you go to next?The Irish Meteorological Society is heading to Kerry in October to celebrate 150 years of weather data from Valentia Observatory. Hopefully, we will get a trip out to Skellig. You see, even meteorologists are dependent on the weather!
Evelyn Cusack is deputy head of forecasting at Met Éireann. More information on MS Treks tel: 01-6781600 or e-mail cathrynol@ms-society.ie
In conversation with
Genevieve Carbery