Kathryn Thomas: 'The first time myself and Padraig went to Paris holds such special memories for us both - cycling around the city in the throes of early, heady romance'

"The Greek Islands. I have been to all of the island groups and continue to explore them. My love affair with Greece began when I was 18 and, though the holiday romances have come and gone, my love for the islands only continues to grow. I also love our little house on the beach in north Wexford, built by my grandfather and now shared equally between his children and 13 grandchildren. It's my soul space."

"Abbeyglen Castle in Clifden for the atmosphere Brian Hughes continues to create year after year - warm, friendly, unexpected and hospitality that's hard to match anywhere else in Ireland. Paris is one of my favourite cities. I love cycling around the city visiting the preloved designer clothes shops scattered from the Marais to Montmartre."

Visits range across the Greek Islands, with ongoing exploration of every island group and a love for Greece that began at age 18. A family beach house on the north Wexford shore, built by a grandfather and now shared equally among his children and 13 grandchildren, functions as a soul space. Abbeyglen Castle in Clifden offers warm, friendly, unexpected hospitality curated by Brian Hughes that is hard to match elsewhere in Ireland. Paris inspires cycling trips to discover preloved designer clothes shops scattered from the Marais to Montmartre. Interests also include Irish-designed bedlinen and smoky seafood in Japan.

Read at Independent