My Yorkshire: Siobhan MacMahon

What is your first Yorkshire memory?

My husband Andy and I came up from London for the weekend about 20

years ago, before we moved up here, and we went to Arncliffe in Littondale. We started off at the Falcon Inn and walked over the top past Malham. We had a two-man tent, a bottle of wine and not much else, and we woke up in the morning with the tent surrounded by bullocks. I have a memory of Andy chasing the bullocks down the hill in his boxer shorts. That day we found Foxup, a farm that we've been going back to

ever since.

What is your favourite part of the county – and why?

Littondale. There is a lovely walk from Foxup into Litton, where there's a great pub. It's not as busy as Malham, it's quiet and there are no teashops.

Which Yorkshire person past or present, would you like to have dinner with?

Dame Judi Dench. I just love her. I think she's amazing. I saw her live about 20 years ago when I was at drama school. She has an amazing presence.

What do you think gives Yorkshire its unique identity?

Ireland tends to have a lot of national pride without being

nationalistic and when I came to Yorkshire I got the same sense of people really feeling that they belong to the place. I'm

pleased that my kids are growing up with this Yorkshire identity. I think it's really positive. Yorkshire people are very down-to-earth, friendly and approachable.

Who is the Yorkshire person you most admire?

I've met quite a few inspiring people in Yorkshire.

If a stranger to Yorkshire had time to only visit one place, where would you recommend?

The Turkish Baths in Harrogate. I love the building, the beautiful old tiling, the domed ceilings and the mosaic on the floor. The mahogany changing cubicles are like confessionals.

Do you have a favourite walk or view?

I go for a walk nearly every single day in the Gledhow Valley Woods. It's wonderful to have woods right in the middle of Leeds and so close to where I live. I get to watch the seasons changing – the snowdrops arrive, then the crocuses and later the bluebells.

What about Yorkshire's cultural life?

I love the multi-cultural nature and the diversity of what goes on in Leeds. The work that the Irish Arts Foundation does is tremendous. Then there's Leeds Young Authors run by Khadijah Ibrahim in Chapeltown and the Red Shed in Wakefield, the oldest working men's club in the country, which runs a brilliant poetry night.

Do you follow sport in the county, and if so, what?

I support the Bradford Bulldogs, the ice hockey team, as my son plays for them. I go and stand in a freezing cold ice rink to watch.

Name your favourite Yorkshire author.

Rommi Smith. She's a performance poet and playwright. She was the first parliamentary writer-in-residence during 2008. She's a wonderful writer

and performer and very warm and encouraging of other writers.

If you had to name your Yorkshire "hidden gem", what would it be?

The National Trust's Middlethorpe Hall in Bishopthorpe in York. We discovered it last year. It's very expensive but so lovely and the food is gorgeous.

Do you have a favourite restaurant or pub?

Casa Mia in Chapel Allerton, Leeds. The first time I went there I was pregnant with my oldest, Rowan. It was the first place I went after giving birth and they made me a cake! I've been going back ever since.

What's your idea of a perfect day out in Yorkshire?

To go up to Bishopthorpe, where we have a little boat and spend the day pottering about on the river. We'll maybe eat something on the boat or

have a barbecue. I like to watch the herons go by.

Siobhan is performing at the April Fool's Cabaret Evening at the Irish Centre, Leeds next Thursday, April 1, to raise funds for the Disasters Emergency Committee Haiti Appeal.

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