A Question of Taste: Alanna Diggin

Alanna Diggin features in Connected on RTÉ2, which finishes its first season next Tuesday. She is 21 and lives in Tralee.

Best recent book: Dare You Too by Kate McGarry. I love stories about young people in books, I get so caught up in their stories and feel like the characters are real and in this book I was really feeling for the main female character. I have read it a few times.

Best film you’ve seen this year: Gone Girl. At the end of the film I wanted more.

Best recent show/performance: Dara O’Brian in the INEC in Killarney Co Kerry. His jokes were a pure pisstake of us human beings. The way he sheds light on how we should all take life a little bit less seriously made me realise things are not so bad.

What formats do you access music? I buy the albums I really want. I have a large selection of CDs from the age of about 8 or 9, so some are just for nostalgic reasons, The most recent CD I bought was Ed Sheeran’s album. I also listen to a lot of music on Spotify, but if I like it enough I will then buy the physical album.

Best piece of music you’ve been listening to lately: Taylor Swift featuring The Civil War – ‘Safe & Sound’.

It is a song that makes you think of your loved ones, I guess, as you know you always want to make sure they are ‘safe & sound’ as the song title says. I think many could relate to this one.

First ever piece of music or art or film that really moved you: Titanic, I was 7 and it was Christmas Day. It was the first time I felt really sad as a child, and it made me ask a billion and one questions to my parents.

TV viewing: A favourite box set of mine is definitely Friends. I tend to watch random documentaries about prisons, and funny sitcoms. I do watch shows on sites like RTE Player, 4od, TV3 player etc. In the winter time, I like to watch the soaps every now and then.

Radio listening: I listen to Spin South West & Today FM mostly.

A talent to watch: Tralee-based band Chapter 2. I truly do believe they will be big in the future.

Best recent holiday: Salthill with my boyfriend for two nights in the Summer. Wow, it was beautiful.

Best celebrity encounter: I met Josh Francheschi from You Me At Six, who were my favourite band throughout my teenage years.

Most expensive item of clothing you’ve ever bought: I don’t spend much money on clothes, but the most expensive thing I bought was probably just a normal dress for about €40. Not too bad, eh?

Tech habits: I use my laptop every day for my blog www.indecisivedamsel.com and I go on the usual social media sites, Facebook and Twitter. Twitter is my favourite, though. I use my iPad to listen to music while going to sleep mostly or playing silly games to pass the time. I don’t have a fancy phone – it sends messages and calls people, and that suits me.

Weekend treat: I don’t drink alcohol so I guess my weekend treat is a nice ice cold pint of Lucozade. I also love me some Taco Fries. Messy but oh so good.

Speciality dish if you’re cooking for friends: Chicken/bacon & mushroom vol-au-vents. Yum yum! The only thing I put salt on.

Health and fitness: I suffer from fibromyalgia and back pain which controls how I live my life.

I used to dance, be very fit and work a full-time job, but when my back pain struck I had to alter my life. I go to the gym and swim twice a week. It keeps me mobile. I also have just started pilates to keep my back gaining strength.

Unsung heroes: Bon Iver. A fantastic American indie folk band founded by singer Justin Vernon. Their music is relaxing and stress-relieving. Not many have heard of them and if so they just don’t seem to get the recognition they should. ‘Skinny Love’ and ‘Holcene’ are my favourite tracks of theirs.

You are queen for a day – what’s the your first decree? Free water!