Calvin Nash: We went to an elephant sanctuary in Thailand — it was just incredible

Rugby player Calvin Nash shares the trips that have shaped him.

Sat, 23 May, 2026 - 08:00

Jennifer McShane

As one of Munster and Ireland’s rising stars, Calvin Nash has spent much of his career on the move, balancing the demands of elite sport with a genuine love of travel. From childhood summers on the Kerry coast to long-haul adventures across Asia and the US, the Limerick native has built up an impressive list of destinations along the way.

Here, he shares the trips that have shaped him.

Favourite childhood holiday memory

I feel like we were pretty lucky growing up. I remember travelling a lot, you know, we went to Florida, went to Universal Studios there. And I remember going to Disneyland in Paris. But one that probably majorly sticks out for me was going to Ballyheigue in Kerry. We had the mobile home there. So, I basically would have been dumped down there every summer, and I would have just been going to the beach, playing soccer, rugby, into the green, you know, the usual kind of Irish summers. Just a really good childhood memory of being adventurous nearly every day. I went there until maybe I was like 17 or 18.

Most memorable trip

I went to Thailand with my girlfriend, Ciara. We both love Thai food, so I was mad to go there anyway just to experience that first.

We ended up doing a Thai cooking class, picked some ingredients at a market, then went to the cooking school to make different curries and Thai soups. You got to eat them then, and it was such a cool two hours. I’ve never done anything like that. Then we travelled around a bit. We were in Chiang Mai and went to an elephant sanctuary. It was honestly one of the most amazing things I’ve ever been a part of. I’m obsessed with animals, and it was just incredible.

Most surprising destination

I think Verona, Italy, really surprised me. We went to Milan first and then got the train to Verona for a couple of days. I just loved the place. All the little restaurants, how old the city looked, the amphitheatre was there, this small collessum — it just felt like you were in a historical city.

I didn’t expect it to look like that at all. And the Amfora Hvar Grand Beach Resort, I went there one summer. It was roasting and you know how the Irish aren’t great in the heat but myself and Ciara just fell in love with the place. We went on boats, going to different beach clubs, it was unreal.

Favourite city

I actually couldn’t pin down one city. Lisbon is such a cool place. It’s so hilly, but there are so many cool cafes and the views by the sea are amazing. I feel like you could go there any time of year.

New York as well — you see so much of it in movies, so when you’re there, it’s kind of surreal. I went ice skating in Central Park around Christmas and it was so cool.

And London too. I love going to the markets, trying all the different food stalls. I’d be in my element there.

Favourite hotel

I’ve stayed in so many nice hotels, but I think the Amare Beach Hotel in Marbella was amazing. It just felt like it had everything. And even in Ireland, we’re blessed. I love going to Castlemartyr in Cork. We can bring our dog there, which is a big thing for us, and it’s just such a nice place to stay.

Most memorable food experience

Vietnam probably stands out the most for food

The cooking class in Thailand was amazing, but Vietnam probably stands out the most. We went to a local place where the menus were all in Vietnamese, sitting on small plastic chairs.

We had no clue what anything meant, but we’d heard it was the best spot. When I tried it, I was like, “oh my God”. It was unreal. It probably made me get way more into Asian food. There was also a place in Hvar that you had to reach by boat. You could stay all day, sunbathe, and have a three-course meal. It was like 10 out of 10. And Shaquille O’Neal (American former basketball player) was there as well, which was mad.

Favourite thing to do while travelling

I like to be active. I do love lounging by the pool and having a cocktail, but after a day or two, I need to do something. Thailand was great because it had everything. We did hikes, went to viewpoints, and you could do whatever you wanted.

But food is probably the big one for me. Italy and Thailand are up there as having some of the best.

My bucket list trip

I’d love to go skiing, but with rugby, I wouldn’t take that risk right now. Maybe after rugby. In the short term, I’d love to go to Japan or see more of Asia. I love sushi, and I’ve talked to a few lads who’ve played rugby in Japan and said it’s amazing. I think it would be a completely different place to experience, and I’d love to go.