Sophie White photographed by Kip Carroll

The person My six-year-old son, Damien. He is my world, and I thank god every single day for him The memory Dancing the lead role in ballet Giselle in The Point Theatre in 2004. It was my first lead role in Dublin, and it was to a packed house. I was so happy to perform in front of a home crowd, and was excited for the future of ballet in Ireland The moment of day When I get into my car after a long day’s work training with my dancers. Three young girls are heading off to Perm, Russia, this September, and we have been working extra hard preparing them for their new life as full-time ballerinas The song Purple Rain by Prince. I was lucky to dance a piece choreographed by Patricia Crosbie, for Cork City Ballet, to this wonderful music. It was a fun time and a lovely experience The movie Flashdance — one day I didn’t want to dance, and then I did after seeing this movie. It’s not the movie that I really like, just the famous final scene — which I learned later is danced in the movie by a man The hero Tina Turner. I remember watching a documentary on her life before I went to Russia. I was 13, and my mum was telling me what a super lady she is, and later I saw the same documentary again, and was inspired by her drive in the face of such cruelty The book Death’s Acre: Inside The Legendary Forensic Lab The Body Farm Where The Dead Do Tell Tales by William Bass. It is a great read if you are into forensic anthropology The outfit My work clothes are what I am most comfortable in. Sometimes I go to the shops after work, and I get a few raised eyebrows. Nope, it’s not what you think! I am not in a tutu and leotard. It’s the opposite — I am dressed in loads of layers of fleece. I look a little like a big, black clown. It’s what dancers wear to warm up, and I am hoping to make it a look for 2020 The accessory I don’t really do accessories The gadget My iPhone. Like everyone, I would be lost sometimes without it. I use it a lot in work for music, and to film the dancers, so we can dissect the movements and improve. Sometimes I love my phone, and sometimes I hate it. I do turn it off lately when I get home, so that I focus on life, and not on my screen The friend My best friend is Tony Ryan, who is also my stage manager. I call him every single day and annoy him. We have been friends for over 20 years, and he has been with me through the good and the tough times. I am lucky to have such a loyal friend The pet hate I absolutely hate gossip. It makes my skin crawl. I feel that it is such bad karma. Worst of all is discussing other people’s relationships. I have to leave the room if that’s happening The beauty product Anything by Trilogy. They do really lovely organic lotions and potions, and I swear by them. Also loads of water and exercise The holiday Recently, my boyfriend, my son and I took a day trip to the Giant’s Causeway, and it was magical. Sometimes we forget just how beautiful Ireland really is The piece of advice Always keep your word. It’s who you are The drink Black coffee with sugar. When I work, I am mainly fuelled by coffee The hotel The Shelbourne, as I met my boyfriend there on Christmas Day, so it has happy memories The bar I don’t go to bars, and I can’t remember the last time I did The hobby I love Russian politics, and recently, due to the Presidential race, American politics. I devour the news, and have always been fascinated with political spin, and having lived in Russia in the 90s, I see how fast any decision from the top trickles down. I was in Russia when the rouble was devalued to nearly nothing, so one day I had a modest income, and the next day, my monthly wage was only enough to buy a couple of Snickers bars. It is a good reality check. In Europe, we could never understand how this feels The part of my body My back. It was really good when I was dancing; my back was extremely flexible and very strong. Every dancer has strong and weak points The celebrity Dawn French. I find her very, very funny and I am fascinated with how she moves, and the small gestures of her face. A magical lady The virtue Kindness. We should all be kinder to each other. We were taught this as children, but I think we sometimes forget what a kind smile or gesture can do for another person The vice Honestly, it is spending way, way too much money on costumes for my dancers. I can’t help it. I want them all to feel like a prince or princess before they even put a foot on the stage. I know it makes such a major difference to the dancer, and of course to the audience. I always get so many compliments on my dancers The smell Daffodils; they just smell so good. I loved returning from Russia to Dublin in March and seeing daffodils everywhere, on the sides of the road and in gardens and shops. At that time of year, Russia is covered in snow, and it could feel like you where living in a black-and-white movie The taste My sister Siobhan’s Christmas dinner. I would happily eat it every day if I could Monica Loughman will be at the Festival of Women, taking place at the RDS on September 16, 17 and 18. For tickets and information, see festivalofwomen.ie