UNFORTUNATELY, I love shopping. And, unfortunately, I impulse buy a lot. I go for quality as opposed to bulk. If I buy something a bit more expensive, I know it's going to last longer. I prefer to go for that than a cheaper sort that will break within a week.

1. Moon Shoes
These were for my daughter's birthday - she was seven. They're like individual trampolines for each foot so we had a great time with them. I got them in Byrne's in Liffey Valley.

2. MP3 and DVD Player
This is the most important thing I've bought recently. My minidisk broke down after 10 years of very loyal service, so I needed something to replace it: something with which I could record master classes, lessons and my own concerts, to see how I'm singing. It's very expensive for me, but once every 10 years, I can afford it!

3. Recorded score and DVD of The Barber of Seville'by Rossini
My favourite tenor Juan Diego Florez is the star.

4. Surf board
I've always been into watersports and I finally decided that instead of borrowing other people's, I'd buy my own long board and I'm looking forward to taking it out when I'm free. I bought it in Wind and Wave in Monkstown, which is a fantastic shop. I surf anywhere along the west coast but mostly in Kerry. I also go to Bundoran and Galway but anywhere really where the waves come directly into shore and don't bash off a harbour first.

5. Scotch bonnets
I'm delighted to see Ireland bring in a lot more unusual foods as I spent most of my life in the tropics - Africa, Indonesia, California. It's great to be able to go into Dublin and buy mangoes and lime pickles and spices. Moore Street is great, as is the market in Temple Bar and there are a few Indian stores that I wander around as well. Scotch bonnet is the one I can't live without. It's a very very strong chilli. I blend that with garlic and onion and olive oil. It's called pilli-pilli and it's what the Congolese use on their food.