Ireland 2012

Despite the economic downturn of recent years Ireland seems to be coping well. I really enjoyed my week there with family and familiar surroundings: North Kerry - looking out over the Atlantic from the cliffs of that lovely seaside resort Ballybunion with its 3 wide beaches and stimulating cliff walks, and looking across to County Clare from the mouth of the Shannon river as it flows into the sea. Ireland in October can be bright and sunny - there was some rain too of course. A day trip to Killarney was nice, 

I had not been there since I was about 12 on a school trip. Restaurants and bars are busy too - the Irish are like those Europeans who do not go out until late, say after 10pm. One bar we visisted in Listowel (the 10th best place to live in Ireland according to a weekend paper there) did not get busy until after 11pm, and went on until after 1.00. There may well have been some late drinking after that .... quite a contrast to London life where one meets friends afrter work and is back home by 11pm - unless it is a clubbing weekend for the younger set. We are looking forward to going back again quite soon. It is a great place to live at that wonderful slower pace, walking a dog on the beach ..... and now with Kerry airport it is only an hour away from London ... so no more overnight ferries.