Pot of gold

It's always been an ambition of mine to go to the Republic of Ireland. Some might say that it's always been an ambition of mine to go to the Guinness brewery but whilst the bars and pubs of Dublin are world famous that's not been the only attraction. The River Liffey the bridges maybe I'll even start to read Ulysses again. I'm a country boy at heart and the rolling green countryside and a more laid back rural way of life have always appealed.

But having spoken to several people in Ireland over the past week or two I get the impression that I'd better not leave it too late to buy my ticket as the 'Celtic tiger' economy seems to be roaring ahead. That said one gets the impression that the Republic has not completely forgotten the 'craic' and employers there seem to...