Lucinda O'Sullivan's Ireland

Ireland is a beautiful place to discover.

Ireland, perceived as the Emerald Isle, Land of the Shamrock, the Leprechaun, the Blarney Stone, thatched and white-washed Cottages and the attitude of "As God made time, he made plenty of it", has changed dramatically in recent years. It is now a thriving and progressive country holding its head high as a member of the European Union but City traffic is bumper to bumper from early morning as workers head for their places of employment to keep the wheels of progress turning. However, underneath all the hustle and bustle, people haven't changed all that much. They still like to meet and talk, share a story, have a laugh and generally enjoy life.

Sport is an intrinsic interest with the major equestrian industry being in showjumping and horse racing. Our golf courses are a match for any in the world and our golfers, of the standing of Padraig Harrington, Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley, regularly contest major competitions worldwide. Rugby and soccer both have a solid following but the major football game is Gaelic Football with interest reaching its climax at the end of September when the all Ireland final between the two leading counties is played. For visitors possibly the most fascinating sport is traditional hurling, which is recognised as the fastest field game in the world, requiring speed, fitness, physical strength, great skill and application.

The open countryside, from the pleasant valleys and rounded mountains of the East to the rugged features of the West, provides ample scope and diversity of scenery for the walker or cyclist. For the motorist there are limitless places of interest from ancient ruins, fine buildings and museums, breathtaking scenery and even a Fairy Tree on the Comeragh Drive near Dungarvan. The gourmet is well catered for as each and every county provides some excellent Restaurants to please even the most demanding palate.

Most pubs and bars provide good value lunches during the day. In the evenings, many of them have traditional musicians and singers and as we say in Ireland, the craic.

Most of all, apart from the sport, scenery, food, drink, craic, and music, the main attraction must be the people themselves, generally warm, friendly and welcoming.

Ireland - you won't be disappointed.