Had a week in the west of Ireland with Dave and Lynne. They live near Galway. Really fortunate with the weather. Had no rain and even some sun. So managed to see Galway and the surrounding countryside.
Last time I was in the area I was 8 years old. The countryside was much more beautiful than I remember it. But the area has changed. Every house in the country seems to be new due to the EU money coming to the area. Every village still has its down at heel Irish pub but there are restaurants, cafes and bars in most towns. It is now very much part of Europe with many Eastern European accents in the streets, pasta and panini in every cafe and restaurant. One thing that hasn’t changed is the smell of burning peat in the air.