Cormac MacConnell: Tourist wonderlands you can drive to

I had to spend several days last week working my way up and down the east coast, where the footfall in the big towns and in Dublin is heavier and somewhat more urgent than in the more gentle reaches of the west, which is my home turf.

The weather was somewhat brighter in Leinster than along the Wild Atlantic Way, for sure. I enjoyed myself, got my work done, and was glad to return to Munster when the week was over.

It is the national holiday season. I talked with many folk during the week, and the subject of holidays was high on their agenda.