Up to 400 jobs could be created in West Cork after the Ludgate Hub in Skibbereen received a €2m boost to develop a centre for agri-tech and education.

On arriving outside the Ludgate Hub in Skibbereen, Co Cork, Minister Michael Ring was told that he’d brought the sunny weather with him. “We have it 52 weeks a year, so we have,” came the instant reply.

Last week, my wife and I were tootling around West Cork for a few days. We do it on a regular basis to remind ourselves how lucky we are to live in a country festooned with natural beauty.