After Hurricane Irene in 2011, a couple of Bruce Springsteen fans were visiting the New Jersey Shore town of Belmar, a defining district of the so-called Irish Riviera.

“It’s east Ireland over here,” explained Jim Killoran in his green baseball cap on his way to Mass.

Forget about Hawaii or Florida, the buzzword among American retirees is Ireland, either Youghal, Co Cork, or Co Clare — either of which when it comes to affordable homes is hotter than anywhere Stateside.