Lakeside luxury

BECAUSE we live in this country, we tend not to look upon it in the way that a tourist might - and that's a pity.

Take The Hidden Ireland, for example, this small group of 30 or so historic country home owners offer accommodation on a high, but very affordable level.

The properties runs the gamut from imposing, 1,000-acre estates to smaller gentlemen's residences in all parts of the island.