Tours ready (and very keen) to welcome Ireland fans to the Loire Valley

Ideally located between Bordeaux, Nantes and Paris, the location of Ireland's World Cup base is hoping the green waves come calling. Simon Lewis paid a visit

TOURS: 'Place Plumereau' square in the Old Town of Tours, in the heart of the historic centre. Pic: Godard F/Andia/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

The Irish tricolour will be flying proudly over the Loire valley from the Royal Chateau of Amboise, once the palatial home of French kings, over the coming weeks, just as it was earlier last month in honour of the Irish Examiner’s brief visit.

Downriver, in Tours, a microbrewery is ramping up production of its new Irish Red Ale, “Irish Harvest” and across town in Quartier Colbert, Warren Gaynor, proprietor of The Pale, is putting the final touches for an influx of both French and Irish rugby supporters.