SARAH IRONSIDE,
Sir, - The euro surely is a wonderful thing. Finally it is clear how much more it costs to be in Ireland than elsewhere in Europe.
While on holiday in Ireland in August I discovered that a visit to a well known chain of hairdressers in Ennis for a wash and blow-dry would cost me €25, whereas a similar appointment with a similar chain in the centre of Brussels will cost me €13. A chicken meal in a well-known pub in central Galway will cost me €17.95. A similar meal in a similar establishment on the Grand Place of Brussels will cost me €12.00.
I reckon that by using a certain low-cost airline, it is almost cheaper to fly to Brussels for the day to get the hair done and have a bit of lunch. - Yours, etc.,
SARAH IRONSIDE,
Chausée de Wavre,
Brussels,
Belgium.