Madam, - We are annual visitors from Co Durham to Donegal for our summer holidays. We enjoy the fabulous beaches, warm welcome and distinctive culture and music. As Irish people living in Britain we have a foot in both camps, however.
The restrictions on recreational walking in Ireland, as well as the proliferation of private houses across the landscape, detract from the visitor's experience. So Irish readers might consider taking advantage of a weaker pound sterling in 2009 to visit areas such as Northumberland, the Yorkshire Dales and the Peak District to see the difference.
UK planning rules mean there are no "one-off" new buildings on the edge of villages.
Clearly marked public footpaths (with stiles rather than barbed wire to negotiate) radiate from clustered settlements in all directions across fields into the surrounding countryside.
This means a bigger choice of walks in open countryside away from tarmac, road traffic and other houses (except farm settlements).
Finally in a village setting a local pub is also likely to be easily accessible, on foot, at the end of the day. - Yours, etc,