The San used to look up at the night sky and say that the stars were holes in the roof of the world. The rain – when it came – they believed was water leaking through those same holes.

Ireland clearly didn’t get much of a roof at all. It rains and rains and rains here. And that’s why it’s so beautifully green, it’s why the sheep are gleaming white (not like our stunted and dusty Karoo types) and probably why the Guinness and Murphy”s always tastes so good. Dunno about the latter, but I’m sure there’s a link somewhere.

It’s a fine country. They are facing big trouble right now as the economy takes a beating but the Irish are a resolute and brave lot, and no doubt they’ll smile through the worst of it. The Guinness will brew and the rain will fall and the farmers will continue to herd their cows through villages from behind the wheel of their little hatchbacks. Who needs a tractor when you can have a compact to keep you out of the rain?

Anyway, right now there’s an Ireland slideshow up on The Times multimedia site which will give you a brief glimpse into the magic of the Emerald Isle.

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