West of Ireland.

County Clare, situated in the West of Ireland, is a wild, magical region. The Atlantic Ocean pounds its shores and the countryside is assailed by strong winds which shape the landscape. The ancient Cliffs of Moher and the vast limestone landscape of the Burren are located in County Clare. Most of my childhood holidays were spent on my grandparent’s farm in Cloonlaheen, West Clare. Freed from the constraints of our native Dublin my siblings and I ran like wild things across the rocky, marshy fields of the surrounding countryside. We ‘helped’ save the hay, cut turf from the bog and tried our hand at milking the cows. We loved the freedom and enjoyed the kindness and hospitality of all the people in the adjoining farms to whom we were, in some way, related. Of course, as city-slickers there were elements of the rural Clare that spooked my brothers, sisters and myself. Electric light had not reached the West of Ireland at this time and the blackness of the narrow boreens, relieved only by faint glimmerings of light from the windows of the far-flung cottages, scared us rigid. We refused to venture out at night, frightened, not only by the fierce darkness, but also by the stories of malignant fairies (“the little people” as they were known locally) who, at best, played wicked pranks on the unwary and, at worst, stole children whom they never returned to their parents. I still can’t decide if my cousins really believed these stories or if they simply enjoyed scaring the wits out of the smart alec Jackeens.

Dublin

I am fortunate to have been born and brought up in Dublin. The Dublin I grew up in was not the hip, cosmopolitan city of the present day, but for the teenage me it was everything a place should be. As a capital city it had all the amenities that I needed: it had cinemas galore - locally the Stella and Princess - and in the city centre, the Metropole, Adelphi, Ambassador, Corinthian, Regal, Royal and Carlton. Patrons of the theatre were served by The Abbey, The Gate, The Gaiety and The Olympia. We danced the night away at the Crystal, Town and Country Club, Olympic and the Four Province. But for me, Dublin’s greatest asset was its coastal location. It is bounded to the east by a jagged necklace of sandy and stony beaches that run north and south of the city. As young children my mother (accompanied by a neighbour with her brood) would walk my brothers, sisters and myself along the Grand Canal to Sandymount Strand, where, invariably, the tide was as far out as it could be and we were confronted by a beach but no sea. Undeterred, we played in the shallow pools and ate sand-ingrained sandwiches, before starting the long trek home.

Birmingham

I moved to Birmingham as a young married woman and have remained here ever since. Like most immigrants, my relationship with my adopted home has been, at best ambivalent, at worst, uneasy. For many years I mourned the fact that I had given up my beloved Dublin - a graceful city by the sea - for an industrial, midlands city. However, over the years the attachment has strengthened, primarily, because my sons were born and reared here, but also because of the many good friends I have met in the city. I also value this city in the heart of England for its ability to absorb people from all over the world who, for the most part, respect each others cultures and live in harmony. And, of course, the city is home to the world-renowned City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra which plays at the magnificent Symphony Hall and to Aston Villa Football Club - who could ask for more?

Nice

Like Bridget in, Interlude,, I visited Nice at a time when I felt a burning need to escape the daily grind. I knew almost immediately that I wanted to set a story in this wonderful place. Nice, like Dublin, is located by the sea. It is a lively, bustling city, full of energy and colour. Unlike Dublin, Nice boasts a wonderful climate which, combined with ease of access, has made it a magnet, not only for Brummies, but also for Dubliners (my adopted city and my native city have, finally, found common ground) many of whom have bought second homes in the area. My thanks go to the family from Dublin whom I met on the packed bus which took us from the airport into the city. They shared their local knowledge and made my stay the more enjoyable for that. Also thanks to the couple from Dublin who were on an escape mission of their own. They regaled me with stories of their three sons whom they’d left at home to spend some quality-time together in the South of France and kept me laughing until the tears ran down my face. Of course, the entire proceedings were helped by liberal supplies of wine and beer. SLÁINTE!