Podcasts: Ireland

In our travel feature this month, we’re looking for winter romance. Join us at Waterford Castle, which is on an island in the south-east of Ireland.

For our travel feature this month, correspondent Julian Earwaker spent a week cycling through the west of Ireland. Listen now to a portion of an interview with John Heagney, who organizes cycle holidays.

This week, Eamonn Fitzgerald is here to read an excerpt from the World View section of the magazine. As you listen, try to find the answers to the questions.

In countries where people are naturally pale, almost any trick will be tried to get that sun-kissed colour. The most recent trick has turned up in Ireland.

Night begins early and ends late for music fans in Dublin. How early? Well, 7 p.m. early. That's when the Irish House Party starts — except that the music played at 27 Pembroke Road is not "house" in the modern sense of having heavy drum and bass.

Ireland is a success story. The country has moved from being one of the poorest in western Europe 20 years ago to being a wealthy nation with a thriving economy. Eamonn Fitzgerald recently spoke to Irish economist David McWilliams.