Valentine’s Day is approaching. The Irish are well known for their ability to do the hearts and flowers thing.  This nation is just a bunch of old romantics at heart. Anyone who’s ever shed a tear at the haunting tones of Sinead O’Connor’s Nothing Compares to You, or swallowed the lump in the throat while nursing a broken heart listening to Shane McGowan singing Rainy Night in Soho will tell you that. I mean how can any country produce song lyrics like these and not be prone to the love-struck disease?

‘Ne’er a fool was reared in Macroom’, so the local saying goes! It’s true the people of this historic West Cork town, which lies on the main Cork Killarney road, are resilient, bright, and astute. Colourful little shops in the town centre are independently owned. You won’t see a big name fast food outlet or department store among the traditional shop fronts which make up the main street. You may see some Irish names above the doors, as Macroom borders the Irish-speaking area of the Gaeltacht in this region. You’ll find great sportsmen here that have learned their skills at club level in Macroom GAA and gone on to do County Cork football proud. Macroom is a town of diversity and tradition all rolled into one. Sit up at the bar in one of the cosy old pubs of the town and you’ll get all the lowdown on sport and other local gossips!