TO LOTS OF people in this country, the period between 25 December and 1 January is truly the best time of the year.

The Christmas rush is over; the presents have been opened and the turkey and ham devoured, though there might be a few sandwiches still on the go; most of us are relaxing and relishing the company of family and friends, some of whom have travelled long distances for the occasion.

Movies are a big feature for many of us. Home Alone (1 and 2), Die Hard (1 and 2), The Holiday, A Christmas Story (an American classic that oddly did not catch on here), Love Actually and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation are favourites in this vicinity. Pints in the local, and at the holy ground of Wicklow Golf Club, are being consumed. Great craic is being had by all.

This year, we have forsaken the chaos of Dublin Airport and the six hour flight to Boston to see my relatives and my close pals, who are actually family. I have mixed feelings, but my wife and Larry Óg are delighted. We have been joined by our older son, Seán, who is back home in Wicklow from Barcelona, where he now lives and works.

Happily, my brother, sister-in-law and nephew have made the trip from Boston and are revelling in a post-Christmas vacation in Ireland. After nearly a........

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