Co Kilkenny: Ethel Kelly and Chris Clifford

Ethel Kelly spent 17 years in some of the world's most vibrant cities - London, Sydney and Dublin - before returning to her Kilkenny roots with English husband Chris Clifford in 2002. They designed and built their dream house on family-owned land outside the village of Bennettsbridge (population about 600) using a local contractor. Ethel works part-time from home as a travel industry consultant and Chris, director of a marketing services company, now works in nearby Co Laois and in Dublin a couple of days a week.

Neither has any regret about the move though they "miss not being able to walk to restaurants, art galleries or the shops, which was possible in Sandymount". They like "the space and relaxed atmosphere of country life" and the fact that their three children, Jordan, 6, and twins Josh and Lana, 3, are growing up in close proximity to their grandparents. Chris says "they can run around granddad's field chasing sheep and foxes". His own parents, who live in England, have also fallen for Kilkenny and bought a house in the county to which they commute regularly to see the grandchildren.