David Herman, a reader from Dublin, got in touch about last week's news item on tightened US entry regulations
Last month I got my visa waiver without a problem. It counted for naught: I was turned away at Dublin airport and not allowed to fly to the US. My UK passport had been acceptable on recent trips, but not now. So, in spite of having a visa waiver, US security told me I would still have to get a visa.
I lacked the computer expertise or time to collect all the forms necessary before my “interview” at the US embassy, so I was treated extremely rudely and dismissively and left feeling as if I were an extremist who had wandered in to ask about the nearest terrorist cell.
Rather than face the humiliation of another interrogation, my wife and I decided not to try to go to the US. We are down over €1,100 as a result. The US is down a couple of would-be tourists and the goodwill of another two people.
Ute Daly contacted us after Joan Scales recommended Loop Head lightkeeper’s house as a place to stay
There is another lighthouse where you can rent the keepers’ cottages for holidays, on Árainn Mhór Island, in Co Donegal. They are semi-detached, with three bedrooms each, in a stunning location. We spent a weekend there for a family get-together. You would probably need to bring a car, as it is a good bit from the village. You can get in touch by e-mail at fionaboner@eircom.net.
John Eaglegot in touch about the same piece
I agree that Loop Head is a nice lighthouse to stay in, remote and barren, just to my liking. I was there some years ago, shooting pictures for the Irish Landmark Trust, and felt very snug in the bed.
There are other lighthouses – or should I say keepers’ cottages? – to rent, too. I spent a couple of cosy nights at Blackhead, in Co Antrim, working for the trust. It’s a lovely old place with great views. You see the lights of Scotland across the sea.
Then there is Galley Head near Clonakilty, in south Cork. I did the shots for the trust that appear in its brochure.
Then, last but not least, there is the old lighthouse tower at Wicklow Head. It is antiquely gorgeous inside and has fine views up and down the coast.
I wrote a book called An Eagle's View of Irish Lighthouses, to tell people how to get to 50 Irish lighthouses. In April this year the Collins Press of Cork is publishing my new book, featuring all the lighthouses of Ireland.
Val Parkgot in touch about last week's cover story
The great train journeys of the world in last Saturday’s edition whetted my appetite. I looked up the website for the Trans-Siberian Express and noticed that the price for a Gold cabin is €11,295 per person sharing; the price you mentioned, of €5,695, is for the cheapest of three cabin classes. Despite the price, I’m still interested.
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