Holiday at home or Away?

As Digital Covid Certs begin to issue to Irish citizens this week, SEAN MCMAHON took to the streets of Cavan to see if people couldn’t wait to jet off to some far-flung destination or they were happy to holiday at home. It seems, for most people the Celt encountered, there’s no place like home!

John Sheanon, Bailieborough

“We will be staying at home this year and are quite happy to do so and support our local economy. With all the closures, we need to be patriotic at this time in the real sense of the word. I have received my first vaccine and I am just awaiting the second one.

“I also think there is a great awareness in our region and in our country of what is on offer and also what is yet untapped. In our own county we have lots to explore – you travel 20 miles and the landscape changes totally.

“People are now aware of the natural beauty of Glangevlin and the ‘Stairway to Heaven’. Families are out on bikes with the children and they now realise what is important.

“It is not about materialism or shopping in shopping centres on a Sunday – it is about real living and enjoying life as a family. I think it [pandemic] has silenced commercialism as a whole.”

Ann Conway, Annagh, Belturbet

“I would stay at home – I would like to support the local economy at this time. In the present climate, I just would prefer to holiday at home. I will definitely consider foreign holidays in the future, but not now”.

Conor Smith from Cavan

“I would absolutely be the first man on the plane. I think we have been through so much loneliness and isolation. What we require now is a bit of sun in our bones and catch a tan; also to see family members who are living abroad.

“I will soon be 20 and I hope to be vaccinated soon and be able to go on campus at College – that would be a big relief.

“Then travel, maybe a few student holidays, who knows?”

Dearbhla Gilroy, Kilnaleck

“I think I would prefer to stay at home this year and support the industry in Ireland – holiday at home. I love Ireland and maybe go down to the south.

“I have not been to Donegal yet and would love to visit Donegal.

“I would still be cautious about the Delta variant. I am not vaccinated, but hopefully I soon will be.”

Gerry Maguire, Belturbet

“I will stay at home this year. I am fully vaccinated but I am still not fully confident about venturing out of the country. We will take a holiday here at home in Ireland – the west, including Westport or Donegal.

“I think it is better to stay in Ireland this year and let the virus settle down – there will be plenty of time to travel in the future.”

Mary Smith, Cavan

“I would absolutely not consider going on a foreign holiday this year and I am fully vaccinated. I would be too nervous to consider going abroad this year. I might consider it next year – definitely not this year.

“Also, I don’t have to consider it now, because our son is coming home to see us in July from New York.

“My husband likes the sun and, when the weather is good in Ireland, we just get up and go for a break.”

Peter and Hilary Byrne, Termon, Killinkere

This Dublin couple have been residing in Termon, Killinkere, for 12 years and are both fully vaccinated and hoping to enjoy a foreign holiday this year.

“We feel very safe, now that we are both vaccinated. We are looking forward to a bit of sun in Lanzarote – it is a diverted holiday from 12 months ago,” reveals Peter.

When asked if the Digital Covid Certs should be used to reopen indoor hospitality, Peter replied: “I think it is a great idea.

“The only thing I would worry about is, you will have publicans that are going to be under pressure from their locals, who may not have had the second dose. That could be one of the people he relies on his business for – it is very difficult to say to such a person ‘you can’t come in’, especially in rural areas, where a pub survives on 10 or 15 regular customers, who bring friends along.”

Pre-Covid and travel restrictions, Peter worked as a driver/guide for American tourists holidaying in Ireland.

“They adore Ireland and, when you get off the beaten track a little bit and come to a place like the Lakelands of Cavan, they adore the people as much as anything else.

“They are meeting farmers and not seeing just 10,000 acre fields. I would have no problem stopping beside a guy on a tractor for a chat on the tour. The most I would have on the tour would be 12 people,” he outlined.

“Coarse fishing is very big in America and they are continuously fascinated by all the lakes in Cavan.

“You go up a smaller road and suddenly they are seeing lakes dotted all over the place. They love to disembark and have a look at the lakes.”

He’s looking forward to getting back to showing off the country, and county, when American tourists return, though accepts it will be a while before we get back to pre-Covid levels.

“In 2019, eleven million visitors came into Ireland,” reveals Peter.