Huntington Castle must be one of the most fascinating places to stay in overnight in Ireland, or anywhere for that matter. It has what the Japanese call wabi-sabi: the beauty that comes with the years, not Ikea-spanking-new but richly mellow, and is an extraordinary repository of objects selected over many generations, seasoned by human contact, resonant with time, use, handling, cherishing.

We stayed just one night, but it was a memorable experience, more like being a private guest than a customer in a hotel. Alex is a perfect host, efficient, friendly and relaxed. It’s some challenge to maintain a place like this – a national treasure – with little or no state support; Alex and whoever assists him are doing a terrific job of it.

So, a wonderful castle and gardens, and at the bottom of the avenue an award-winning bistro in riverside Clonegal, which is a model of how to make the best of a village of mainly 18th century houses.

Alex mentioned that the nearby Borris Festival of Writing and Ideas – of which Ian McEwan said: “Borris is one of the friendliest, most stimulating literary festivals in the world” – was on at the time. Couldn’t go, but I’m already planning combining another stay at the castle with going to the festival next year … Thanks, Alex!