CONTRARY to the impression which can sometimes be given, not every creative spirit who wants to live in this cultural haven manages to make the move. A couple of years ago, author Leslie Kenton was all set to sell her home in south Wales and instead buy a property in Co Tipperary. "It was an absolutely beautiful 18th century house overlooking Lough Derg on about 18 acres," says Ms Kenton "but then at the 11th hour, the people buying my house dropped out."
Devastated that her plans had fallen through, Ms Kenton only recovered six months after this misfortune, when she fell in love with a man 30 years younger than herself, mechanic and car restorer Daniel Morgan. The couple have been living together for the past 11 months and she says "this is the easiest relationship I've ever had it's absolute heaven." Although she's now reconciled to staying in Wales despite the recent oil pollution disaster in the immediate vicinity of her home she and Mr Morgan came over to Ireland for a few days this week, giving her the opportunity to show him what might have happened in her life had they not been destined to meet.
Now aged 54, Ms Kenton has just published her latest book, Passage To Power The Natural Menopause Revolution, and says she has never felt better. Famous for her energy and enthusiastic espousal of natural health remedies, she's now working on a new book to be called The 10 Day Rejuvenation Plan. A younger lover is, presumably, what she'll be recommending to all her readers.