Your grandson is very lucky to have such a wonderful grandmother. My birthday is June 16th and I always thought it would be fun to

celebrate it in Dublin. Undoubtedly, I would have to pay for few, if any, pints that day.

Speaking of pints, I would recommend that you take the Guinness

brewery tour in Dublin if you have the time. Guinness is so

ingrained in the Irish national character that you could consider it an educational tour (with a nice hand-pulled pint at the end of it).

On my one and only trip to Ireland, there were two highlights for me in the north - Giant's Causeway on the northeast coast and seeing the Mountains of Mourne sweeping down to the sea in Newcastle. Very

dramatic.

I don't know how long you will be on your trip, but if it extends to July 12, you should try to avoid the north on that day. July 12 commemorates the 1690 Battle of the Boyne, when the forces of

Protestant William of Orange defeated Catholic King James II. On that day, Protestant groups frequently parade through Catholic areas in the cities of the north, setting off clashes and violence. Better to be in the south.

Speaking of the south, here are a few things that an intelligent 24 year old young man (and an adventuresome grandmother) might enjoy doing there: - Visit Yeats grave at Drumcliff Churchyard in Sligo in the shadow of Ben Bulben. Cast a cold eye on life, on death. Horseman pass by! - Rent a bike and spend the day exploring the paths around the lakes of Killarney - Visit the town of Kinsale on the south coast. It is a true seaside village where you can take a boat cruise (a great way to see the scenic coastline), go windsurfing or just laze around on the beach (though we found it a bit rocky). In the summer, Kinsale seemed to be populated by lots of young people so it had a vibrant night life. - Of course, the Cliffs of Moher on the west coast (in County Clare) are one of the most memorable sights anywhere. - If he plays golf, there are many many terrific local places to play. You don't have to pay 100 pounds to have an enjoyable round. It can also be a nice way to meet the locals who, all-in-all, are probably Ireland's top cultural resource.

Have a great trip!

Mark Los Angeles