During January and February I am in Ballinskelligs, County Kerry, Southern Ireland, taking part in a residency at Cill Rialaig - a group of stone houses deserted in the potato famine of 1845-49: a famine village.

The restoration of the houses has been led by Noelle Campbell-Sharpe, transforming the derelict cottages into places of retreat for artists - the houses overlook Ballinskelligs Bay and face the constantly changing weather of the Atlantic winter storms - perfect!!