Maybe it's a bit of both. The world is changing so fast, it's really hard to plan ahead now and I have no idea where I'd retire. If I had the money, I would probably pick County Cork somewhere closer to the ferry so I could split time between Ireland and Spain (as long as I'm able to drive). Right now I wouldn't mind a place overlooking Lough Derg, but prices increasing all the time, or somewhere closer to the ocean away from the crowds. You can't win and when you're alone you want people and when they appear you wish them away.

I had a few days off and was very close to the UK yesterday. Drove to Blackrock Co. Louth and was a lovely day, area seemed to be very popular with pensioners and families. In the distance behind those hills you are in Northern Ireland.