Our travel corps are a band of brothers and sisters and nobody is left behind.
Which is why our prayers go out today for my old colleague and former Irish Travel Writer of the Year Philip Nolan who is in hospital.
Peripatetic Philip took ill in the Vatican while covering the passage of the Popes.
And is now back in Co. Wexford recuperating and readying himself for his next working assignment.
Flyin’ Ryanland
My old pal has, of course, been all around the world chronicling major events and destinations.
In his own inimitable style.
And nowhere more so than in his best-seller Ryanland.
Where Philip flew to all of the low-fare airline’s routes around Europe.
Writing in rib-tickling fashion about the Ryanair passengers he met along the way.
Much of which is familiar to all of us who have flown with the airline which transformed travel.
And allowed us to visit countries whose names we might only know from World Cups, Olympic Games and Eurovision.
Douze points Philip
Our pal Philip is synonymous among the Irish public with The Biggest Music Show on Earth.
For his acerbic pen pics on the competitors and their countries.
All, as with everything in the Nolan notebook coming from a place of love and knowledge.
From his travels to the four corners of the continent.
Often getting beyond the tourist hotspots by driving around the country.
To road test the latest model for his always entertaining Motoring Page.
Say a little prayer
I’ll be raising a glass of red to Philip tonight as I watch Eurovision.
And like the passengers on the plane to Lourdes he so joyfully celebrates in Ryanland.
Say a rosary and cheer for the safe landing and return because nobody is left behind.
