On the two trips I have made to Ireland I can honestly say that the welcome by ATC and Airfields was great.
Heading to Weston, I was given a routeing direct down the Liffey from the power station chimneys at 1000feet. Try doing that in London.
Last year heading for Kilkenny I had been listening into London Info as I routed to STU then SLANEY. It was non stop chatter. The transfer to a much quieter Shannon was bliss. A warm welcome to Ireland was given and when I asked to vary the flight plan so we could orbit the home town of a passenger, it was suggested I make a couple of orbits, take me time its a nice part of Ireland, and let them know when I am resuming.
If you haven't flown to Ireland, I recommend it.
Looking forward to visiting Kinair this year at Kilkenny, (a lovely airfield with great people running it) with a possible side trip to see friends near Carrickfinn. Looking forward to the "craic".