Thanks all for your answers. I don't feel so out on a limb now in choosing this route. Fake Sealion I have read a posting somewhere on this site from someone who had written to Eire CAA and they were happy to accept NPPL. I like that as although I have no interest in going "foreign " I could be interested in a trip to Ireland.
Cheered up now. Today was the 5th lesson cancelled by these winds. I have a booking every day next week whilst on holiday. Surely once I can get my feet of the ground!