Hi Francie81,
I would say your not to old to start at 27 years old.I was reacently at Oxford doing there assessments and some of the other guy's on the assessment were 25,29,35 so I think that alot of people arent in a postion to train until there mid twentys due to finacial reasons or have been in other careers.
So I don't think you will be the odd one out.
I have been flying with NFC doing my ppl if you are serious about getting through your ppl as quick as possible I would stay away from NFC. They don't care about there customers I can't count how many times I have travelled there after ringing before I left my house being told "Oh yes the weather is fine and your instructor say's you will be flying" and when you arrive you get told many excuses :"Sorry your Instructor has suddenly felt ill and you wont be flying or doing groundschool"(Even though he is standing outside smoking) this is one of the many.
I reccomend visting the flyer show in Dublin on the 20th of September lots of info there.