Re:
Thank you all for the input....
Yep - I'm doing this for the (apparent!) enjoyment. I'm 34 with a young family, and this definitely comes to mind when I'm flying - if something happens etc.
Irish ATC can be a little laid back certainly in the regional airports, but once you go to somewhere like Shannon or Dublin, they tend to be much more helpful, especially to a student. In addition, the smaller regional airports sometimes don't have the use of radar so they are relying on you just as much on you them to help you out. Obviously, I think the likes of a go-around at short finals was a bit dodgy coming from the controller, but it worked out ok.
In response to a previous post in this thread regarding the prefix student - yes this is indeed used in Ireland, and I always prefix my solo flights with it - and even if I don't get a response from ATC in a minute or two after giving them my position I retransmit again, sometimes emphasising the word "student" to at least make them aware that I am just that.
Thanks again all.