Hi There,
You say you will only be flying for pleasure ?
Have you given any thought to Microlights?
I am based in Donegal, near Letterkenny... Saturday 1:30pm I left and flew to Bantry in Co.Cork, right at the other side of the country, had a nice weekend down there (Guinness is just right !), flew home yesterday again. I flew the route faster than a 150/152, and burn 11 litres of unleaded petrol per hour !.
If your only going to do VFR daytime flying only and are OK with a 2 seat aircraft then take a look at the new generation microlights, they are exceptionally capable aircraft that opens up the accessibility of all the grass strips in the country. See one of the trips we did
HERE, we all were in France,Portugal, Spain this year. You could also go up to Kernan Aviation in Co.Armagh do the UK NPPL at 90 per hour, no landing fee and free groundschool. Restricted licence is a minimum of 15 hours or unrestricted licence at a minimum of 25 hours, I can recommend Raphael O'Carroll at Kernan aviation, training on a couple of Ikarus C42 and with a very good club both flying and social. The Microlight UK NPPL can be validated by the IAA for use in Southern Ireland, it is the licence that most Microlight pilots have here, including myself.
If you want more info then drop me a PM and I can give you more detailed info, or if you find yourself anywhere in Donegal then give us a call at the airfield in Letterkenny and take a flight with us.
All the best whatever route you take.
Regards,
Jon
www.Ruskeyairfield.com