I'm afraid my own experience in the region is only exacerbated by the comments here.
Lovely people on the face of it but a real nasty and unwelcoming underbelly that doesn't want you back - so one-way traffic - Despite my own Irish heritage and the fact my in laws are in the immediate catchment area the region is hardly welcoming to outsiders and therefore not really conducive to the airport and airline business. I generally put off trips to the region if the missus will let me away with it - even worse with the kids.
Lessons from the southern tourist scene need to be taken on board.