I think 16" is a good size, as others have said 18" is a bit big especially if you are small - you should be able to comfortably get part of the drum under your armpit so you can wedge it with your arm to keep it steady while you work the skin.

but seeing as you don't have the option of 16", unless you're a 6 foot tall big guy, I'd be heading for the 14".

make sure it has a decent skin - anything you can see through is going to cause trouble if you live anywhere hot - trust me .... (Irish made bodhrans- tend not to cope well in the Australian sun - the skins just aren't thick enough to cope.)

I have a synthetic one too Seamus - how do you get yours to sound like "the real thing"? I always think mine is a bit "tinny".

slainte

alison