IanC - y'know its a funny kind of thing...I know lots of guys who emigrated to England and the US in the mid 80's when I left University.......the ones that went to the US picked up the accent and habits in a few months whereas the ones who went to England sound like they never left Ireland 17 years later. I lived in Poole for 5 years and loved it - but if I picked up one hint of an English accent or mannerism I would have been murdered at home (not literally of course)....Anyway - don't think you have to be a history professor to figure out why !!! Hopefully all has changed now...hopefully...

Donal