And yet, that image of the dream home in the sun becomes ever so slightly clouded when the task of actually getting there is considered. Long delays at the airport check-in are now a reality due to tighter security, plus there's all that fiddling about with those plastic envelopes that are never big enough to hold the cosmetics and hair gel. All of which can lead to fraught tempers. Not the best way to start a holiday.

Which is why a second home, at home, is maybe worth a second look.

Staying at home could be the new buying overseas for the Irish native seeking a holiday getaway.

Some place like Co Wexford perhaps, where a cluster of wellknown names already have holiday getaways. They include writers John Banville and Colm Toibin, singers Chris de Burgh and Eleanor McEvoy, and the celeb Big Brother himself, Leo Sayer.

Sea Breeze, an up-market residence near Ballygarret, could be the Irish equivalent of that villa in the Med, being set well within the 'sunny south-east' at Roney Point.

That coastal scenery inspires the charming interior, and with its wide oak flooring, painted timber ceiling beams, and light streaming in through vast picture windows, the look is similiar in style to houses along the eastern US coastline in Maine.

In keeping with the Irish landscape however, the front elevation of Sea Breeze is reminiscent of the traditional seaboard cottage. But inside, the space opens into a dazzlingly modern home with soaring 'cathedral' height ceilings. A solar panel outside takes advantage of the sunshine, linking up with the heating system.

The main living area has tripleaspect windows, and a white painted wooden fireplace within a chimney breast that rises up to the eaves. This room is open-plan to a sunny conservatory-style dining room that leads out to the southfacing patio. Just as inviting a dining space waits in the vast kitchen, currently dominated by a long wooden table and chairs. White, country-style presses and a natural stone floor define the working area of the room.

Two double bedrooms with ensuites are at ground-floor level;

the larger of the two also has a bay window and access to the garden.

A gallery divides the ceiling over the reception area, and off this are two further en-suite bedrooms.

A balcony, sheltered by the panelled eaves of the roof, opens through French doors from the larger bedroom.

The gardens (.3 of an acre) include a tennis court, and from there it's a short walk to the beach.

Sea Breeze is one of 14 homes in the Roney Beach development (built 1998) and is near Ballygarret village which is 89 kms south of Dublin. Gorey (11 kms distant) has supermarkets, boutiques and rather special restaurants, including Marlfield House, and an Egon Ronay award-winner in Kilmuckridge.

Roney Point also has the Post Office - not the place from which to send postcards back to envious friends however, but one of the oldest pubs in the country.

The lowdown Address: Sea Breeze, Roney Point, Co Wexford Details: 223sq m (2,400sq ft); four bedrooms, four en-suites, open plan living/dining room; kitchen Highlights: Luxury, modern holiday home, 200 yards from beach Price: Euro730,000 Agent: Savills Hamilton Osborne King 01-663 4350