Amid all the talk of housing shortages and sustainable development, a little bit of history is being made in the historic town of Enniscorthy. For the benefit of more distant observers, this is one of Ireland's geological sweet-spots where a rejuvenated River Slaney weaves its way around the iconic Vinegar Hill in the heart of County Wexford. Affectionately known as the model county because of its pioneering role in agriculture and engineering, this far corner of the sunny south-east is now leading the way in tackling one of the most vexing social challenges of our times. Hailing from a different part of the country — and a different branch of engineering — I can offer an outside perspective on this long-smouldering spark of ingenuity which is only slightly coloured by my long association with the main protagonist. He is the embodiment of that unpretentious "can do" attitude which has served his native county well through bad times and good. Never was this more apparen