When the Irish dad visits the other Spain

Corners of Santiago de Compostela

The only Spain he knew was the land of cheap and cheerful package holidays. Spain was the dead, dry air waiting to smack you in the face as you giddily disembarked the plane; it was the fluorescent strips lined with knick-knack shops and generic Molly Malone’s and Rovers Return bars.

For many, this is Spain: a guarantee of scorching sun and cheap alcohol— a release. An escape. Once you were…