After decades of outgrowing much of its European neighbours, Ireland has better economic foundations to build upon than ever. But the country’s trajectory over the next decade presents a complex mix of opportunities and challenges.

Ireland is a complex story of rebellion, reinvention and resurrection. Across a longer arc of time, this is a story ensnared with religion, migration and abject poverty. Today, Ireland Inc. is highly profitable and Ireland has never had better foundations to build upon.

One of the countries I want to visit next is the Netherlands. The Dutch are known for their bicycles, a fondness of tulips and for building exquisite machines to keep Moore’s law going – but one of my favourite discoveries after living in the Netherlands for many years is the pragmatic audacity of how they built the country

Despite its conflicting legacy, the success of the oil and gas industry will also be the foundation for Norway’s future success – not least because it led to a high concentration of technical talent. 

How did Norway capitalise on its natural resources to become a global leader in offshore engineering and build one of the largest sovereign wealth funds in the world?

Because Europe includes more than 40 countries, all with their own history, cultural and political nuances and industrial strengths, you can only understand Europe and its future as a traveller.