From the mayhem of ethnic cleansing to the quiet grandeur of parklands, and from muddy tents in hopelessly overcrowded conditions to splendid accommodation - that is what awaits the first batch of Kosovan refugees when they awake this morning to birdsong in Cork and Kerry.
About 100 of the Kosovans who flew into Farranfore Airport in Co Kerry in the early hours will live at Atlas House on the outskirts of Killarney.
It is four years old and has attractive grounds where the new arrivals will be able to find a calmer atmosphere than they have been accustomed to in recent times.
It will offer the refugees 30 rooms which accommodate up to four people in privacy, as well as 10 larger family rooms.
Throughout yesterday Radio Kerry received numerous calls from people offering everything from family hospitality to toys, sweets and blankets.
Another group of 50 refugees stayed last night in the convent adjoining Drishane Castle, owned by Mr Noel C. Duggan, whose nearby Green Glens Complex was the venue for the Eurovision Song Contest in 1993.
Ms Eily Buckley, a local historian and press officer for the community council, was one of 20 volunteers involved.
"Everyone was pleased to help and if we wanted to we could have called on as many volunteers again," she said. "We will help with catering arrangements; but we are also hoping to bring in a number of Bosnian refugees who are already in Ireland to advise us on what kind of food the Kosovans would like and how we should cook it," she said.