OFF-SEASON SAVINGS: Celtic Tours is peddling a
fall/winter Ireland Value package priced from $468, per person. The
deal includes roundtrip flights on Aer Lingus from New York, Boston
or Baltimore (from Chicago, add $90 and from Los Angeles, $200);
six nights' accommodations from a choice of some 120 first-class
hotels with open vouchers (with first night pre-booked by area);
full Irish breakfast daily; and a self drive standard-shift car
with unlimited mileage. The $468 rate applies for travel Dec. 1 to
15; a rate of $488 applies Nov. 1 to 20 and Jan. 10 to Feb. 28. For
March, rates increase to $498, with blackout dates of March 13 to
18. Agent pay is 10%. For reservations or more information, call
(800) 833-4373, or visit www.celtictours.com.
WHAT'S NEW, BORU? Shannon Development's Tourism
Group opened a Brian Boru Heritage Centre at the Tourist
Information Centre in the town of Killaloe, Co. Clare. A series of
colorful exhibits and illustrations, and an interactive
audio-visual presentation, tell the story of Brian Boru, Ireland's
great warrior High King, while also highlighting the development of
the river Shannon and attractions available in the Killaloe area.
For more details and information on the Shannon region, call (011)
353-6 136-0788, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.shannonregiontourism.ie.
NEW PUB LAWS: Skinflint tipplers, take note:
Happy hour has been banned in Irish pubs, which now are required by
law to eliminate cut-rate drink specials, shut earlier on Thursdays
and cut off obviously inebriated drinkers. The new pub regulations
aim to cut down on public disorderliness and alcoholism, perceived
as growing problems in ever-more-prosperous Ireland. And things get
even stricter pub-wise come Jan. 1, when Ireland's new, nationwide
workplace smoking ban takes effect, stubbing out barroom
smokes.
ROYAL TREATMENT: Sceptre Ireland is charging a
non-princely sum for its seven-night Kingdoms and Treasures
package, priced from $770 per person for travel Nov. 1 to March 1.
The tour -- which takes in the Cliffs of Moher, Dingle Peninsula,
Dromoland Castle, the Waterford Crystal factory, among other stops
-- includes roundtrip air; one night in a B&B near Shannon; two
nights in International Hotel, Co. Kerry; one night in Faithlegg
House, Co. Waterford; two nights in a Jurys hotel in Dublin; one
night in Dromoland Castle, Co. Clare; admission to the Waterford
Crystal factory; and a rental car for the week. Rates for the
Kingdoms and Treasures package also are available for travel in
September starting at $1,086, and in October starting at $981.
Retailer pay is 10%. For more information, call (800) 221-0924 or
visit www.sceptreireland.com.
IRISH AMUSE-BOUCHE: CIE Tours has crafted a
four-night, land-only Taste of Ireland trip to Dublin, Blarney, the
Ring of Kerry and other Irish highlights that's priced from $499
per person for departures on Nov. 6, 13 and 20, and Jan. 15, 22 and
29. Departures in October, February, March and April are available
from $559 per person. Rates include a six-day sightseeing itinerary
by motorcoach; four nights' hotel accommodations; four full Irish
breakfasts; four dinners with entertainment; a welcome drink; and a
tour and tasting at the Guinness Storehouse. CIE also is offering
self-drive vacations from $39 per day, Oct. 1 to Dec. 14, and $43
per day, from Jan. 1 to March 31. CIE Tours pays 10% on land, but
commission on air varies. For more information, call (800) CIE-TOUR
or visit www.cietours.com.