FAMILY AFFAIR: CIE Tours is keeping it in the
family with its six-night Irish Welcome package -- priced from
$1,113 with airfare -- which features three nights spent at private
homes across Ireland. The tour starts at Shannon and ends in Dublin
after a tour of top attractions and cities; departures are weekly
on Thursdays and most Saturdays, April 3 to Oct. 30. Alternative
eight-night trips are available for an extra $165 in April and late
October, or $209 from May 1 to Oct. 11; land-only pricing starts at
$779. CIE pays a minimum of 10% on land and air. (800) CIE-TOUR or
www.cietours.com
SPRING'S SPRUNG: Sheen Falls Lodge in Kenmare
-- set to expand and renovate later this year -- offers spring
break packages this April. Midweek and weekend breaks include two
nights' lodging, daily breakfast and one dinner; prices start at
about $332 per person, April 1 to 18, for a midweek stay. Standard
rates usually run $275 to $422 per night; commission is 10%. (888)
947-4336 or www.sheenfallslodge.ie
THE BOSS: Sceptre Ireland and ale purveyor
Guinness are offering a two-night, air-inclusive Unforgettable
Bruce Springsteen Bonanza package to Ireland, featuring tickets to
the Boss' sold-out Dublin concert on May 31.Priced at $999 per
person, double occupancy, the deal includes air from New York
(Kennedy), four-star accommodations, concert ticket, admission to
the Guinness storehouse, a Guinness barge trip and full Irish
breakfast daily. Commission is 10%. (800) 221-0924 or www.sceptreireland.com
SOMETHING SPECIAL: Tourism Ireland crafted a
consumer brochure highlighting special-interest golfing, walking
and horseback-riding programs from nine operators. Sample
itineraries are included from Absolutely Golf and Travel, Atlantic
Golf Company, Cross Country Int'l, Destination Golf/Destination
Ireland, Golf International, Irish Links, Jerry Quinlan's Celtic
Golf, Owenoak International Golf Travel and Sceptre Ireland. The
guide also contains tips on booking flights with Aer Lingus,
weathering outdoor travel and researching Irish roots. For more
operator listings, visit www.shamrock.org or call (800) 669-9967.
ONLINE ADVANTAGE: Don't forget to check out
Tourism Ireland's Shamrock Club destination specialist Web site at
www.shamrockclub.net/register. Once you've joined, you
can log onto the recently upgraded site for access to online
education and certification modules, and other features. For more,
contact Tourism Ireland' s John Daly at (212) 418-0835, or visit
the site.