E-MERALD ISLE: The Shamrock Club keeps "reeling" them in: As of
early September, Tourism Ireland's online
destination-specialist-certification program graduated 2,000
Ireland experts and enrolled 8,000 participants. "It's a milestone
for the Shamrock Club, which has nearly quadrupled its membership
in six months' time," said program manager John Daly. Agents who
haven't enrolled can check out the Shamrock Club Web site at www.shamrockclub.net/register, which offers access to
five online education and certification modules and other
interactive features. For more information, call Daly at (212)
418-0835.
GREAT SCOT: Irish upscale hotel chain Jurys
Doyle Hotels expands its pan-Celtic operations with the opening of
the Jurys Inn Glasgow, its second property in Scotland's largest
city. The 321-guestroom property, located in the city center,
boasts a restaurant, pub, coffee bar, 10 meetings rooms and
parking. Jurys Doyle's other holdings in Celtic regions include two
more hotels in Scotland; one in Cardiff, Wales; and 14 in Ireland
and Northern Ireland. The chain also operates nine hotels in
England and four in the U.S. Rates for Jurys Inn Glasgow are
commissionable to agents at 8% and are available with GDS access
code JD. For more information, visit www.jurysdoyle.com
or call (800) 441-0521.
ISLAND BREAK: Clients headed to the Galway
region on independent itineraries might be interested in a day trip
or overnighter to the picturesque and historic Irish-speaking Aran
Islands, via local ferry company Island Ferries. The four-ferry
firm offers year-round service on 180- to 294-passenger boats from
the fishing port of Rossaveal, Co. Galway--about 22 miles west of
Galway city--to tiny Inis Mor, Inis Meain and Inis Oirr, two to
three times a day. Roundtrip fares at press time were approximately
$21.25 for adults, $17 for seniors and students, and $11 for
children. Once ashore, clients have a choice of minibus,
cart-and-pony or bicycle tours; pubs, ancient Celtic monuments and
scenic vistas are in good supply. For more, visit www.aranislandferries.com, which offers online ticket
reservations.
FAM-TASTIC RATE: Lynott Tours is offering a
six-night fam trip departing Nov. 13 from Boston, Chicago or New
York to Dublin via Aer Lingus. The plan is priced at $599 per
person, double; companions are eligible. The cost covers roundtrip
air, accommodations, motorcoach transportation, some meals,
sightseeing, baggage handling, service charges and taxes. The trip
takes in stops in Bunratty, Dublin, Killarney, Kinsale and
Waterford. Four agents per agency are permitted on the fam; payment
must be made by agency check. To book, call (800) 221-2472; fax:
(561) 248-3496; or e-mail: l[email protected].
FORE YOUR EYES ONLY: Destination Golf, New
York, put together a "Reader's Cup" package to Ireland's top
courses in partnership with Pub Links Golfer Magazine. The
six-night deal--available with air from New York or Boston [other
gateways cost extra] or as land-only--is priced from $1,475 to
$1,995 per person; the single supplement is $275. Rates include
luxury hotel accommodations, full Irish breakfast each morning;
seven days with personal driver/guide; luxury motorcoach transport;
five rounds of golf with greens fees and guaranteed tee times; a
practice round on arrival; and a private whiskey tasting. The golf
courses include Dooks Golf Course, Killarney Golf and Fishing Club,
and the Waterville, Ballybunion and Tralee golf clubs. Agent pay is
10%. For more, e-mail [email protected], call (800) 441-9329 or
visit www.destinations-golf.com.