New 4 star hotel for Belfast

Posted on February 4, 2009 by DiscoveringIreland Travel Tips

The Fitzwilliam Hotel in Dublin is about to get a sister in Belfast. The new 4 star deluxe Fitzwilliam Hotel Belfast will be opening in the centre of the city in March of this yera. 
The hotel will be located adjacent to the Grand Opera House on Great Victoria Street. The hotel comprises 130 bedrooms and suites in addition to a penthouse suite overlooking the city.
The interiors will replicate the look and style of its sister Dublin hotel.

The hotel will be able to use  the Grand Opera House meeting space including the main 1000-seat auditorium, the 130 seat ‘Baby Grand’ room plus the smaller ‘Shakespeare’ rooms for private dining.

The hotel is just a short walk to Belfast City Hall, the Old Museum Arts Centre and the Victoria Square complex which is to open in the very near future.

The hotel will be a welcome addition to Northern Ireland‘s tourist capacity

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Flights to Ireland at great prices

Posted on February 2, 2009 by Discovering Ireland

Today is the last day of Ryanair’s latest special offer for flights to Ireland.
Book by midnight tonight to avail of 75% off their fares.

There are some great value rates available.
I just did a quick survey right now on the London Stanstead to Cork Airport Route: There are flights available for travel in March (even for St. Patrick’s day) for less than Continue reading →

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Cork Airport has record year

Posted on January 30, 2009 by DiscoveringIreland Travel Tips

A record 3.25m passengers passed through Cork Airport in 2008 setting a new record.
This was a 2.5% increase over 2007 and represents an additional 80,000 passengers through Cork during the year.

Traffic between Cork and London grew by 4% to 927 thousand with traffic to and from provincial UK airports growing 26% to 669,000.
Continental European passenger numbers were static versus 2007 at 869,000 while domestic traffic within Ireland suffered a 10% decline to 443,00 passengers during the year.

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New Ryanair Routes to Knock and Derry Airports

Posted on January 14, 2009 by DiscoveringIreland Travel Tips

Ryanair have announced new routes from their Spanish hub in Alicante to Derry Airport and Knock Airport in the North and West of Ireland.

The budget airline said today that the services from City of Derry Airport and Ireland West Airport Knock would be operating twice weekly from June 4th of this year.

Alicante becomes the 7th Ryanair link to Derry Airport adding to Liverpool, London, Luton, Stansted, Glasgow and Birmingham. It will bring the number of Ryanair links to Knock to 3, in addition to Bristol and East Midlands.

The Mayor of Derry Gerard Diver said the new route was a fulfilment of a long-standing ambition stating that “A direct scheduled international flight is a long-standing ambition for the city and region and today’s announcement will create more choice and greater convenience for passengers.”

“It is a positive way forward for City of Derry Airport.”

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Ryanair issues official terms of bid to takeover Aer Lingus

Posted on December 16, 2008 by DiscoveringIreland Travel Tips

Aer Lingus Logo @ FlickRMichael O’Leary’s Ryanair officially presented its takeover bid to Aer Lingus investors yesterday, giving them until January 5th to accept the €1.40 ($1.87) per share offer.

Ryanair presented the opportunity to create “one leading, financially strong, Irish-run airline group.”

The offered share price represents a €748 million offer, a premium of approximately 28% over the average closing price for the 30 days ended Nov. 28 and considerably lower than the €2.80 per share that it offered two years ago.

Ryanair guaranteed that Aer Lingus would remain a separately operated company and that both its brand and its slots and connectivity at London Heathrow would remain.

It plans to double Aer Lingus’ short-haul fleet over the next five years to 66 aircraft, creating a additional 1,000 jobs.

It also promised the Aer Lingus chairman, Colm Barrington, a seat on the Ryanair board however, Mr barrington responded that the offer was “the usual stream of invective, spin and misrepresentation that we expect from the people at Ryanair.”

Ryanair currently holds 29.8% of Aer Lingus.

Aer Lingus has vowed to remain independent and CEO, Dermot Mannion, said on Sunday that Aer Lingus will respond to the offer document with a ” very positive, affirmative document that will set out an independent strategy for long-term growth on shorthaul and on longhaul in the business”

This will be intersting to watch and is likely to be ultimately  decided by the government who hold approx 25% of the airline’s shares. However, Ryanair are keen to also win support of the ESOP, who hold 14%, and have conceded that they will recognise union membership as part of the integration (something they do not do within Ryanair)

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10 reasons to travel to Ireland in 2009

Posted on December 5, 2008 by DiscoveringIreland

Special offer travel to IrelandOur most popular annual promotion, the early bird special, is back by popular demand!!
Due to an unprecedented level of requests we are again offering you the chance to get 10% off your 2009 visit to Ireland

So Why Book your 2009 Ireland Trip Now?

  • Secure the dates you want in advance

Everyone has their favourite time to relax and travel. Make sure this year that you do get those free days off when it suits you. Securing those dates will ensure you or your family won’t be disappointed. Get the tours, properties and dates that you deserve by booking in advance. This offer is available for bookings up until December 19th 2008 for travel in 2009

  • Save 10% by booking early

Save up to 10% on the cost of your trip.
5% if you book by December 19th and an amazing 10% if you pay in full.
(excludes flights and ferries)

  • No Risk – You can change your mind

Your deposit or full payment on the land portion is fully refundable if you change your mind before 1/1/2009
If you choose to also take flights at the time of booking these are non refundable due to airline rules

  • Popular Tours in demand – don’t miss out!

Our most popular tours and dates on fly/drive and escorted tours fill up fast. As do the best dates in our Magical Irish Castles, Luxurious Manor Houses and Award Winning Hotels.

So what are you waiting for? Book Now

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Cork Airport and Shannon Airport to remain part of DAA?

Posted on November 17, 2008 by DiscoveringIreland Travel Tips

It is reported in this morning’s Irish Times that the Irish government is planning a u-turn on it’s decision 4 years ago to make both Cork Airport and Shannon Airport independent of Dublin airport.

According to the newspaper report, comments by minister for transport, Noel Dempsey, yesterday gave a clear indication of the intention to keep Cork and Shannon Airports under the authority of Dublin.

As often speculated at the time, it now appears that the State Airports Act 2004, was nothing more than a name change from Aer Rianta to the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA). If this story turns out to be true, surely a further name change is required? It would seem a ridiculous situation to have the other two airports as part of a DUBLIN airport authority in the longer term??? 

Read the full Irsh Times article at:
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/1117/1226700658702.html

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Classical extravaganza at Sheen Falls Lodge, Kenmare with Julian Lloyd Webber

Posted on November 12, 2008 by DiscoveringIreland Travel Tips

Julian Lloyd Webber stars at Sheen Falls Lodge Classical Weekend, November 21st to 23rd.

Following the success of his performance last year, Julian Lloyd Webber returns to Sheen Falls with a new beautiful programme of classical music.
One of the world’s most popular solo cellists; Julian has premiered more than 50 unique works for cello and has inspired new composition by composers such as Malcolm Arnold, Joaquin Rodrigo, James MacMillian and Philip Glass.
At Sheen Falls, Julian will perform favourite classics by Bach, Brahms, Faure, Saint Saens and Elgar, jazz greats Cleo Laine, Stephane Grappelli and Elton John in addition to works, of course, by his brother Andrew Lloyd Webber.

The Sheen Falls Lodge is a classically appointed country manor and is one of Ireland’s most popular 5 star properties. It is magnificently set overlooking the cascading waters of the Sheen Falls and the waters of Kenmare River with a backdrop of the mighty Cara Mountains just outside the colourful village of Kenmare in County Kerry. An atmosphere of soothing serenity permeates the Sheen Falls Lodge. Harmonious colours, sumptuous sofas and the warmth of a roaring log fire greet you in reception, while throughout resident’s lounges cozy comforts conspire to create an experience of relaxed luxury.

Sheen Falls Lodge is presenting a two night package with a recital each evening. Arriving on the Friday evening, guests will be offered the chance to meet the eminent musician for a drinks reception in the Drawing Room followed by a pre-dinner recital before a relaxing dinner in the elegant dining room, La Cascade Restaurant. On Saturday guests can explore Kenmare or enjoy some of the estate’s outdoor pursuits such as clay pigeon shooting or golf on one of the nearby courses. The evening begins with a tour of the hotel’s wine cellar and wine tasting which recently scooped the “Wine Experience of The Year” Gold Award at the Hotel & Catering Review Awards 2008 with sommelier, Damien Trinckquel. This will be followed with an early dinner in La Cascade restaurant prior to Julian’s musical performance. On Sunday, attune yourself to the refreshing river-side walks, entwining forest pathways and glistening waterfalls after a sumptuous breakfast.

Don’t miss Julian Lloyd Webber in this unique recital with renowned piano accompanist Pam Chowham.

Cost per person for 2 nights: €590 sharing a Deluxe Room.

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New Chairman appointed to Cork Airport Authority

Posted on November 6, 2008 by DiscoveringIreland Travel Tips

The appointment has been announced that Gerry Walsh, former CEO of Board Gáis, will take over the position of Chairman of the Cork Airport Authority.

At DiscoveringIreland we are huge fans of Cork Airport and often receive reviews from travellers highlighting the ease of transit and the quality of the experience at Cork Airport.

We welcome the appointment of Gerry Walsh and wish hime every success in steering the airport to even greater success in the coming years.

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French speakers needed by DiscoveringIreland for job in Ireland

Posted on October 22, 2008 by DiscoveringIreland Travel Tips

Si vous voulez vivre et travailler à l’étranger, choissez l’Irlande. Les paysages sont magnifiques, les Irlandais sont accueillants et la culture irlandaise est des plus vivante. La région de West Cork, dans le Sud de l’Irlande, est l’une des plus belles du pays avec sa côte découpée et sa campagne verdoyante. Les offres d’emploi sont assez nombreuses dans la région. Notre entreprise DiscoveringIreland recherche actuellement des agents de réservation (ou conseiller voyages) parlant français pour proposer des vacances personnalisées en Irlande à la clientèle française.  DiscoveringIreland est une petite structure où travaillent des Irlandais et des employés de toute nationalité dans une ambiance décontractée. Si vous souhaitez nous rejoindre, n’hésitez pas à m’envoyer votre CV et lettre de motivation.

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