Welcome to Travel Directories Ireland Newsletter for Spring 2018

Tourism News

Belfast, Lonely Planet’s Top Region to Visit in 2018
It's a list that includes Alaska, Italy’s Aeolian Islands and the Kii Peninsular in Japan – but sitting at the pinnacle of Lonely Planet’s Top Regions to Visit in 2018 is a rather more familiar destination: Northern Ireland.
Belfast, in particular, is a spot that really caught the judges’ eyes. The last 20 years have been times of distinct change in the city, from a heavily patrolled centre to a thriving sprawl of urban creativity. And lying just beyond is a whole expanse of scenery that will leave you breathless for a wholly different reason – namely the stunning natural beauty of the otherworldly Causeway Coast.
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Global Greening line-up for St Patrick’s Day 2018
A host of major landmarks around the world will turn green for St Patrick’s Day, with lots of exciting new landmarks signing up to take part this year. 300+ stadiums, statues, museums and towers set to go green to celebrate our national day
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Ireland wins ‘best self-drive holiday destination’ award in China
The awards were organised by travel giant Ctrip – the leading online travel agent in China, with more than 250 million customers, and the second largest travel agency in the world. At the ceremony in Shanghai, Ireland was one of four destinations listed in the ‘best overseas self-drive touring’ category – in good company with Australia, Portugal and Guam, to take the number one spot! Ireland was included for its stunning routes and great driving experiences, including the Wild Atlantic Way and the Causeway Coastal Route.
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Strong 1.7% Air Traffic Growth Through Irish Airspace in February
The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) confirmed that total air traffic safely handled by the IAA increased by +1.7% (73,088 movements) in February 2018 compared to the same month in 2017.
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Travel and Tourism Statistics
The following table shows trips made to Ireland in January 2018, compared with the same period in 2017 and also indicates where the visitors came from.
In January 2018, the total number of trips to Ireland by overseas residents increased by 3.8% to 585,500 - an overall increase of 21,400 compared to twelve months earlier.more>>

Travel News

Dublin Airport
Hainan Airlines will launch a new year-round service from Dublin to Beijing starting on June 12.
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Loganair is to operate a new Dublin to Carlisle Lake District Airport route in partnership with Stobart Group. The airline will operate its daily service with a 34 seater Saab 340 aircraft from June 4.
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Cork Airport
One of the biggest airlines in the world, Air France is to begin services out of Cork Airport from May, with a new Cork to Paris-Charles de Gaulle route. The daily flight during this year’s summer season will not only link Cork to France, but also connect passengers from the south of Ireland to Air France’s extensive network of over 180 destinations worldwide via the international hub of Paris-Charles de Gaulle. The new service will bring an additional 33,750 available seats, commencing May 26, 2018 and running through to October 27, 2018.
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Cork Airport welcomes the announcement from Ryanair today on the addition of a new twice weekly service to Faro, Portugal next winter.
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Shannon Airport
Shannon Airport has welcomed the news that Norwegian Air International is to expand its Boston and New York services to Shannon for 2018. The airline, which commenced services at Shannon in July last year, is to double its frequency from two to four flights a week on its service to Providence Green Airport, Rhode Island, just over one hour from Boston. In addition, it is adding an extra service to Stewart International Airport, Orange County – just 90 minutes from New York, increasing from two to three flights a week. The extra services will kick-in from March 2018.
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Ryanair has put on sale its new three times weekly (Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays) Liverpool service from May 19th and a twice weekly (Mondays and Thursdays) Bristol service from May 17th. Ryanair has also added Tuesdays and Wednesdays to its popular Manchester service from Shannon, which will now run six days weekly.
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Irish Ferries unveils New Season Deal at Alton Towers
Alton Towers Resort reopens for the 2018 season on March 9th and Irish Ferries Holidays is choosing to mark the occasion by announcing a family-friendly deal running until May 20th. Likely to appeal to thrill seekers and fun lovers alike, a three-night stay with breakfast in the nearby Best Western Tillington Hall Hotel is just EUR481 for a family of 2 adults and 2 children under 11 years, inclusive of return car ferry crossing and two full day at Alton Towers Resort.
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Events Spring 2018

St. Patrick’s Day
St Patrick’s Day, the 17th March, is a cultural celebration of Ireland’s patron saint. However, it is so much more than that as it is a day for Irish pride, mighty craic and lively festivities. Every city, town and village takes part in the magic of the day, with spectacular parades, traditional music sessions and fun community get-togethers where everyone is welcome!

Galway Food Festival
The 7th annual Galway Food Festival is running from the 30th March – 2nd April this year which falls nicely over Ireland’s Easter Bank Holiday weekend. Even more events have been included in this year’s programme which will surely position Galway as the food capital of the Wild Atlantic Way.
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Cork Midsummer Festival
The countdown to the fantastic annual Cork Midsummer Festival begins. This Explosion of Arts Events on the Banks of the Lee runs from 15th - 24th June. Festival goers are in for a real treat, with a packed callendar of events occurring throughout!
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Recipe

Rhubarb Spice Cake
Wonderfully moist and reminiscent of an old-fashioned gingerbread. Heat up a thick slice in the microwave and have it with a dollop of custard
Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 1 hour
Serves 12

Ingredients
140g butter, softened,plus extra for greasing
300g self-raising flour
2 tsp mixed spice
1 tsp ground ginger
100g dark muscovado sugar
250g golden syrup
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
2 eggs, beaten
300g rhubarb, cut into short lengths
icing sugar, for dusting

Method
1. Heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4 and put the kettle on. Butter and line a deep 20cm square cake tin.

2. Sift the flour and spices into a bowl. Beat together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy in the food processor, then beat in the golden syrup.

3. Dissolve the bicarbonate of soda in 200ml boiling water, then gradually pour through the spout of the processor. .

4. Pulse in the flour, then add the eggs, mixing briefly. Remove the bowl from the processor, then gently stir in the rhubarb.

5. Pour the mixture into the tin and bake for 50-60 mins, until the cake feels firm to the touch and springs back when pressed. Cool in the tin for 5 mins, then turn out and cool on a wire rack. Dust with icing sugar.

For more recipe ideas click here more>>

Quote

“I have noticed even people who claim everything is predestined, and that we can do nothing to change it, look before they cross the road.”
- Stephen Hawking

Slán

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