In this Issue:

Tourism News Travel News National News News from Us Message from TDI Recipe Final Thought

Tourism News

The Tourism industry has received a financial increase of nine percent in the governments estimates figures, which brings the allowance for the sector to 154 million.
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Confidence back in Irish tourism:
John O’Donoghue, the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism has said that confidence has returned in Ireland as tourist destination after recently released figures show a 14 percent increase in the numbers of visitors to Ireland in September.
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Travel News

Aer Lingus to increase European Network frequency - new routes for summer 2007
Aer Lingus celebrates 70 years of service to Ireland and announces their latest step in its ongoing schedule to establish new daily services, increase frequencies and new destinations to Europe.
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Aer Lingus Announces Significant Increases in Frequency on Long Haul Services for Summer 2007: Aer Lingus, "Celebrating 70 years of serving Ireland", today announced details of a new long haul scheduled flight programme for 2007 which will result from the delivery in May and June next year of its two new long haul A330 aircraft.
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Aer Arann announce 7 French routes for summer 2007
Aer Arann announced its schedule for French routes for summer 2007. The airline will be introducing four new services from Lorient to Waterford, Galway, Cork and Kerry, also three new services from Nantes to Cork, Bristol and Cardiff.
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National News

Section of new Galway road opened

A new section of road between Dublin and Galway has been replaced with a new 19km motorway.
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Farming groups in war of words over land-access deal

The IFA and ICSA clash in a war of words over a new deal that will see farmers getting paid for allowing walkers on their lands.
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News from us

Travel Directories Ltd. are pleased to announce that in the forth coming New Year, we will be introducing an on-line reservation facility to our site. This will allow guests to book your accommodation directly through us, online.
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Message from Travel Directories Ireland

If there is anything you would like to see featured in our next news letter, please do not hesitate to contact us. We would welcome any suggestions. We would like to thank all our customers for their support. Wishing you all a peaceful Christmas.

Origins of the Christmas Tree:

Pagan traditions: Many Pagan cultures used to cut boughs of evergreen trees in December, move them into the home or temple, and decorate them. Modern-day Pagans still do. This was to recognize the winter solstice -- the time of the year that had the shortest daylight hours, and longest night of the year. This occurs annually sometime between DEC-20 to 23. They noticed that the days were gradually getting shorter; many feared that the sun would eventually disappear forever, and everyone would freeze. But, even though deciduous trees, bushes, and crops died or hibernated for the winter, the evergreen trees remained green. They seemed to have magical powers that enabled them to withstand the rigors of winter. Not having evergreen trees, the ancient Egyptians considered the palm tree to symbolize resurrection. They decorated their homes with its branches during the winter solstice. "The first decorating of an evergreen tree began with the heathen Greeks and their worship of their god Adonia, who allegedly was brought back to life by the serpent Aessulapius after having been slain." The ancient Pagan Romans decorated their "trees with bits of metal and replicas of their god, Bacchus [a fertility god]. They also placed 12 candles on the tree in honor of their sun god" Their mid-winter festival of Saturnalia started on DEC-17 and often lasted until a few days after the Solstice. In Northern Europe, the ancient Germanic people tied fruit and attached candles to evergreen tree branches, in honor of their god Woden. Trees were viewed as symbolizing eternal life. This is the deity after which Wednesday was named. The trees joined holly, mistletoe, the wassail bowl and the Yule log as symbols of the season. All predated Christianity.

Recipe

PREP TIME 10 Min
COOK TIME 1 Hr 40 Min
READY IN 1 Hr 50 Min

INGREDIENTS
1 (5 pound) fully-cooked, bone-in ham
20 whole cloves
1/2 cup apricot preserves
3 tablespoons dry mustard
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
DIRECTIONS
Score the surface of the ham with shallow diamond-shaped cuts. Combine preserves and mustard; spread over ham. Pat brown sugar over apricot mixture. Place ham on a rack in a roasting pan. Bake at 325 degrees F for 20 minutes per pound or until ham is heated through and thermometer reads 140 degrees F.

Lemon Syllabub
PREP TIME 15 Min READY IN 15 Min
INGREDIENTS
235 ml heavy whipping cream, chilled
100 g white sugar
60 ml white wine
30 ml fresh lemon juice
2 g grated lemon zest
0.8 g ground nutmeg (or to taste)
fresh mint leaves for garnish
lemon slices for garnish
DIRECTIONS
Whip the cream and sugar in a chilled bowl, until the cream begins to thicken. Gradually whip in the white wine, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Continue to whip until light and fluffy, but not grainy. Cover the mixture and chill until serving time. Serve in chilled parfait glasses, garnished with a dash of nutmeg, a sprig of mint, and a slice of lemon. Syllabub should be eaten with a small spoon, and savoured.

Final Thought

May you have the gladness of Christmas which is hope;
The spirit of Christmas which is peace;
The heart of Christmas which is love.

Ada V. Hendricks


Slán

Travel Directories Ireland
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