In this Issue:

Tourism News Travel News Events Summer 2007 Message From Us General Message Recipe Final Thought

Tourism News

President of VFI claims VAT is destroying local tourism:

The President of the Vintners Federation of Ireland, Paul Stevenson of Ballymote, has claimed the local tourism trade is being devastated by the level of VAT being charged on services. Mr Stevenson has blamed Government policy for driving up the cost of living in Ireland.
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Possible Tourism Meltdown in Shannon.

The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) Shannon Branch today stated it has held crisis talks with the Shannon Regional Tourism Authority and other key tourism interests in a bid to circumvent the serious issues facing tourism in the region. It stated that there are grave effects on tourism being witnessed resulting from the cessation of key routes and airlines from the region in tandem with the impending departure of key executives at Shannon airport. The IHF is calling on the Government to immediately make available the €53m plan promised to Shannon under the new Open Skies Agreement to assist promote the region and negate the sharp drop being witnessed in tourism.
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Three beaches lose 'Blue Flag' status:

Three Irish beaches have lost their Blue Flag status for environmental excellence, it emerged today. Enjoying the sunshine on Dollymount Strand Doonbeg in Co Clare, one of the country's most popular strands, lost its flag over safety issues related to coastal erosion of the cliff and concern over access to the beach. Clare County Council said it intended appealing the Doonbeg decision.
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Travel and Tourism Statistics

The Central Statistics Office have released Travel and Tourism statistics for the first quarter of 2007. There were 1,478,000 visits to Ireland in the first quarter of 2007 compared with 1,390,000 in the same period for 2006, an increase of 6%. The following table shows where visitors came from and the type of accommodation they chose.
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Travel News

New Flights:

Cork Airport offers additional international scheduled and chartered flights in the Summer 2007 timetable Cork Airport's Summer 2007 timetable presents an increasing number of destinations to fly to this year. Analytically, in the Summer 2007 Timetable, 27 airlines will be operating 850 weekly flights, connecting Cork to 51 international destinations (53 airports) in 18 countries. The summer timetable operates from March 25th to October 27th this year.
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Aer Lingus announces new routes from Dublin and Cork

Aer Lingus has announced plans for six new routes that will lead to 24 extra flights out of Cork and Dublin every week.
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Knock Airport celebrates on the double with new flights

Ireland West Airport at Knock has two reasons to celebrate this week with the start of its first transatlantic flights and the announcement of a new route to Bristol. Low-cost carrier Flyglobespan this week starts its three flights a week service to JFK Airport, New York, and two flights weekly to Boston’s Logan International Airport.
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Action lifted on Irish ferries in France

Industrial action has been lifted in the Cherbourg ferry port in France with an ultimatum from unions to ferry companies Irish Ferries and Celtic Link.

The dispute threatened to seriously disrupt hundreds of holiday-makers destined for Ireland from France.

The Irish Ferries MV Normandy was stopped from unloading cargo at the French port this morning by dock workers refusing to accept freight from vessels owned by firms they believe are not affording crew members their entitlements.
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Dublin Airport traffic tops two million

The Dublin Airport Authority has said passenger numbers at the airport topped two million for the first time in May, a 7% increase on the same month last year. Passenger traffic to and from continental Europe rose by 14% to more than one million, but UK traffic recorded a slight decrease to 729,000.
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Events Summer 2007

Fleadh Cheoil 2007

Find out dates for this years Fleadh Cheoil for your area.
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Rose of Tralee 2007

17th - 21st August

The Irish Regional Final is held every year before the Rose of Tralee International Festival to determine which Irish Roses represent their counties at the International Final in August. The event was established in 2005 in recognition of the fact that now every county in Ireland selects a Rose.
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Cork Midsummer Festival

19th June - 30th June
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Message From Us

As you may know, Travel Directories Ireland introduced an on-line reservation facility to the site in March 2007.

We are still in the process of adding new premises to the rapidly growing database. If you are not yet listed and would like to be included, please contact us. Indeed, if you require any information regarding the on-line reservation system, please do not hesitate to contact us.

General Message

Water Safety

Whatever you do this summer, remember safety first!.
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Recipe

Homemade Burgers
These meat patties are easy to make and perfect for an outdoor party.

Ingredients:

1 lb. lean ground beef
4 drops Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. crushed oregano
Salt and pepper to taste
6 hamburger buns, split

Directions:

In a large bowl, combine the beef, Worcestershire, oregano, salt and pepper. Mix well and form the meat into 6 patties. When the coals are hot and evenly distributed, place the burgers in the center of the grill and set the buns, open-face down, to the outside edge. As soon as the buns are toasted, flip the burgers and place a bun top on each. This will help the meat cook through while the bread soaks up juices. Serves 6. Set out with your favorite condiments.

Final Thought

The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance, the wise grows it under his feet.

James Oppenheim

Slán

Travel Directories Ireland
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