Tourism News

Dublin gets early Christmas present from The New York Times
As we all get ready to head home to our corners of the country - or the globe - to see family and friends this Christmas, Dublin is already getting an early present.The New York Times has given the capital a ringing endorsement in a travel piece.Writer Ratha Tep compared Bewley's on Grafton Street as like "walking into a Christmas card".
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Passengers Advised Not To Wrap Gifts
Dublin Airport has advised passengers not to gift wrap Christmas presents carried as hand luggage this holiday season.“Many passengers take a lot of time to carefully wrap Christmas gifts for family and friends overseas," a spokesperson for the airport said. "We would ask them not to wrap these gifts otherwise they may be disappointed if they are requested to open them at the passenger security screening area." Wrapped presents are fine to transport in hold luggage.
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Boost For Cork Festivals
Three of the county’s biggest festivals have been given a significant boost with the announcement that the Cork Midsummer Festival, Cork International Choral Festival and and the West Cork Chamber Music Festival are to share part of a multi-million-euro festival windfall announced by the government.
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Ormond Castle Closed for Refurbishment
Due to essential refurbishment works, Ormond Castle will be closed to the public for 2015.
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Brian Boru Crown Returns to Killaloe
A new Brian Boru Millennium Crown, which is being used as part of a nationwide drive to raise thousands of euro for cancer research, was taken to the birthplace of its namesake this week. The crown, which is part of the Jewels for Cures cancer initiative, was transported from the Hunt Museum for a few stops at historical landmarks connected with Brian Boru in East Clare, by the brainchild of the charity drive, Alison McCormick.
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Travel and Tourism Statistics
The Central Statistics Office have released Travel and Tourism statistics for the third quarter of 2014. The following table shows where visitors came from and the type of accommodation they chose.
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Travel News

Extra Nightrider Services From Dublin
Bus Éireann will operate extra Nightrider late night services from Dublin to Balbriggan, Drogheda, Ratoath, Dunshaughlin, Navan, Naas, Newbridge, Sallins and Clane over the Christmas period.
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EasyJet Launches Direct Flight From Ireland To Iceland
EasyJet, has launched the first direct service between Belfast and Reykjavik.The flight operates twice per week on Mondays and Fridays on a 156 seater Airbus A319 and is the only direct service between the two destinations. Over 30,000 passengers are expected to use the new service during the first 12 months.
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Airport Passengers Continue To Rise
Passenger numbers at Dublin Airport passed the 20 million mark over the last weekend in November. The milestone was reached more than one month earlier this year, due to strong growth in traffic during the past 11 months. Last year Dublin Airport’s 20 millionth passenger arrived at the end of December. Already this year, more than 1.3 million additional passengers have been facilitated at the airport, a 7 per cent increase in passengers and the busy December period is yet to come.
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Message From Us

Rates 2015
Don't forget to notify us of any changes to your rates for the coming new year.

Calendar 2015
If you know of any events, festivals or activities taking place in your area, why not tell us about it and we will mention it in our
Calendar. By promoting your area, you are helping to promote your business too.

Merry Christmas
Finally, we would like to thank all our customers for their continued support.
Wishing you all a happy & peaceful Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Recipe

Lamb Casserole with Cranberries and Port

2 tablesp. flour
2 teasp. ground mace
Salt and pepper
3 kg diced lamb or beef well trimmed
3 tablesp. olive oil
3 large onions, chopped
4-5 cloves garlic, chopped
4-5 sticks of celery, chopped
1 tablesp. wholegrain mustard
Glass of red wine
Glass of port
600ml stock
1-2 bay leaves
2 tablesp. fresh oregano or thyme, chopped
300g (approx.) cranberries
To garnish, sprigs of watercress and strips of orange peel.

To Cook
Mix the flour, mace and seasoning together. Toss the diced meat in the seasoned flour. Heat the oil in a large pan and brown the meat in batches. Then transfer to a large flameproof casserole dish. Add the onions, garlic and celery to the pan and saute for 3-4 minutes, then add mustard and wine. Bring to the boil and reduce for a few minutes. Pour the lot over the meat in the casserole. Add the port, stock, herbs and half the cranberries Cover and cook gently for approx. 2 hours until the meat is tender, or cook in the oven Gas Mark 4, 180C, 375F for about the same time. 15 minutes before the end of cooking time add in the remaining cranberries. Check the seasoning before serving and garnish with sprigs of watercress and orange. Lovely with creamy mashed potatoes and crusty bread toasted and drizzled with olive oil and chopped herbs. .

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Final Thought

My mama used to always say, 'Christmas ain't Christmas till somebody cries!
"Donkey" Shrek The Halls