Ferrycarrig Hotel midweek offer

Fancy a 'Midweek Bliss' couple of nights in the sunny south-east? Well, perhaps the Ferrycarrig Hotel in Wexford might have what you need.

Situated on the waters edge of the River Slaney with every one of the hotel’s 102 rooms offering a view, the hotel has put together a 2-night mid-week stay with breakfast, a treatment in their new treatment rooms, afternoon tea for two plus dinner at their award-winning restaurant ‘Reeds’ on one evening, all from €179pps.

A 25-minute treatment at Riverwood Wellness treatment rooms is included where you can choose between a Riverwood Mini Facial, Pressure Point Scalp Massage or Back Massage.

For reservations call 053-9120999 or see ferrycarrighotel.ie.

Continental's tips for holidays with your car

For families planning a holiday with the car, either at home or abroad, Continental Tyres is advising that some simple car checks before heading off, could save a lot of trouble. Here are five simple vehicle safety checks that any driver can do to their car to help keep families safe during the annual migration.

Give the car's interior a clean
The majority of motorists are not particularly careful about keeping their cars very clean  — inside or out. A recent Continental Tyres survey of 2,000 motorists showed that one in five claimed to tidy the inside of their car just once a year, generally when it is facing an NCT or garage visit. However, when you are embarking on a long journey such as heading off on holiday, it is important to have the cabin area of the car clear of the usual clutter that can accumulate. For example, an empty can, bottle or other piece of rubbish rolling under the brake pedal while driving could have very serious consequences.

Check the car's tyres
Quality tyres in good condition can mean the difference between avoiding trouble or having an accident. Continental Tyres recommends regular tyre safety checks to avoid such scenarios. For example the next time you fill up your car with fuel, check your tyres air pressures and inspect the tread depth of all four tyres, not forgetting the spare wheel, if you have one. If there are any bulges or cracks, take your car to a reputable tyre dealer to have them professionally checked. Tyres are your only point of contact with the road, so it is very important to regularly check on the condition of them.

Check the car's windscreen wipers
On holiday, we are all hoping for good weather but sometimes it doesn't always go according to plan, so be ready for some of those sudden, heavy summer downpours. So make sure to check the condition of your car's wiper blades. Lift the front and rear windscreen wipers away from the glass and check that their rubber blade isn't worn down or peeling away from its base. If they are not totally clearing the water, see about replacing them before you set off.

Check the car's lights
Driving with defective lights is both illegal and dangerous for you and for other road users. So take a couple of minutes to ask a family member or friend to walk around your car as you switch on the side lights, the headlights, operate the main beam and then check the indicators and brake lights. And don't forget the fog lamps and reversing lights. If you are travelling to the continent, don't forget to use headlamp converter stickers so that your headlights do not dazzle oncoming traffic.

Check the car's service schedule
Occasionally checking the level of oil in the engine is not enough to keep your car in good health. It should be serviced according to the vehicle manufacturer's recommended service schedule, which can be found in the car's handbook. During its service, important items such as the tyres, brakes, suspension, engine, exhaust, and transmission will all be inspected. And simple items such as the filters will be changed, important when you are embarking on a long drive, perhaps (hopefully!) in warm weather, so you don't want to circulate dirty air in the car or  — even worse  — risk a breakdown because an old fuel filter is clogged with debris.

The number of road accidents actually increases during the summer months as many more people take to the roads for holidays and outdoor activities. So above all, make sure to drive in a careful and courteous manner paying particular attention to more vulnerable road users: pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.

Speaking about taking the car on holiday, Tom Dennigan of Continental Tyres Ireland says: “A motoring holiday is a great way to get away for families. The holiday starts the minute the family sets off and there is none of the hassle of airports, flight delays, air traffic controller strikes or luggage restrictions that have become the bane of summer flying in recent years. And with a small bit of preparation, the driver can ensure that the motoring element of the holiday can go off without a hitch”.

Continental Tyre Group is providing this advice to drivers as part of its Vision Zero strategy, a long-term initiative to reduce accidents through tyre technologies and innovative automotive systems. 

Haven Holidays offer

News likely to appeal to families who have yet to book a summer holiday is the announcement from Irish Ferries of a price reduction at a number of popular UK Haven Holiday resorts.

 

Bookable by July 1st and valid for arrivals between 9th June and 28th July inclusive, savings amount to €125 (7 nights) and €70 (4-nights) respectively.

 

Typically, this means that holidaymakers can enjoy a 7-night bargain break at the all-action park of Hafan Y Mor in North Wales, arriving June 26th and staying in a two bedroom deluxe holiday home for only €899 for a family of six including return car ferry crossing.

 

Along with evening entertainment aimed at ensuring happy kids mean happy parents, each park boasts activities to suit all the family including outdoor and heated indoor pools, children’s paddling pools, slides, flumes, lazy rivers, go karting, bike hire, kid’s clubs, ten-pin bowling, pitch & putt, tennis courts and much more.

 

For bookings and further information call 0818 300 400 or visitwww.irishferries.com/haven.

Emerald Star in fleet upgrade programme

Katrina McGirr of Waterways Ireland with Mark Roding of Emerald Star.

A €1.6m investment in Emerald Star will see a substantial upgrading of its Shannon-based fleet over the next few years, writes Brian Byrne.

Announced last night by the company's regional operations manager Mark Roding, the new 'Horizon' class cruisers will offer an enhanced boating experience for the company's customers, in 2+2, 5- and 8-berth configurations.

Three of the new cruisers, which are being built in Poland to the company's specification, have already been delivered to Ireland. At a cost of up to €250,000 each, they include such features as top deck barbecue areas that are covered against the sun ... or rain.

A Horizon class cruiser.

Emerald Star is the iconic company among a number of providers to the growing Shannon cruise market. It was established in the 1970s by Guinness, and is now owned by European giant Le Boat.

It currently has 50 boats based in Carrick-on-Shannon, and a further 20 at its Portumna hub.

Half of Emerald Star customers are Irish, with Germany and the UK coming as next most important. At last night's presentation, it was noted that the company gets many repeat customers, some of whom have been coming for 30 years.

The demographic runs from people in their 20s through to their 70s, 'and we had one customer last week who was in the 90s'. "Traditionally, the customers did tend to be older, because they were customers who had more time. But with the growing interest in short breaks by busy people who are 'time-poor', we're seeing much younger customers. What tends to happen is they'll try it for a few days, and usually come back for a longer holiday."

New Horizon boats have modern, airy saloons.

Mark Roding emphasised that while boating is an 'activity' holiday, the level of activity is completely dictated by the customers themselves, so it suits a broad range of people and interests.

To rent and drive a boat in Ireland you have to be 21 or over, but no special licence is required.

Detailing the course of business over the last decade, Mark Roding said it was hit hard by the recession, but the parent company adapted by taking boats from Ireland to use on its mainland European hubs, which trimmed the costs here during the downturn.

"That meant, though, that when the economy improved, we were short on capacity, so that's the reason we are investing in new boats." The investment and building programme was initiated in 2014, and the design of the new vessels was the result of in-depth discussions with the company's existing customer base.

"The clear answer was that customers wanted new boats, whether they were people who have been coming for years, or brand new customers. They want all mod cons, and the only way to do that is provide new boats, rather than modifying the existing stock."

He complimented the cross-border Waterways Ireland agency for proving some 'amazing' cruising facilities on the Shannon and on the Erne. He also noted that mooring facilities were free along the Shannon, except for those in Athlone which are owned by the local authority.

Waterways Ireland’s Katrina McGirr said the overall river cruising market in Ireland is growing alongside the upsurge of inward tourism generally here. She added that as well as the investments by Emerald Star, other providers have also made investment plans to pick up on the market growth.

Emerald Star prices range from €600 for a 7-night booking to €3,655, depending on boat size and time in the season. There are also prices available for shorter bookings.

An Emerald Star cruiser.

Activity holiday for all ages and interests.

Last chance for Haven Holidays offer

With winter fast approaching, Irish Ferries is reminding families looking ahead to next summer that 7 November is the closing date to secure a special deal on a 2017 Haven holiday.

One such offer is a 7-night break for a family of six for €897. Arriving June 26th and staying in a two bedroom deluxe holiday home at the popular all-action Welsh holiday park of Hafan Y Mor, this deal is inclusive of car ferry crossing and equates to a saving of €227.

Furthermore, a €50 booking deposit is all that is required to secure best prices, choice of park, dates and accommodation at a selection of popular UK resorts.

Each park boasts activities to suit all the family including outdoor and heated indoor pools, children’s paddling pools, slides, flumes, lazy rivers, go karting, bike hire, kid’s clubs, ten-pin bowling, pitch & putt, tennis courts and much more.

For more information call 0818 300 400 or visit www.irishferries.com/haven

New ski courses at Verbier

This season the Verbier slopes will feature two new courses designed to keep adventure-lovers of all ages entertained.

A hybrid of a snowpark and bordercross course, the Audi Quattro Funslope will feature 20 different elements for snow enthusiasts to get to grips with. From a 10m long ‘snail’ and a 15-high berm to a tunnel, jumps and banks, freestylers are set to welcome the new park, located on the Savoleyres slopes at 2,226m.

Capitalising on the rising popularity of snowtubing, Verbier visitors will also be able to enjoy the newest addition to its winter sports range this season as a new run opens at Les Esserts.

Seated inside a giant rubber tyre, those looking for a gentler downhill thrill will set off down the especially prepared piste which resembles a bobsleigh track before taking a well-deserved break from their adrenaline pursuits at the nearby Les Esserts restaurant.

Located in south-western Switzerland in the canton of Valais, Verbier is recognised as one of the premiere 'off-piste' resorts in the world.

Special deal from IF

Irish Ferries has announced a special ‘+1 Free’ deal to Britain on all car, motorhome, van and motorcycle bookings made before St Patrick's Day.

Valid for travel on the Irish Sea on any date, ship and sailing up to December 17th 2015, the offer, which represents a saving of up to €70 on each return journey, means every car driver’s first passenger travels completely free to and from Britain. That’s a car plus 2 adults from just €89 each way.

For more detailed information, bookings and travel vouchers, visit the company’s website www.irishferries.com or call 0818 300 400.

Irish Ferries and Alton Towers

Alton Towers Resort reopens for the new season on March 22nd and Irish Ferries Holidays is celebrating with a two for one offer on tickets to Britain’s top theme park — representing a saving of €80 for a family of two adults and two children.

Looking further ahead, Irish Ferries’ Easter offer for thrill seeking families is €439 for a 3-night stay with breakfast in the nearby Holiday Inn Express Hotel for two adults and two children under 11 years, inclusive of return car ferry crossing and one full day at Alton Towers, valid for travel between April 4-27.

With over 30 white-knuckle rides, highlights at Alton Towers include Thir3teen, Oblivion, Nemesis and the Guinness World Record-breaking ‘Smiler’ featuring a 30-metre drop, a speed of 85km/hr and a ride time of 165 seconds.

Bookings can be made on 0818 300 400. For further information visit www.irishferries.com/alton.

Bank Holiday break with Irish Ferries

Irish Ferries and Haven Holidays are offering a deal for those families who want to cross the Irish Sea for an August Bank Holiday weekend, writes Trish Whelan.

A three night stay arriving August 2 at Haven’s Cala Gran holiday park, near Blackpool or Presthaven Sands in North Wales is €742, while four nights arriving August 5 is €959 with seven nights priced at €1,292 – equating to less than €31 per person, per night.

All prices are for accommodation for up to six people in a 2-bedroom caravan inclusive of return car ferry travel.

For bookings and further information call 0818 300 400 or visit www.irishferries.com/haven.

France wine break deal

One idea for those looking for a short break this Autumn is an Irish Ferries' wine shopping trip to France with prices from €130 return per person for four adults and a car.

Valid from September until December 11th, this offer includes two nights cabin accommodation on board the cruise ferry 'Oscar Wilde' and one night's stay in Hotel Campanile, Cherbourg with buffet breakfast.

While choosing to stay 1, 2 or 3 nights in France, Irish Ferries customers can avail of the savings to be found while shopping in Cherbourg's hypermarkets, wine warehouses and D.I.Y. depots.

For further information and reservations visit www.irishferries.com/france or call 0818 300 400.

Wales is only a ship ride away

More theme parks than Disney in France

Disneyland Paris remains France’s most popular theme park, but if you want something other than huge queues and fairytale castles, there are other attractions that offer a typically French slice of family fun.

Science park Futuroscope and history-themed park Puy du Fou are both located on France’s west coast, where the big beaches, friendly seaside towns and activity-packed holiday parcs (www.siblu.ie) make for popular family holiday destinations.

At Puy du Fou in the Vendée in one afternoon you can experience a Roman circus, Viking longboats and an 18th century village.

There are also performances of falconry, jousting, magic and music.

Futuroscope in Poitiers, in the Poitou Charente region of west France, is the country’s second most popular theme park.

There are a series of giant Imax cinemas that show an interactive safari to see the animals of the future, the legendary Apollo 11 moon flight as viewed by a fly on the wall, and, in a new show for 2010, take viewers on an incredible 4D-adventure created by renowned film director Luc Besson.

There are many other attractions, including giant robot arms that dance with their occupants, and a light show blasted onto water.

For information on siblu holiday parcs in France, from which one can reach such places, go to www.siblu.ie, or call 0818 274 097.

Irish Ferries gets the X-Factor

Irish Ferries are promoting a 4-nights Easter break to Haven Holidays’ Presthaven Sands Holiday Park near Prestatyn, North Wales for €469 for up to 6 persons – equal to less than €20 each per night.

Included in the package is return car cruise ferry crossing and accommodation a
2-bedroom deluxe holiday home. A 7-night break is also available from €712.

Amongst the stars performing at the resort over Easter will be local X Factor finalist Lloyd Daniels.

Further information can be had by calling Irish Ferries Holidays at 0818 300 400 (N.I. +353 818 300 400) or on-line at ww.irishferries.com

Holiday World Show

The Holiday World Show is on this weekend at the RDS in Dublin.

Check out times and details here.

Family holiday prices cut

Family holiday specialist Siblu Holidays (www.siblu.ie, 0818 274 097) has launched new summer season prices that will cut the cost of accommodation at its French holiday parcs by as much as €374.

With school holiday accommodation from €459 and a deposit of just €25 available until 12 April, families can take advantage of the lowest prices ever offered by Siblu.

Deals include accommodation for seven nights at Domaine de Kerlann holiday parc in Brittany from €459 for a 27 June departure, saving €374. The parc, which has indoor and outdoor pools, a splash-zone for youngsters and free children’s clubs, is on the outskirts of pretty Pont Aven, inspiration for the artist Paul Gauguin.

A seven-night stay at Les Charmettes in La Palmyre, Charente Maritime, a region of France recently named the sunniest on the Atlantic coast, starts from just €613 for a family staying from 27 June, down from €875 (saving €263). The holiday parc has a large pool complex with waterslides, free football tournaments for youngsters and indoor and outdoor entertainment complexes.

Families with young children will appreciate the private beach at siblu’s La Réserve holiday parc, which gently slopes into the calm waters of Lake Biscarosse. A seven-night stay in a two-bedroom holiday home starts from just from €517 for a 27 June departure, cut from €861 (saving €344).

Other offers on seven-night stays for 20 June departures include Domaine de Dugny in the Loire Valley from €468 and Le Bois Dormant in the Vendée from €520. Prices for 27 June departures include Pierres Couchées in Loire Atlantique from €609 and Le Bois Masson in the Vendée from €636.

Siblu holidays are ABTA-bonded for 100% financial protection and all bookings come with free redundancy insurance, so you can claim back the cost of your holiday if your job situation changes. To find out more visit www.siblu.ie or call 0818 274 097.

Easter in Wales offer

Irish Ferries is offering a three-nights Easter family break at Greenacres Haven Holiday Park near Porthmadog, North Wales for €363 for a party of up to six persons, equal to less than €21 each per night.

Arriving 10th April, fare includes return car ferry crossing, accommodation in a two bedroom standard caravan and on-site entertainment.

Bookings made before 14th February attract a 10 percent discount. For this holiday, other choices and four and seven night stays call Irish Ferries Holidays 0818 300 400.

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