TRAVEL
Home & Away with Robert Walshe Emirates won “Best Long Haul Airline” at a recent travel awards in Dublin. The award was voted forby members of the media and independently compiled and validated by the School of Hospitality Management and Tourism – Dublin Institute of Technology. In just ten short months, Emirates has carried over 200,000 customers on the Dublin - Dubai route and beyond, to over 120 destinations worldwide. The Dublin route is serviced by a Boeing 777-300ER, a stateof-the-art aircraft where customers can enjoy gourmet–chef-prepared meals in all cabin classes, dedicated children’s menus and activities. Emirates very much understand the needs of customers by offering generous baggage allowances. Customers can carry 30kgs in economy and up to 50kgs in business & first class. A truly wonderful airline to fly with and congratulations to Margaret Shannon & her team in Ireland
behalf of Sir. Charles Wheeler Cuffe who redeveloped the house to impress his bride to be, Pauline Villers de Decies Lyrath Estate offers an eclectic blend of authentic cuisine at both La Perla & Tupper’s Bar whilst Yindees offers Oriental dishes with aromas of the Far East. Afternoon Tea at Lyrath Estate is an elegant affair and includes a range of sweet and savoury treats such as smoked salmon and capers on brown bread, dainty egg and watercress sandwiches and sweet treats including freshly baked scones with clotted cream and sweet jams. The Afternoon Tea costs from € 17.50 per person but you could always add some sparkle to your day and add a glass of bubbly to your feast from just €24 per person. The Oasis Health Club and Spa, offer excellent fitness and rejuvenation facilities. The highlytrained therapists provide a blend of traditional and modern spa treatments embracing the ‘Seven Pillars of Wellbeing’ - Beauty, Harmony, Vitality, Aqua, Life-balance, Nature and Nutrition. Products used at the Oasis Spa include, Kerstin Florian, Mama Mio (wonderful for ladies in waiting and for post pregnancy bodies) and VOYA, an Irish organic seaweed product range which is made from seaweed, hand harvested off the coast of Sligo.The thermal suite in the Oasis Spa features a stunning outdoor hydrotherapy pool which overlooks the beautiful
Weekend Hotspot – www.lyrath.com Lyrath Estate Hotel in Kilkenny is a majestic structure from the 17th century. Imposing from the outside, inside the rooms of the Lyrath Estate Hotel exude opulence with comfort. The windows open up to the vast green acres of the estate, which is a visual treat. Sympathetically restored to its former glory it remains one of the most important and romantic houses created by John McCurdy on
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Pet’s Corner...
Kilkenny countryside, aromatherapy showers and a range of heating and cooling, sensory body experiences including a sauna and steam room. There are also several treatment rooms and n Lyrath Estate Ki lkenny a deep relaxation room where you could easily Hideaway is designed to give while away an guests an indulgent yet af- tiful grounds of the property. hour or so after a non Emirates fordable cosy spa break from Located just five minutes luxurious face or Margaret Shan n £174 per person, with guests from Belfast city centre, The body treatment. untry Manager Co enjoying one of the finest ho- Culloden Estate and Spa There is a comtels in Northern Ireland. The makes the perfect base for a prehensive choice person in Tupper’s Winter Hideaway ensures city and spa break, with the of grooming treatments including profes- Bar. With Christmas in mind guests experience some of bustling city of Belfast offersional make up application, The Lyrath Estate Gift card the best treatments the Cul- ing a thriving bar, restaurant manicures, pedicures, wax- can be sent directly by post loden Spa has to offer. Spa and shopping scene. For ing and tanning and general to your chosen recipient with lovers can choose to enjoy those looking to explore the beauty maintenance. This your compliments or if you two of the below restorative rest of Northern Ireland, the Kilkenny property has event realise you have forgotten treatments, designed to relax hotel is within easy access of space consisting of ban- someone, just log on to the and restore the body. Also the Antrim Coast, famed for quet facilities, conference/ site, purchase your voucher included is a delicious light its beauty, the curving route meeting rooms, a ballroom, on line and print it off there lunch in the Juice Bar, full takes in some areas of outand exhibit space and is a and then! Simply log on to use of the Culloden Spa facili- standing natural beauty, inties and pool and overnight cluding the historic Dunluce perfect wedding venue. Kil- www.lyrath.com accommodation with break- Castle and spectacular Gikenny is located about 90 Weekly Best Deals fast. The Culloden Estate ant’s Causeway. Guests who miles southwest of Dublin. and Spa is Northern Ireland’s wish to extend their break It rose to prominence in the The wonderful Culloden premier spa sanctuary, and can do so for £75 per person 13th century and became the medieval capital of Ireland. In Estate and Spa outside Bel- when guests aren’t treating per night on a bed and breakthe 1390’s the Anglo-Norman fast is now offering guests themselves in the peaceful fast basis. The Winter Hideabutler family came to power the chance to beat the winter spa, they can take in stunning way break is valid until 28th and ruled this area for 500 blues with a new Winter Hide- views over Belfast Lough and February 2013. www.hastingyears. There are a number away spa break. The Winter enjoy a walk around the beau- shotels.com of historical attractions in the town as well as over 80 pubs. Kilkenny can get very crowded on weekends when There is still just time to book a place on the flight duration just less than two and the town is invaded by DubAstronomy Ireland’s Northern Lights Tour a half hours, it’s the perfect family holiday liners. a very nice place to to Norway from 17-21 February next. Non- destination. Aer Lingus will also re-launch visit when in southeast Iremembers are welcome to join the special daily flights to Malaga and Faro from 31st land ‘The Lucky for Some’ Tromsø-based package which includes a March. Flights are now on sale with fares midweek package from Lyrfull programme of Northern Lights related starting from as little as £45.99 one-way to ath represents super value. tours, flights and accommodation. €2,268 Palma. For more information on fares and Priced from just €145 per per person sharing, single supplement schedules visit aerlingus.com person sharing it offers one €170. Book by Friday 9 November. More night’s accommodation in a information from www.Project-Travel.ie Robert Walshe is a travel broadcaster deluxe room with full Irish From 2nd April next year Aer Lingus will with Q Radio Network and Travel Editor breakfast, dinner and one 30 operate twice a week flights from George for River Media newspaper titles across minute spa treatment each. It Best Belfast City Airport to Palma, Ma- the island of Ireland. www.robertwalso includes a two course jorca every Tuesday and Saturday. With alshe.com lunch with tea and coffee per
Home and Away Extra
with Kathleen Murray
How much does a dog cost? When people buy a dog for themselves or for others they sometimes underestimate the overall cost of the product they have just invested in. Looking at a dog as a product is good when you are trying to get a proper picture of the cost. There should be no emotion involved as this is what often gets in the way of common sense, causes ill feeling in families and gets many dogs killed. Lets say the product initially costs €300 - €1000. This is the price that is put on many pedigree dogs today (way over priced). Proper breeders don’t actually make any money but
puppy farmers make lots of money at the expense of the animals and families they end up in. Some people charge these prices for cross breeds... amazing. The average person is taken for a fool by these gimmicks. A mongrel dog should be free to a good home even if it is the prettiest thing you ever saw. Rescue dogs need to be charged for as a lot of money is often put into them (vaccinations, neutering etc) during their stay in the foster home. This is where people should be getting their dogs from. Back to the cost... initial investment in an average dog. After the ini-
Living
tial investment you now have to invest further in feeding, worming, vaccinations, neutering, bedding, toys, kennel fees, training classes, poop scoop and bags, health insurance and legal requirements. If we take a dog of one year old, a Labrador, then feeding will cost between €15 and €25 a week (for the rest of it’s life), give or take which brand you use. Very cheap brands will often just run through the dog causing it to poo several times a day (no need for that). There are so many brands now so it is important that you find one that suits your dog’s digestive system (dogs are not all the
same). Vaccination prices vary from vet to vet but around €50 is average, a worm dose (every 3-4 months) €12, Microchip €35 is average, Flea dose (as often as required) is around €12 for a Labrador sized dog. Neutering: Male €75-€95 Female €130€150.
Grooming If the dog is long haired then grooming will be regular (every 8 weeks) and will cost approx €30-€40 depending on the dog. A Labrador will not require this but it will need to be brushed well once a week to keep it’s skin and coat healthy and dirt free. Legal requirements are a licence €12.75 (post office), a disc with owners details €10 approx,. The dog will need a collar and a lead €20 and a Bed with bedding €30. Toys
can cost anything from €2 to €50 depending on size and destructive capability of the dog. Toys are replaced often due to boredom or teething as dogs use them more during these times. These costs do not cover the replacement of plants, buckets, mops, shoes, furniture, carpets, tea towels, underwear, kids toys, school bags etc etc that get peed on and chewed if the dog is not trained or supervised properly. A Labrador is capable of ripping the number plate off your car for the sake of something to do, if it is idle or bored.
The cost on your nerves will be considerable. This is just a brief outline of what a product with four legs, a mouth and a backside can cost. There are many other hidden costs like compensation claims, car accidents, fines from dog wardens for pooing in places it shouldn’t,, unexpected illness and much more. The daily routine of feeding, training, exercise, brushing, toileting several times and cleaning up means you also need time for your dog. Think before you buy.