TRAVEL
Home & Away with Robert Walshe THE Isle of Man based airline, Manx2. com launched a new direct service from George Best Belfast city airport to Cork last month. Two daily flights will now operate each week day from Monday to Friday with a late flight on Sunday nights. Noel Hayes, Chairman, and Manx2.com, said: “We are acutely aware of the need to maintain and improve connectivity in Ireland, particularly in difficult economic times. New services to Galway from Belfast International are now gaining in popularity www.manx2.com Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has announced it will commence operations to the South Korean capital, Seoul, on December 12, Seoul will become the 65th destination on Etihad’s network. Etihad will operate a daily return service to Seoul’s Incheon Airport from its home base in Abu Dhabi via Dublin. operating Airbus A330-200 aircraft on the route. www.ethiadairways.com
Weekend Hotspot
Galway is an excellent location for beach access. Although our summer days are well and truly over now, it’s still nice to stroll along the beach. Salthill and Silverstrand are Galway’s two most notable beaches, both having attained “blue flag” status. Other beaches in the area worth a visit are Grattan Beach and Ballyloughane. There are luxurious hotels and at the same time a wide range of good value accommodations. Overlooking Eyre Square, the elegant Hotel Meyrick is my favourite place to stay in the city This 5-storey hotel was built in 1845 and renovated in recent years. Hotel Meyrick combines a stunning Victorian hotel with a superb convenient location ~ the delights of Galway City are right on your doorstep; with many shops to explore, theatres to delight, restaurants in Galway to sample and nightlife to enjoy all a short walk from the hotel. There are a total of 116 rooms on offer to guests and facilities include a foyer with a reception desk, a lift, and a restaurant with a non-smoking area, a bar, a cocktail bar, 5 conference rooms and a coffee shop. You can enjoy the use of the Hotel Meyrick’s spa & leisure facilities in the exclusive level 5 areas where you can choose from a range of relaxing treatments, such as an
aromatherapy back, neck and shoulder massage, an Indian head massage or a signature facial. The junior suite furnishings are plush with a large king size bed and spacious marble bathrooms. while standard rooms are decorated in a modern, contemporary theme. The Oyster ■ Galway Cit Grill Restaurant sets y Centre. the scene for a fine diny. lwa Ga k, yric tel Me Ho r erio Ext ■ ing experience, serving mouth-watering steaks and Galway bay native seafood. One of the for sea angling and fishing features of this restaurant is the Oyster Tank, where one at various locations in Galcan choose from a selection of fresh way. Golf Courses: If you love lobsters or shellfish. After dinner the Oyster Bar is an ideal place to chill playing Golf, you will be happy to see a lot of golf out with the local talent. The city is steeped in history but as courses which can be found a quarter of the population consists in Galway County. Horse Riding: You can of students expect a contemporary and arty vibe. Food lovers will feel trek through the woodlands in at home here where world famous while having a taste of the ■ Hotel Meyrick lobby. oysters can be sampled, as well as Burren, Co. Clare. The fanother delicacies. My dining experi- tastic views of the majestic ence at local restaurant “Oscars” was Cliffs of Moher, the heart exceptional and the staffs a delight of the Burren where you panse of wilderness in Northern but remember to book early. Blake’s can see stone forts and old Castle is located in the heart of Gal- famine ruins and the views of Galway Europe and in winter it becomes a way. Bay, Fanore and the Aran Islands will wonderland of snow where you can experience the fun of snowmobiling, This 15th century building was take your breath away. once used as a jail and after restoraAdventure Sports: These include toboggans and sleigh rides. Rovaniemi, Lapland’s capital, sits tion its new role is part of a hotel. A boating, scuba diving, and surfing, bit similar in style to Lynch’s castle, wind surfing and cycling. Centres on the Arctic Circle and this is also this is a nice building to view, as it re- providing adventure activities in- where you’ll find the one true home ally conveys that “old world” appear- clude Achill Adventures, Atlantic Ad- of Finland’s most popular resident: ance of medieval Galway. The other venture Centre, Irish Film Adventure Santa Claus. From the moment you arrive in the popular activities in Galway include and many others. Surfing the west coast: Surfing on Tourist Attractions: Visitor attrac- snow clad magical world of Lapland the west coast will gift you an oppor- tions include Rinville Park, Croagh your time is filled with things that tunity to have view of Ireland’s wild Patrick, Bold Art Gallery, Tumble dreams are made of including an exand fantastic coast line. Jungle, King House Georgian Man- clusive meeting with Santa Claus at Spas: Ireland has a variety of spas sion, Athenry Castle and many oth- home. Sunway is offering two (18 Dec) or at your service (destination spas, re- ers. sort spas and hotel spas) to soothe The Hotel Meyricks “Winter three day options (16&19 Dec) to Layou in a relaxed and comfortable en- Warmer” packages include two pland with prices starting from €999 vironment. nights’ bed & breakfast with one per adult and €919 per child. www. Exploring country side on foot: evening dinner in the Oyster Grill sunway.ie Ballinasloe, Clifden, Mervue, Mill- Restaurant on the night of your town and Oranmore are five “Sli na choice plus complimentary access Robert Walshe is a freelance conSlainte” walking routes in County to leisure centre &spa from 179 EUR tributor / broadcaster and is guest Galway which can be a great walking pps. www.hotelmeyrick.ie travel writer for River Media newsexperience to taste the scenic beauty Weekly Best Buy paper titles across the island of Ireof Ireland. Lapland is the last remaining ex- land Fishing Trip: You can choose to go
Pet’s Corner...
with Kathleen Murray
Are you afraid of dogs? with Kathleen Murray: Animal Behavioural Therapist
BEING afraid of dogs has a big effect on some people’s lives. There is a difference between people that just can’t stand the sight of dogs and people that are genuinely scared of dogs. Sometimes a person may have been bitten at some stage and developed the fear, or they may have learned to be afraid because a parent, or friend, was afraid of dogs. It is very important to get over the fear so that life can be less stressful. People that are afraid of dogs attract dogs. That is the last thing they want but
Living
it’s what they automatically do. This makes matters worse all round. Dogs know when someone is scared so they become curious. Fear attracts dogs because, when they hunt, their prey gets scared and starts running. Their instinct is to chase anything that is scared, squealing and running. Dogs are not normally attracted to people that stand still and quiet with their arms by their sides. They will just sniff around the person, as this is how dogs say hello, and then move on to something else. This is how normal dogs be-
have. Unfortunately, in this day and age, not all dogs behave normally. Some are incredibly indulged, over-excited, anxious, under-exercised and dominant. Knowing a normal dog from a potentially dangerous dog is important so that an incident doesn’t occur. Learning how to handle a “situation” is important. Children should not be allowed to approach any dog unsupervised, and not at all, if they don’t know the dog. If a parent is scared of dogs then someone else should be with the child if they are visiting
someone with a dog. Never tell a child that the dog is “ok” or ask the child to stroke the dog. The dog may need time to get used to someone new. Not all dogs like to have people approach them, they may be nervous and could bite to defend themselves from what they see as a threat (dogs get scared too). If you, or your child has a fear of dogs then please get help so that you can move on to happier, more relaxed times. Dogs are not going to disappear, so people need to be able to live among them in harmony.
Home and Away Extra The Dunraven Arms Hotel, Adare, Co Limerick has been awarded a Karen Brown Readers Choice Award for 2010 for being “a splendid splurge”. The awards, given by US travel guide publisher Karen Brown’s World of Travel, rate hotels and B&Bs around the world under the headings “greatest value”, “most romantic”, “warmest welcome” and “splendid splurge” and are voted for online by readers. Ballyvolane House in Co Cork won a “most romantic” award; The Quay House in Clifden, Connemara, a “warmest welcome” award; and Ballaghtobin House in Callan, Co Kilkenny, a “greatest value” award.