JUNE 30, 2018
Travel Summer fun on the island of Ireland
An awardwinning destination Leading the way in Limerick Music and culture in Ulster Explore the Hidden Heartlands
W
ITH a royal visit planned, increased travel options available and a wealth of events and activities due to take place, Ireland is proving a top destination for travel this summer. Following a healthy first quarter for travel in 2018, which saw the number of overseas visitors to the island increase by 7.3 per cent, the nation is preparing to welcome even more people to its shores as the holiday season kicks in. “Looking to the upcoming summer season, the air and sea access picture is very positive – with increases in the number of airline seats from Britain, Mainland Europe, North America and long-haul markets,” Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland, said. “We are determined to ensure that tourism growth continues,” he added, “and we have a really comprehensive promotional programme underway, working with industry partners across the island of Ireland, as well as with a wide range of international tour operators and with major air and sea carriers.” Newlywed Royals the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are among those due to visit in the coming weeks, while a host of events, including the Ulster Fleadh, are set to bring even more people across the water. According to Mr Gibbons, “there has never been a better time to visit the island of Ireland”, read on to find out why…
2 | June 30, 2018
The Irish Post
IRISH POST TRAVEL SPECIAL
Destination Ireland By Fiona Audley
I
RELAND has beaten a host of fellow nations to be crowned the Best European Destination for Groups for a second consecutive year. The news was announced at the annual Group Travel Awards, which took place in London earlier this month.
Celebrating the best destinations, events, accommodation, transport providers and attractions for the British group travel industry, the awards are voted for by readers of GTO (Group Travel Organiser) magazine. For a second year running, voters chose Ireland as the Best European Destination
GROUP FUN: Enjoy a Sea Safari around Kinsale Harbour in Cork
for Groups, beating off stiff competition from fellow award nominees Italy, Germany, Paris, the Netherlands and Austria and runner-up Belgium. Welcoming the accolade, Julie Wakley, Tourism Ireland’s Head of Great Britain, said: “We are delighted that Ireland has been voted ‘Best European Destination’ once again at the Group Travel Awards and we would like to take this opportunity to thank all the group travel organisers who voted for us.” She added: “Travellers nowadays have tremendous choice, which makes it more important than ever for us to
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WINNERS: David Wood, Tourism Ireland (second left), with the award for Best European Destination; also pictured are TV presenter Matt Johnson; Ellie Fulcher, Fred Olsen Cruise Lines (sponsor); and Sarah Jeffery, organiser of The Group Travel Awards ensure the island of Ireland stands out from other destinations – so this award is good news indeed, reminding group organisers around Britain that Ireland is the ideal choice.” The popular Welsh broadcaster, Matt Johnson, hosted this month’s awards, which also saw gongs presented in categories such as Best UK destination for Groups – won by the city of Liverpool, Best West End Production – won by 42nd Street, and Best Family Day Out – which was awarded to the Drayton Manor Theme Park in Staffordshire. Best European Attraction for Groups was won by Disneyland Paris, with the Titanic Belfast attraction in Northern Ireland taking second place. During the awards night, guests were treated to an evening of entertainment, including a glamorous drinks reception sponsored by Bat Out of Hell, dancing to live music performed by the Chip Shop Boys, as well as a star of stage and screen, Louise Dearman, who entertained the crowd by performing two songs from the West End’s smash hit musical Wicked. A GTO spokesperson said: “The Group Travel Awards are the highlight of the group travel industry year, and the GTO team would like to thank all sponsors of the awards for 2018, and we look forward to catching up with you all again at our Awards evening in 2019.”
HISTORY TALK: Learn about Ireland’s past at the Irish National Heritage Park in Co. Wexford
POPULAR ATTRACTION: The English Market in Cork
SPORTS FOCUS: Award-winning golf courses are found across ireland
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4 | June 30, 2018
The Irish Post
IRISH POST TRAVEL SPECIAL
HOT PROPERTY
LUXURY IN LIMERICK: The plush Adare Manor and, below, its delightful interior, which offers style and substance around every corner
Stately Irish hotel named one of the best in the world By Ryan Price
T
HE plush Adare Manor hotel in Limerick has been named as one of the world’s best new hotels. Standing alone as the only Irish entry, the newly-renovated 19th-century manor estate is amongst 102 properties around the world in the much-anticipated annual Condé Nast Traveller’s Hot List. The property and its surrounding grounds, which includes a stunning golf course recently reconstructed by architect Tom Fazio, are owned by Irish business tycoon J P McManus. In the magazine’s write up for the hotel, published this month, it describes the property as a “a stately manor house on hundreds of acres, a raging river, and a picture-perfect adjacent village” which is a “delicious mix of old and new”. “It’s barely 30 minutes from Shannon Airport, making it one of the closest country manors you can reach on seasonal, non-stop flights from the US,” the American publication adds. “While retaining an old-school, aristocratic vibe, Adare’s fanciful gargoyles, genuinely warm staff, grand and intimate spaces, and super-comfortable rooms make it somewhere uniquely and unabashedly the Ireland of now.” Writer David Jefferys explains: “The renovation and expansion of County Limerick’s most famous hotel, the most expensive in the country’s history, didn’t
skimp on a thing. “A new wing blends seamlessly, in soft grey granite, with its mid-nineteenthcentury main building which has a total of 365 leaded windows, 52 chimneys, seven pillars, and four towers. “There seems to be a bit of something for everyone here, and all without a lick of pretence.” The hotel has since been nominated in the ‘Hotel of the Year’ category in this year’s prestigious Virtuoso ‘Best of the Best Awards 2018’ awards. Virtuoso Hotels and Resorts and Virtuoso Life magazine announced the shortlist of entries for their 12th Annual Best of the Best Awards last month. This year’s award winners will be announced at the Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas which is due to be held on August 15, 2018. For further information about the hotel, visit www.adaremanor.com.
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6 | June 30, 2018
The Irish Post
IRISH POST TRAVEL SPECIAL
Hidden He
New campaign urges visitors to expl Midlands nestled along the River Sh By Aidan Lonergan
F
HIGH ACHIEVING: Tackle new heights at Lough Key Forest Park and Activity Park
ÁILTE Ireland has rebranded the Midlands as ‘Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands’ in a bid to boost tourism and match the success of the country’s Wild Atlantic Way and Ancient East. Speaking in Athlone on the Roscommon/Westmeath border at the launch of the rebrand this month, Fáilte Ireland’s CEO Paul Kelly said the initiative had been “developed after months of extensive market testing both here and overseas”. “The overwhelming feedback is that visitors from key markets want the opportunity to explore Ireland’s natural gems and rural communities,” he said. “There is also a huge appetite out there for tourists to be active in nature through activities like walking, cycling, angling and boating routes - all of which the Midlands can offer in abundance.” Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands covers the ‘heart’ of the country, from Leitrim down to East Clare and extending through Longford, Roscommon, East Galway, as well as parts of Westmeath, Cavan, North Tipperary and Offaly. Mr Kelly added that the Midlands
HISTORIC SITE: Birr Castle in Co. Offaly had been a marketing “black hole” in recent years, with the region having failed to capitalise on the success of Ireland’s other three tourist hubs Dublin, Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland’s Ancient East. However, Fáilte Ireland are hoping that a focus on the River Shannon, the development of new food networks and trails and the creation of new walking hubs, will help entice visitors to the country’s more central counties. “There will be some short-term cynicism, as with any new brand, that
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The Irish Post
June 30, 2018 | 7
IRISH POST TRAVEL SPECIAL
eartlands
lore the natural beauty of Ireland’s hannon and its surrounding areas
will die down and we know in the long term that we have a core, a really compelling idea and that will win through,” Mr Kelly said. The recruitment of a five-strong marketing team to help promote the new Hidden Heartlands brand has already begun. Meanwhile, the Irish Government will provide €2 million in funding to promote the region to tourists at home and abroad. Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Shane Ross said the rebranding
ughoughter Castle ngs in Co. Cavan
“will significantly enhance the Midlands as a tourism experience and bring growth and jobs to the whole region”. Minister of State for the Office of Public Works, Kevin Moran added: “Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands will transform the Midlands and how it is positioned to tourists. I’ve heard first-hand from people and businesses across the region about the major potential this area has to attract visitors and the willingness there is to grow tourism.” He added: “It is fantastic at last to have a tailored brand for the Midlands as this is just what we needed to develop local tourism and unite our visitor experiences behind an offering of scale. I look forward to welcoming more visitors to the area in the coming years and I would encourage all tourism businesses and interested parties in the Midlands to work with Fáilte Ireland and to get behind the new brand.” Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands initiative complements Fáilte Ireland’s other key brands - including the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland’s Ancient East and Dublin. For further information about Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands visit www. failteireland.ie.
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8 | June 30, 2018 NEWLYWEDS: Harry and Meghan are due in Dublin next month
ROYALS WELCOME By Fiona Audley
N
EWLYWEDS Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will visit Ireland on a ‘mini-moon’ overnight trip next month. The Royal couple may have put their honeymoon plans on hold to focus on their new duties following their nuptials on May 19, but their trip to the Emerald Isle has now been confirmed by Kensington Palace to be taking place in Dublin on July 10 and 11. In a Tweet posted on June 19, the Royal household confirmed: “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will visit Dublin, Ireland on 10th & 11th July. The visit is at the request of Her Majesty’s Government.” Later that day they added: “They are looking forward to learning more about Ireland’s history and experiencing its rich culture, as well as meeting the people who are shaping the country’s future.” Commenting on the tourism potential of the
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The Irish Post
IRISH POST TRAVEL SPECIAL
expect a large media contingent will travel to Ireland to cover the visit, bringing the story to millions of people in Britain, and elsewhere around the world, and providing a truly unique opportunity to highlight Ireland as a wonderful holiday destination. Tourism Ireland will take every opportunity to exploit the tourism potential from the extensive publicity around the visit.” The visit will be Harry’s first to Ireland, while Meghan has visited before, in 2014, where she attended a panel for the One Young World charity. The couple, who married last month in an extravagant ceremony in Windsor, are expected to visit Trinity College Dublin and may meet President Michael D Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin. A visit to the Guinness Storehouse is also being rumoured. It will be the second British Royal visit to Ireland this summer after Prince Charles and his wife Camilla visited Cork and VISITORS: Prince Charles and Camilla visited Ireland this month Kerry earlier this month. Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s impending visit, Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland, said: “The visit by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be a wonderful opportunity to showcase Dublin and Ireland to a huge audience of prospective holidaymakers across Britain and has the potential to deliver a major boost to Irish tourism.” He added: “We
The Irish Post
June 30, 2018 | 9
IRISH POST TRAVEL SPECIAL
Advertiser’s message
I
RELAND’S acclaimed wedding destination opens it’s doors on Sunday July 1st, 2018 for Summer’s biggest wedding showcase. Newly-engaged couples who book a wedding at Waterford Castle for 2019 or 2020 will be in for a chance to win a six-night honeymoon on a Private Island Resort in The Bahamas + €1,000 towards flowers by Dutch master florist Lamber de Bie, Falconry experience by Hawkeye Falconry and many other prizes from the venue’s premier wedding suppliers (T’s & C’s apply, valid for bookings made before Dec 1, 2018 only). Waterford Castle Hotel and Golf Resort, Ireland’s only Island Castle, is set on an enchanted 310-acre private Island in Ireland’s Ancient East. The Island Resort’s 16th Century Castle provides security and privacy like few other destinations, located minutes from Waterford city and 90 mins from Dublin/ over exclusively for your special Cork. celebration or to enjoy on your One of Ireland’s most romantic getaway. All 5 suites acclaimed hotels, situated on the and 14 guest rooms are picturesque banks of the River decorated to the highest Suir, completely detached from standard and have the the mainland and accessed by characterful quirks typical of a the Resort’s private car ferry. Castle, with elegant décor full of The Castle 800-year-old history authentic period detail, and provides a stunning venue in the antiques as well as all the most beautiful surroundings modern comforts of a world imaginable. The castle’s intimacy, class hotel. WM_Irish_Post_129x170.pdf 1 25/06/2018 with only nineteen bedrooms The Island Resort14:07 offers 45 makes it an ideal venue to take modern lodges (sleeps six -
Wedding bells From one private island to another, let your journey of love begin
LUXURY VENUE: Waterford Castle is a popular wedding location
three double bedrooms), located minutes from the Castle. The lodges are perfect for large families and wedding guests, with open plan contemporary designs, patio and each bedroom with a private secure balcony. Dining at Waterford Castle provides an opportunity to taste the best of traditional and contemporary Irish cuisine. The Munster Room Restaurant’s, award-winning
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culinary team use only the finest local produce to create a truly memorable fine dining experience. The Fitzgerald Room Bar hosts the ‘National Cocktail Champion in Ireland 2017’ by BAI. The exclusivity of the castle allows you the comfort of dining at breakfast as newlyweds with only those whom you hold dearest, and in your robes if you so choose. Our award-winning
wedding coordinators will ensure that your day will run smoothly. Their commitment, professionalism and attention to every detail, allows you to enjoy your most special of days and make this a day of magical memories for you and your guests. For information call +353 (0) 51 878 203 or email weddings@ waterfordcastleresort.com
10 | June 30, 2018
IRISH POST TRAVEL SPECIAL
The Irish Post
Advertiser’s message
LOCAL ATTRACTION: Castlewellan Forest Park
Ulster gears up for July’s Fleadh Frenzy T
23rd - 29th July 2018 Castlewellan, Co. Down
Monday 23rd July
Thursday 26th July
Volunteer, press and sponsorship evening
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Friday 27th July
Tuesday 24th July
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Cross Community Day
Wednesday 25th July
Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th July
Lá Na Gaeilge
Fleadh Weekend Extravaganza
For more information on events and itineraries please visit www.ulsterfleadh.com
HE annual Ulster Fleadh takes place next month, from July 23-30 – bringing the best of Irish culture and thousands of visitors to a quaint Irish village. The event is a unique, family-friendly experience, featuring music competitions from a range of instruments, with performances and cultural activities offering something for everyone. The Ulster Fleadh is expected to attract 25,000 visitors for the 2018 event - which has been carefully organised with the help of 200 Comhaltas members and volunteers. The annual event is estimated to bring £2.25million to the local economy of the Co. Down village of Castlewellan, where it returns for 2018. The village is home to the majestic Mourne Mountains and boasts blue flag beaches, sprawling forests and beautiful, award-winning golf courses. Activities on offer during the event will include guided tours across historical sites, cross-community evenings to highlight connections and the shared nature of Ulster’s cultural heritage and sessions based around Castlewellan’s iconic peace maze. The Ulster Fleadh offers a singular experience to visitors to reconnect with family and friends, listening to the finest exponents of Irish music from across the globe, many of the concerts complimentary, in a relaxed street and pub session. Brendan McAleer, Director of Ulster Comhaltas, said: “The Ulster Fleadh celebrates all that’s good about culture and is an opportunity to showcase the talent of our traditional musicians, which is something we are renowned for worldwide.” “Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann welcomes you to Castlewellan this July to experience a unique experience and fabulous week of Irish culture in its purest form, Ceol agus craic!” For more information on Fleadh itineraries visit www.ulsterfleadh.com or contact the team on 028 8224 2777.
FUN OF THE FLEADH: Musicians and street performers will flock to Castlewellan next month
The Irish Post
June 30, 2018 | 11
IRISH POST TRAVEL SPECIAL
Lights, camera, action Study reveals most-filmed locations in Ireland
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Kilmainham Gaol, where The Italian Job, The Escapist and The Whistle Blower were filmed.
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Dublin Airport, where Educating Rita, Love Rosie and Flight of the Doves were filmed.
By Fiona Audley A NEW study has revealed the most-filmed locations in Ireland – with Dublin’s Kilmainham Gaol taking the top spot.
As part of their research into the most-filmed locations on earth, the travel insurance company www.gocompare.com found the most popular film set locations across the Emerald Isle. Here’s the list in full…
Dublin Castle, where Northanger Abbey, Barry Lyndon and Penny Dreadful were filmed.
2
Kilruddery House, Wicklow, where P.S. I Love You, The Tudors and Angela’s Ashes were filmed.
3
Henrietta Street, Dublin, where Ripper Street and Foyle’s War were filmed.
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8
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St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin, where Michael Collins, Scarlett and The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne were filmed.
Trinity College, Dulin, where Meet the Ancestors, Byzantium and Educating Rita were filmed.
4
Powerscourt Estate, Wicklow, where Excalibur, Love Rosie and The Count of Monte Christo were filmed.
5
The Sally Gap, Wicklow, where The League of Gentlemen’s Apocalypse, Laws of Attraction and The Honeymooners were filmed.
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Charleville Forest Castle, Offaly, where Becoming Jane, Northanger Abbey and Most Haunted were filmed.
The top 20 mostfilmed countries: 1. USA, 139,506 movies and TV shows 2. UK, 25,768 movies and TV shows 3. Canada, 21,088 movies and TV shows 4. Germany, 12,567 movies and TV shows 5. France, 10,338 movies and TV shows 6. Spain, 10,333 movies and TV shows 7. Mexico, 9,053 movies and TV shows 8. Australia, 8,860 movies and TV shows 9. Italy, 8,004 movies and TV shows 10. India, 5,944 movies and TV shows 11. Argentina, 4,023 movies and TV shows 12. Japan, 3,804 movies and TV shows 13. Brazil, 3,731 movies and TV shows 14. Netherlands, 3,228 movies and TV shows 15. China, 3,156 movies and TV shows 16. Sweden, 2,860 movies and TV shows 17. Ireland, 2,527 movies and TV shows 18. Russia, 2,398 movies and TV shows 19. Portugal, 2,307 movies and TV shows 20. Austria, 2,292 movies and TV shows
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Heritage HeritageSites SitesOf Of Ireland Ireland
Many millions from Ireland and overseas visit our heritage sites every year. Guide/ranger services and interpretative displays are provided at many centres. For further information please contact: Visitor Services, Office of Public Works, Unit 20 Lakeside Retail Park, Claremorris, Mayo, Ireland. OPWCo. Heritage Card — Tel: 00 353 1 6476592 Adult:Many €40 Senior: €30 Family Child/Student €10 millions from €90: Ireland and overseas visit email: info@heritageireland.ie Offers unlimited admission to over 45 fee paying sites for one year. our heritage sitesTel:every Guide/ranger Email:heritagecard@opw.ie 00353year. 1 6476592 services and interpretative displays are provided at many www.heritageireland.ie centres. For further information please contact:
The OPW Heritage Card, costing just €25 (euro) for a Senior Citizen and €60 per Family offers unlimited admission to over 40 of our fee paying sites for one year – please contact: email: heritagecard@opw.ie Tel: 01 6476587 General Information(Photos: Photographic Unit, Dept. costing The OPW Heritage Card, just €25 Email: info@heritageireland.ie Arts, Heritage & The Gaeltacht) (euro) for a SeniorTel: Citizen €60 per 00353and 1 6476000 Family offers unlimited admission to find over 40 fee paying usofonourfacebook sites for one year – please