Tourism News

National Pay Agreement unsustainable for Hotels The Irish Hotels Federation have announced that unless significant improvements are seen in the current trading environment, the Hotel sector will be unable to pay the proposed national pay deal increases. The hotel sector is already committed under agreement to a 2.5% increase, due to take effect on 16th October 2008, which is the final phase of the previous agreement. The first phase of 3.5% in the agreement would be applicable from July 2009. The effect of these increases will be that legally binding minimum wage rates in hotels in July 2009 will be 6.1% higher than in July of 2008.
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National Trails Day The 28th of September will see the launch of the first ever National Trails Day. The events are to be organised nationwide to raise awareness and encourage the public to get out and enjoy the huge range of trails available across the country. Visit the National Trails website to find or organise an event in your area.
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National Ploughing Championships announce extra date Details of the September 23 to 25 event, which is expected to attract 150,000 visitors, were announced at the site 8km outside Kilkenny city on 8th September, as the county celebrated its All-Ireland hurling triumph on Sunday 7th September.
The event will cost €3.2 million to stage and will be worth more than €20 million to the regions economy. The preparations for the event are all on schedule.
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Beijing Olympics Congratulations to Paddy Barnes, Darren Sutherland who won bronze and Ken Egan, who won silver in the Light-Heavyweight division. Also congratulations to Wendy Houvenaghel, the silver medal cyclist.

Paralympics Congratulations to Jason Smyth (Twice Gold medalist 100m & 200m), Michael McKillop (Gold medalist 800m) & Gay Shelly (Bronze medalist - Boccia)

Hurling Finals Congratulations to Kilkenny who won the All Ireland Hurling finals this year.
more...GAA website >>>

Tidy Towns Results 2008 The Overall National Award Winner was Westport, Co. Mayo

Irelands tidiest village - Birdhill, Co. Tipperary

Irelands tidiest small town - Kenmare, Co. Kerry

Irelands tidiest large town - Westport, Co. Mayo

Irelands tidiest large urban centre - Ennis, Co. Clare

Get Involved Each year Tidy Towns give out over 200 prizes, and awards range from Shop front awards to Waterside awards. By participating, you can help show your town off, keep it clean and create a community spirit. If you are interested in getting involved, get in touch with the Tidy towns web site or contact your local authority to find out how you can participate.
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Dublin to introduce Street Ambassadors Dublin 1 and Dublin 2 are set to be patrolled by seven uniformed 'Street Ambassadors' as part of a new 'business improvement district' scheme.

The 'Street Ambassadors' will act as tourist guides, reporting incidents to An Garda Siochana and Dublin City Council, ensuring that the streets are clean and well maintained.
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Rose of Tralee Winner 2008 Congratulations to Aoife Kelly representing Co. Tipperary. The 23 year old is an occupational therapist at the National Rehabilitation Hospital of Ireland where she has experience working in the brain injury service, and now works in the spinal injury service. We wish Aoife all the best for what will be a busy and exciting year ahead.
Rose of Tralee website

Cahir Castle invaded by The Tudors! A film crew from the BBC came to Cahir on 20th August to film for the TV series, The Tudors.

Travel News

Aer Arann awarded Knock-Dublin route Aer Arann has been awarded the contract to operate scheduled flights on the Knock-Dublin public service obligation (PSO) route by Noel Dempsey, Minister for Transport. Aer Arann will provide a daily early morning service from Knock - Dublin with an evening return service commencing 1st October 2008

Aer Arann also announced that it will serve Cork - Glasgow (Prestwick) from 28th October 2008.
more Knock - Dublin>>>
more new Cork - Glasgow>>>

Ryanair and BMI to permit mobile use mid-flight Ryanair and BMI prepare to allow passenger use of their mobile phone during flights within the coming weeks. BMI will be piloting a text message service only, however Ryanair will allow passengers full use of their mobile phones. Both airlines are awaiting final approval in order to launch the new service
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Ferry operators offered incentive to reopen link The Port of Cork and Associated British Ports, have agreed upon a joint package of incentives that will be presented to leading ferry operators in hope that the Cork-Swansea link will be re-established.
It is estimated the south west of Ireland lost €38 million in tourism revenue per year since the ferry service closed in 2006.
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Stenaline - Students go free Travel to Britain by car (car + driver) and your student, their mates and all their belongings go absolutely FREE!
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Bus Eireann Since most of us are watching the pennies; its worth noting that you can save 10% by booking your Bus Eireann tickets online.
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Recipe

Apple & Cranberry Bakewell
Ingredients
Sweet pastry

• 300g plain flour
• 125g caster sugar
• 150g butter
• 2 eggs

• Rub butter into the flour and sugar.
• Add beaten egg to bind the mixture together.
• Cover in cling film and allow the pastry to rest for a couple of hours.
• Line a fluted flan ring (8/9 inch) or individual tartlet moulds and retain in the fridge.

  
  Apple and cranberry compote

  1. 3 large cooking apples
  2. 75g fresh cranberries
  3. 150g sugar

• Chop apples into rough chunks.
• Pour on the sugar and a couple of dessert spoons or either water or cranberry juice and put onto the heat.
• When the apples are almost soft, give them a little mash to break it down into much smaller pieces. Now add in your cranberries and allow the mixture to cook out for 2-3 minutes. Allow this mixture to cool.

Frangipane

• 200g caster sugar
• 200g butter
• 200g ground almonds
• 75g flour
• 1/4 teaspoon of almond essence
• 4 eggs

• Cream butter and sugar together with the almond essence until light and fluffy.
• Next you will need to beat in the eggs and the ground almonds and flour.
• The mixture should resemble a dry Victoria sponge consistency. Gather this together and refrigerate for a few minutes.
• It actually lasts up to one week in your fridge.

ASSEMBLY Line your flan ring with the sweet pastry and chill so as to prevent shrinkage of the pastry. Next spoon in the apple and cranberry mixture. The application of the Frangipane is perhaps the most difficult and it is better to apply it when it is cool. Using additional flour try to roll it out roughly and place it over the top of the tart. It is fine to do it is smaller patches as it cooks out evenly.
If you wish you can scatter some flaked almonds over the top.
Bake at 170 degrees for 35-40 minutes for the large tartlet and about 20 minutes for individual ones.