If you were passing over Dublin's Baggot Street Bridge this week you might have seen a barge moored beside Paddy Kavanagh's seat. It is called the Fisher King and is one of the fleet of traditional narrow boats of Canalways Ireland. Karin Klinkenberg brought her barge to Dublin to promote their winter barge holidays.
She says it's a very romantic holiday. Can't say I called it romantic when I sailed the Grand Canal, but it was great fun. You would be surprised at the number of canal-side hostelries there are, it would seem it doesn't need the sea to name a Harbour Bar. Canalways are based at Spencer Bridge, Rathangan, Co Kildare, which makes it possible for you to navigate the Grand Canal or the Barrow Navigation. Give Karin Klinkenberg a call for a brochure on 045 524646, or e-mail on canalw@indigo.ie.
Get a taste of a skiing holidays by going to the Irish Open Ski Championships at Kilternan, Co Dublin, this weekend. Sponsored by Topflight, Ireland's largest ski tour operator, the event takes place on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Teams from England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Holland will take part. Admission is free. Also from Topflight, they have just launched a web site which will show details of the winter ski programme and also will give daily snow reports from their resorts, and special offers. Find them on www.topflight.ie.
Christmas shopping time is fast approaching, and if you would rather get that something different in then British Midland has a great shopper fare for £68.
You can travel out on Saturday and return the same day, or on Sunday morning. This fare will be available until December 14th. British Midland has also introduced a £69 midweek fare, which must include a Saturday night stay. One word of warning: the British government has increased the British travel tax to £10 per ticket from November 1st. Irish travel tax stays at £5.
If you would rather come to for your shopping, then I have just the place to stay. Located in a quiet street about two minutes from Grafton Street, Trinity Lodge is ideal for a quiet break in Ireland's Big Smoke. Special offers for October and November mean that you can stay three nights for the price of two, or four for the price of three, midweek and for weekends stays Sunday night is half price. Prices are from £60 for a double per night.
Belfast diary dates: November 14-30th, the Belfast Festival at Queens is not be missed. There are so many events that it would be impossible not to find something to your liking. Just a few of the guests appearing: Martin Amis, Moscow State Circus, Julian Clary, Altan, Eric Bibb, the Abba Experience, Czech National Orchestra, Howard Marks, Royal Shakespeare Company, Frank Skinner and Van Morrison. Two weeks of some of the best music, song, dance, film, workshops and comedy. Brochure available from the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, which can also assist with accommodation, 1850 230 230. The Festival Box Office is 080 1232 665577 or 666321.
