From a trip to see Oberammergau's passion play to visits to Dublin Zoo,
JOAN SCALEShas the best of the week's deals
DEAL OF THE WEEK
Burren breakaway: from €195
Tony Kirby of Heart of Burren Walks, and author of last year's The Burren the Aran Islandsguidebook, is leading a spring walking trip to see the wild flowers of the Burren, in Co Clare. Staying at the Old Ground Hotel, in Ennis, the weekend will include a full day and a half day of guided walks, a dinner and a packed lunch. It costs from €195pps. 065-6828127, flynnhotels.com.
HOME DEALS:Mount Juliet lodges: €1,000
Mount Juliet lodges: €1,000
Fancy taking the family to a country lodge on Mount Juliet estate, in Co Kilkenny, for a week during the school holidays? The hotel is offering them for €1,000, including a discount card for meals. Some are still available for Easter. 056-7773000, mountjuliet.ie.
Rugby deal: €125, kids free
The Dunraven Arms, in Adare, Co Limerick, has a package for the Munster-Leinster rugby match at Thomond Park on Good Friday. Two nights’ BB, with dinner one evening and transport to the match, costs €125pps – and under-12s stay free. 061-605900, dunravenhotel.com.
Daniel O’Donnell deal: from €79
Fans might like the sound of an “evening of inspirational music” with Daniel O’Donnell at Glenfinn Church, in Co Donegal, on May 12th.
The Villa Rose Hotel in Ballybofey has tickets, transfers and a night’s BB from €79pps. 074-9132266, villarose.net.
Connemara deal: from €699 for 4
Family Easters at Connemara Coast Hotel include three nights’ bed and breakfast, dinner on two evenings and kids’ club activities from €699 for four in connecting rooms. 091-592108, sinnotthotels.com.
Bewleys and the zoo: €99 for 4
If you take a family trip to Dublin, Bewleys Hotels will give you a family pass for Dublin Zoo when two adults and two children book in for €99. 1890-798999, bewleyshotels.com.
Motown in Kerry: from €139
It’s Motown Week in Killarney over Easter, and The Four Tops, The Temptations and The American Drifters will be playing at the INEC. Tickets start at €20 for the Drifters and €48.70 otherwise. Two-night packages with accommodation from €139pps. 064-6671550, inec.ie.
OVERSEAS DEALS
Passion play tour: from €1,999
As the Bavarian town of Oberammergau stages its passion play only once a decade, seeing it is a big deal. John Galligan Travel has put together a two-week package in August that also includes time in Belgium, France, Austria and Italy. Prices from €1,999 sharing and €2,399 single, including accommodation, breakfast, 11 dinners, excursions, the play and flights. 01-2076555, jgt.ie.
Croatia savings: €100 per person
Croatia Tours begin the season at Easter with flights, packages and cruises from Dublin, Cork, Shannon and Belfast to Dubrovnik and the Croatian coast. Until March 25th it’s offering a discount of €100 per person. 01-8780800, croatia.ie.
Car to France: from €552 for 4
Brittany Ferries resumes its weekly sailing from Cork to Roscoff next Saturday, March 20th. Fares for a car and four passengers on the route, which operates until the end of October, start at €138pps, including cabin. 021-4277801, brittanyferries.com.
Algarve deal: 25% off, plus dinner
Martinhal Beach Resort Hotel, at Sagres, in the western Algarve, is having a “soft opening” from April 12th. Book at least three nights up to June 30th and get 25 per cent off plus a dinner for two. From €152 per night for a terrace room. 00-351-282-620026, res@martinhal.com.
Scandinavia: free city cards
Scandinavian Airlines is giving travellers this month and next a free city card for Copenhagen, Oslo or Stockholm. The cards, which are worth more than €30, cover public transport and admission to museums and other attractions. Fares from €59 each way. flysas.ie or your local travel agent.
Please bear in mind that deals are subject to availability