From the majestic setting of Dromoland Castle to a dramatic experience in the Boyne Valley, Joan Scaleshas the best of the week's offers
DEAL OF THE WEEK:
5 nights in a castle: €487.50pps
You can take the children to stay and play in a real castle and it could cost less than a trip abroad. Dromoland Castle, in Co Clare, has five-night family packages until the end of August for €487.50pps, with children under 12 staying free. You can also split your visit between Dromoland and Castlemartyr, in Co Cork. Both resorts have leisure and golf facilities. 061-368144, dromolandcollection.ie.
OVERSEAS DEALS:
Deals to Las Vegas: from €573
Touramerica and Delta Airlines have teamed up to offer deals to the US in May. Four nights in Las Vegas, staying at the Circus Circus Hotel, costs from €573pps. A family week in Orlando, in a three-bed Disney apartment, based on three adults and three children, costs from €543pps. Book by April 30th. 01-8173535, touramerica.ie.
Week in the sun: from €339
Topflight holidays to Lanzarote, Majorca, Gran Canaria and Portugal begin in May with prices from €339 for a week in the sun. Departing June 12th or 19th, a week at the Ola Aparthotel Bouganvilla, in Santa Ponsa, costs from €369 for adults and from €249 for children, with the option of kids all-inclusive for €50 per week. 01-2401700, topflight.ie.
Norwegian cruise: from €2,075
You can listen to the music of Grieg in Norway on a voyage that celebrates his work, sailing from Kirkenes on the MV Trollfjord over five days. The journey will be interspersed with guided tours and lectures. The trip, including two nights’ hotel accommodation and flights, costs from €2,075. 01-2108391, project-travel.ie.
Egyptian escape: from €1,41O
For August and October, Explore has a nine-day tour from Cairo to the Red Sea by bus, train, donkey, felucca, calesh and a Lake Nasser boat. The highlights will be the archaeology and culture of Egypt. Prices from €1,410. 1890-747747, explore.co.uk.
Golf at PGA Catalunya: €135
If you are in Girona between April 29th and May 3rd, you could play one of the top 10 golf courses in Europe, PGA Catalunya. A one-night stay at the Meliá Vichy Catalan, with a round of golf and club hire, costs €135. 00-34-972-181020, pgacatalunya.com.
HOME DEALS:
Belle Isle wine weekend: €430
Wine and walking for women is the theme of a weekend at Belle Isle, in Co Fermanagh. Master of wine Jane Boyce will attend from May 7th to 9th for a weekend of wine, good food and walks around the Belle Isle Estate. The cost – with wine tastings, tuition and themed dinners – is £375pps (about €430pps). 048-66387231, belleisle-estate.com.
Tee in Wexford: from €130pps
You can get in the swing for golf season with a mini break at Seafield Golf Spa Hotel, in Wexford. An overnight with breakfast and dinner, plus a round of golf, costs from €130pps; two nights from €169pps. 053-9424000, seafieldhotel.com.
Art at Marlfield House: from €75
Marlfield House near Gorey, Co Wexford, is hosting a spring exhibition of works by Gearóid Hayes, Trevor Geoghegan, Mark O'Neill and Elizabeth Cope on Monday, May 3rd. Lunch will be served all day in the library and dining room. Overnight rates for BB from €75pps over the weekend. 053- 9421124, marlfieldhouse.com.
Drama near the Boyne: from €250
Your children just might appear in a mini production of High School Musical when you stay at the Knightsbrook Hotel, in the heart of the Boyne Valley. During July and August the hotel will be offering children a chance to take part in the show. Costs are from €250 per adult sharing for four nights with two dinners. Children are free, though you pay for meals. 1890-434241, res@knightsbrook.com.
Aromatic at Kilgraney: €200
The herb gardens at Kilgraney House, in Carlow, are coming alive, and you can see the tea walk, the medicinal herb courtyard, the medieval monastic herb garden and the garden of aromatics on an overnight visit. With a six-course dinner and an aromatherapy session, it costs €200pps. 059-9775283, kilgraneyhouse.com.
Please bear in mind that all details are subject to availability
