Hanora's Cottage in Waterford's Nire Valley used to be a tiny two roomed cottage, built in the 1800s for the family of Seamus and Mary Wall. Over the years it has been transformed into a three star, eight-bedroomed guesthouse with a restaurant that serves five star food.
The family are all involved in making this a wonderful place to stay, with son Eoin chef in the well recommended restaurant. The Nire Valley, in the Comeragh Mountains is great for walking, and Mary's breakfasts are guaranteed to keep even the most energetic walker going all day. You can contact them at Nire Valley, Ballymacarbry, Co Waterford (052 36134 or 36442).
Spring breaks in Scotland have never been better value thanks to a some special offers from the British Tourist Authority and Aer Lingus. The Spring Into Summer brochure has over 200 special deals on accommodation plus discounts on car rental and sight-seeing tours. Fares from Aer Lingus to Glasgow are £99 for two and to Edinburgh from £119 for two.
For only £55 sterling you can enjoy two nights in Dalhousie Castle. Stiring is home of the Wallace Memorial (Braveheart) and you can also visit the castle, £30 per night dinner bed and breakfast and if you stay Friday and Saturday, Sunday is free at Terraces Hotel. Or £30 for a weekend stay in Rob Roy Country.
City breaks in Edinburgh and Glasgow are also great value. The brochure is available from BTA, 18 College Green, Dublin 2, (01 670 8000)
Many people (and especially families) cannot afford expensive holidays abroad. It can even be expensive to have family holidays at home. One idea for family holidays is to take a peek at the Stena Line Butlins and Haven Holidays brochure. You could be very surprised with holidays for a family from £295 for a week and £179 for three nights, based on four sharing. It includes the crossing by coach and ferry, whilst if you bring a car it's not much more.
The holiday centres of Starcoast World, Wonderwest World, Presthaven Sands, Devon Cliffs and so forth, all include entertainment and kids clubs and have terrific swimming areas. Brochures from Stena on (01 204 7733) or your local travel agent.
An Oige, the Irish Youth Hostel Association writes to tell me that it has been spending lots of money modernising, extending and refitting their hostels. Hostels that have had the treatment include Dun Chaoin in the Blaskets, Glendalough, which will be reopening in the summer, and Cork. Limerick, Donegal and Wicklow will soon be getting the treatment.
An Oige organises a range of holidays throughout the year both at home and abroad. The hostels are usually located in parts of the country with outstanding beauty, beside mountains, beaches, lakes and rivers. Membership of An Oige is not restricted to the young: family membership is £15 per year, and many of the hostels have special family rooms. More details from 61 Mountjoy Street, Dublin 7 or (01) 830 4555.