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Thursday, September 1 - Wednesday, September 7, 2011 Scunthorpe Telegraph

55

Travel From shamrocks to rock stars Dromoland Castle enjoys it all

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The luck of the Irish is none more fortunate than a stay at Dromoland Castle so reporter Selina Maycock discovers during a luxury break

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STUNNING: Dromoland Castle, Ireland

Three Days

t was top of the mornin ta ya as I touched down in Shannon airport, near the west coast of Ireland, when making an Irish debut trip. Just five miles down the road, and engulfed in a vast amount of leafy and luscious vegetation, Dromoland Castle stood proud. Tucked away from the hectic stresses of every day life, the grounds provide perfect escapism. The five-star hotel made national headlines last year for providing emergency residency for U2 after the bands journey was interrupted by the ash clouds. An afternoon tea with sandwiches welcomed our arrival and a selection of pastries had us brimming with energy for the day ahead. Taking part in the hawk walk around the grounds with Dromolands School of Falconry instructors was a superb way to get to grips with nature. The harrier hawk that accompanied us was a pro at flying to the highest height before swooping in to catch the raw meaty treat from our gloved hand.

Leeds Castle Fireworks

S P E C TA C U L A R

172
For 3 Days

FROM ONLY

Staying at the Holiday Inn Maidstone Sevenoaks for two nights dinner bed & breakfast Door to Door Home Collection Service This weekend includes Cambridge on Friday; on Saturday, Canterbury in the morning, and return to Leeds Castle during the afternoon to catch the early evening entertainment prior to the fireworks display; and on Sunday, Bluewater for shopping
Subject to availability. Door to Door Home Collection Service - ask for details. Supplements may apply. For Terms & Conditions see Applebys Winter brochure

Friday 4 November 3 days from only 172

STYLISH: The Queen Anne room at Dromoland Castle wrapping up my hair straighteners, retrieving the remote controls from wherever I had last put them down and leaving chocolates on the pillow and strawberries dipped in chocolate on the side table. When we descended upon The Cliffs of Moher it was like standing next to Tracy Island. For the visitor centre and shops were engulfed in the grass topped-cliffs, and the atmosphere had an air of wonder about it. Not to mention the spectacular views of the rocky coastline from the top of the viewing tower. And after an action-packed day it was time to unwind in the castles spa. With relaxation at my fingertips, I sampled the swimming pool, Jacuzzi, sauna and steam rooms before plunging into the outdoor hot tub as I waited for the therapist to call me through for a Gaelic body experience a full body treatment designed to smooth, hydrate and relax stressed muscles. With a rejuvenated body, it was time for our next adventure.

xploring the calmness on the lake was enjoyed with a stint out in a rowing boat, or if you are a dab hand at fishing, an instructor can show you the perfect catch with a session of fly-fishing. We were lucky enough to have caught a rainbow trout, and as a nice surprise, it was served to us during our evening meal in the Earl of Thomond restaurant as a complimentary starter to our fabulous five-course meal. But there are plenty of other activities to have a go at, including cycling, golf, pony trekking and theres even go-karts for the kids. In the Club Bar an Irish singer brought us the wonderful melodies of the region, including some familiar hits from The Corrs. I stayed in a suite that looked like it was straight out of a Laura Ashley showroom, with luscious fabrics, soft furnishings and crisp white furniture. With two double beds, TV with internet and not forgetting the tempting bath the size of a swimming pool, I was spoilt for choice. The room service was high class, for maids tidied round twice a day,

Call Reservations Direct on 0845

Also at Golden Hind, Cleethorpes 01472 602499 and Althams Travel at Scunthorpe and Barton upon Humber

or visit your local Applebys First Choice Travel Shop GRIMSBY 01472 355964 IMMINGHAM 01469 572595 BRIGG 01652 650409

844 4044

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TRAVEL GROUP

Applebys Coach Holidays, Conisholme, Louth, Lincolnshire www.applebysholidays.com

I stayed in a suite that looked like it was straight out of a Laura Ashley showroom

The Burren Smokehouse, Lisdoonvarna was a humbling experience, for Birgitta and Peter Curtin had supplied the wild salmon for the Queens state visit earlier this year and listening to their success story was inspirational. We had a salmon tasting test, of wild salmon, premier salmon or organic salmon before being whisked off to the Roadside Tavern up the road for an Irish stew lunch, which was very homely.

How to book your stay

Enjoy two nights at Dromoland Castle in a Queen Anne room including full Irish breakfast each morning and dinner one evening in the Earl of Thomond restaurant for 350 per person. For bookings call 0800 0567434 or visit www.dromoland.ie Valid for travel until September 30, 2011 Tourism Ireland For more information, call 0800 039 7000 or visit www.discoverireland.com

e walked through the Folk Park with its hidden thatched huts to reach Bunratty Castle for an evening banquet where I was greeted with good evening my lady by a man in medieval costume while he handed me a goblet of Mead. It was like stepping on to the set of Robin Hood. The actors and actresses enhanced the evening, which included a three-course meal to be eaten with fingers and only a knife. It was fantastic to be taken back to the roots of that era through the reenactment it was truly lifelike. Comedy was in the air too, as audience participation got things swinging. A musical showcase of songs and Irish melodies rounded off the night. After the entertainment we stopped by the local pub Durty Nellys to sample some traditional Irish acoustic music where two musicians played songs on request Fairytale of New York was a fitting song that had everyone singing along, despite it being nowhere near Christmas, but I didnt pluck up the courage to ask for a B*Witched or Westlife hit for fear of being heckled home. And after a final night in the suite, it was back home. From shamrocks to rock stars, the five-star castle of Dromoland has it all.

Day Excursion s
Most pick up in Brigg, Scotter, Messingham and Scunthorpe (10 points) SEPTEMBER price Sat 3 YORK 11.50 Sat 3 YORK RAILWAY MUSEUM free entry 11.50 Sun 4 WHITBY 14.00 Sun 4 SCARBOROUGH 13.00 Sat 10 LEEDS 11.50 Sat 10 ROYAL ARMOURIES free entry 11.50 Sun 11 WHITBY 14.00 Sun 11 SCARBOROUGH 13.00 Sat 17 HARROGATE FLOWER SHOW 12.00 Sun 18 HARROGATE FLOWER SHOW 12.00 Sat 24 YORK 11.00 Sun 25 HELMSLEY, PICKERING & THORNTON LE DALE 11.00 OCTOBER Sat 1 BEVERLEY (MARKET DAY) 10.00 Sat 8 YORK 11.50 Sat 8 MCARTHER GLEN AM YORK PM 11.50 Sat 15 MANCHESTER TRAFFORD CENTRE 16.00 Sun 23 MID DAY TOUR INTO DERBYSHIRE 10.00 Tue 25 ROYAL ARMOURIES free entry 11.50 Tue 25 LEEDS 11.50 Thu 27 YORK 11.50 Fri 28 BLACKPOOL & ILLUMINATIONS TOUR24.00 NOVEMBER Sat 5 MCARTHUR GLEN AM YORK PM 11.00 Sat 5 YORK 11.00 Sat 12 MANCHESTER TRAFFORD CENTRE 16.00 Wed 16 XMAS AT CHATSWORTH HOUSE inc.ent 22.00 Sun 20 XMAS AT CHATSWORTH HOUSE inc.ent 22.00 Sat 26 YORK ST NICHOLAS FAYRE 12.50 Child price 1 off up to 10. 2 off over 10 For further details contact

Please book minimum 4 days prior to departure

Hornsby Travel Services Telephone (01724) 282255

RELAXING: Above, the castles spa facilities
or book at Althams Scunthorpe & Barton, Messingham Post Office, Brigg - All agencies