As ferries can provide an alternative form of transport to the UK, he said the priority was to provide flights for people stranded in places such as the Canary Islands so they can at least get back onto mainland Europe and begin to make their way home.

The point was also made that many establishments are taking advantage of the situation by increasing B&B prices. However, low cost alternatives can be found on www.reddotdeals.ie

It is expected that the wind patterns will change to a north easterly direction with rain to follow this coming Friday and this should allow flights to return to normal schedules.

The scheme was announced by the Government as part of Budget 2010 last December. Overseas visitors aged 66 or over can arrange a Golden Trekker Reservation which can be used to book their free Golden Treker tickets when in Ireland (see link at end of article)

The design of the scheme mimics the terms of the free travel scheme available to Irish senior citizens aged 66 and over. Accordingly, the scheme provides for free travel to all tourists to Ireland aged 66 and over and there is no restriction on nationality or country of residence.
For more information on this scheme visit
Discover Ireland

The city has undergone an extended facelift in the past ten years, with the city ground almost to a standstill for four years at the turn of the millenium while the sewage system was upgraded. During this time the city was revamped in preparation for its designation as the European City of Culture in 2005. Since then, the city has continued to prosper with the semi pedestrianisation of Patrick Street (or Pana as it is locally referred to). This spawned the rejuvenation of many side streets and buildings, most recently the first Dunnes Stores which has been kitted out to 21st century standards, while retaining its orginal facade. International chainstores have also joined the ranks in recent weeks, including H&M and GAP with Next, Topshop and others to follow shortly.

Recommended Sights and Attractions

Blackrock Castle Observatory 16th century castle located about 2km from the heart of Cork city on the banks of the river Lee. Host to many astronomical events such as First Quarter Moon observations, lectures and various exhibitions. Bar and Trattoria on site which are open daily.

Cork City Gaol Step back in time to see what 19th / early 20th Century life was like in Cork – inside and outside the prison walls. Amazingly lifelike wax figures, furnished cells, sound effects and fascinating exhibitions.ions.

National Radio Museum Housed in the same building as Cork City Gaol, the Museum. Learn the story of Guglielmo Marconi’s conquest of the airwaves, the early days of Irish & international radio broadcasting and its impact on our lives.

Cork Butter Museum, Shandon Details the internationally important Butter Exchange in nineteenth century Cork, the traditional craft of home butter making and the modern success of the Kerrygold brand. In the course of this story, the commercial, social, and domestic life of Ireland is recalled.

Crawford Municipal Art Gallery The Gallery’s permanent collection comprises over 2000 works, ranging from eighteenth century Irish and European painting and sculpture, through to contemporary video installations. At the heart of the collection is a collection of Greek and Roman sculpture casts, brought to Cork in 1818 from the Vatican Museum in Rome. The collection is particularly strong in Irish art of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

The last time the Irish Open visited Killarney was in 1992 when Nick Faldo won two years in a row. The event is expected to attract the biggest names in golf including three time major winner Padraig Harrington and other players who will be in the chase to secure a place on the European Ryder team, which will be announced a few weeks later.

Robert Finnegan, CEO of the communications company 3, who are sponsoring the event said “Killarney’s Killeen is a magnificent course in an idyllic setting and we expect many of the world’s top golfers to take part in what will be a magical weekend in one of the world’s great beauty spots.”

The prestigious event is ideal for broadcasting Killarney and Ireland as one of the best golfing destinations worldwide and will bring a welcome boost to the local economy.

Passengers flying to Ireland shouldn’t worry too much as Mr. O Leary is famed for these “publicity stunts”.

On a recent interview with the BBC, Mr. O’Leary proposed charging passengers £1 to use the toilets by installing a coin slot machine. Previous to this, he is also on record as saying he would like to introduce an additional tax for overweight passengers, an aptly named “fat tax”.

It’s never been cheaper to travel to Ireland – both airlines and ferries have fabulous offers. The accommodation sector has also responded with last minute and special offers that offer some of the best deals in Europe.

Check out the following websites for information on these discounted deals.

• Irish Ferries
• Ireland B&B Network
• Ryan Air
• Red Dot Deals