Meet Mr Fishy Fishy himself, Martin Shanahan, at the Muckross Park Hotel, Killarney for a culinary weekend with cookery demonstrations, gourmet dinner, visit to Kenmare to see Lorge Chocolatiers, afternoon tea and two nights B&B from €275pps, October 19th-21st. Tel: 064-6623400
* Bring the family (of four) to London for the midterm break from most Irish airports, three nights in an apartment, London Eye tickets and tickets to Matilda the Musical from €1,298 for all. Tel: 1890-408408; steintravel.ie
* It will still be warm on the Algarve in October, and you can have a week at the Rio Arade manor house, near Portimao, from €199pps including car hire. Tel: 00351-282423202 or email info@rioarade.com; rioarade-accommodation.com
* Book now for a Dublin Theatre Festival special treat to see one of three plays by Tom Murphy in te Gate between October 2nd and 13th, with an overnight at the Westbury Hotel, dinner, tickets and breakfast from €299 for two. Tel: 01-6791122; doylecollection.com
* Morocco is available for family midterm breaks with a week in selfcatering from €2,268, or all-inclusive in the Founty Beach Hotel from €3,128 for two adults and two children under 12. Tel: 01-2886828; sunway.ie