From a Caribbean wedding to €10 stays at Irish hotels, JOAN SCALES rounds up the best deals
DEAL OF THE WEEK
Barna bank holidays: from €620 for a family of four
The Twelve hotel (above) in Barna, Co Galway, is offering a family deal for the May and June bank-holiday weekends. Enjoy a suite with two TVs, a microwave for heating bottles and snacks, and activities for the children, including a cookie-making lesson in the bakery. Mum and dad can enjoy a five-course dinner with wine while the children and babysitter have pizza and popcorn. There will be a variety of activities to keep the kids occupied while you enjoy the spa or a walk. Price from €620 for two adults and two children; extra nights €150. 091-597000, www.thetwelvehotel.ie.
OVERSEAS DEALS
Wedding deals: from €1,419pps
Sandals resorts in the Caribbean are not only giving guests discounts of 35 per cent, but if you book by April 30th they will arrange your wedding, too. The Wedding Moon package includes preparation of the documents, a wedding service in a beautiful location, candlelit dinner, photograph, cake and all that's needed for a day to remember. Prices from €1,419pps plus taxes at Sandals Grande Ocho Rios beach resort. The Wedding Moon package is also available in Antigua, St Lucia and Bahamas. 01-4331023, www.tropicalplaces.ie.
Stay by London Tower: from £119
Re-enactments of the trial of Anne Boleyn take place at the Tower of London from May 2nd to 4th. The nearby Guoman Tower Hotel has double rooms with breakfast from £119 (€135) per night. www.guoman.com, 1800-930468.
Sail Scandinavia: from €1,725pps
Embark on a 14-day trip with the Travel Department that begins with a two-night stay in Amsterdam, then joins Celebrity Cruises ship Century for a voyage to Germany, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Estonia and Russia. From €1,725pps, including flights to Amsterdam. 01-6371600, www.thetraveldepartment.ie.
Four nights in Spain from €459
Primera Tours is heading to Spain for the May bank holiday with a four-night trip, staying in Santa Susana, on the Costa Brava. The price, from €459, includes half-board accommodation and a guided tour of Barcelona. 01-6311155, www.primeratours.ie.
Cork to Majorca: from €199pps
Panorama Holidays has deals from Cork to Majorca next month. Two weeks in the Sol Alcudia Centre costs from €199pps based on four sharing on May 16th. Flying on May 30th, a week in the Gran Santa Ponsa Apartments will cost from €239pps. 0818-202020, www.panoramaholidays.ie.
10 days in Cuba: from €1,290pps
Tropical Sky will whisk you to Cuba for a 10-day trip. The first three nights will be spent in the Hotel Nacional in Havana, followed by a week in the Breezes Resort at Varadero, on an all-inclusive basis, from €1,290pps during May and June. www.tropicalsky.ie, 01-5262566.
A pharaoh's life: from €589pps
Fly to Egypt in May and June with Sunworld and stay in a five-star hotel. A week from May 28th or June 11th staying in the Sunrise Island View in Sharks Bay is from €589pps, all-inclusive. www.sunworld.ie, 0818-200400.
Heineken Cup flight: from €279
We know one Irish team will definitely be playing in the Heineken Cup final in Murrayfield on May 23rd, and John Galligan Travel has a private charter going to Edinburgh for the day, costing about €279 plus taxes. You will have to source your own match ticket. 01-2076555,
www.jgt.ie.
HOME DEALS
Hotel deals: €10 a night
Put April 23rd in your diary and be ready to hop on to www.lastminute.com at 10am, when it will release hotel rooms for €10 a night in May, June and July. Some of Dublin’s best three- and four-star hotels will be included.
Irish summers: from €399
Begin the summer holidays with a stay in Ireland. Trident Holidays has a discount for the week of June 27th. Hundreds of properties are available, with rates from €399 for homes that sleep two to six people, and €499 for properties that sleep eight. 01-2018440, www.tridentholidayhomes.ie.
Yoga and food at the Ritz: €285pp
The Ritz-Carlton Powerscourt, in Co Wicklow, and Yoga Dublin are running yoga classes for both beginners and the more advanced on April 25th. The price of €285 per person or €385 per couple will include the course, lunch at Gordon Ramsay’s restaurant, dinner at McGill’s and a leisurely Sunday breakfast. 01-2748888.
Blossom breaks: from €115pps
Armagh is hosting its annual Apple Blossom Festival over the May bank holiday. That weekend Glenarm Castle, in Co Antrim, will hold its tulip festival, and a few days later Manor Estate in Loughgall holds its Bramley Blossom Fair. If you’d like to make a break of it, you can stay at Armagh City Hotel for £99pps (€115pps) for two nights’ BB with one evening meal. 048-37518888, www.armaghcityhotel.co.uk.
Be at the races: from €267pps
The sport of kings returns to Punchestown from April 28th to May 2nd. Stay in the main house at Tankardstown House or in the comfort of one of the private cottages. Bed, breakfast and dinner, transfers to Punchestown and tickets for the reserved enclosure from €267pps per night. 041- 9824621, www.tankardstown.ie.
Festive Kilkenny hotel: €149pps
The Rhythm and Roots Festival hits Kilkenny for the May bank holiday, when there will be a great line-up of acts, including Jim White, the Ben Reel Band, Devon Sproule and Otis Gibbs. The Newpark Hotel has a rate of €149pps for two nights, including dinner one night. Children can stay free in their parents’ room. 056-7760500, www.flynnhotels.com.
Please bear in mind that all deals are subject to availability