HOT NEWS

M-50 ALERT:  As of today, August 30, toll plazas on the M-50 Motorway are being phased out, replaced by e-Flow, a new system of barrier-free automatic tolling. Computers now read license plates and record tolls to each car’s account, similar to EZ-Pass networks in the U.S. This has implications for visitors who rent cars and do not have a registered resident account.  Each time a rental car uses the M-50, a €3 toll will be recorded to the rental car’s registration number (license plate). Car rental firms will not pay this charge, so it is the responsibility of the renter to pay the toll afterwards at a Payzone station. There are over 1,100 Payzone outlets throughout Ireland (including Dublin Airport) and they are all listed on www.payzone.ie.  (If you plan to use the M-50, it is wise go to the Payzone web site before your trip, and make a short-list of outlets in the areas you will be visiting after an M-50 use, so you will have these handy).  Anyone going to/from Dublin Airport is likely to use the M-50. To make a payment, visit a Payzone shop and state your vehicle registration number – and you will get a receipt to keep (you may need to show this when you turn in your car). Tolls must be paid by 8 p.m. the day following your trip. You cannot pre-pay – you must pay after you have used the tolled section of the M50. Late or non-payment of tolls may incur a penalty charge. If you are using the M-50 at the end of your trip, be sure to allow extra time to find the Payzone outlet at the airport and make the payment.

GO GREEN IN DUBLIN –  Ride anywhere you wish around the city centre within a 2 km radius of O’Connell Street in a stylish eco-friendly mini-cab, powered in bicycle-style, by a qualified man or woman driver – free of charge. Launched in April 2008, this fleet of pedi-cabs provides emission-free transportation as an alternative to gas-guzzling taxis, buses and cars.  Each cab is sponsored by a local or international business which pays the driver.  Passengers pay nothing.  Cabs line up on O’Connell Street waiting for passengers on a first-come, first-served basis, daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. More information: Web site:  www.ecocabs.ie

THE SHOW GOES ON IN DUBLIN:  Ireland’s most famous and longest-running show, Jurys Cabaret, ended last year with the closure of the old Jurys Hotel in Dublin.  Unfortunately, the show did not move to a new venue, keeping its name and cast.  The loss of the Jurys show, along with its sister cabaret at the Hotel Burlington, wiped out two of Dublin’s long-standing and reliable entertainments within a few months of last year.
But the show must go on! At least that is what  tenor Tony Kenny (left), star of Jurys Cabaret for over 20 years, believes. Tony has pulled together the leading performers from Jurys including comedian Joe Cuddy and produced a new entertainment program with all  the important ingredients – Irish music, dance, song, and storytelling.
Although the name of Jurys Cabaret has been retired, a new show – Celtic Nights - has been born with much the same talent and repertoire, enhanced with a 2008 flair.
Celtic Nights are operating on a five-month season – mid-May through mid-October, staged at the Regency Hotel, Drumcondra, Dublin.  Performances are on most nights except Tuesday and Wednesday. Shows start at 7:30 p.m.  Admission is 35 euro to show only; or 65 euro for show with dinner. More information: www.celticnights.ie

FREE BUS ON SUNDAYS IN DUBLIN:  Throughout the summer months, visitors to Dublin can board a free Cultúr Bus (Culture Bus) on Sundays, from noon to 5 p.m.  The bus departs every 30 minutes from the National Gallery of Ireland, Merrion Square, and then does a circular loop around Dublin stopping at major cultural institutions – Chester Beatty Library; Irish Museum of Modern Art; National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Arts & History, Collins Barracks and Archaeology, Kildare St.; Hugh Lane Gallery; Dublin Writers Museum; James Joyce Centre; National Photographic Archives, and Temple Bar.  More information: www.cnci.ie

SAVE MONEY WITH GUARANTEED DOLLAR RATES FOR HOTELS IN THE WEST:  In an effort to attract more Americans visitors to the West of Ireland this year, hotels and guesthouses in Counties Kerry, Cork, Galway, Mayo, Limerick, and Donegal are offering guaranteed dollar room rates, as low as $99 per room – which is less than most B&B rates quoted in euros. (Photo shows Best Western Pery Hotel in Limerick City which is currently offering the $99 room rate). To see a list of available hotels and guesthouses and their guaranteed dollar rates – and to book online and get an e-mail confirmation, go to the Irish Hotels Federation web site.

INTERNATIONAL SPORTS EVENT COMING TO GALWAY:  Eight ocean racing teams will sail into Galway Harbour next May 23rd and 24th on the final stages of the 108-day Volvo Ocean Race 2009.  Galway will be part of an elite global network of 10 international ports that are hosting the 35,000-nautical-mile race which starts in Allicante, Spain, on October 8, 2008, and finishes in St. Petersburg on June 27, 2009. Other ports include Cape Town; Kochi, India; China; Singapore; Rio de Janeiro; Boston, and Stockholm. The Galway Harbour stopover is the only stopover for Ireland and the UK and it is estimated that the race (originally known as the Whitbread Round the World Race) will generate €43 million in revenue for the west of Ireland economy next year. In order to host this international event, the city of Galway is establishing a three-acre village to cater for the estimated 140,000 visitors who are expected to welcome the fleet on its arrival. In addition, Galway will host a two week festival focusing on this race which is the biggest sporting event in Ireland  since the Ryder Cup at the K Club, Co. Kildare, in 2006. More information: www.volvooceanrace.org

WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP IN THE NORTHWEST & NORTH: Ireland’s travel year will get off to an early start in 2009 when the World Rally Championship takes place on January 29th – February 1st in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.   The event will traverse the Counties of Donegal, Sligo, Fermanagh, Tyrone, Leitrim, Roscommon, Cavan and Antrim. TV coverage will beam the action to millions of viewers in over 180 countries but at least 250,000 spectators are expected to see it first-hand. More information: www.rallyireland.org

NEW BOYNE VALLEY ATTRACTION: A new visitor attraction has been launched in Co. Meath to commemorate a major turning point in Irish history – the Battle of the Boyne of 1690. King James II was opposed by his son-in-law King William of Orange, and both kings commanded their armies in person. William had 36,000 men and James had 25,000 - the largest number of troops ever deployed on an Irish battlefield.  English, Scottish, Irish, Dutch, Danish and Huguenots (French Protestants) made up William's army (Williamites) while James's men (Jacobites) were mainly Irish Catholics, reinforced by 6,500 French troops sent by King Louis XIV.  At stake were the British throne, French dominance in Europe and religious power in Ireland. The Williamites prevailed – and the rest is history. The site includes a visitor centre in Oldbridge House with exhibitions and a 15-minute A/V depicting the battle, and full-scale replicas of 17th century artillery and military equipment. Outside there are walled gardens and optional self-guided walks on battle sites and along the Boyne River. From June through September, living history reenactments take place on the grounds. Open daily, year-round. More information: The Battle of the Boyne Centre, Oldbridge, Drogheda, Co. Meath, tel. 041-980-9950. Web site: www.battleoftheboyne.ie

BELFAST – THE SHOPPING HUB:  As the home of Ireland’s first IKEA store, Belfast is fast becoming a shopping hub. While IKEA may not draw many tourists, it is a popular destination for shoppers from all parts of the island of Ireland. Meanwhile, tourists are flocking to the new mid-city shopping mall, Victoria Square, Victoria St., Belfast – setting for the House of Fraser, Tommy Hilfiger, Starbucks and over 60 other retailers and food/drink outlets, plus an 8-screen cinema.  For more information, go to www.victoriasquare.com. 
Belfast has also welcomed a branch of Avoca to Arthur Street in the heart of the city. Dating back to 1723 and first established at Avoca, Co. Wicklow, Avoca is synonymous with colorful hand-woven woolens and tweeds, as well as homewares, books, cookery utensils, and gourmet foods.  This first-ever Avoca shop in Northern Ireland also has a café. For more, see www.avoca.ie. Both Victoria Square and Avoca are open seven days a week.

NEW HOTEL ROUND-UP: New hotels are springing up all over Ireland, faster than we can check them out and add them to our “Favorites” pages. Here is a round-up of more than 25 of the newest additions including Solis Lough Eske Castle (right), which has opened near Donegal Town, Co. Donegal:
Hilton Dublin Kilmainham, Inchicore Road, Kilmainham, www.dublinkilmainham.hilton.com
Radisson SAS Royal Hotel, Golden Lane & Chancery Lane, Dublin 8, www.royal.dublin.radissonsas.com and www.radissonsas.com.
Tower Hotel Dublin, Whitestown Way, Tallaght, Dublin 24, www.towerhotelgroup.com
Comfort Inn, Granby Row, off Parnell Square, Dublin 1, www.comfortgranbyrow.com
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Powerscourt Estate, Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow, www.ritzcarlton.com/resorts/powerscourt
Parkview Hotel, Main St., Newtownmountkennedy, Co. Wicklow, www.parkviewhotel.ie
Ashbourne Marriott Hotel, The Rath, Ashbourne, Co Meath, www.marriottashbourne.com
Days Hotel Waterford (formerly The Bridge Hotel), 1 The Quay, Waterford City, www.dayshotelsireland.com
The Millhouse, Slane, Co Meath, www.themillhouse.ie
Crowne Plaza Hotel, Green Park, Inner Relief Road, Dundalk, Co. Louth, www.crowneplazadundalk.ie
Capella Castlemartyr, Castlemartyr, Co. Cork, www.capellacastlemartyr.com
Fels Point Hotel, Fels Point Hotel, Fels Point, Tralee, Co Kerry, www.felspointhotel.ie
Limerick Marriott, Henry St., Limerick City, www.marriott.com
Carlton Shearwater Hotel, Shearwater Plaza, Marina Point, Ballinasloe, Co Galway, www.shearwaterhotel.com
John Glynn’s Clayton Hotel, Ballybrit, Galway, www.claytonhotelgalway.ie
Ramada Encore Galway, Castle Road, Oranmore, Co Galway, www.ramadaencoregalway.com
Best Western Premier McWilliam Park Hotel, Knock Road, Claremorris, Co Mayo, www.mcwilliamparkhotel.ie

Lough Rynn Castle Hotel, Lough Rynn, Mohill, Co. Leitrim, www.loughrynn.ie
Solis Lough Eske Castle Hotel, Donegal Town, Co. Donegal, www.solislougheskecastle.ie
The Ice House, The Quay, Ballina, Co. Mayo, www.theicehouse.ie
Ocean Sands Hotel, Enniscrone, Co. Sligo, www.oceansandshotel.net
Kilronan Castle Hotel, Ballyfarnon, Co. Roscommon, www.kilronancastle.ie
Sheraton Athlone Hotel, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, www.sheraton.com/athlone
Athlone Springs Hotel, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, www.athlonespringshotel.com
Lough Erne Golf Resort, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, www.loughernegolfresort.com

The following hotels are not operating: Fairgreen Hotel, Galway, (amalgamated into the Radisson SAS Hotel); Corrib Heights Hotel, Galway (being converted into apartments); and Glencolumbkille Hotel, Co. Donegal, (closed and up for sale).

And on the horizon for 2008 and beyond: Capella Dunboy Castle, Castletownbere, Co. Cork (Summer, 2008), www.capellahotels.com.
Killeen Castle (Sheraton Luxury Collection), Dunsany, Co. Meath (2010), www.killeencastlehotel.com

JETBLUE JOINS AER LINGUS TO PROVIDE TRAVEL TO IRELAND: Aer Lingus has formed a new partnership with the award-winning low fares US airline, Jet Blue. Travelers are now able to book a single low fare reservation from more than 40 continental U.S. destinations to Shannon or Dublin, connecting through JetBlue's home base at New York's JFK International Airport to Aer Lingus. It means one reservation, one payment, and one baggage check-in.
The partnership is made possible by a sophisticated, easy-to-use booking process on the Aer Lingus web site. Passengers searching for Irish destinations on www.jetblue.com are automatically transferred to www.aerlingus.com in order to complete the  booking.

OLD BUSHMILLS CELEBRATES 400th ANNIVERSARY IN 2008:  If you are heading to Northern Ireland in 2008, do drop into the Old Bushmills Distillery at Bushmills, Co. Antrim, and take a tour.  At the end of the tour, you can sample a new  limited edition whiskey, Bushmills 1608, a triple-distilled liquor.  The whiskey, which costs €68 a bottle, is also for sale in shops throughout Ireland.  After 2008, however, it will only be available from the distillery or travel retail stores such as the Duty Free Shop at Shannon Airport. More information: www.bushmills.com

GLENSTAL ABBEY – FROM CHANTS TO CHOCOLATE: Glenstal Abbey at Murroe, Co. Limerick, the Benedictine-run school and retreat center known for its glorious music, has a new claim to fame – the monks are producing dessert and liqueur chocolate truffles. Seven monastic liqueurs from various parts of Europe are used to flavor chocolate truffles (dark, white, and milk).  Appropriately enough, the liqueurs include Benedictine brandy, as well as a mandarin-flavored liqueur from the ancient monastic island of Lerins; and Glenstal’s own liqueur, made from lemon verbena and other plants and herbs grown on the abbey grounds.
The monks aptly describe their truffles as “Specially suited to the after-dinner occasion – a  delicious reminder that, in origin, monastic liqueurs were intended to be drunk in small quantities as an aid to digestion.”  Boxes are available from €4.95, a special promotional price. You can buy Glenstal Chocolate Truffles at Glenstal Abbey Shop and online as well as at leading food stores throughout Ireland. More information: www.glenstal.org/chocs.htm

THE "NEW" CLIFFS OF MOHER: A whole new visitor experience has been launched at the Cliffs of Moher. The focal point is a state-of-the-art domed interpretative centre - "The Atlantic Edge" - covered by a grassy hillside, to blend with the surroundings. The centre presents interactive exhibits and displays as well as audio-visual shows and a cyclorama that simulates a bird's eye view of the Cliffs, from the clifftop down into the sea. Other facilities include access to O’Brien’s Tower viewing deck (capacity controlled & weather dependent); parents & first aid room; restaurant; coffee shop; visitor reception foyer; picnic area; craftworker units; tourist information office; retail shop; and toilets on both levels. In addition, a team of on-site Cliffs of Moher rangers monitor the environment and provide improved support, information and safety. New paths and viewing platforms with seating areas have also been added. For more information: contact the Cliffs of Moher, Shannon Heritage, Co. Clare, tel. 061-711269 or visit www.cliffsofmoher.ie

SHANNON REGION DISCOUNTS: Save money while traveling in the Shannon Region (Counties Clare, Limerick, N. Tipperary and S. Offaly).  Stop into any tourist office, including the one at Shannon Airport Arrivals Hall, and ask for a free copy of the Shannon Region Discount Vouchers booklet. This handy pocket-size booklet provides 2-for-1 admissions or cash discounts at more than 50 attractions in the Region including 2-for-1 admissions at Aillwee Cave, Brian Boru Heritage Centre, Dun Guaire Castle, East Clare Heritage Centre, Adare Heritage Centre, Hunt Museum, Lough Gur, Birr Castle Demesne, and Farney Castle. In addition, there are 10% discounts for the medieval banquet at Bunratty or Knappogue Castles, the Traditional Irish Nights at the Corn Barn in Bunratty Folk Park, a performance at Glor, the Burren Centre, Clare Heritage Centre, Craggaunowen, Doolin Cave, Vandeleur Walled Garden, King John’s Castle, and more. Some discounts are higher, such as 20% off admission to Foynes Flying Boat Museum or 25% discount to the Atlantic Edge visitor centre at the Cliffs of Moher. Discount vouchers are valid for all of 2008.  Click the following linkto download the voucher booklet in PDF format: www.shortbreaksireland.ie/vouchers.pdf

IRISH TRAINS ROLL INTO 21st CENTURY:  Iarnród Éireann, the Irish Rail system, is in the midst of a €400 million update, with 183 new carriages arriving for service on Ireland’s intercity routes, being phased in over 2008.  This is the largest-ever order of new trains for Ireland and it will place Ireland in league with the other modern fleets of Europe. Ireland’s new rail fleet will also be the greenest diesel fleet in Europe. Speed, safety, and style are the new keynotes of the system, along with the comforts of sleek design and air-conditioning.  The new rail cars are already running on the Dublin-Cork route, and will soon be launched on the following other routes: Dublin-Sligo, Dublin-Rosslare, Dublin-Waterford, Dublin-Westport, Dublin-Tralee, Tralee-Cork, Dublin-Galway and Dublin-Limerick. The new trains will also increase the frequency of schedules and capacity on these routes.  For more information, check www.irishrail.ie

CHIP-AND-PIN CREDIT CARDS: On March 17, 2007, Ireland introduced a new Chip-and-PIN credit card system, according to the Irish Payment Services Organization. Chip-and-PIN means that a credit or debit card has a computer chip and must use a PIN number to complete a transaction, not a signature. Credit card holders in Ireland are ahead of the US with this new technology - Americans do not use this system yet.  So what will happen when you try to use your American credit or debit card in Ireland? “Cardholders with cards from countries that have yet to upgrade (to this new system) will always sign… in all of these cases the PIN pad will automatically recognize that a signature rather than a PIN is required.” So American visitors can continue to sign for credit and debit card transactions until the day when the US makes the transition to Chip-and-PIN technology.  This new system is designed to combat credit and debit card fraud. For more information, go to www.chipandpin.ie.

NEW TAXI FARES – Ireland has a new system of national taxi fares, valid throughout the country, rather than 35 local authorities charging different fares. The new basic fare is €3.80 during the day and €4.10 at night, supplemented by distance or time-related charges, and applies to taxi journeys everywhere (previous "extra" charges, such as the €1.50 hiring charge at Dublin airport and luggage charges, and the practice of drivers going "off-meter" have been abolished). The new structure means that fares are now higher in Dublin but lower in many other parts of the country.  In addition to the fare changes, there is a new complaints phone line, posted in taxis, and information on the driver's license, rates and the rights and responsibilities of passengers is displayed in large print in all cars.

NEW FALCONRY FOR IRELAND: The Belvedere Falconry Centre has opened at Belvedere House & Gardens, near Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. It is the largest of its kind in Ireland and has a lakeside Flying Theatre where daily displays take place at 2.00 p.m. and 4.00 p.m.  The Belvedere Falconry houses eight different species of owls, hawks, falcons and eagles. Admission is Adults €8, Children €4.50, Senior Citizens/Students €6. More information: Belvedere Falconry, tel. 044-49060; Web: www.belvedere-house.ie  (Ireland has two other falconries at Ashford Castle in Co. Mayo and Kinnitty Castle in Co. Offaly).

METRIC MEASURES:  Ireland has joined other EU countries and moved fully metric which means that all road signs, signposts and speed limits are now designated in kilometers per hour (km/h) rather than miles per hour (mph). In addition, there have been significant changes to speed limits on certain roads and some new vehicle speed limits. If you are planning a self-drive tour, here are the new limits:

Motorways (M) – Speed limit of 120 km/h (equivalent of 75 mph)

National Roads (N) – Speed limit of 100 km/h (equivalent of 62 mph)

Regional & Local Roads (R) – Speed limit of 80 km/h (equivalent of 50 mph)

Towns & Cities – Speed limit of 50 km/h (equivalent of 31 mph)

For quick conversions, remember that 1 kilometer equals 5/8 mile.

Similarly, kilograms and centimeters now replace pounds and inches.

For full details, click to www.gometric.ie

SMOKE-FREE IRELAND:   Ireland was the first European country to ban smoking in the workplace including all pubs and restaurants.   Exemptions to the ban include outdoor places and sleeping accommodations in hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs (where rooms are designated as "non-smoking" and "smoking").   So far, the ban has been accepted very well by smokers and non-smokers alike.   It is a real pleasure to walk into a pub or dine in a restaurant with a entirely smoke-free atmosphere. Some pubs and restaurants are providing outdoor areas with heated canopied terraces for smokers. Northern Ireland also implemented a similar non-smoking policy in 2007.

NEW PUB LAW:   If you are bringing kids to Ireland, be advised that Irish law now prohibits anyone under 18 years of age in bars after 9 p.m. (except for May 1st until September 30th when the curfew is 10 p.m.).  In addition, older teens (between 18 and 20) must have photographic identification (e.g. passport) to enter a pub after 9 p.m. However, "under 18-year-olds" are allowed into a pub if they are attending a private function where a substantial meal is being served.