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Dream Ireland Travel Blog

Triathlon weekend away in Valentia

Posted: May 26th, 2011, 8:38am EDT by Lisa

We were all excited with the prospect of a Sprint Triathlon in Valentia Island in deepest South Kerry on the Ring of Kerry last weekend. Previous years had been warm and sunny. This year was to prove different! As we heard the forecast we decided against a BBQ in the garden of our rented holiday home and opted for a “Four-Alarm” Chilli with the best of Rib-eye beef minced from Roger’s Butchers in Kenmare.
Perfect for family staycations Wolseley Holiday Lodges

Posted: May 26th, 2011, 8:09am EDT by Lisa

Wolseley Holiday Lodges are the ideal location for your family staycation this year. The houses are on the grounds of the fabulous 4* luxury Mount Wolseley Hotel, Spa and Country Club and offer access to a host of family-friendly activities. The Hotel has a leisure centre with swimming pool and kiddies pool and as guests of the Holiday Lodges you can use this free of charge.
and the Grandparents came along too

Posted: May 18th, 2011, 11:37am EDT by Lisa

We were invited to the wedding of one of my best friends this month in Carlow, close to the Kilkenny border. I have two small children (22 months and just turned 7 months) so babysitting is always a challenge for weddings! My parents agreed to mind for us but as we are based in Kenmare, Co. Kerry and my parents live in South County Dublin and the wedding was in Carlow, we needed to find somewhere to stay that would be convenient to all.
Ireland’s Highest Mountain….#2 in top ten things to do?

Posted: September 1st, 2010, 6:02am EDT by tony

Carrauntoohill is Ireland’s highest mountain standing at over 1,000metres which by international standards is low but on scenery and beauty it is among the best. My walk with my 14 year old son Cormac took place at the end of August a beautiful sunny day with no clouds. We opted for the well known Brother [...]
Top ten things to do in Kerry and Ireland

Posted: September 1st, 2010, 5:32am EDT by tony

Scuba diving in Kenmare Bay!! Yes alot of people think of the Red Sea, The Barrier reef which are for sure among the best but not easily accessible when you live in Ireland! Recently my son Cormac and his two friends attended a Scuba Diving Course for four days in Kenmare Bay. Their instructor was [...]
Reading and writing in peace!

Posted: July 9th, 2010, 10:39am EDT by tony

Doesn’t the clock tick away silently when you are caught up reading an exciting book? It captures our active mind and directs it from the pages to the chosen destination effortlessly. The beauty of doing this in a self-catering house is you select the peace and calm.You don’t have to think about all the jobs [...]
24 hour room service in self-catering?

Posted: June 29th, 2010, 6:11am EDT by tony

Recently one of our team stayed in a self-catering house with her husband and young daughter. She said it was terrific as they had freedom and weren’t worried if their little darling decided to exercise her vocal chords! Having your own fridge and kitchen facilities was like having 24 hour room service, the only downside [...]
Horse Riding In Kerry Top Ten things to do…..while you can!

Posted: June 23rd, 2010, 7:52am EDT by tony

Image by mjsawyer via Flickr Caherdaniel beach on the Ring of Kerry, former summer home of Daniel O Connell provides the chance to partake in beach horse-riding…has to be in the Top Ten things to do in Ireland…while you can! Eaglerock Equestrian Centre will organise a fabulous 1 hour or 2 hour trek on safe horses. [...]
Ardgroom Cycling

Posted: June 22nd, 2010, 7:18am EDT by tony

Image via Wikipedia There is not many better feelings than jumping on your bike and taking in the scenery of the Beara peninsula. Ardgroom has always provided a great stopping point in Harrington’s shop, cafe and post-office but best news of all for outdoor enthusiasts is the Ardgroom Holiday Village. It offers excellent accommodation and even [...]
Walking in Muckross House Killarney

Posted: June 21st, 2010, 6:22am EDT by tony

Image via Wikipedia Is there anything more beautiful than walking around Muckross House and Gardens in the sun? The Killarney Triathlon started with a swim in the lakes at Dundag and finished with a run throughout the gardens and woodlands. The day was really stunning and it was great to see the number of people walking [...]
Self catering or hotel?

Posted: December 3rd, 2008, 12:33pm EST by orla

These days I am a big fan of self-catering holidays but to be honest it’s not something I would have thought about a few years ago. Yes, I do still like the odd hotel break; a night or two away with your partner never did anyone any harm! But what about travelling with a family? Which is [...]
Dream Ireland Vouchers - the perfect gift!

Posted: December 2nd, 2008, 4:23am EST by orla

Dream Ireland Holiday Homes also provide Gift Vouchers. So give someone the perfect gift this Christmas, a gift voucher towards their next family break. Vouchers are available in any denomination from €50.00 upwards and can be used towards any Dream Ireland location. Vouchers can also be personalised to suit our clients individual requirements, so give our [...]

Self Catering in Ireland Vs Self Catering Sun Holiday

Posted: November 26th, 2008, 11:41am EST by orla

Mayo, Ireland

So where are we holidaying next summer? Are we going to give Ireland another chance or are we going to head to sunnier climates? I think the question, in our current economic state, is what is going to be the best value?!

So, for the purpose of this article I am going to compare a self catering Irish holiday with a self catering apartment in Lanzarote and to show just what great value a self catering holiday in Ireland is, I am going to compare one of Dream Ireland’s 4 star luxury properties with hotel facilities to a standard 2 star apartment in Puerto del Carmen.

The following is based on 2 adults and 3 children for a 7 nights stay in peak season (25th July 2009 - 01 August 2009)

	2-Star Lanzarote Morana Self Catering Apartments source: Budget Travel	4-Star Ireland Woodland Lodge at Park Inn Mulranny, Co Mayo source: Dream Ireland
Basic Price	€3,235.00	€982.00
Return Coach Transfer / Car Fuel	€60.00	€60.00
Flight Supplement	€75.00	€0.00
Airport Taxes/Charges	€139.55	€0.00
Govt Travel Tax	€50.00	€0.00
Insurance	€129.50	€0.00
Total	€3,689.05	€1042.00
Deductions
Child reductions	-€64.00	-€0.00
Online reductions	-€25.00	-€35.00
Grand Total	€3,600.05	€1,007.00
Price Per Person	€720.01	€201.40

a saving of a whopping €2593.05 in favour of an Irish holiday…. Conclusion

As you can see, the price of a 2 star holiday in Lanzarote is €720.01 per person sharing (before you step out of the airport! Add car hire, fuel, spending money, meals, activities etc) versus €201.40 per person for 4 star holiday in Ireland with hotel and FREE leisure centre onsite (again there will be extras for food and activities but with a self catering break in Ireland you can bring the contents of your kitchen cupboard.)

……. so where are we holidaying next summer?

Proof that it rains in Spain too……

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Why Ireland? Just take a look….

Posted: November 26th, 2008, 7:33am EST by orla

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Preview of Dream Ireland’s Newest Properties!

Posted: November 24th, 2008, 10:24am EST by orla

Image via Wikipedia
Dream Ireland is very excited about the newest additions to our ever expanding portfolio of superb accommodation in some of the most sought after locations in the country.
Jameson Court, Salthill, Co Galway
Jameson Court in Salthill is a luxury development of 29 brand new apartments. The development itself boasts secure underground car parking and landscaped courtyard style gardens. Inside each spacious and light-filled apartment, guests can enjoy the comforts of a luxury four star property, while instantly feeling at home!
Ard na Mara Killala, Killala, Co. Mayo
Ard na Mara Killala is modern development of luxury courtyard style apartments and townhouses in the quaint seaside village of Killala, near Ballina, Co Mayo. This spectacular development offers 1, 2 and 3 bedroom units, while the village of Killala is the perfect location to explore all North Mayo has to offer!
Seafield Mews at Seafield Resort, Ballymoney, Co Wexford
Last but certainly not least, Dream Ireland introduces its newest luxury retreat - Seafield Mews at the Seafield Resort, Ballymoney, Co. Wexford. This exceptional property, just an hours drive from Dublin City, has it all with hotel, 18 hole championship golf course, luxury spa and children’s play ground on-site and within minutes of a number of Wexford’s finest beaches and top tourist destinations. A truly perfect choice whatever the occasion.
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Christmas Celebrations at Mount Wolseley

Posted: November 24th, 2008, 6:26am EST by orla
Image via Wikipedia
Mount Wolseley’s 2008 Christmas programme is jam packed with fun and festive delights for the whole family. From November 27th to January 4th, Mount Wolseley will once again play host to the 250m ice rink that has proved to be such a great success over the past two years. Mount Wolseley is the ideal location for your Christmas party with several dates and options available including a Christmas luncheon and a spin around the ice rink, perhaps topped off with a winter warming Irish Coffee or a mug of hot chocolate!

If donning your ice skates is totally out of the question, then why not treat yourself to a relaxing treatment at the hotel’s Sanctuary Spa or a round of golf on the championship 18-hole golf course designed by Christy O’Connor Jnr.

This New Year at Mount Wolseley Hotel guests can enjoy a lavish 5-course gala dinner, followed by Black Tie Ball and Fire Works Display to help ring in 2009…
Top 5 Christmas Party Locations with Self Catering Accommodation On-site:
- 5. Great Western Parklands at The Park Inn, Mulranny, Co. Mayo
- 4. Luxury Lodges at Farnham Estate, Cavan
- 3. Mount Falcon Estate, Co Mayo
- 2. The Lodges & Apartments at the Shannon Oaks Hotel, Portumna, Co Galway
- 1. Mount Wolseley Hotel, Spa and Country Club, Tullow, Co. Carlow
And finally, some Ice Skating from around the world!
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Top 5 Gifts This Festive Season

Posted: November 24th, 2008, 5:37am EST by orla
Image via Wikipedia
We are all little children inside, come Christmas morning! We are fooling ourselves by thinking that having that “must have” gift under the tree on Christmas morning isn’t what Christmas is all about. Of course that’s what Christmas is about! Christmas is about the only time of year you are guaranteed won’t be forgotten. You don’t have months of nationwide hype in the months leading up to your birthday, do you? No! So it can and quite often is somewhat forgotten, so when you are onto a sure thing like a gift at Christmas, it had better be a good one! Top 5 Gifts This Christmas (based on a survey of 12 ratio of men to women 1:11)
- IPhone
- Lingerie (for the ladies)
- Jewellery or a huge diamond to be exact and commitment to boot (trips to New York and a visit to Tiffany’s seems to be almost customary these days)
- Perfume (the more expensive the better - limited additions get extra brownie points)
- A romantic weekend away (romantic being the word chosen by the ladies in our office who do not have kids - so to rephrase that in my own words “an uninterrupted nights sleep”.
So there you have it, the number one present this year is a ”romantic” weekend away. And the consensus is that it doesn’t have to be Paris or Rome, particularly when we have such areas of outstanding beauty on our door step - the mountains and lakes of County Kerry, the spectacular Cliff’s of Moher in County Clare (cue that Tiffany’s diamond!), the cosmopolitan cities of Cork, Galway or Dublin and the beaches of County Wexford. Share and Enjoy:
Top 10 Self Catering Breaks this Christmas

Posted: November 24th, 2008, 5:37am EST by orla
The Lodges at The Shannon Oaks Hotel Looking for something cosy, seasonal and affordable this Christmas? Have a look: Top 10 Self Catering Breaks This Festive Season:
1. Anzère in Switzerland (French speaking in the heart of the Swiss Alps)
2. The Courtyard at Sheen Falls Lodge, Kenmare (Luxury accommodation with 5star hotel facilities)
3. Zermatt in Switzerland (Ultra-luxury German speaking ski paradise)
4. Jameson Court Apartment, Salthill, Co Galway (Brand new apartments ideally situated within easy walking distance to Galway City)
5. St Anton in Austria (Snowboarders Paradise)
6. The Luxury Lodges at Farnham Estate(Luxury in the heart of Cavan - a truely beautiful county that seems to have been forgotten)
7. Mount Wolseley Holiday Homes at Mount Wolseley Hotel, Spa and County Club(something for everyone - golf, spa, leisure centre and children’s playground)
8. Seafield Mews at Seafield Resort, Co Wexford (a brand new luxury retreat with hotel and spa onsite)
9. Inbhear Sceine Waterside Holiday Homes, Kenmare (a home away from home)
10. The Lodges at The Shannon Oaks Hotel, Portumna Co, Galway (cosy Alpine like Log Cabins on Lough Derg)
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Cosy Log Cabins

Posted: November 23rd, 2008, 3:30am EST by orla

Image by jackhynes via Flickr

I thought I would let you in on a little secret! Dream Ireland still has availability at their Lodges at the Shannon Oaks Hotel, Portumna, this Christmas. So if you want to spend this Christmas tucked away in a cosy log cabin, have your turkey and ham delivered to your door or indeed have Christmas Day lunch served to you for a change… Then this is the place to be this Christmas!
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Christmas Spirit in Killarney

Posted: November 20th, 2008, 5:18am EST by orla
Image by pensacolawinterfest via Flickr

Where will you find a Santa’s Grotto that shows children the real meaning of Christmas?

…Killarney!

For the past 3 years over 5,000 children have queued for hours, their excitement filling the air around Deenagh Lodge in the Killarney National Park. What could have these children so excited? Well, firstly they are waiting in anticipation to enter Santa’s Grotto, to meet Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves, but something makes this visit extra special - these kids are not anxious to see what gifts Santa has for them, instead, these special little children are helping Santa by bringing along a gift to add to Santa’s sleigh, so that less fortunate children throughout Kerry will wake up to the magic of Christmas spirit this Christmas morning. This coupled with the impromptu Christmas carolling (which in previous years has been initiated to help pass away the time) makes this the ideal way to begin your Christmas Season.

For anyone who is interested in taking part this year, dates for 2008 have been set as follows:
- Saturday 6th December, 2-5pm
- Sunday 7th December, 2-5pm
- Saturday 13th December, 2-5pm
- Sunday 14th December, 2-5pm
Arrive early to avoid long queuing times!

When your good deed for the day has been completed here and while you are in Christmas mode, why not take a stroll down Main Street where you will find the best of local food and crafts in Killarney’s very own Prague-like open air market! Whether you are looking for stocking fillers, ingredients for Christmas Day lunch or one more Christmas decoration, you’re sure to find it here…

While I am on the subject of Killarney and Christmas gifts, I have Christmas all wrapped up this year! “How?” I hear you ask! Well, High School Musical tickets will go down a treat with my 9 year old daughter (and she won’t have to wait for months to see the show as it is running from 7th to 18th January) - who’s the best mom in the world?!!

And not forgetting my favourite (and only) niece, she is so into Stephanie and Lazy Town that she will be over the moon to hear she will be going to a live show in March (just so long as she doesn’t ask me to accompany her!). There is loads more happening throughout the year so have a look at the Irish National Events Centre (INEC) websiteand pop a little bit of excitement into someones Christmas stocking this year! Shows include:
- Disney’s Classic Beauty and the Beast
- Ireland’s Largest Ever Under 18’s Event featuring Cascada
- the gorgeous and very entertaining Shayne Ward
- New Years Eve with Sharon Shannon, Mundy and Shane McGowen
- Disney’s High School Musical Live Show
- and much much more throughout 2009
Self-Catering Accommodation in Killarney this Christmas
Finally, I’ll leave you with this Christmas in Killarney Jingle!

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