Galway Advertiser 2004/2004_07_15/GA_1507_E1_020.pdf 

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20 F E A T U R E S

GALWAY ADVERTISER

July 15 2004

HOLIDAY SPECIALS
Carefree in the Caribbean
Travel to the popular Rex St Lucia resort for eight nights for 1,375 per person. Located on the luxurious island of St Lucia, Rex St Lucian is a relaxed resort and is very popular with families. This package from Martina Forde Travel also includes breakfast. Flights are from Dublin and via Manchester with BWIA Airlines, and tax and insurance are extra. Offer open until July 31, valid for travel until August 24. Contact Martina Forde Travel at (091) 566866.

BREAK-AWAY
TRAVEL WITH SINEAD MCGOVERN

BYGONES
July 21: On this day in 1944, officers of the Wehrmacht attempted to overthrow the Nazi regime and assassinate Adolf Hitler; but the briefcase containing Claus Von Stauffenberg's bomb was moved before detonation, so Hitler survived. The officers' attempted coup was soon reversed; the most brutal reprisals were taken against the plotters, who are held to have belatedly redeemed the honour of the Prussian aristocracy. July 24: This is the feast day of St Declan, an early fifth-century Irish bishop who founded the church at Ardmore; the site of a holy well; a stone on the beach is known as St Declan's stone. Pilgrims still come to Ardmore during this week. Here is an account of the celebration in 1826: `Several thousand persons of all ages and sexes assembled upon this occasion...At an early hour in the day, those whom religious feeling had drawn to the spot commenced their devotional exercises (in a state of half nudity) by passing under the holy rock of St Declan. This was not effected without considerable pain and difficulty, owing to the narrowness of the passage and the sharpness of the rocks within. Stretched at full length on the ground, on the face and stomach, each devotee moved forward, as if in the act of swimming, and thus squeezed or dragged themselves through. Both sexes were obliged to this humiliating mode of proceeding; and upwards of eleven hundred persons were observed to go through this ceremony in the course of the day. In the course of time, the grave of the saint has sunk by over four feet as its clay has been scooped away by pious Catholics.' This day is also Pioneer Day in Utah, as it commemorates the arrival of the Mormon settlers in the valley of the Great Salt Lake in 1847.

Travel Tasters -- around the world with our local travel agents

Dubai delights
Dubai is a destination becoming more popular each year for a winter sunshine break, honeymoons, and also a popular stop off en route to Australia. It is an ideal destination for a honeymoon because it can be combined with other islands, ie, Maldives, Seychelles, Mauritius, or Thailand, explains Teresa Flannery of Fahy Travel.
luxurious hotels, sunshine all year round, clear blue skies, blue sea, and long white sandy beaches, superb water sports, and excellent golf courses, what else could you ask for? If you get tired of sitting by the pool or beach the Wild Wadi Waterpark is a day not to be missed. Situated beside the famous Jumeriah Beach Hotel, the waterpark is suited to both adults and children where there are hours of fun to be enjoyed. After a day spent in the sun you can head for the shops and stay shopping till late in the huge malls, spice souks, or gold souks. Dubai is a unique holiday adventure. There is a wide variety of excellent restaurants offering a varied your tour rep or through the hotel Dubai is a place not to be missed. For holiday information on concierge. choice of menu. Dubai is a unique holiday Dubai phone Fahy Travel at (091) You can aslo enjoy some or e-mail Arabian experiences, ie, desert adventure covering the entire 594747 of activities. So info@fahytravel.ie safaris, sand skiing, camel racing, spectrum etc, which can be booked with whatever your holiday needs

Summer cruisin'
Fancy taking to the high seas for your summer break? Then the Aran Travel five star cruise package could be just what you are looking for. With prices starting from 1,265.00, the package includes return flights with British Airways to New York, one night in the Howard Johnson Hotel, and seven nights full board on the Celebrity five star ship Zenith from New Y ork. Ports of call include Hamilton, Bermuda, and St George Island. Travel tax and optional insurance extra. Please call Aran Travel at (091) 562595.

I travelled to Dubai in August and it was hot, very hot, but I didn't mind as we stayed in the Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa 5star hotel on the beach, so whenever it got too hot we could cool down in the sea or return to our air conditioned hotel. In Dubai you are spoilt with

Romance calls
A package currently available from McDonagh Travel includes return midweek flights from Dublin with Air France, four nights accommodation in a two star hotel with buffet breakfast included, return transfer to and from the airport to the city centre, a one hour cruise on the Seine, and a complimentary map and guidebook of the city. Prices start from 329, exclusive of tax and insurance. Contact McDonagh Travel on (091) 565931.

See Gort from a new angle
Forget the leaning tower of Pisa! Not many people know it, but Galway has one to equal it - the round tower at Kilmacduagh. One of the most complete and best preserved towers in Ireland, it is almost 112 feet tall, 56 feet in circumference and leans two feet out of the perpendicular. Experts differ as to the date of its construction. Some say it was built in the 10th century, but George Petrie maintained it was constructed in the early seventh century. The doorway into the leaning tower measures 6 feet 10 inches high is 26 feet from the ground, and it was through here that the monks climbed with their valuables to hide them from the Vikings who raided Kilmacduagh at least twice in 866. They landed at Maree and Kinvara and made their way inland.

Discover Gort
The leaning tower at Kilmacduagh is just one of the interesting sights Gort has to offer. For more information about the tower, or other attractions such as Coole Park the home of Lady Gregory, or the old forge building immortalised on a stone plaque by Yeats on the wall at Thoor Ballylee, contact Deirdre O'Neill at the Gort Heritage Centre on (091) 630237 or email gortheritage@extn.galwaycoco.ie. The leaning tower at Kilmacduagh .

WEATHER
THURSDAY
Rain will clear away southeastwards during the morning to leave a mainly dry and bright afternoon. A gentle westerly wind. Max temp 18-19C (64-66F).

SATURDAY
Clouding over with a risk of rain.

High Tide in Galway

5
Clifden
15

SUNDAY
Largely dry with sunny periods.

Tuam
15

FRIDAY

MONDAY
Sunny spells, but with a

A bright day with sunny few showers. spells, but there may be a few isolated showers. TUESDAY A gentle south-west Dry and warm with sunny wind. Max temp periods. 19-20C (66-68F).

GALWAY
16

Thursday July 15 Friday July 16 Saturday July 17 Sunday July 18 Monday July 19 Tuesday July 20 Wednesday July 21

04.46 05.29 06.10 06.48 07.23 08.00 08.36

17.03 17.42 18.20 18.55 19.30 20.05 20.42.

Phases of the Moon

Ballinasloe
15

Saturday July 17 -- New Moon

10
Noon Thursday

Galway ship movements
The Solent Fisher arrives today from Whitegate; the Orahope arrive from Pembroke on Saturday; the Rathrowan docks on Monday from Petitcouronne and the Bounder from Sligo on Wednesday next.

WEDNESDAY
Information supplied by PA Weather Centre

Fine and warm with plenty of sunshine.

5