Galway Advertiser 2005/2005_03_24/GA_2403_E1_028.pdf 

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28 F E A T U R E S

GALWAY ADVERTISER

March 24 2005

HOLIDAY SPECIALS
Long haul offers
There has never been such good value for long haul destinations and special rates for honeymooners or anyone planning a special holiday. Malaysia: Stay at the 5-star Mutiara Beach Resort for 12 nights in a de luxe room for 1,255pps. Maldives: The 4star Kuramathi Cottage Club is on offer for 1,119pp on a half board basis. Thailand: Enjoy three nights at the 3-star Fortune Hotel Bangkok and fly down to Koh Samui for nine nights at the 4-star Amari Palm Reef Hotel B&B. Aruba: The 3-star Holiday Inn Sunspree is available in Aruba for 999 for seven nights room only. All holiday offers are available between April and June. Taxes/insurance extra. For further details contact Fahy Travel Worldchoice (091) 594747.

BREAK-AWAY
TRAVEL WITH JULIE TIERNEY

Launching the Connemara loop
A new initiative aimed at enhancing tourism in northwest Connemara was launched by the Minister for Gaeltacht, Community and Rural Affairs Eamon O'Cuiv in Renvyle House Hotel on Sunday. Go Connemara is a group marketing initiative involving 120 businesses in this region working together to create a new amenity for Connemara and to promote the area as a holiday destination throughout the year. The initiative is funded entirely by the members and is run on a non-profit basis. The 80km Connemara Loop which will be clearly signposted includes Maam Cross, Maam, Leenane, Killary Fjord, Lettergesh, Tullycross, Tully, Renvyle, Derryinver, Letterfrack, Kylemore, the Inagh Valley, and Recess, and all areas in between. It is the perfect year-round holiday destination for a week, a weekend, or a month for families, couples, and backpackers of all ages. Follow the Loop and be taken on a journey through an ever changing landscape of majestic mountains, spectacular beaches, the wild Atlantic, mist covered lakes, pre-historic bogs, and shady glens. The landscape is peppered with quaint but lively villages where all the conveniences of the modern day are available along with an opportunity to step back in time to a more relaxed and friendly era. The website -- www.goconnemara.com -- designed by Robert Bates and Kate O'Reilly has been developed to promote the region and includes everything you require to plan a holiday. The website will also highlight upcoming events both on the Loop and in Connemara, together with a directory of all businesses along the route and is complemented by a brochure designed by Caroline McAleer. Included in this scenic Connemara Loop are some of the region's biggest tourist attractions including the Kylemore Abbey, the Connemara National Park, Killary Fjord, historical and archaeological sites, boat cruises, adventure activities, eateries, a great selection of accommodation, events and festivals, stunning walks, and beautiful beaches. For further information contact the chairman of Go Connemara Mairead Tucker at 087 6758709 or e-mail mairead@sosgalway.com

Queen Mary 2 maiden Irish voyage
Journey to the fjords aboard the Queen Mary 2 in her maiden call to Ireland for nine nights from June 17. Cruise itinerary includes: Dunmore East, Ireland, Invergordon, Scotland, cruising the North Sea, Aalessund, Hellesylt, Bergen, Stavanger, Norway. Prices start from 1,669. Price includes accommodation and all on board meals and entertainment. Further details from 1 Stop Travel (091) 532707.

Rosemary Conneely, Sunnymeade B&B, and Maureen Walsh, Avoca Craft Shop, Go Connemara committee members.

Take off from Knock International Airport in style
Knock International Airport has launched a competition to win a fabulous Peugeot 206 convertible. This exciting competition will see one lucky winner drive away in a fieryred Peugeot 206 convertible worth more than 29,000. Sales and marketing manager Knock International Airport Desmond O'Flynn said the airport is very excited about this impressive car competition: "The Peugeot 206 convertible is an exciting stylish car which we believe reflects modern, vibrant, and dynamic Knock International Airport. Similar car competitions are run in airports around the world and we felt it was time for Knock to also offer our customers the opportunity to win such a fantastic car." All passengers and visitors to the airport are eligible to enter the competition by purchasing tickets at the airport. The competition will run until May 31 and the car will be on display in the airport check-in area for the duration of the promotion. The winner will be announced in June. Tickets cost 10 each or six for 50 and will be available at the airport check-in area. In addition, customers who spend more than 50 in the retail or catering area of Knock International Airport will receive one free 10 ticket.

Prague offer
Aran Travel has an excellent special offer to Prague during the month of April. Packages from 299pp + tax include direct flights from Cork/Dublin with Czech Airlines, two night's hotel accommodation in the 5-star Corinthia Towers B&B (extra night 65pp), and transfers can be arranged on request at 25pp. Valid for travel from April 1 to 14.

At the launch of Knock International Airport's first ever car competition were (l-r): Proprietors of McCarrick's Garage Michael Kerrigan and Seamus McSorley, market development executive Knock International Airport Maria Staunton, and head of catering and retail Knock International Airport John McCarthy.

WEATHER
THURSDAY
An unsettled day with a few bright spells, it will be cloudier at times, with showers, some heavy with a risk of thunder. Blustery with a brisk south-westerly wind. Max temp 15C (59F).

SATURDAY
Breezy with rain, some heavy.
13

SUNDAY
Windy with showers, heavy at times.

Clifden
13

Tuam
14

High Tide in Galway
Thursday March 24 04.31 Friday March 25 05.00 Saturday March 26 05.30 Sunday March 27 06.59 Monday March 28 07.32 Tuesday March 29 08.07 Wednesday March 30 08.45 16.52 17.21 17.49 19.19 19.51 20.26 21.06

GALWAY
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experienced failure of its diesel engine. The vessel with one person on board was taken in tow and brought safely to Glenina pier. The Lifeboat was back on station and ready for service again at 20:30. (Aodhan Fitzgerald)

14

Ballinasloe

Phases of the Moon
Friday March 25 -- Full Moon

MONDAY
Showers or longer spells of rain.

20
Noon Thursday
14

20

FRIDAY
It will be a rather windy day with brisk southerly winds. However, it will be bright with sunny spells and a slight risk of blustery showers. Max temp 15C (59F).
Information supplied by PA Weather Centre

TUESDAY
Further showers, some heavy.

Galway Lifeboat news
The Galway Life boat had one service launch in the past two weeks, Pagers were activated at 18.07 on Wednesday March 9 as a vessel was reported in difficulty off Black Head Co Clare. The Lifeboat was launched at 18.15 and arrived at the scene at 18.37. The vessel in difficulty was a rigid inflatable which was en-route from Spanish point to Glenina pier when it

Galway ship movements
The BBC Mexico with machinery for Tynagh departs today (Thursday); the Antina arrived from Avonmouth last evening. The oil tankers Allurity and the Tees Fisher arrive on Friday.

WEDNESDAY
Sunny spells and scattered showers.