Page 033 Destination Ireland 16/09/2013 10:42 Page 1
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OCTOBER 2013 PAGE 33
DESTINATION IRELAND GATHERING The Idea of repeating the Gathering will be discussed in 2014. Hotels Federation president Michael Vaughan (right) wrote “we have witnessed small communities and local groups embrace a new dynamic of Tourism of the People ATTRACTIONS Many Irish tourist
attractions reported visitor numbers were up 19pc, with passenger numbers at some cruise ports up by 50pc. These include Dublin Zoo (+18.2pc), the Guinness Storehouse (+6.5pc), the Cliffs of Moher (pictured below, +10pc), Fota Wildlife Park (+15pc), the Rock of Cashel (+5pc), and Kilmainham Gaol (+3pc). Limerick’s King John’s Castle was not on the list but may have enjoyed the most spectacular increase of all. Cork was top of the cruise earnings list with more than 40m in spend (calculated rather crudely at 70 a passenger) as 135,000 visitors on 61 ships visited, up 50pc from 88,000 passengers in 2012.
A thatched bus in Dubin city: the latest project by storytelling ireland.
Semi de-thatched
Síofra Corry samples a unique folklore tour of Dublin
N
ot many people can say they spent an evening roaming around in a double decker bus decked out as a thatched roof cottage. I consider myself one of the privileged few. While this may make you think I have a rather strange idea of enjoyable afternoon activities, I assure you it was for a purpose. Folklore and fairytales on Dublin’s Folklore bus was that purpose. Running nightly at 7:15, the tour is great for getting a bit of Irish culture into you. The inside of our travelling
cottage is decked out like a pub, including it’s very own bar. The interior was homey and atmospheric,and the singers entertaining,as they told us stories of old Myths and sang us songs. Mermen and fisherman tales by the sea, Fairies in the forest.
The Dublin Folklore bus tour gives a great foundation in Irish, and somehow manages to make Dublin seem quaint and magical, qualities the city normally lacks. The actors do a brilliant job, and the tour is just long enough to keep you amused.
■ The thatched bus, the first in the world commenced tours of Dublin city this summer. The Folklore and Fairytale Tour of Dublin is run by Extreme Ireland and Hidden Dublin hose acclaimed Gravedigger tour was recently voted one of the most unique experiences in the world by Vayable.com ■ Address: Office 37, Guinness Enterprise Centre | Taylors Lane, Dublin Dublin 8, Ireland www.traditionalirishstorytelling.com
CSO figures for May to July showed record
20.5pc growth from North America putting Ireland on course to beat the record of 1.028,000 American visitors in 2007. Long haul was up 11.9pc, mainland Europe up 5pc and Britain up 3.3pc. Trips by Irish residents abroad were up 3.2pc to 1,999,200..
CORK city's scare house walk-through attraction the Nightmare Realm, reopens its doors on Albert Quay, from October 4th.
FAILTE Ireland held a series of sales
drives organised by Fáilte Ireland in the coming weeks to give 300 Irish tourism operators access to overseas tour operators.
CORK Convention Bureau hosted members of the Society of Incentive Travel Executives during a two day visit to showcase the region’s business tourism offering.
GREENWAY The proposed Collooney to Claremorris Greenway hit an ownership snag over section of the disused Galway-Sligo railway line.
LITTER The annual survey by Irish Business Against Litter reported that Dublin and Cork city are "clean to European norms" and that Cavan is Ireland’s cleanest town.
WATER TAXI A new water taxi launched from Ballyvaughan to Galway.
HERITAGE Research conducted by specialist heritage insurer Ecclesiastical Ireland found Newgrange (38pc) is regarded as the site of greatest historical importance to Ireland followed by the GPO (12pc). Newgrange was the nation’s favourite heritage site with 15pc of the vote, followed by Glendalough (9pc), Cliffs of Moher (8pc), the Rock of Cashel (5pc) and the Burren (5pc). Castles were our preferred heritage sites for visiting (32pc); followed by country manors and estate houses (17pc); museums (12pc); round towers and monastic sites (10pc) and cathedrals and churches (9pc).
This is the first season for the thatched bus.
IRISH pub owners and managers from around the world will gather in the Burlington on September 30th for a three-day event.