TRAVEL
Home & Away with Robert Walshe A number of charities in Ireland have reported a huge increase in abandoned pets since Christmas and the early part of the New Year. The recession is thought to be the main reason why so many people are abandoning their pets. Many pets are also being put to sleep due to their owner’s inability to afford medical treatment. 80% of vets surveyed confirmed that an owner has declined treatment due to the costs involed. The cost of insurance cover has come down and owners can now take out a basic policy for the cost of less than a year’s mobile phone insurance. Ireland’s newest entrant to the pet insurance market, PetInsurance.ie which is brought to the market by Irish owned Blue Insurances Ltd, has reported an increase in sales since December 2010 when a lot of families have added a new pet to their family however, many owners that do not choose to take insurance are left with the distressing choice of having to put their pet to sleep due to being unable to afford medical treatment. With the average claim coming in at approximately €600 and rising to up to €5,000 over the lifetime of the pet, it is clear to see why pet owners should choose to cover these costs. www.petinsurance.ie
Weekend Hotspot
Rathmullan House, Co Donegal is an elegant 1820s mansion set on a three-mile stretch of sandy beach, one of the best in the county. Built as the summer residence of the Knox family, it has been owned and run as a hotel by the Wheeler brothers and their wives since the mid-1960s. Right by gorgeous Loch Swilly, the hotel is moments from a sandy beach and Rathmullan, one of the prettiest villages in Donegal. Every one of the 32 ensuite bedrooms is different, each one with its own individual décor, appropriate antiques and the most splendidly comfortable beds. All budgets and
tastes are catered for with superior rooms, standard rooms, single rooms and interconnecting rooms for families - and even a special doggie room, complete with its own bed! Downstairs a series of interconnecting living-rooms, including a library and a bar, have expansive sofas, roaring fires and in the spring & summer months there’s a cellar bar and terrace. The hotel’s award-winning Weeping Elm restaurant is one of Co Donegal’s finest which is overseen by the Wheeler family personally collaborating closely with the hotel gardener, on seasonal produce. From their 50th anniversary menu I selected hand dived Mulroy Bay scallops with crubbens, celeriac remoulade for starters and for main course I still think of the roast rump and crispy sweetbread of Rathmullan lamb with wild garlic, morel mushrooms, gratin potatoes, lamb jus. . Locally caught fish and seafood are specialties and the fillet of Donegal beef with fondant potatoes is highly recommended also. To work off all that excessive eating you can enjoy the heated indoor pool, steam room and Dr Hauschka holistic treatments, available in-room. For those lucky enough to spend an extra long weekend at Rathmullan House remember you can explore the mountains, lakes and woods in nearby Glenveagh National Park, or take your pick from Donegal’s 1,000km of staggeringly beautiful coastline. The coastal path at Horn Head, a short drive away, combines miles of deserted white sand beach with breathtaking cliff top views. Last minute offers from Rathmullan include. 1 Night’s Dinner, B&B in a Standard Double Room from €125 pps with an upgrade from an extra €15 per person Rathmullan House is a leading member of. Ireland’s Blue Book a divine collection of Irish Country House Hotels,
Pet’s Corner...
n Rathmullan n Rathmullan beach
Manor Houses, Castles and Restaurants. Located throughout the island of these charming and stylish hideaways are the perfect choices for your staycation. Remember you can choose from over 40 elegant Georgian manors, stately castles, historic hotels, cozy B+B accommodations, luxury boutique hotels and designer lodges. Ireland’s Blue Book is also a member of Historic Hotels of Europe. http:// www.irelands-blue-book.ie/ rathmullan.htm
Weekly Best Buy
Now reopen after its seasonal closure, Parknasilla Resort has a selection of excellent online offers to tempt guests to the iconic estate set like a jewel overlooking the Atlantic in the lovely Kerry countryside. The advance purchase reopening packages are available to book until 31st May and the stay must take place before 30th June 2011. Guests to Parknasilla Resort can indulge in the advance purchase packages which include a 2 night bed and breakfast and 1 evening meal deal from just €159 per person sharing or book 3 nights bed and breakfast and 2 evening meals from just €229 per person sharing. Parknasilla Resort blends the best of old and new – combining the charm, distinctiveness and glamour of a golden era
House
n Rathmullan House living room
with the highest of modern standards in sophistication and luxury. To book these special advance purchase offers, visit www.parknasillahotel. ie. Irish Ferries has a pleasant surprise in store for all those Easter bunnies sailing to the UK or France over the holiday period. On services to France, one way fares for a car plus two adults begin from EUR109 (seats only) and EUR168 (with cabin) while those going to the UK can travel from EUR107 one way, again for a car plus 2 adults, providing they book 21 days in advance and can travel on two midweek night sailings throughout April .Bookings can be made on-line at www. rishferries.com Robert Walshe is a freelance contributor / broadcaster and is guest travel writer for River Media newspaper titles across the island of Ireland
with Kathleen Murray
with Kathleen Murray: Animal Behavioural Therapist
Hot, dry spells of weather
Weather is something we need to be prepared for. Cool days are great for getting things done but sometimes we get exhausted in the heat and need to rest and drink more water. It’s easier to work in the evening again when it’s cool. It’s the same for animals. Animals are worse off than us as many of them have thick fur coats. Can you imagine trying to do things in hot weather with a fur coat, scarf and hat on? Animals with fur need to find a cool shaded place to rest from the sun. They need lots of fresh, cool
water available at all times and many of them don’t eat during the day, they prefer to eat in the evening. Dogs and cats especially that are living in enclosed cement yards can die from exhaustion. Animals cannot tolerate the same temperatures as us so, while we enjoy sitting in the car behind the glass, enjoying the heat of the sun, dogs can die from that. If you are going shopping or have to take your dog somewhere during the daytime in hot weather then park the car in a very cool, shaded spot (under trees or near a high
wall) so that the sun can’t get into the car. Leave windows down a bit to let air in. It is always dodgy leaving a car with windows down a little in case of theft but your dog can’t be in a hot car so there’s no choice. Dogs are great defenders of cars so a thief will be warned by a barking dog if they try to steal something. Unfortunately, dog theft is rife also so you may need to get someone to watch the car for a few minutes if you are running into a shop for something. Make sure that your dog is micro-chipped so that, in the
Living
event of it being lost or stolen, it can be scanned and hopefully returned unharmed. Animals in fields can benefit from having a tree to stand under also, as this is preferred by the animal in hot weather or rain. Remember also that the sun moves so at different times of the day the sun will be in different places in your yard or garden. Allow for this if you are going away and leaving an animal outdoors. Animals get sunburn also and skin cancer so please watch over them as they can’t do it for themselves.
Home and Away Extra The Dorchester Hotel in London is to celebrate its 80th anniversary in a unique collaboration with international charity Trees for Cities (TfC) by planting 80 ‘Future Great Trees’ in London. The Dorchester’s listed plane tree has graced the entrance to Mayfair’s most famous address for80 years, and was designated one of the Great Trees of London by TfC in 1997. Inspired by this landmark tree, the hotel’s 80th Anniversary celebration will see 15 Future Great Trees planted in Mayfair and St. James’s to form The Dorchester Anniversary Walk. A The Dorchester opened on Park Lane in April 1931. For 80 years The Dorchester Plane Tree has witnessed illustrious moments in London’s history played out at the hotel. Archive footage recording key moments from the hotel’s past - such as Prince Philip celebrating his stag night in the Park Suite the night before his marriage to Princess Elizabeth – has been launched on The Dorchester’s website on www.thedorchester.com/80thanniversary. The Dorchester will be unveiling a number of ways guests can participate in the 80th Anniversary celebrations and support the planting legacy over the next few months. For example on the official anniversary, 18 April 2011, a commemorative cocktail will be launched by Bar Manager Giuliano Morandin - the perfect way to toast the occasion. This year The Dorchester will also renovate a number of suites under the design direction of Alexandra Champalimaud refreshing the hotels inherently British, classic residential style.