The other travel news stories of the day in brief...
Chocolate box cottages
If you like your holiday let to be of the chocolate-box variety, the Cottage Collection might be worth a look. Trident Holiday Homes has a selection of cottages all over the country. Mixed in with cosy traditional cottages are more modern detached bungalows and working farmhouses big enough for families. High on the picturesque barometer is the Stewards House, an old stone cottage on the Fortgranite Estate, in Baltinglass, Co Wicklow. Sleeping four, it costs €688 for seven nights in high season; in low season the price is €432. Families who like the idea of staying on a working farm might go for Windmill House, a four-bedroom holiday home in Co Wexford that starts at €367 per week.
Bargains on the web
We like the look of justgo.ie, a new website that’s taking advantage of the bargain- basement prices at Irish hotels to offer good last-minute deals. It’s an easy-to-work site, with holidays broken down into eight categories, including romantic, spa breaks and family breaks. We found a good deal for a family of four at the Days Hotel in Kilkenny, with dinner, bed and breakfast for €198. Worth a browse.