Free ferries for students off to college

IT'S A FREE WORLD:STENA LINE has free places for students going to university across the sea. This is the seventh year Stena Line has run its Students Go Free campaign and it is for anyone starting university or returning for the new term. An adult travelling on any of Stena Line's five Irish Sea routes from €79 single can bring a car full of students for free. stenaline.ie

Catch: It's only valid midweek and you have to book 28 days in advance.

Take note: Irish Ferries has a deal where if you book a holiday to France before August 31st you get a free crossing to Britian for two adults, as well as luxury cabins and free live shows on board. See irishferries.com for details.

TOUR AMERICAis offering Kids Eat Free cards with holidays to Orlando in Florida.

The cards allow one child to eat for nothing for every adult meal bought in around 160 participating restaurants, mostly in Universal Park, International Drive, Kissimmee, Lake Buena Vista, and the Sand Lake Road areas.

Seven nights in Orlando in November costs from €519pp staying at the Rosen Inn Plaza at Pointe Orlando.

Catch: To get the Kids Eat Free card – which normally costs €12 – you have to buy an attractions ticket from Tour America with your holiday. The cheapest one, which allows unlimited access to SeaWorld and Aquatica, costs €92 for an adult and €86 for a child for 14 days

Take note: touramerica.ie or call 01 817 3500

THERE ARE LOTSof free events being held all over the country for Heritage Week including a ranger-led walk in Ballycroy National Park in Co Mayo on August 26th. Booking is essential for the four-hour hike across wet and boggy ground and only over 16s are allowed. For more information contact the visitor centre for information 098 49888

Other events around the country include a Burren heritage walk on August 28th (phone 049 9526121). There are also free guided tours of a number of historic houses and gardens including free entry into the Vandeleur walled garden in Kilrush, Co Clare, where there are butterfly hunts for kids all week until the 28th For more information email info@vandeleurwalledgarden.ie. Dublin Garden Squares Day focuses on St Stephen’s Green on August 27th and will include walks and performances by Tango Argentino (DublinCivictrust.com). For a list of events see heritageweek.ie

Catch: Not all Heritage Week events are free, so do your homework before you set out.

Take note: If Blues, Roots and Bluegrass is your scene then the 17th Guinness International Bluegrass Festival in Dunmore East, Co Waterford from 25th to 28th August is, according to the organisers, Ireland's largest free Bluegrass festival.

The line-up includes Knotty Pine, Little Ass Birds, Mikey and The Scallywags, Mons Wheeler Band and Gypsy Rebel Rabble.