Sterling May not be very good value for us at the moment, but a weekend in Northern Ireland certainly is. Where would you get it? Two nights bed and breakfast in lovely hotels from £49-£69. Even better value, B & Bs at £30-£35 for two nights, including the Ulster Fry. If you rather cook your own fry then a lovely cottage will only cost £25 per person for two nights, based on four sharing. You can get the new brochure from the Northern Ireland Tourist Board at 16 Nassau Street, Dublin 2 or callsave 1850 230230.
The best way to see the Republic for students or those on a budget is to use An Oige . You can travel all around Ireland, stay seven nights in lovely hostels, travel by bus and all it will cost is £159.95. An Oige has 36 hostels located in some of the most picturesque places in Ireland. For more details contact them at 61 Mountjoy Square, Dublin 1. Tel: (01) 830 4555.
MANY IRISH holidaymakers have discovered the beauty of and as a result of increased number of visitors from Ireland the Tunisian National Tourist office has opened an information centre. In the last two years Irish visitors to Tunisia increased by 61 per cent.
Tunisia has many unique attractions beside its miles of beaches, archaeological sites, quality golf courses, fascinating towns, bustling souks and of course, the Sahara, where you can go on desert excursions. Requests for information on Tunisia can be sent to 4th floor Harcourt Centre, 50-53 Harcourt Street, Dublin 2 or telephone (01) 407 0060.
DUCHAS, THE Heritage Service, is the State body responsible for the protection and conservation of Ireland's natural and built heritage. Sites under their care include parks, monuments, gardens, stately homes and canals. They have recently launched a Heritage Card campaign to encourage people to visit as many sites as possible. The card gives unlimited access for a year, and costs £15 for individuals, with reductions for children and senior citizens. Best value is the Family Card at £36 for a year. You can order a card from freefone 1800 600 601. The Duchas website is also worth a look on http:// www.heritageireland.ie.
SLATTERY'S Travel has been in the business of escorting people all over the world for many years. David and Betty are going to personally escort their newest tour this year and it promises to be fascinating. This 18-day tour of will also incorporate a four-day cruise on the Yangtze River and two nights in Hong Kong. The tour departs in September and costs from £2,559. Other tours on offer from Slattery's Travel include the best of Australia South America, Highlights of Japan, Dixieland Discovery to name a few. You can obtain a brochure from your local travel agent, or from 1 Russell Street, Tralee, Co Kerry, or callsave 1850 673 673.
OTHER Slatterys are making their mark in Kerry too, no relation to the above, but Frank and Mary Slattery have opened a lovely country house and restaurant in Killorglin.
Called the Carrig House, it is located at Caragh Lake. This lovely Victorian house overlooks the lake. Rates are from £43-£63 per person sharing, and from time to time they have some special offers. Tel: (066) 69100.