Showband and country music fans - here is a chance to spend a weekend with some of Ireland's favourites. The venue is the Isle of Man, the date, October bank holiday, and the stars include Brendan Bowyer, Roly Daniels, Philomena Begley, the Country Kings, and the Bards. Prices from £119 for three nights B & B and show tickets. Details from Isle of Man Holidays, 25 Eden Quay, Dublin 1. Tel: 01-8787522.
Two autumn/winter brochures, Discover Ireland and Breakaways, are available this week offering terrific value for short breaks in Ireland. The Discover Ireland brochure from Bord Failte, available from tourist offices and travel agents, has 150 pages of ideas for holidays in hotels, guesthouses, town and country homes, farmhouses, barges, boats and self-catering accommodation. Prices from £40 per person. Activity holidays are also featured.
The Breakaways programme from the Northern Ireland Tourist Board has special value for visitors from the South. They will continue their pound for pound sterling offer as an added incentive. Prices start at £39 per person for two nights in B & B accommodation with one dinner or £69 per person sharing in a top hotel. Or you could rent a cottage from £110 for four. Festival season is beginning in Northern Ireland. The Belfast Festival is October 27th November 12th. Derry's Magical Hallowe'en Carnival is October 28th - 31st, Racing at Down Royal November 10th/11th, and two film festivals - Foyle Film, November 12th-21st, and Cinemagic Belfast, November 30th - December 10th.
Brochures from NITB, 16 Nassau Street, Dublin 2. Tel: 1850-230230.
Eurosites has brought out an Irish brochure for continental campsite holidays for summer 2001. Eurosites has luxury tents and mobile homes across France, Spain, Italy, Corsica, Sardinia, Holland and Luxembourg. Prices are based on a family or a group of up to six and begin at £349, for May. Brochures are available from your local travel agent or by ringing 1850232322.
Joan Scales can be contacted at jscales@irish-times.ie