The Maryborough House Hotel (021) 365555 is a new addition to the Cork hotel scene. In Douglas, just about 10 minutes from the city centre you enter a life of tranquility and style. Formerly a private home, the Maryborough, has been transformed into an oasis of comfort and luxury.
Set in its own landscaped grounds, it provides all the comforts and luxuries for a getaway-from-it-all holiday. The original house has been carefully restored and a new block built which blends in well. Zings restaurant sets just a right note in modern cuisine, light but very tasty.
The hotel also has a beautiful swimming pool and for the more active a fully equipped gym. Extensive conference and meeting rooms facilities have made the Maryborough very popular with weddings in Cork. Weekends cost from £110 per person, and three-night specials including dinner from £165.
The growth of traffic on the Irish Sea in the last five years has been such that Irish Ferries announced this week that they are building another new ferry for the Dublin/ Holyhead route. The ship will be built in Western Australia, and will be aimed at the tourist market with capacity for 800 passengers and 200 cars. It will be a twin-hulled catarmaran design vessel with a speed of 39 knots, which will cut crossing time to under two hours.
The Isle of Inismore was launched in 1997, and the Isle of Inisfree
Have you always hated Christmas and wished to do something different for this extended holiday?
Why not see Christmas from a different aspect, the ceiling of the world - the Andes. Ecuador is a small country, but offers an incredible variety of cultures, landscapes and climates. This 17-day trip from Dublin will take you to Quito, the second highest capital in the world - which will be your base. Touring out from Quito you will get to see many places in this country. Trekking in the High Andes, visiting Indian villages, river rafting, hot springs, and joining in the festivities.
The Blasket Islands as seen from Mount Eagle with Dun Caoin in the foreground
A section of the village on Great Blaket, with Eagle mountain on the mainland in the background
You will arrive back home just in time to celebrate New Year. Alps and Andes Travel are putting together a small group for this Christmas adventure, and you can get details from them on (01) 492 3563 or write to 338 Harold's Cross Road, Dublin 6W.
JWT launched its Winter Sun brochure last week, and if you stayed home this summer, then the wet miserable weather of the last month is probably enough to make even the hardened want to go away. And why not? There is nothing more refreshing than a winter sun holiday, guaranteed to banish all the SAD. Just imagine lazing on sandy beaches in the glorious sunshine when at home it's wet, cold and miserable. You can choose from Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Portugal Costa Del Sol.
Flights from Cork for Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. JWT has a large selection of packages from two star self catering to five star hotels, with prices starting at £239 for one week. Brochure from your local travel agent.
The Heathrow Express train has finally reached the Airport and is the fastest way into central London. Eleven minutes in comfort and high speed luxury right into Paddington Station. Follow the signs at the airport, £10 each way.