Belfast International Airport (BFS) is located approximately 11 kilometres from Antrim and 21.3 km northwest of Belfast in Northern Ireland. It was formerly known as (and is still referred to) Aldergrove Airport , after the village of the same name which lies immediately to the west of the airport. Belfast Airport is connected by bus and coach services, rental cars and taxis to the city as well as to other parts of the country.

By Bus

There are three bus operators which provide regular services to the wider Northern Ireland and intercountry public transport networks. The buses and coaches take off from the front of the terminal building to Belfast, Lisburn and Londonderry.

Airport Express 300 runs a 24 hour service between the airport and Belfast city. On weekdays, the buses depart every 15 minutes for the majority of the day, with reduced frequencies at off peak times and weekends. The bus leaves from the bus stop located opposite the terminal exit. Approximate journey time is 30-40 minutes.

• From the Airport to Belfast: All coaches will travel from Belfast International Airport, stopping at Templepatrick, Royal Avenue, and the Belfast Europa Buscentre.
• From Belfast to the Airport: From the Belfast Europa Buscentre stopping at Templepatrick and Belfast International Airport.

The Ulsterbus (109A) service operates between Lisburn Rail Station, Belfast International Airport and Antrim Buscentre which is situated next to Antrim Train Station. Buses run hourly from 06:00 – 18:00, Monday to Saturday

Airporter operates a scheduled coach service between Belfast International and the North west seven days a week.

By Train

There is no direct rail link to the airport. The closest train station is in the nearby town of Antrim, which is approximately 9.7 km from Belfast International Airport.  Services to/from Belfast, Lisburn and Londonderry operate from Antrim station. Passengers travelling to Dublin can connect with the high speed Enterprise train, which departs from Belfast Central Station.

Ulsterbus service 109A which departs from outside the terminal building hourly terminates at the Antrim bus centre which is adjacent to the train station. Alternatively, you can get to Antrim train station by taxi.

Rental Car

There are six car hire companies at Belfast International Airport, the majority of which are based in the arrivals hall. All are manned to meet arriving scheduled flights.

• Avis +44 (0)84 45446012
• Budget +44 (0)28 9442 3332
• Europcar +44 (0)28 9442 2285
• Hertz +44 (0)28 9442 2533
• National Car Rental  +44 (0)28 9442 2285
• Sixt +44 (0)28 9445 3588

By Taxi

The International Airport Taxi Company is the official taxi operator for the Belfast International Airport. Taxis are available for hire 24 hours a day 7 days a week outside the right hand door of the airport Exit lobby. Only taxis approved by Belfast International Airport are permitted to use the taxi rank. A list of sample fares is displayed in the exit hall of the terminal building.

A taxi share scheme to Belfast is available for those who wish to use it. For bookings, contact the Belfast International Airport Taxi Company on +44 (0)28 9448 4353 or book online on www.belfastairporttaxis.com.

By Car

There are over 8,000 short and long term car parking spaces just outside the terminal entrance.

Airport Parking

You can save money by pre-booking your airport car parking space with Holiday Extras. Holiday Extras are confident that their prices are the lowest and if you can find the same airport parking product cheaper elsewhere within 24 hours of making and paying for your booking, they will give it to you for free (subject to terms and conditions). Apart from airport parking, you can also book your airport hotel, airport lounges and travel insurance through Holiday Extras.

Cork Airport is one of the three main international airports of the Republic of Ireland, along with Dublin and Shannon. It is located in an area known as Farmers Cross just 8 km south of Cork City Centre.  From Cork Airport, there are bus and coach services to the city as well as connections to other parts of the country.  Car rentals are easily available as well as taxis.

By Bus

Bus Éireann provides a frequent direct coach service between Cork Airport and Cork City Centre and Cork Bus Station. From the Cork Bus Station Bus Éireann has connecting bus services to local and long distance destinations. Journey time to the city is approx. 25 minutes and all coaches serve Evergreen Road and the Cork Airport Business Park.

Bus Éireann
Tel: +353 21 4508188
Web: www.buseireann.ie

Skylink operates a fast and regular express coach link between Cork Airport and Cork City Centre. Their airport buses provide a non-stop link direct to the city centre and connects with most major hotels, B&Bs and hostels.
Skylink’s Cork Airport bus service operates 7 days a week including public holidays (excluding December 25th and 26th ) and offers high frequency Airport departures from 07:45 – 00:15. Fares are only €5 one-way and €8 return, a much cheaper alternative to taxis. Bookings can be made on-line.

SkyLink Cork
Tel: +353 21 4321020
Web: www.skylinkcork.com

Citilink provides daily connections to Cork city centre, Limerick, Shannon Airport, Galway, Clifden and Dublin Airport. Citilink closed their call centre in January 2010 so all bookings are via their website.

Citilink
Email: info@citylink.ie
Web: www.citylink.ie

By Train

There is no direct train link to Cork Airport. Iarnrod Éireann, Ireland’s national train company operates from Cork’s Kent Train Station which is located on the Lower Glanmire Road, north of the River Lee, less than 10 minutes walk from the Cork City Bus Station. Connections to all major rail-linked towns and cities can be made from Kent Station.

Bus Éireann provides a regular Air Coach bus service from Cork’s Parnell Place Bus Station to Cork Airport throughout the week. Distance to the Airport is just 8 kilometres.

Iarnrod Eireann
Tel: +353 21 4506766 or 1850 366222
Web: irishrail.ie

Rental Cars

Cork Airport Map

The following major car rental operators have a desk at Cork Airport:

• Avis – Tel: +353 21 4327460
• Alamo/National – Tel: +353 21 4318644
• Budget – Tel: +353 21 4314000
• Hertz – Tel: +353 21 4965849
• 353 Car Rental – +353 21 4318623

In addition, the following companies provide rental cars on a pre-booked basis:

• Auto Europe – Select your car and book online
• Dooley – Tel: +353 21 4321099
• Enterprise – Tel: +353 21 4975133
• Sixt – Tel: +353 21 4917300
• Thrifty – Tel: +353 21 4977884

By Taxi

There is a taxi rank outside the main terminal building. The cost from Cork Airport to the City Centre and the Central Bus Station and railway stations is between € 10.00 and € 15.00.

By Car

Cork Airport is just 8 kilometres from Cork City Centre on the south end of the N27 when coming from the North, West, or East of Cork and off the R600 when coming from Kinsale.

Shannon Airport is one of the Republic of Ireland’s three main airports along with Dublin and Cork.  The airport is located in Shannon and mainly serves Limerick and the mid-west of Ireland.  It is approximately 24 kilometres from Limerick and 22 kilometres from Ennis.  Airport transfers from Shannon Airport are available by bus, rental cars and taxis.

By Bus

Bus Eireann provides connections to and from all the major Irish cities.

Bus Eireann
Tel: +353 (0)61 313333
Web: www.buseireann.ie

Citylink provides a service between Shannon Airport and Galway city.

Citilink
Tel: +353 (0)91 564163
Web: www.citylink.ie

JJ Kavanagh & Sons provide a service between Shannon Airport, Limerick and Dublin Airport.

JJ Kavanagh & Sons
Tel: +353 (0)56 8831106
Web: www.jjkavanagh.ie

Car Rental

All the major car rental companies have desks in the Arrivals Hall at Shannon Airport:

Shannon Airport Map

• Avis – Tel: +353 (0)61 715600
• Budget – Tel: +353 (0)61 471361
• Dooley Car Rentals – Tel: +353 (0)61 471098
• Europcar – Tel: +353 (0)61 206040
• Hertz – Tel: +353 (0)61 471639
• Sixt – Tel: +353 (0)61 701200
• Thrifty – Tel: +353 (0)61 471770
• 353 Car Rental – Tel: +353 (0)61 472633

Pre-Book your Rental Car

If you like to be able to select your rental car and pre-book your Shannon car hire, you can do this through Auto Europe.

By Taxis

The airport cab desk will organise an airport cab for you, wherever you need to get to.  It is located in the arrivals hall and is open for all arriving flights.

If you wish to book in advance you can contact the desk directly on Tel: +353 (0)61 471538 or through their website at www.shannonairportcab.com

By Car

Shannon Airport offers both short term (less than 24 hours) and long term car parking. Use the National Primary Routes to or from the Airport.

• Dublin N7
• Clare/Galway N18
• Limerick N18
• Cork N20
• Kerry N21
• Tipperary/Waterford N24

Dublin Airport is about 10km north from the city centre.  It is well serviced by an impressive number of buses and coaches linking the airport to many areas in Dublin as well as to locations outside the capital – apparently over 700 buses and coaches leave from the airport daily!  Ground transportation by taxis and rental cars are also available.

By Bus

Dublin Bus is the main public transport provider for the Greater Dublin Area. There are several Dublin Airport bus services operating from directly outside the terminal building. The regular bus service (numbers 41/16a) takes about 45 minutes to reach the city centre.

• Bus number 16A also serves Rathfarnham via the city centre.
• Bus number 102 departs from the coach park and operates via Portmarnock to Sutton.
• Bus 746 runs from the Airport to Dun Laoghaire, south of the city centre and one of Dublin’s two ferry ports.

Airport Buses and Coaches

Airlink is an Airport Express coach service operated by Dublin Bus.

• Airlink number 747 will bring you to the Central Bus Station – Busáras, from where coaches depart to all parts of the country. Busáras is also close to Connolly Railway Station which serves destinations to the North and South of the country.
• Airlink number 748 continues on to Heuston Railway Station, from which trains run to the westerly regions of the country.

Journey time is approximately 30 minutes.

Map of Dublin

Dublin Bus
Tel: +353 1 8734222
Web: www.dublinbus.ie

Aircoach is a private airport transfer operator which runs services between Dublin Airport and Ballsbridge, via the city centre, servicing many hotels and B&Bs. You’ll recognize them by their distinctive blue air-conditioned luxury coaches.  The service leaves the airport every 15 minutes between 05.00 and 00.00, and every hour from midnight to 05.00. The cost of a single fare from the airport to Dublin city centre is €7.00. Up to 2 accompanied children can travel free of charge.
Aircoach also operates services from Dublin Airport to Belfast, Cork, Leopardstown and many other destinations.

Aircoach
Tel: +353 1 844 7118
Web: www.aircoach.ie

Flybus offers a premium bus service from Dublin Airport via the M50 to the N4 – Liffey Valley Shopping Centre – The Mill Shopping Centre, Clondalkin – The Square, Tallaght.

Flybus
Tel: +353 (0)1 8243030
Web: www.flybus.ie

Urbus offers service from Dublin Airport to Castleknock, Blanchardstown Shopping Centre and Swords.

Urbus
Tel: +353-1-8243030
Web: www.urbus.ie

Apart from the above, there are a number of National Coach Services that connect travellers to various parts of the country.  For further information, see www.dublinairport.com/to-and-from/by-bus/.

Rental Car

Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, Sixt and 353 all have desks at the arrival hall in the Main Terminal

Pre-Book your Rental Car

You can pre-book your rental car through Autoeurope, County Rentals, Dan Dooley, Enterprise and Thrifty.

By Taxi

The taxi rank is outside the Arrivals concourse.  A taxi ride to the city centre costs approximately €25.

By Car

Dublin Airport is near the M50 and M1 motorways, approximately 10 km north of the city centre. 24 hour airport parking is available in its 3,600 short-term and 14,400 long-term spaces.

Dublin Airport Hotels

If you’re looking for hotels near the airport, here are some to choose from.  The Airport hotels normally provide a free shuttle service from and to the airport.

To find a phone number in Ireland, first decide whether the number is in Eire (the Irish Republic) or Northern Ireland, as the phone books and dialling codes are different. The Ireland (Eire) telephone country code is 353, but Northern Ireland is regarded as part of the UK, so its phone country code is 44 with an area code of 28. In both Irelands, you don’t need the telephone area code if you’re dialling within the area, e.g. Dublin, itself.

When calling an Irish phone number from outside the country, you must omit the "0" from the beginning of the area code. From the Irish Republic you can dial 048 for Northern Ireland landline access (may also be dialed as an international call to the UK using 004428 ). You have to dial the complete number for mobile (cell) phones in Ireland, but miss off the preceding "0" if you’re calling from abroad.

Free telephone number search

Eircom Phonebook Online
http://www.eircomphonebook.ie/displayhome.ds: White pages listings for the Irish Republic: use the selectbuttons to choose business search or residential (search for people). Click "browse by location" and you get a list or Irish cities and areas.

118
http://www.118.ie/: 11850 Irish business search and people search white pages; free online, it costs money if you do it by phone!

Golden Pages
http://www.goldenpages.ie/displayhome.ds: "Yellow Pages" style classified business directory. Choose a category and an Irish county from the drop-down menus.

Cupid may be at Lisdoonvarna

If you’re single and are looking for love and romance, why not join thousands of Irishmen and women at the Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival in County Clare this September and early October.

Lisdoonvarna is one of Europe’s biggest singles events and apart from enjoying all of the good-natured fun and grand “craic”, you may also just find your perfect match!

Matchmaking is one of Ireland’s oldest traditions and in the past there were matchmakers in every Irish town.  Matchmaking requires a very specific skill set and only folks who instinctively understand the blend of finesse, pragmatism, nous and charm, prerequisites for bringing together a couple in love, can be successful as matchmakers.

Why Lisdoonvarna?

How Lisdoonvarna became a matchmaking centre is an interesting story.  It seems the town developed into a  tourist centre as early as the middle of the 18th-century when a top Limerick surgeon discovered the beneficial effects of its mineral water.  People came to Lisdoonvarna from all over to bathe in and drink the mineral water which was rich in iron, sulphur and magnesium.  The water had curative ingredients and provided relief from the symptoms of certain diseases including rheumatism and glandular fever.

The Spa Hotel was the centre around which the village developed and the opening of the West Clare Railway contributed towards that development – although the nearest railway station was seven miles away at  Ennistymon. This station opened in l887 and brought more people to “The Spa”. It was the popularity of these mineral springs and the huge amount of people coming that led to the Lisdoonvarna  “matchmaking tradition”.

September became the peak month of the holiday period as the harvests are over and bachelor farmers would then flock to  Lisdoonvarna in search of a wife. By the 1920s, matchmaking was still in vogue and people continued to come and “take the waters”.  The name Lisdoonvarna comes from ‘Lios Duin Bhearna’, which means the lios or enclosure of the fort in the gap.

In our high-speed digital world today, matchmaking is an anachronism and there is just one official matchmaker left in County Clare and you can meet him at the Festival and maybe get a free matchmaking service – Willie Daly runs the riding centre outside Ennistymon and practices matchmaking part time. With the exception of the pairings he plans and negotiates, very little  genuine matchmaking takes place  these days.  However,  Lisdoonvarna’s annual Festival has evolved into one of Europe’s largest singles events.  So, if you’re single and seeking the prospect of love and romance, ditch the online dating and dating services and head for Lisdoonvarna.

If you’re not yet ready to get hitched, rest assured that not everyone goes to Lisdoonvarna to look for a spouse – singles come  by the thousands in search of a good time. During the month of September, dances run  from 12.00 noon each day and carry on into the wee hours of the morning. Set dancing exhibitions are also a feature of the event and  there’s live Irish music in most pubs and lots of amber ale or Guinness.  For more information see the Festival website at www.matchmaterireland.com.

If you’ve been to Lisdoonvarna and the Matchmaking Festival, we would love to hear what you think.

Kildare Village Outlet Shopping

Finding a designer outlet in the Irish countryside is a real treat. At Chic Outlet Shopping’s Kildare Village, you’ll find over 50 boutiques selling favourite labels from Anya Hindmarch to Molton Brown, Clarks to Bally, Calvin Klein Jeans to Cath Kidston at discounts of up to 60%.  Chic says that they have the only Bally boutique in the whole of Ireland, although I believe there is a Bally shoe shop in Dublin.

Local attractions

Kildare Village (the town) is a lovely place to use as a base to explore rural Ireland, play golf on championship courses, visit the Irish National Stud which has a really beautiful Japanese Garden. There are a few nice restaurants in town and Irish pubs are legendary.

Practical Information

Kildare Village is located in County Kildare, just off the M7 and less than an hour’s drive from Dublin. There are 850 car parking spaces, free of charge.

By Bus:

From Dublin, there are half-hourly Bus Éireann services departing from Store Street to Kildare Town. Journey time is 1 hour and 45 minutes. For details of buses from other parts of Ireland, check Bus Éireann’s website.

A complimentary bus also operates regularly from the Irish National Stud and Kildare train station to Kildare Village.

By Train:

There is a half-hourly service from Dublin Heuston station to Kildare Town. Journey time is for the 35-minutes.
A free shuttle bus runs from Kildare train station to Kildare Village every 20 minutes, from 09:30 to 18:40. For more details on train times, check with www.irishrail.ie.

By Car:

If driving  use following satellite navigations coordinates:

• N 53º 9.265′
• W 06º 55.036′

From Dublin city centre – Follow signs for the N7 – South, pass Heuston station and continue to the roundabout, then turn left onto the R111 (signposted N11/N81). At the traffice lights turn right onto Inchicore Road, then bear left onto Tyrconnell Road and onto the Naas Road (N7). Continue along the Naas Road (N7) following signs for the N7/South.

Follow the N7 until it becomes the M7. Leave the M7 at exit 13 for Kildare/Nurney. Take the third exit off the roundabout for Kildare; crossing over the motorway take the first exit at the roundabout and at the next roundabout take the third exit for the Kildare Village.

From Cork/Limerick – Follow the M7 towards Dublin. Leave the M7 at exit 13 for Kildare/Nurney. At the first roundabout take the first exit signposted Kildare, then at the next roundabout take the third exit for the Kildare Village Outlet.

Address:
Nurney Road
Kildare Town
County Kildare
Ireland
Tel: +353 (0)45 520501

Opening Hours:
Mon – Wed 10:00 – 18:00
Thur            10:00 – 20:00
Fri                10:00 – 19:00
Sat              10:00 – 19:00
Sun             11:00 – 19:00

Bank Holiday: Mon 1 June 2009    11:00 – 18:00

It’s all happening in Cork in the month of June.  There’s a raft of festivals and events covering all types of interests and below is a sampling of the main ones:

Cork City Marathon (June 1)
For those who can’t sit still, Cork City Marathon hits the road on June 1st.  This 26.2 mile road race is for individuals and teams of up to 5 runners or walkers.  Runners, joggers and walkers will get magnificent support throughout the course, with a spectacular finish on St. Patrick’s Street in the city centre.

Cork Midsummer Festival (June 13 – 28)
There’s nothing like a good festival to get people into the summer mood.  The Irish don’t do anything in half measures when it comes to festivals.  The 2009 Cork Midsummer Festival will carry on for not 5 or 10 days, but all of 16!   Yes, the organisers are promising 16 days and nights jam-packed with music and entertainment featuring local, national and international artists.  There’ll be mayhem and certainly something to appeal to everyone.

The 2009 Festival will see the return of the ever-popular Irish Examiner Spiegeltent, which will host an lots of shows featuring new gigs as well as much-loved favourites.  Corcadorca will return with a new production, which promises to be as unique as ever.

For the first time, Cork Midsummer Festival will host the Street Performance World Championships. This fun and free event will be the highlight of the summer for families and performance enthusiasts alike. Outdoor installations and interactive entertainment are among some of the specials of the 2009 Cork Midsummer Festival  aimed at taking the festival to the people.  The full programme of events, gigs and performances spanning across theatre, dance, music, and art will be available on May 21.  Check out the Festival website .

Irish Performing Arts Festival (June 17 – 18)
It is anticipated that over 600 of the finest of performers in song, dance, instrumental performance and drama will take part over the two days of this festival.

Shandon Street Festival and Food Fair (June 27)
A day of free family fun and entertainment to suit all ages. This free event will be kicked off by the Butter Exchange Band at 12 noon. There will also be a Ceili at the Crossroads near Shandon. You can sample foods ranging from crepes to chocolates to sausages. Street decorations are made by local youth groups and schools, making it a colourful day for all to enjoy.

Taste of Cork (June 25 – 27, 2010)
Pencil in this one for next year.  Taste of Cork has been confirmed as a biennial event after a successful launch in 2008, Taste Festival will once again return to Cork City Gaol to provide thousands of sophisticated food lovers and devotees from the culinary capital and it’s environs with the best food and drink event in the south-west.

Galway Oyster Festival

My greatest disappointment with my two trips to Ireland is that I’ve never made it to the Galway International Oyster Festival, usually held in September to celebrate the start of the oyster season.

I love oysters and Tony loves oysters and Guinness so this festival is really ideal for us, but we’ve missed it!

Origin of the Festival

The Galway International Oyster Festival didn’t originate out of any Irish tradition or medieval cultural belief, but because of one ingenious Irish man’s idea to boost business for his hotel. It’s 1953 and in the first week of September, Brian Collins, the dismayed manager of the Great Southern Hotel, looked around at his near empty hotel and wondered how could he extend the tourist season into September?

Later that day, whilst discussing menus with his head chef, it was suggested that oysters should be on the menu as they had just come into season. The light bulb went on in Brian Collins’ head and he thought “why not celebrate the opening of the oyster season with a festival?”

With the help from local businessmen and Guinness, the first festival took place in September 1954 with a modest 34 guests attending.  From then on, everything else is history and today the Galway International Oyster is regarded as one of the most celebrated and longest running oyster festivals in the world.

The festival is four fun-filled days and nights of oyster shucking championship, oyster tasting, parties, parades, food and drinks and, no doubt, lots of Irish humour.   You needn’t worry if oysters is not your kind of food as there will be other gourmet and culinary delights for all.  But, if you do love creamy Guinness and fresh oysters, you’ll be in seventh heaven here.

Tickets for the various events can be booked in advance from the Festival office.

Galway International Oyster Festival
Galway tours

Cobh and St. Coleman's Cathedral

Cobh is a town of three names (Cobh, Cove and Queenstown) and millions of memories.

Many books and novels have been written about the Great Famine in Ireland in the 1800’s, the mass exodus of people in search of a better life elsewhere, and the pain and suffering during their journey.

Cobh was at the centre of this mass migration, was an important port of call for ocean liners up to 1950 and is linked to the sinking of two luxury ocean liners.

Cobh’s Queenstown Story

• In 1801, a convict ship left from Cobh for Australia.
• Betwen 1845 and 1950, of the 6.5 million people who emigrated from Ireland in search for a better life, over 2.5 million of these left from Cobh, making Cobh the single most important port of emigration.
• Cobh harbour was one of the largest and safest habours in the past, and was capable of taking the largest vessels afloat. The great Trans-atlantic liners used to come here up to the 1950s.  The Titanic was one such luxury liner to call here and Cobh was her last port of call on its maiden voyage.  It was billed  as ‘the safest liner in the world’ before its doomed Atlantic crossing in 1912.
• Another unfortunate and shocking association with luxury liners is the sinking of the Lusitania in 1915.  This Cunard Line luxury ocean liner was sunk off Kinsale by a German submarine, an action which triggered the involvement of America in the Great War.  The survivors were brought back to Cobh and some of the dead are buried in the Old Church Cemetery.

At the Cobh Heritage Centre, the Queenstown Story tells of Cobh’s maritime history, including the emigration from Cobh in the period of the famine in 1845 up to the era of the great liners in the 1950s.  The historical role which Cobh harbour played as a port is also documented.  Statues of Annie Moore and her two brothers stand outside the Centre.  Annie Moore was the first emigrant to be processed on Ellis Island in 1892.

Why was Cobh referred to as Queenstown?  After a visit by Queen Victoria in 1849, Cobh was renamed Queenstown in honour of her visit.  In 1921, the town councillors decided to revert the name to Cobh, being Irish  for Cove.

Cobh is a quieter place these days and is a pleasant town with a pretty port area. Its main landmark, St. Coleman’s Cathedral with its 47 bell carillon, dominates its skyline from the top of the hill.

On the quayside there is a memorial to the victims of the Lusitania.  The port administration office is the brightest yellow building in town.  At the Titanic Bar, you can have a drink without fear of sinking.

Cobh is situated on Great Island, one of the three large islands in Cork harbour, Little Island and Fota are the others. The three islands are now all joined by roads and bridges.

Travel Signposts Cobh Photo Gallery