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 Charles Flanagan, TD, & Paschal Donohoe T.D. Efforts to attract Australian tourists for the year ahead here to Co. Tipperary, would appear bleak, following a serious unwarranted travel warning currently being issued to Australian tourists, who maybe planning to visit Ireland this Summer
A website claiming to represent the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade [Read by clicking here for yourselves.] has issued a warning to Australian tourists intent on visiting Ireland; stating tensions are high between Unionists and Republicans because of the Centenary Celebrations being held and relating to the 1916 Easter Rising.
The Australian website states; “Tensions between Dissident Republicans and Unionists have increased in the lead up to the centenary of the Easter Rising (24-29 April – Proclamation of Irish independence). You should avoid all protests and demonstrations, including those associated with Northern Ireland, as they may turn violent. Instances of civil disorder can rapidly escalate into violence and you should avoid them wherever possible, including through careful monitoring of the media and following the advice of local authorities”.
The website warns that; “Be aware that Ireland is not a party to the Schengen Agreement and therefore does not accept Schengen visas. Visa and other entry and exit requirements can change at short notice, you (visitors) should contact the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service, or the nearest Irish Embassy or Consulate for the latest visa information and advice”.
Thankfully there is one very noticeable omission from the supplied, defamatory and libellous data however. Same is that Ireland, despite a general election having been held on February 26th to elect 157 Teachtaí Dála (TDs) across 40 constituencies to our Irish Parliament, Dáil Éireann; to date no government has been agreed, despite some €1.6 million in wages having been earned by those then deemed democratically elected.
Perhaps the current ‘Squatting’ Fine Gael government Minister’s for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Mr Paschal Donohoe T.D. and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr Charles Flanagan, TD, could both come into the office some day this week to drop a note to the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs, pointing out the inaccuracies of the information in their supplied data.
Meanwhile; “Attention all you Australian Tourists planning a visit to Ireland”. Please come to Co. Tipperary; enjoy the undemanding wooded trails and pilgrimage walks; appreciate and soak in our sylvan beauty; rid yourself of the stresses and strains of modern life; feel free, in complete safety, to view our historical artefacts and castles and more importantly stay in our Hotel and Guest-houses, all of which cost half the price of similar accommodation to be found in our major cities.
Understand the true meaning of “Céad Míle Fáilte Romhat” [English Translation – One hundred thousand welcomes to you.] Do so with the secure feeling that you will meet the friendliest and most lovable of local people and with the knowledge that even Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II moved amongst us freely back in 2011.
 For Sale – Ballykisteen Hotel & Golf Resort Yet another highly rated provincial Tipperary hotel and golf course is to be offered for immediate sale, with a guide price of €2 million.
The property in question, the four-star Ballykisteen Hotel and Golf Resort, sited opposite the Limerick Junction Racecourse, is situated on the busy Limerick to Waterford road; 6km from Tipperary town; 41km via the R661 from Thurles, (latter home of the GAA); just 2km from Limerick Junction Railway Station; 30 minute’s drive from Limerick city and one hour’s road journey from Cork city.
Set in the shadow of the Galtee Mountains and located on 114 acres surrounded by a rich farming hinterland, the Ballykisteen Hotel and Golf Resort attracts business from a broad area and is particularly well known as an attractive wedding venue. The family friendly hotel was recently voted as being amongst the top 10 of ‘Family Break Resorts’ in Ireland, offering through its ‘Ballyk Kidz Club’, a brilliant programme of fun activities for children aged 3 – 11, available free to all accommodated guests.
The four star Ballykisteen Hotel caters to 40 spacious bedrooms and suites, many of them with balconies which overlook the Des Smyth golf course. The ground floor reception area includes the ‘Junction One Bar’ and separate restaurant / dining area and the ‘Barna Room’, a boardroom style meeting room.
Complimentary Wi-Fi is available in every guest room and in all public areas of the resort.
A total of 14 hotel properties were sold in Ireland in the first three months of 2016, with a total value of some €47 million.
The Office of Public Works (OPW) are pleased to announce that as and from today (6/4/2016), or on the first Wednesday of every month, during 2016, all their managed Heritage Sites in Tipperary and throughout Ireland will offer FREE ADMISSION to individuals wishing to visit their sites, for the duration of their tourism opening season.
 Swiss Cottage, Cahir, Co. Tipperary.
The list of participating sites in Co. Tipperary include:- Cahir Castle,* Rock of Cashel,* Roscrea Heritage (Castle and Damer House) and the Blackmills, and the Swiss Cottage.
* Note: Where an asterisk is shown above; same venues are open all year-round while others may have more limited seasonal periods of operation.
Details on the above venues and other national Irish tourist attractions can be found by simply clicking HERE
That means sites like Kilkenny Castle and Clonmacnoise, which usually charge €17 for a family visit, the recently-restored Kilmainham Gaol (€16) and Ross Castle in Killarney (€10), won’t cost a cent to visit, except perhaps for parking in some instances.
Tickets will be allocated on a ‘first come / first served’ basis with normal conditions of admission applying at all sites. Visitors may experience delays at some of the busier sites and are therefore advised to arrive early.
If allocated a time, visitors are asked to arrive promptly for the start of their tour. There is no guarantee that visitors who miss their allocated tour-slot can be accommodated at a later time. Children must be supervised at all times and access to some sites will be by guided tour only. Visitors are also warned that opening times can change at short notice.
So please, old age pensioners & those enjoying free travel, do take advantage and use this opportunity “To see old Ireland free.”
National Pilgrim Paths Week in Tipperary – March 22nd to March 29th, 2016
Over the coming Easter 2016 period, thousands of Irish residents and foreign visitors are expected to retrace ancestral heritage as they take to Ireland’s ancient pilgrim paths to celebrate the inaugural National Pilgrim Paths Week. This Easter Festival will see a nationwide series of pilgrim walks taking place on Ireland’s medieval penitential trails. Knowledgeable local guides will lead each event, outline the story of the route and explain how medieval penitents coped with their arduous and often dangerous journeys.
 Pictured above, taken at the launch of Pilgrim Paths Week, shows (L – R): John G O’Dwyer (Thurles), Chairman of Pilgrim Paths Ireland; Diarmaid Conden, Knockmealdown Active; Isabel Cambie, Manager South Tipperary Development Company; Mark Rylands, Knockmealdown Active; Beatrice Kelly, Heritage Council and John Egan ( Drom & Inch), Secretary of Pilgrim Paths Ireland. Speaking at the launch of the new festival, Chairman of Pilgrim Paths Ireland, Mr John G O’Dwyer stated; “National Pilgrim Paths Week was created to raise awareness and use of Ireland’s historic pilgrim routes. The event is targeted, not only at those who enjoy exploring Ireland’s ancient tracks, but also the growing number of people seeking to escape from the daily grind of life and take some time out to reflect and enjoy the outdoors.
The medieval pilgrimage was originally a journey combining prayer and sacrifice – with an element of physical discomfort – by which the pilgrim could become closer to God. In recent times, there has been a renewed interest in following the footsteps of pilgrims past and over the last number of years we in Pilgrim Paths Ireland have worked to develop these routes for the enjoyment of walkers and pilgrims alike.”
Upcoming Events In Tipperary
St. Declan’s Way: In Co Tipperary two pilgrim walks are planned for Holy Saturday, March 26th. Knockmealdown Active will retrace the footsteps of St. Declan over the scenic Knockmealdown Mountains on the border of Tipperary and Waterford. St. Declan’s Way is an ancient pilgrimage route linking the 5th century monastery of St. Declan in Ardmore, County Waterford with Cashel in County Tipperary. This event commences from Mount Melleray Abbey at 11:00am. For further information contact Kevin O’Donnell on Mobile (086) 354 1700.
Kilcommon Pilgrim Loop: On Kilcommon Pilgrim Loop the event will commence at 12:30 pm from Kilcommon Community Hall, with registration and a ‘Welcome Lecture’ by Fr. Dan Woods, P.P., (Kilcommon Parish), on the spiritual heritage of the walking route and the surrounding landscape. Further details available here by telephoning (062) 78103.
To find out more about these two events and the nationwide series of walks for National Pilgrim Paths Week, go to website www.pilgrimpath.ie
 Those involved in event planning in Co. Tipperary are urged to apply for Community Tourism Grants. The application process for 2016 funding remains opens for community tourism initiatives for the diaspora.
Applications for funding are being sought under the Community Tourism Initiative for the Diaspora. The initiative first launched in 2014, builds on the community involvement legacy of ‘The Gathering 2013’ and remains a joint partnership between Tipperary County Council, IPB Insurance and Fáilte Ireland.
Now in its third year, the scheme provides a national fund of €1m to support local community-based events and festivals each year. Last year, some 23 local events were supported in Tipperary, attracting up to 1120 visitors from overseas.
Administered locally by Tipperary County Council, the application process for 2016 currently remains open, but will close on the 11th of March 2016. Interested parties are therefore advised to contact M/s Áine Mc Carthy by emailing tourism@tipperarycoco.ie to apply. The application form is available to download HERE
Local authorities throughout the country are now accepting applications in order to determine those local events with the best potential to have the impact and long-term potential to make a difference. The initiative is being administered at local level with the grant applications and awards being decided in accordance with agreed national criteria.
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