Greetings from Ireland
Spring has Sprung!

Welcome to the March 2007 issue of Deals and Tales, Authentic Ireland’s monthly memo from where it’s at. We cannot be 100% sure, but a usually reliable Authentic Ireland staff member was outdoors last week and happened to sniff the air. Moments later she barged through the office doors declaring that Spring had sprung. We were dubious of course, but upon investigation we had to admit that all the evidence was in her favor: an unmistakable lengthening of the evenings; undeniable warmth from the noon day sun; the sudden appearance of daffodils in the most unlikely of places. We were forced to accept the reality of that most welcome of seasons: Spring.

Yes, it happens in Ireland too. And not a moment too soon I can tell you. It is true we do not experience Nordic winters with twenty four hours of frigid darkness. Instead we have four months of chilly dampness. It is a tougher contest than you might think.

But winter is over now. We are ready to move on. And since it is March we have a tale from St. Patrick’s Day 2006. This month also sees the start of our “When in…” series. First up is Dublin – our guide to what to see, do, eat and drink in Ireland’s capital. Next month is Killarney, the month after who knows. Stay tuned.

There is nothing like the sight of milk-white hairy legs in kilts to make one shiver involuntarily. When this is combined with near freezing temperatures and hailstones simultaneously smacking you in the face, the more likely reaction is to turn and run terrified towards the nearest warm bar. These were the sights and sensations that confronted me last Saint Patrick’s Day morning on Achill Island. But I didn't turn and run. In fact, I was smiling at the improbability of it all while feeling sorry for the owners of those legs as they stomped the ground in the vain hope of restoring circulation to their exposed limbs.

Achill Island, off the coast of County Mayo is Ireland's largest island. Though it is connected to the mainland by a bridge it has a character and set of traditions all its own, which are proudly maintained and boasted of by the locals. These people are islanders for sure. It will take more than a man made bridge to change them, or the place they call home.

Read more about Paddy's Day on Achill >>

For the month of March we are offering $50 per person discount on our basic Hidden Ireland Tour or $100 discount on our upgraded luxury Hidden Ireland Tour. This tour takes in some of Ireland’s more remote and often overlooked towns and villages. On our luxury tour option, you will stay in Ireland's most romantic medieval castles and manors. If you are looking to escape from it all and avoid the crowds then our Hidden Ireland Tour is the one for you. Simply book before March 31, 2007 to receive a discount of $50 or $100 per person off the quoted price.

Read more about our Hidden Ireland Tour here:
http://www.authenticireland.com/packages/hidden.htm

A 20% deposit is required on booking. The balance is payable 60 days prior to travel.

Dublin is not that fair a city, though apparently it once was. The girls are not incredibly pretty, at least when compared to other countries’ capital cities. But what Dublin does have, is character, and it has it in spades. The character is not necessarily in its grand buildings though there are some, or in its broad streets because there are a few. It is in the people. This means you cannot look for Dublin’s essence in any particular place, instead you will likely encounter it in the most unlikely of places: queuing for a bus, banter with a shop assistant or in an overheard conversation in a pub. That is not to say there is nothing to do in Dublin or places to visit, there are, but the key is watching and listening. Hang out, watch and listen.

But if you like lists – and many people do – here’s our Authentic Dublin list of things to do when in Dublin. From museums & tourist attractions to the best places to eat and drink, read all about Dublin here >>

It's very simple. If you refer a friend to Authentic Ireland and they book a tour with us, you will be entitled to your choice of:

- $30 amazon.com voucher, or
- $50 per person off your next vacation booked through Authentic Ireland.
All your friend has to do is mention your name when booking, we'll take care of the rest.

Refer a Friend: Please Use the link at the bottom of this page to forward this newsletter to a friend!

Next month sees the continuation of our “When in…” series with Killarney being our town in the spotlight. Each month in this series we will pick a town or city and make recommendations of things to see and do in the area, including picking the best local pubs and restaurants.

If you missed any previous issues they are available here: http://www.authenticireland.com/newsletter.htm

We welcome your feedback and opinions. Please send any comments or suggestions to newsletter@authenticireland.com. If there is any topic you would like us to cover, or you have a specific question about Ireland, just let us know and we will try to cover it in a future issue.

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Well that's it for this month. We hope you enjoy the start of spring and we will see you back here for another month of Travel Deals and Tales.

And just in case you had forgotten, whatever type of vacation you are interested in, Authentic Ireland can help. We specialize in custom Self-drive Vacations, Chauffeur / Group Tours, Escorted Coach Tours and Activity Vacations. We also have a dedicated team of golf experts ready to assist in organizing your ideal golf vacation. We also invite you to dream up your very own Ireland Vacation. We like a challenge. Whatever it is, we can make it happen.

All the best & happy travels,

The Newsletter Team
Authentic Ireland Travel
http://www.authenticireland.com
Toll-free (from U.S & Canada): 1-888-771-8350
Rest of World: 353-65-684-4941