I IIERE'S some welcome news 1rom Ireland, to wit that AT on all registered accommodation room charges has, ill the April Finance Bill, been reduced from 23pc to 1111pc, in other words, to pre-budget levels.
This information fits well with some special interest packages which have recently come the way of this column from Aer Lingus.
One such concerns racing. Although the 2,000 Guineas and the 1,000 Guineas are over, there are still three Irish racing classics rentaining: the Irish Sweeps Derby (June 25), the Irish Guinness Oaks (July 16), and the Irish Smurfitt St. Leger (October 8).
Prices for one of these outings start at £141.50 and in them are included air travel on Aer Lingus scheduled services to Dublin, transfer by luxury coach to Blooms Hotel in Dublin, two nights accommodation with breakfast,
transfer by coach to the Curragh Racecourse on Saturday with lunch at the Keadeen Hotel, and return to the hotel.
The price also includes a visit to the National Stud on Saturday morning with a chance to see some of the valuable blood stock for which Ireland is famous.
The second special interest package concerns major artistic events, for which four tours are available.
These tours comprise the 14th Festival of Music in Great Trish Houses (June 10-18) where Irish castles and houses provide the setting in which to enjoy good music played by renowned musicians. Prices for a two night stay with two days car hire start at £179.50.
1 he second tour is the Dublin Theatre Festival Silver Jubilee (September 26-October 15) as thf Theatre celebrates its 25 years, and big world-names in contemporary theatre participate.
There will be world premieres of at least six new works during this festival. Prices for a three or six night stay are from £1 11.
Aer Lingus Holidays are at 52 Poland Street.
Peregrinus