If your idea of a peaceful holiday is a place far from the madding crowd, then I have the location for you. Three kilometres off the nearest road, across fields, surrounded by rolling hills and out on a lake with not a sound to be heard except those of nature. Trinity Island, near Killeshandra, on Lough Oughter in Co Cavan - all 150 acres of it - has only one dwelling, a stone-built former barn, now converted into a luxurious retreat. A retreat with a sauna and Jacuzzi, a pool room, power showers and central heating, boats and a hawk! Call Tom O'Dowd (049 4334314) or www.trinityisland.com. And when you are in Killeshandra to collect the keys, stop at Dick's Bar for the stout.
If you do venture into Cavan (and I am predicting that a lot more people will be visiting Cavan soon) make sure to visit the Olde Post Inn at Cloverhill. Frank Cassidy and his team have turned this into a terrific restaurant serving excellent food at good prices. This 200-year-old inn has been lovingly restored and the walls are decorated with stamps and first-day covers from Frank's collection, in keeping with its former role as a post office. The inn also does bed and breakfast, so people can travel to Cloverhill for dinner and stay overnight. The Olde Post Inn is near Butlersbridge and Belturbet, just off the N3 (047-55555).
I love reading Slattery's Escorted Tours brochure, daydreaming about whether I shall explore the deep South, the highlights of Japan or the Canadian Rockies or cruise in Alaska, see Australia and New Zealand, South America, or take to the roads of Asia. Get a copy from Slattery's (066 7186220) or from your local travel agent, and see what I mean.
Sunway Holidays has special discounts this month for Sicily and Antigua. All bookings for two people for holidays to Sicily will receive £60 discount off brochure prices. Sunsail Holidays to Club Colonna in Antigua during July and August will receive a 15 per cent discount on brochure prices. Details from your local ITAA agent or Sunway (01 2886828) or www.sunway.ie
Sinnott Hotels owns two well-known properties in Galway, the Connemara Gateway Hotel (091 552328), and the Connemara Coast (091 592065). During spring and autumn they have a series of weekend breaks from £99 a head. Walking for Leisure will give you an opportunity to see the Connemara landscape close up. The Gardening Design weekend is aimed at novice gardeners, wishing to improve their skills and learn about garden design. Learn How to Fly-Fish in April - and for the already proficient, there are Mayfly breaks from mid-May. Two-day breaks including boat and ghillie on the Corrib cost £149 per person sharing.
Joan Scales can be contacted at jscales@irish-times.ie