From Easter in Iceland to a book club weekend at a stately hotel in Monaghan, JOAN SCALEShas the best of the week's deals
Deal of the week
Night in a tepee: €86 for 7
The sleepover to beat all sleepovers could be one in a tepee, which makes Tepee Valley campsite, near Markethill in Co Armagh, a great spot for a birthday treat. You can bring seven little warriors to experience life under canvas. There is also a traditional Gypsy caravan that sleeps four. Both cost £75 (about €86) per night. 048-37552092, tepeevalleycampsite.co.uk.
Home deals
Pat McCabe book club break: €350
You can get ready for the Ad Hoc book-club weekend at the stately Hilton Park country- house hotel, in Co Monaghan, from March 19th to 21st by reading The Siege of Krishnapurby JG Farrell. Pat McCabe will lead discussions. The break will also include time to relax. The price of €350pps includes bed and breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner. 047-56007, hiltonpark.ie.
Taste of Cork: 3 days for €159
You can check out gourmet Cork with a three-day visit to the city. Staying at the Imperial Hotel, on South Mall, the package includes dinner in the Pembroke Restaurant one evening, plus lunch at the Farmgate Restaurant, in the English Market. Available from Sunday to Thursday from €159pps. 021-4274040,
reservations@imperialhotel cork.ie
Painting in Claremorris: €299
Frank Clark fans will be delighted to hear that he is teaching a painting course in April at the McWilliam Park Hotel, in Claremorris, Co Mayo. From April 11th to 15th, four nights’ bed and breakfast and four dinners, with three days’ tuition, costs €299pps. 094-9378000, info@mcwilliamparkhotel.ie.
Mullingar club nights: €40
Where can you go that offers nightclubbing for grown-ups? Annebrook Hotel in Mullingar is doing overnights for fun lovers from €40pps. Accommodation is in new self-catering apartments attached to the hotel, where Berty’s Bar hops with live music and a disco until 2.30am every Friday and Saturday. 044-9353300, annebrook.ie.
Stretch in Clare: €335 for weekend
East Clare Yoga Centre, at Tuamgraney, has begun monthly courses in Iyengar yoga. The next weekend runs from March 5th to 7th. The price of €335pps includes all meals, tuition and accommodation. 061-640923, eastclareyoga.com.
Overseas deals
St Patrick’s Day in Boston: €635
The St Patrick’s Day festivities in Boston have a programme that seems almost as action-packed as the Dublin line-up. The Dropkick Murphys – Massachusetts Celtic punk rockers – are playing over the holiday at Boston House of Blues. Ebookers is offering a deal that includes five nights’ hotel accommodation and flights from €635pps. 01-4311311, ebookers.ie.
Easter in Iceland: €559 for 4 days
Twohigs has a few seats left for a four-day trip to Iceland over Easter, from April 1st. The price tag of €559pps includes direct flights from Dublin, transfers and accommodation. The company is also offering a number of optional tours, such as a Blue Lagoon spa experience, jeep safari and horse-riding. 01-6772666, twohigs.com.
Italian grand tour: from €1,799
An 11-day grand tour of Italy begins on May 22nd. You’ll start in Verona before visiting Florence, Siena, Rome, Assisi, Naples and Sorrento. The three-day stay in Rome will allow time to visit the Vatican and Sistine Chapel. Prices start at €1,799, including flights from Dublin, Cork or Belfast, all accommodation, half board on eight days and guided tours. 01-2401700, topflight.ie.
Austria ski: €599 4-star half board
Ski deals for the end of the month in Austria with Crystal Ski include four-star half board in St Johann from €599, and in Kaprun from €799. There’s also self-catering in Rauris from €369. crystalski.ie.
Gran Canaria: from €789
Receive free half-board upgrade at the Gloria Palace hotels, the Amadores and San Agustin in Gran Canaria, with Sunway until the end of April (excluding Easter). A week away, flying from Cork or Dublin, costs from €789pps. 01-2886828, sunway.ie.
Please bear in mind that all deals are subject to availability