Incentive - August 2008 - (Page 58) TRAVEL Dromoland Castle in County Clare, a favorite of incentive groups, is known for its excellent service >> The West of Ireland is a good place to experience the countryside. A scenic, crosscountry trip can be done by motor coach or train in about two-and-a-half to three hours. Onboard entertainers—traditional Irish musicians and seanachai (storytellers)—help pass the time. Popular properties for a countryside base are the Adare Manor in County Limerick and Dromoland Castle in County Clare. Each of these magnificent properties is a destination unto itself—golf, spas, fine dining and magnificent views. They are also strategically situated for day trips to the stunning Cliffs of Moher or to Inishmore, the largest of the Aran Islands. And to a range of golf courses. “Ireland has fantastic links and parkland courses,” says Nancy Reyelt, president of Get Out of Town Travel in Naples, Fla., which sets up golf and ski incentives. “The Irish really know golf, but it’s the friendliness of the people that makes playing here so special.” Your group can also enjoy: a medieval banquet at Bunratty Castle; lunch at an Irish farm where sheepdogs herd the flock; traditional Irish dance and/or Irish music lessons. The Piggly Wiggly Corporation, the mega supermarket chain now headquartered in Keene, N.H., did a great program for 90 couples with three nights in Dublin and three nights at Dromoland Castle. West SouthWest and South >> Other good incentive destinations are in the South West: Killarney—The Europe Hotel & Resort, right on the lake, is a planner’s dream location, as is delightful Kenmare, with its Sheen Falls Lodge. Activities include a visit to Muckross House and a day trip to the Gap of Dunloe. Full-service brokerage firm A.G. Edwards (now Wachovia Securities) in St. Louis, Mo., did two back-to-back, very successful programs for 500 couples at The Europe Hotel. Incentive “Even if you’ve done incentives in this region before,” says Carolyn Costello, managing director, Taylormade Incentive Travel, in Limerick, Ireland, “you can do something new, such as create your own Ring of Kerry itinerary or offer Irish home dinners, which are always a hit.” These “Irish Evenings” give participants the opportunity to have drinks or dinner with an Irish family in their home. (You need a good DMC to organize these.) Jackson says Maritz Travel had a group of American automotive dealers dine in the homes of Irish automotive dealers, and it was the highlight of the trip. “That Irish Welcome that makes you feel at home was what made our program so wonderful,” explains an executive vice president of a financial services company whose trip was planned by Taylormade. “We really feel we made new Irish friends during our pub night and dining with local families.” In addition to the well-known regions of Ireland, there are two new emerging areas for incentives—Cork in the South and Northern Ireland. “For years, European companies have used Cork; it’s just waiting to be discovered by American incentive groups,” says Paula Ward, director of Paula Ward’s Ireland. This lovely area has so much going for it. Cork City is charming, and groups can stay at the elegant Hayfield Manor or at Kingsley Hotel, with its great river views. Just outside town are the tried-and-true Sheraton Fota Island Hotel & Spa and the new, world-class Capella Castlemartyr, a divine incentive property with a Ron Kirby linksstyle golf course. Cork is known for gourmet food and Irish sports—an interesting combo. Groups can do whiskey tastings at the world-renowned Jameson Distillery in Midleton or take a cooking course at Ballymaloe, one of the top “cookery” schools, with a side trip to lovely Kinsale, the “gourmet capital.” Of course, there’s always kissing the stone at Blarney Castle. The Irish have a passion for sports. Let your participants experience a rugby match and other uniquely Irish sports such as hurling or Gaelic football. Or, hire a “tipster” and take them to the races—horse and/or greyhound dog racing. Northern Ireland is a different story—its emergence as an incentive (and leisure) travel destination is a direct result of the growing political stability created by what appears to be an end to The Troubles. ON INCENTIVEMAG.COM/IRELAND read about Northern Ireland’s offerings. 58 | | August 2008 | incentivemag.com http://INCENTIVEMAG.COM/IRELAND http://incentivemag.com
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