FAILTE Ireland's Ulsterbus Tours to Killarney are about to hot up as this charming region gears up for a very packed and festive month of events.
Since 2002, an impressive 3,000 Northern Ireland holidaymakers have enjoyed winter breaks at Killarney's Gleneagle Hotel.
Here you can enjoy a stress-free Christmas through a six day programme that incorporates bed and breakfast, dinner, a welcome wine reception, discounted shopping vouchers and a farewell gala bash - all for the modest price of £199. Not much to pay to avoid the sometimes unbearable rush you'd find at home leading up to December 25 and indeed during the sale days post-Christmas.
This year, with the help of the Chamber of Commerce, Killarney will be set alight with a rich listing of events that include a children's torch parade, special discount days at selected retail outlets, a car rally, art exhibitions, craft and food fairs, the grand Holiday on Ice, Santa sightings through to carol singing and concerts from the likes of KT Tunstall and the fabulous Saw Doctors.
The Christmas programme will kick off at the beginning of this month and run right through to January 8, 2006.
Breaks at The Gleneagle Hotel will depart the Europa Buscentre on December 4, 11 and throughout January and March.
Depending on what dates you go, there will be various excursions available during your stay including sightseeing trips, a country music festival tour and Christmas events.
Gleneagle Hotel benefits from an idyllic location, and excellent on-site facilities including a 25 metre swimming pool, as well as a sauna and steam room, a gym, squash court and more.
Other properties are available on the Ulsterbus tour should you desire a change, like The Brehon where you can be soothed by its spa or invigorate yourself with some of Killarney's famous scenery.
The Brehon is opposite the National Park and rests alongside the River Flesk offering some spectacular views.
Speaking of the tours, Failte Ireland's Trevor Caughey said:"The Killarney promotion is one of several initiatives to promote festive breaks in Ireland.
"Over 25,000 copies of our own Festive Breaks brochures are distributed at home and abroad, and the range and quality of great offers available show how good products, keen prices and just a small measure of creative thinking can contribute to the continuing success of Irish tourism."
BY EMMA DEIGHAN