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Irish Distilleries top 1m Visitors

Visitors to Irish whiskey distilleries exceeded 1 million for the first time last year. distillery1019

According to the Irish Whiskey Association, there was a 10.5 per cent increase in visitor numbers last year, from 923,000 to 1.02 million. Distilleries have seen a 54 per cent rise in visitor numbers over the past four years from just 653,00 in 2015.

Tourists from North America accounted for 34 per cent of all visitors last year, followed by Ireland, Britain, Germany and France.

While the number of visitors from North America and Britain slipped last year, this was partly offset by a rise in visitors from Australia, Italy, and the Benelux and Nordic countries.

There are 17 visitor centres in operation currently with a number of new ones set to open this year, the Irish Whiskey Association said.

Dublin traffic boosts Aircoach

The growth of Dublin Airport and the increase in city-based events in Dublin were key to the increase to €30.2 million in revenue at private bus operator Aircoach last year, accordin aircoach0120

g to its directors.

Accounts for Last Passive Ltd show an increase in revenue to €30.2 million from €29.8 million and pre-tax profits of €4.719 million in the 12 months to the end of March 30th last.

Numbers employed at the company increased from 200 to 216 as staff costs went up from €8.8 million to €9 million due to need for additional drivers.

Aircoach’s services connect Dublin Airport to Dublin city centre, Belfast and Cork.

Cahernane Yoga Weekend

The Live Well Bloom Family has teamed up with the PREM Group owned Cahernane House in order to create ‘Spring’ Into Yoga which runs on the 27-29th March 2020. cahernane0120

The 2-night/3-day spring yoga retreat has been designed to allow guests to indulge in a weekend filled with yoga sessions, art sessions and a healing sound bath under the stars.

The ‘Spring’ Into Yoga Package is priced at €330 per person and includes two nights bed and breakfast along with dinner on both evenings. r

More fly to Kerry

Kerry Airport Ireland recorded a slight increase in passenger numbers on their two London routes last year despite the threat of Brexit.. kerryapt0519

Across all its routes the airport recorded a 1.2% increase with passenger numbers travelling through Farranfore reaching nearly 370,000.

Aer Lingus Regional operate a twice-daily service between Kerry and Dublin and it also recorded growth last year.

Ryanair is also increasing the frequency of its Kerry to Alicante route this summer.

Hotel may close to save on rates

Staff at a Cork hotel and golf resort which has closed for January are facing temporary layoffs after being told an extended closure could save the owner thousands in commercial rates.

It follows a meeting between representatives of the owners of the Blarney Hotel and Golf Resort and staff members late last week.

The staff were told that following discussions with Cork City Council, the owners are considering extending the closure into February to secure a rate cut for a vacant premises.

Premises which are classed as vacant pay rates at a 50% discount.

Staff were told that by extending the closure through February, the owners could save €12,000 in rates.