Corrs Corner

Editor Frank Corr gives his views on the hospitality and tourism industries, shares anecdotes and gossip and welcomes your contributions.

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Cruise Tragedy

Having recently returned from a cruise I can appreciate the panic which unfolded when the 'Costa Concordia' struck a reef last week. Cruise ships are enormous, like floating cities and are simply crammed with people. The 'Costa Concordia' for instance had more than 3,000 passengers and a crew of more than 1,000. The relaxed on-board life of these people was literally 'turned upside down' when the collision occured. Floors became walls and walls became floors as the ship tilted over on its side and with lights going out and water pouring in, it must have been a nightmare.

It is however somewhat consoling that the vast majority of crew and passengers were rescued. That I suppose is what separates a sea disaster from an air disaster. Nevertheless I wonder how some means of launching lifeboats from a listing ship has not been perfected since the 'Titanic' sank a century ago.

Hopefully the tragic accident will not unduly impact on the cruise business which has become an important element in Irish tourism. Accidents such as this are rare occurances and cruising remains one of the most enjoyable and safest vacations.

Doggy Lesson

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy.

Take naps.

Stretch before rising.

Run, romp, and play daily.

Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.

On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

Be loyal.

Never pretend to be something you're not.

If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.

The Wine Club

What, on Earth, was Ireland doing in an international organisation devoted to co-ordinating the scientific and technical aspects of wine-making ?

In 2004, for some obscure reason, we joined an international organisation representing 40 wine-producing regions of the world, even though Ireland does niot produce a single bottle of commercial wine.

The only possible explanation for this madness is that some civil servant with a taste for Chateau Lynch Bages, thought it would be nice to meet up with some of the top wine people in the world a few times a year to dfiscuss the finer points of oenology and viticulture over good bottles in some of the world's better restaurants.

The bill f or this exercise is quoted at €14,000 a year, but I wonder if that includes travel and 'subsistence' ?

In any event we are well out of this organisation and the €14,000 is likely to be put to better use.

As they say at Tesco- 'Every Little Helps'.

Doggy Lesson

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy.

Take naps.

Stretch before rising.

Run, romp, and play daily.

Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.

On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

Happy Holiday !

Christmas shopping took me to some major malls in and around Dublin, during which I looked around for some evidence that we are about to celebrate the birth of Christ. There was precious little.

The places were festooned with lights, glitter, Santas, reindeer and invitations to buy an arrray of goods. But even the word 'Christmas' was hard to find. Instead I was wished 'Season's Greetings' or the dreaded American 'Happy Holiday'.

Eventually I did find Christmas when we took our grandchildren to the Glenroe Farm in County Wicklow. Here there was an authentic old-fashioned experience- a nativity scene in an actual stables complete with live animals, Santa and 'Mrs Clause' sitting in their kitchen, surrounded by pots and pans and ready to talk at length to the children, a good quality gift for every child, a puppet show and a chance to visit and feed real deer. And all for €15 with free admission for adults.

Glonroe Farm is a gem at any time- buit especially when Santa comed to stay.