The Dancing for Pleasure Midweek Break will take place from Sunday 11th to Wednesday the 14th of January at the West County Hotel, Ennis, Co. Clare.

This four night package includes:

• 4 nights accommodation
• 4 traditional Irish breakfasts
• 3 evening dinners
• 4 days of professional dance coaching with Eileen & Frank Byrne
• The Bootlegger’s Ball

4 Nights B&B + 3 Dinners, dance tuition & Bootleggers Ball - €279pps - Book Now!
Single Supplement €25

In association with Gilbeys, The George Boutique Hotel is holding a Wine Dinner Weekend from Saturday 17th January. This is a two night break culminating in an exclusive wine dinner on Saturday night with champagne reception and a lavish 6-course menu.

Wine, Dinner B&B & Reception {6 course meal} - €299.00 per couple- Book Now

Enjoy a weekend of theatre with The Castlewood Players, a theatre company with nine All-Ireland Drama appearances and a highly successful American tour to their credit. Now they are coming to the West County Hotel in Ennis, from January the 23rd to the 24th, 2009

Theatre Weekend Package €140 - Book Now
2 Nights Accommodation in West County Hotel, Ennis
Full Irish breakfast each morning.
Supper theatre on Friday
Dinner in our Pine Room restaurant Saturday
Full entry to all theatre performances
Complimentary use of our leisure centre

Single Supplement: €25

Download Brochure

Theatre Weekend Programme:

Friday 23rd January:
“The Honeyspike” - by Bryan McMahon.
Followed by songs and storytelling.
8:00pm supper theatre at Boru’s Porterhouse Bar
Admission: €18

Saturday 24th January
“Lovers” - by Brian Friel
9:00pm at the Island Convention Centre.
Admission: €12

It began in 1977 in Ennis and the story continues in 2009. The unique blend of traditional and contemporary Irish music and song that is Stockton’s Wing is instantly recognisable and is loved the world over. It might be 5 years since they played in their hometown but in January Stockton’s Wing comes home. One of Ireland’s most popular bands of all time is set to reform for a once off concert. Ennis based Production 63 presents Stocktons Wing at the West County Hotel in Ennis on Saturday 31st January 2009.

Stocktons Wing will be supported by local band The Fiddle Case. This trio comprises Eoin O Neill, Quentin Cooper and Emer Howley but according to Eoin there will be a guest or two with them on the night. Acts will be introduced by Clare FM presenter Ger Sweeney.

Tickets €32.50 available from Record Rack, Market Street, Ennis (065) 6820769 or from the West County Reception

Stocktons Wing Stayover package: Enjoy one nights bed and breakfast and a sumptous evening 3 course dinner including tickets to Stockton’s Wing live in concert for 2 adults - only €99 per person sharing.

It’s over 30 years since Paul Roche, Maurice Lennon, Kieran Hanrahan, Tommy Hayes and Tony Callinan won the traditional section of a talent competition in Limerick which resulted in securing a recording contract with Tara Records and the release of their debut album, Stockton’s Wing. In January 2009 founding fathers Paul, Tommy and Maurice, long time band member Mike Hanrahan and special guests will take to the stage again for what promises to be the night of the year.

There has been movement in the line up of the band down through the years. In 1979 singer/songwriter Mike Hanrahan replaced Tony Callinan. The following year the band released their second album “Take a Chance” which featured some original music and marked the arrival of a progressive force into the world of Irish music. Following the success of the album, they toured extensively, creating a storm of enthusiasm at major Folk Festivals across Europe. Closer to home at the Ballisodare Folk Festival in the west of Ireland, they met with Australian Steve Cooney, who joined forces shortly afterwards, playing bass guitar and didgeridoo. In later years the band took their talents to a global audience with hugely successful tours of America, Canada and Australia.

In 1982, the Band released their third album “Light in the Western Sky” which represented a significant shift in their musical direction, focusing more on the band’s creative original material. The album featured two hit singles “Beautiful Affair” and “Walk Away.” It also featured a haunting composition “The Golden Stud” a combination of Aboriginal and Irish music. The following year Percussionist Tommy Hayes left the band. Fran Breen replaced him and the band also welcomed Peter Keenan on keyboards.

The band has shared the stage with some of the world’s best known performers such as Michael Jackson, Sammy Davis Jnr, Frank Sinatra and Liza Minnelli. They took part in the Noel Pearson/Jim Sheridan film production of the John B. Keane play “The Field” which featured Oscar nominee Richard Harris and John Hurt.

In 1991 Kieran Hanrahan was replaced by Davey McNevin on banjo and mandolin. Drums and bass guitar were dropped from the lineup at that time. This shifted the musical emphasis to an acoustic based sound. The release of a compilation of the best of the band’s earlier work called The Stockton’s Wing Collection renewed their contract with Tara and together with producer Bill Whelan, recorded their seventh album The Crooked Rose in January 1992. In July, 1994 the award-winning young singer/songwriter from Omagh, Co. Tyrone, Eamon McElholm was introduced to the lineup. He replaced Mike Hanrahan who retired from the Band to follow a solo career. Eamon is a recipient of the revered PRS/John Lennon Songwriters Award and reinforced Stockton’s Wing’s reputation for musical excellence with his live performances and songwriting skills and this was reinforced in 1995 with the release of the Letting Go album.

As the years moved on so have the individual members of the band and while they are all following their own paths in life at present it will be great to have them play together again in their hometown. It’s worth remembering that the last time Stockton’s Wing performed in Ennis the band was supported by the late Ronnie Drew so the night in January will certainly bring happy memories of the great Dubliner back to those present.

At Breaffy House Resort, Castlebar, Co. Mayo

West of Ireland Fun Run - 31/01/2009

The run is on Saturday the 31st of January. The start and finish will be in Breaffy House Resort. There will be two races, a 5km race and a 10km race with prize giving after the races. Start times to be announced.

1 Night B&B - €45pps - Book Now
1 Night B&B plus 1 Dinner - €65pps - Book Now
2 Nights B&B plus 1 Dinner - €114pps - Book Now
All packages including entry fee for race

The winter wonderland experience of an outdoor synthetic ice rink, to be enjoyed by all ages, is coming to Mayo once again but this time much bigger and better with over 3000sq foot of rink surronded by a Christmas wonderland of festive lights in the beautiful setting of Breaffy! The fantastic outdoor rink, which will be covered with a canopy to allow for all weather conditions, promises to inject a real festive feel to Castlebar while it opens for a five week period (from Friday 5th December 2008 to Tuesday 6th January 2009).

Take the time to put everything on ice and enjoy the carefree playfulness of this fun event. A truly enthralling and ever popular activity - don’t miss out on creating cherished memories skating at Breaffy House “Mayo On Ice”. Be it fun and laughter with family, gliding and giggling with friends or gleefully skating solo this experience is full of delight and promises to entertain both the young and the young at heart!

Tickets:
Adults: €14
Children 12-16 years: €12
Children under 12 years: €10
Family Ticket: €46 (2 adults, 2 children) School Rate: €10 (per pupil, 1 hour duration)

Group rates available at the hotel direct.
50 minutes duration on ice, prices include skate boot hire.

Tickets available from Breaffy House Resort reception on
094 9022033 or from Ticketmaster
Ticketmaster bookings subject to additional fees

Special Accommodation Package:

2 Nights B&B plus skating tickets for 2 adults and up to three children - €259

Book at Breaffy House Hotel
Book at Breaffy International Hotel

2 Nights B&B and 1 Dinner plus skating tickets for 2 adults and up to three children - €315

Book at Breaffy House Hotel

Book at Breaffy International Hotel

Mayo On Ice Xmas Week:

2 Nights B&B plus skating tickets for 2 adults and up to three children - €299

Book at Breaffy House Hotel

Book at Breaffy International Hotel

2 Nights B&B and 1 Dinner plus skating tickets for 2 adults and up to three children - €355

Book at Breaffy House Hotel

Book at Breaffy International

On Saturday the 6th of December Carl Froch won the WBC super middleweight title in epic style after outpointing the courageous Canadian Jean Pascal last night in front of a packed Nottingham Trent FM arena promoted by Hennessy Sports…
Read more from Carl Froch’s Website

Prior to his victory Froch spent weeks training at Breaffy House Resort in Castlebar in order to focus his mind and body for the massive internationally-televised boxing event.

When asked about his decision to train in Breaffy, Froch told the press that, “The air here is so clear, if I was back in Nottingham I’d have to be up long before dawn to run on the road before the morning traffic arrived. I’d be too close to family and friends to dedicate my mind completely to the job in hand, but here in Breaffy there are no distractions. We have our own private gym, there’s a full-size ring, the food and the living facilities are brilliant and the people are so friendly and helpful.”

Carl Froch’s training session was gruelling, starting early each morning, jogging through the morning mist and sparring in the ring in the afternoon.

“This is a great place to prepare for a fight”, Froch remarked, “There’s nobody to bother us. We have everything we need and the people wait on us like kings. It couldn’t be any better really. We get up early and run for five or six miles along the country roads and in the afternoon we work out here in the gym or in the ring.”

Whilst many of his entourage may have had more time to relax and enjoy the facilities at Breaffy House Resort Carl did take some time out to treat us to some renditions by Johnny Cash and took the night off to watch the Hunky Dories Fight Night in Breaffy House Arena featuring Bernard Dunne, Henry Coyle, Stephen Haughian and John O’Donnell.

With Jean Pascal defeated and the WBC Championship now his, Carl has finally silenced the lingering sceptics and proved, once and for all, that he is indeed a world class fighter. Though for Carl this is only the beginning. His attention and ambitions now turn, with great fervour, towards his most challenging prospect to date.

Carl’s mission; to get in the ring with the legendary Joe Calzaghe - and beat him!

At the South Court Hotel, Limerick

The Chain Gang International - Ladies only show on the 13/02/2009

Tickets €12.50 available from Ticketmaster or call 061 487487

Accommodation package: 1 Night B&B + Dinner and show - €99 pps - Book Now!
Single Supplement €20

Breaffy House Resort and The Usual Suspects present a murder mystery with a twist. Running from the 30th of January until the first of February 2009, Pirates of the Atlantic is set to be a fun and unique event, with a hearty mix of sleuthing and skullduggery and plenty of laughs along the way.

The Pirates of the Atlantic package includes 2 nights bed and breakfast, a buffet dinner on Friday (Bottles of rum sold seperately), dinner on Saturday, plus the Pirates of the Atlantic event itself for €175 per person sharing - Book Now

We take you to Breaffy Island, off the wild west coast of Ireland. Rumour has it that “The Purple Oyster”, a priceless jewel that carried a legendary curse – whoever possesses it will have immortality but at a cost – they will become impotent if male and ugly if female. Could anyone live with this curse? Could you?

Pirates from all over the seven seas have come to the island to search for this amazing jewel. It is said that the gem is hidden in the Breaffy Inn, a famous den of iniquity and pirates lair. This old Inn has seen many pirates over the years but the local Pirate Queen, Grainnuaile, a formidable lady indeed, she would love to possess the purple oyster – who wants good looks when one can live forever.

Other pirates seeking to possess the jewel are Short John Silver, the French Pirate Jean Lafitte and the Hoyden from England Gertie Giblets and many more cut-throats and murderers. Dare you search for “The Purple Oyster” and if you find it – suffer the dreadful consequences. Make no mistake about it – murder will happen but Who does it? You my friend must find out even if you die trying.

Remember to dress as a pirate for the evening or you could be made to “walk the plank” if you don’t.

Have fun, but “BEWARE”

At the South Court Hotel, Raheen, Limerick

Singles Masquerade Ball
On Saturday the 14th of February - Valentines Night.
In association with Fun Ireland.

Black Tie Dinner, Band & DJ - €59 per person
Available from Ticketmaster or call 061 487487

Accommodation rates from €59 per person - book now