Holiday opportunities for over-50s

The 1.2 million people in Ireland aged over 50 are being offered the opportunity to sample a mouth-watering menu of tourism activities in Clare put together by Shannon Development, in conjunction with the Shannon region tourism trade.
As part of its strategic tourism marketing campaign specifically designed for the over 50s audience, Shannon Development and tourism representatives from the region will unveil a series of offers at their stand at the Over 50s Show in the RDS, Dublin, from Friday until Sunday. The event is expected to attract over 23,000 visitors and more than 250 exhibitors.
Commenting on the growing seniors market, Aisling Travers, tourism marketing executive, Shannon Development said, “There are now more than 1.2 million people in Ireland aged 50 and over and they, more than any other sector of the population, are in the position to enjoy good value for money offers, restaurant meals, holidays, recreational activities and entertainment.
“Clare and the Shannon region have a wealth of special deals, with accommodation providers working together with top visitor attractions and activities to create an array of short breaks or longer holiday packages.
“Accessibility to the Shannon region has never been better with Shannon International Airport on our doorstep, the Limerick tunnel and the new motorway from Dublin, as well as the extended rail link from Galway to Limerick,” Ms Travers added.
In addition to the Over 50s Show, Shannon Development earlier this year partnered with Senior Times Magazine to produce the 2012 Shannon Region Smiles for Seniors magazine.
Speaking about the success of the publication to date Ms Travers said, “The magazine is a getaway guide with a range of holiday options in Clare and throughout the Shannon region targeted at the over 50s market.
“Building on the success of last year’s publication. We are delighted with the positive response we have got to it so far and we look forward to distributing more copies of it at the Over 50s Show in the RDS, Dublin. It has some great value for money offers and is an excellent source of information on all aspects of tourism and leisure activity in the region, including accommodation, transportation, top visitor attractions and leisure activities.”
The magazine features breaks from painting and cultural courses, to golf and cruising breaks and from cookery courses at a number of schools, to a full calendar of sports events and activities.
It contains details on some of the 100 managed visitor attractions in the region. In addition, newly completed walking and cycling routes, bird watching, garden trails, scenic drives, water sports, tracing your roots, an array of festivals and events are all on the menu throughout the year. 
Among the deals on offer in Clare are a two-night B&B break at Carrygerry Country House Hotel in Newmarket-on-Fergus, incorporating a medieval banquet at Bunratty Castle and a short break based at the Temple Gate Hotel, Ennis. This break incorporates three nights B&B and dinners with complimentary entry to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park or the Cliffs of Moher.
The Shannon Region Smiles for Seniors magazine will be distributed to attendees at the Over 50s Show in Dublin or is available to view online at  www.ShannonRegionTourism.ie.