by Kathy Masterson
A LEADING travel company has included locations in Limerick in its first travel package that is tailormade for honeymooning same sex couples.
Brendan Vacations, an Irish-American travel company catering primarily to North Americans, is the first major tour operator to run packages specifically for LGBT holidaymakers in Ireland.
The ten-day ‘Romantic Ireland’ package, which starts at $5,750 per person, was available for bookings as of June 30.
Included in the itinerary is a one-night stay at the Mustard Seed at Echo Lodge in Ballingarry, county Limerick, as well as the option to sample Irish Coffee at the Foynes Flying Boat museum.
Other destinations and activities include the Cliffs of Moher, cheese-sampling at a working farm, two nights in Killarney and a cycle along the Wild Atlantic Way.
Those availing of the package will travel in style in a luxury, private, chauffeur-driven vehicle.
Just days after the historic marriage equality referendum, Tourism Ireland launched a new campaign targeting the same sex wedding market.
In May, CEO of Tourism Ireland Niall Gibbons said the organisation was hopeful of developing a market for LGBT weddings.
“We know that in New York when it was legalised, the spend just in the first year on weddings and honeymoons was $250 million.
“So, there is a market there. It’s very much in its infancy and this (campaign) is very much dipping our toe in the water.”
