If you have found a BMI flight almost as cheap as Ryanair go for it, they don't (unless they have changed) charge for checked luggage. Having said that I have never had a problem with Ryanair. As mentioned above dreadful customer service but cheap. Jamikins, I flew Aer Lingus from Dublin to Venice last month and their luggage allowances was the same as Ryanair (ie you pay per piece of checked luggage and one piece of carry on).

The Waterford Crystal factory went into administration several years ago. If you are looking for crystal check out the charity shops.

Interesting! I haven't flown them in a while so I may just forget!

jamikins, their long haul is different perhaps that was what you were thinking.

WE were at the "New" Waterford Crystal centre for one of the regular tours just last month. Right in the city and just as good if not better for being more compact than the old out of town factory. A night in Waterford or Dunmore East areas would give a contrast to the Dublin experience.

Check out Aer Aran flights from Waterford to London Southend

http://www.aerarann.com/
http://www.waterfordvisitorcentre.com/

London Southend !

Not mocking , but this came as a surprise to me. Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton and City I can understand - but Southend? (Then again, if Stansted can be...)

I look forward to London Southampton, London Bournemouth etc.

No further than London Luton or Stanstead I wouldn't have thought. Get to see a bit of both countries outside the capitals.

Just under an hour from there to London Liverpool St station for about £15

Willit, it is no worse than Stansted and travel time to Liverpool street is about the same. Easyjet are opening up new routes from there in (I think) April.

Tony, do they actually make the crystal in Waterford or is it like Irish Linen - same name but made in India?

Spreenl, I was serious about the charity shops, I was in one in Belfast on Saturday and it was full of Waterford crystal. You could buy 4 John Rocha wine glasses for £10!! I remember when they were £40 each!!

The Tour starts in the shop and takes you through the factory next door starting in the Blowing room through cutting and sculpting to the stage before acid etching which finishes the product and a process still done outside the city due to the chemicals and process. Takes about an hour and there is a public car park to the rear and The Munster Bar just across the road for a bite and pint. We used the 2 for one Heritage discount pass. well worth the visit.

Waterford is sold in many shops in Dublin; Brown Thomas on Grafton St. had, as of a few years ago, a great display.

Tony, is it a demonstration on how Waterford Crystal is made?

Do they actuality produce (in Waterford) Waterford Crystal for sale?

I would be interested to know,as many people think because something has an Irish? name it is produced in Ireland. That is not always the case - for example Irish Linen.

Yes it is a working factory tour and Sale room. Galway Crystal is still also made in Galway, Celtic crystal in Moycullen and I think they do some in Dingle on a small scale. The Galway crystal no longer do the factory tour. Waterford crystal is now owned by a conglomerate but the glass is made and worked into finished products in Waterford. some photos from our recent trip were taken on the tour

http://www.flickr.com/photos/6024281...7627643450537/

While they do make a few pieces for sale at the Visitors Centre, the majority of Waterford's crystal is made elsewhere (Poland?). Or so I'm told by others. It is a very interesting tour. I also recommend Celtic Crystal in Moycullen, but be aware that the blowers and cutters leave early on Friday afternoon!

They do still make linen in Nothern Ireland
There is already a London Oxford airport