I have been trying to plan a trip to Ireland the last half of October - the planes and hotels (at least in Dublin) seem to be pretty full. Anyone know if what is going on?

I don't think it is just Ireland. Italy seems to e running especially heavy with advance bookings too. I think that "pent-up" demand, from postponed spring/summer trips (foot&mouth disease, a general unease about uncertainty in Europe overall) is part of the explanation. Apparently the Wall Street Journal ran something about this recently - - cited here on the recent thread "Lots of Tourists" (July 19). <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex <BR>

Suggest you try a travel agent for this one. They sometimes know ways to access vacancies that you and I can't find.

Hello Lee, <BR> <BR>Last week of October is school holidays in Britain. Probably explains everything ... <BR> <BR>Steve

Lee, <BR>It is always difficult to get a bed in Dublin - it is a very busy city and at bank holiday weekends it is nearly impossible. The last weekend in October is Halloween with one bank holiday and one church holiday in Ireland and this results in a long weekend off for people, many of whom head to traditional popular spots ie Galway and Kerry which are relatively free of tourists at that time of the year (due to the weather no doubt). Due to the down turn in visitor numbers as a result of the "closure" of the country due to the foot and mouth scare there are great bargains to be had at the moment for the rest of the season and extending beyond the season and many people are taking advantage of this. Remember that a lot of Irish people live in the UK and return regularly to Ireland. Check out www.ireland.travel.ie for a full list of all Irish Tourist Board B&Bs, <BR> <BR>Hope this helps, <BR> <BR>Cathy