Latest news with #DublinAirport
The Irish Sun
3 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
The underrated European sunshine spot with 136km of beaches, historic sites, €1.50 pints and €49 Ryanair flights
EVERY year, thousands of Irish holidaymakers fly to Portugal for their holidays to enjoy the hot weather. But most tend to stick to the tourist hotspots, including the Advertisement 6 The city is full of historic sites Credit: Alamy 6 Ochre cliffs overlooking Gale-Fontainhas beach Credit: Alamy 6 A beach cove in Alentejo Credit: Alamy These places tend to be full of tourists, but there are a number of other hidden gem spots to go to if you're looking to get away from the hustle and bustle. Alentejo is located in southern The east of the region borders The region is known for its culture, stunning beaches and laid-back way of life. Advertisement READ MORE IN TRAVEL Here, you can find a range of cultural must-visit places including open air galleries. Or, head to historic sites like medieval castles, fortified villages, cathedrals, convents and museums. There are old cities including Elvas and Évora that are listed as World Heritage by UNESCO and well worth a visit. You will see small walled villages with medieval history and Roman ruins, giving a glimpse into the past. Advertisement Most read in Beach Exclusive Exclusive And there is no shortage of beaches to relax on in the region, with over 136km along the Alentejo's Atlantic shore. This is one of the most conserved coastlines in southern Europe, where you can see green pine cliffs, crystal clear waters and golden sand. STUNNING NATURE There are many to choose from if it's a relaxing holiday you're in search of. The nature here is also stunning, with inland lakes and waterways spreading out to the coast - making it the perfect place for water sports. Advertisement The landscape is dotted with cork oaks, vineyards and olive trees, while there are a range of nature reserves to wander through, including the Sado Estuary Nature Reserve. This is located an hour south of Lisbon, running 9 miles south along Portugal's Alentejo Coast, and is full of grassy dunes, pools and species of flora and fauna. At the mouth of the area you can even see dolphins, making it a holiday to remember, as it's one of a few places across the world where they live in freshwater. There are over 200 bird species here, as the area is a sanctuary for a range of many animals due to its protected status. Advertisement CHEAP PINTS The reserve has a beach that is separate from the Atlantic so you can swim here, as recreational lagoons are sectioned off away from the nesting areas. And it's also the perfect place for foodies, with a range of local delicacies on offer in the towns. Here, a pint will set you back between €1.50 and €3, with a meal usually costing as little as €7.50. To get there, you can fly from Dublin Airport with Aer Lingus to Faro from €49. Advertisement Then it's a two hour drive to the Alentejo region. 6 Vicentine Coast Natural Park, Carrapateira Credit: Alamy 6 The fortified village and Alentejo plain at Monsaraz in the Evora District Credit: Alamy 6 The historical village of Monsaraz Credit: Alamy Advertisement
Irish Examiner
10 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Michael O'Leary criticised for ‘drive-by commentary' on Dublin metro
Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary has been criticised for his 'insulting' comments on a metro for Dublin, which he called a 'waste' of taxpayer money. The 18.8km rail line, most of which will be underground, is to run from north of Swords to Charlemont in the south of Dublin city centre. Various metro projects for the capital have been proposed in recent decades but none have proceeded to build stage. On Tuesday, the Government announced that the MetroLink project would get a €2bn boost in funding as part of the national development plan, in what Taoiseach Micheál Martin said was 'a very definitive commitment to the metro'. This Government wasted €330,000 on a bike shed, imagine what they do with an 18-kilometre underground train from an airport? While Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe indicated the latest estimated cost for the MetroLink was €11bn, Mr O'Leary claimed it would cost €20bn, 'so about a billion a kilometre'. 'Dublin Airport doesn't need it, Dublin Airport passengers won't use it – they're already well-served by buses,' he told RTÉ Radio on Wednesday, while claiming that less than a third of the airport's passengers use buses. He said that while the tube in London runs from Heathrow and through 'all of London', the Metro will only serve a section of Dublin city's residents – around 100,000 people, he claimed. 'Here's the madness of this. This thing is going to start at Stephen's Green in the morning. If you want to get to our first wave of departures, which leave at about 6.30 in the morning, you need to be at the airport at 5.30am. 'Are you seriously going to drive into the centre of Stephen's Green, where there's no car parking, to get this metro to get to Dublin Airport for 5.30 in the morning? No, you're not. 'Let me give you the alternative scenario: for €100m, this year we could buy 400 buses, and 400 buses would provide exactly the same capacity as this metro from Dublin Airport, in through Ballymun, in through Drumcondra, on bus lanes that already exist.' He claimed the plan had not been properly costed and hit out at the Government's handling of public finances. 'This Government wasted €330,000 on a bike shed, imagine what they do with an 18-kilometre underground train from an airport?' Micheal Martin announced two billion euro funding for the metro project (Phil Noble/PA) He also criticised comments by Mr Martin, who said the Irish capital will not be sustainable without a metro. 'Does he not understand that the buses actually will all be electrified by the end of this decade, which will actually be greener than light rail?' Labour TD Duncan Smith said Mr O'Leary's criticisms of public infrastructure were as sure 'as night follows day'. 'Dubliners are stuck in daily gridlock. MetroLink is their best chance at affordable, reliable transport that serves communities, not corporate profits. 'As a consistent advocate for MetroLink in Swords, I find it insulting to hear this kind of drive-by commentary from someone who clearly doesn't rely on public transport to get to work. 'Dublin deserves better than a transport plan from a billionaire whose only experience with buses is when he is pretending to be one.' When asked about his endorsement of Enterprise Minister Peter Burke and junior minister Robert Troy during the general election campaign, Mr O'Leary claimed 'they're not in government' and criticised Mr Martin again. 'I endorsed Peter Burke, who actually topped the poll despite the criticism. I also endorsed Robert Troy – and they're not the government.' Read More Ryanair chief cites lower costs after moving aircraft from Cork Airport to Shannon
Irish Independent
11 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
An Coimisiún Pleanála rejects DAA plan to demolish spiral ramps at Dublin Airport
Concrete finish of ramps built in 1972 reflects a distinctive architectural look An Coimisiún Pleanála (ACP) has refused planning permission to DAA, the operator of Dublin Airport, to demolish the spiral parking ramps on 'an extremely valuable site' at the airport. The decision upholds a planning refusal issued by Fingal Co Council earlier this year. In its decision, ACP concluded that the spiral ramps are part of the architectural heritage of Dublin Airport and form part of the existing approach to Dublin Airport's T1. ACP found that the demolition of the ramps 'would diminish the visual amenity on approach to T1 and expose the crude architectural detailing of the existing structures to the rear of the spirals, including the prominent architectural elements of the energy centre currently screened by the spiral car park ramps and as such would erode the character of the area.' The commission also pointed out that the spirals were constructed as part of the terminal in 1972 and their concrete finish reflects a distinctive architectural look, typical of the brutalist style. The commission stated that, notwithstanding the fact that the spirals were not a protected structure, they are of technical and architectural merit 'by virtue of their brutalist design, associated concrete construction and their unique architectural form and shape which reflect a distinctive feature adjacent to the T1 building.' The order stated that therefore, in the absence of evidence and appropriate rationale or justification, the proposed demolition of the spiral ramps is considered contrary to policies in the Fingal County Development Plan relating to the protection of architectural heritage. In its appeal, DAA chief commercial and development officer Vincent Harrison said it considers that 'the removal of redundant, deteriorating structures' is a strategic part of unlocking future airport development potential. Mr Harrison described the application site as 'an extremely valuable site, particularly in the context of a limited and finite land resource'. Yesterday, a DAA spokesman said: 'We are surprised and disappointed by ACP's decision as the spiral ramps were not identified as significant heritage assets in previous architectural reviews or national surveys. 'The spiral ramps have not been in use for many years and their structural condition has deteriorated over time. 'Removing them was part of our plan to enhance the airport's infrastructure and ensure the highest standards of safety and efficiency for all our passengers and employees. 'We will review the decision in detail and consider next steps.'
The Journal
18 hours ago
- Business
- The Journal
Dublin Airport operator refused permission to demolish spiral parking ramps at Terminal 1
AN COIMISIÚN PLEANÁLA (ACP) has refused planning permission to the operator of Dublin Airport to demolish spiral parking ramps on 'an extremely valuable site' at the airport. The decision upholds a planning refusal issued by Fingal County Council earlier this year to DAA. In its decision, ACP concluded that the spiral ramps are part of the architectural heritage of Dublin Airport and form part of the existing approach to Dublin Airport's Terminal 1. ACP found that the demolition of the ramps 'would diminish the visual amenity on approach to T1 and expose the crude architectural detailing of the existing structures to the rear of the spirals, including the prominent architectural elements of the energy centre currently screened by the spiral car park ramps and as such would erode the character of the area'. The planning commission also refused planning permission after pointing out that the spirals were constructed as part of the then-new T1 in 1972, and their concrete finish reflect a distinctive architectural look typical of the brutalist period. The spirals historically provided vehicular access to Levels 40 and 50 of T1 for car parking. The commission stated that notwithstanding the fact that the spirals are not a Protected Structure, it is considered that the spirals are of technical and architectural merit by virtue of their brutalist design, associated concrete construction and their unique architectural form and shape which reflect a distinctive feature adjacent to the T1 building'. Advertisement The order – signed off by Commissioner Paul Caprani – stated that therefore, in the absence of evidence and appropriate rationale or justification, the proposed demolition of the spiral ramps is considered contrary to policies in the Fingal County Development Plan relating to the protection of architectural heritage. In its appeal, DAA states that permitting its proposals to demolish spiral parking ramps now at T1 'will unlock a critical development opportunity at the core of the Dublin Airport campus'. DAA chief commercial and development officer Vincent Harrison told the appeals commission that the operator considers that 'the removal of redundant, deteriorating structures within the airport campus is a necessary and strategic confirmation of the importance of unlocking future airport development potential'. Harrison stated that 'what is clear is that the application site, lying as it does centrally between two national airport terminals and at the heart of the eastern campus, makes it an extremely valuable site, particularly in the context of a limited and finite land resource'. Today, a spokesman for DAA said: 'We are surprised and disappointed by ACP's decision as the spiral ramps were not identified as significant heritage assets in previous architectural reviews or national surveys and have not been included on the record of protected structures, which was most recently updated as part of the Fingal Development Plan 2023–2029. 'The spiral ramps have not been in use for many years and their structural condition has deteriorated over time,' the spokesperson said. 'Removing them was part of our plan to enhance the airport's infrastructure and ensure the highest standards of safety and efficiency for all our passengers and employees. 'We will review the decision in detail and consider next steps.'
Irish Daily Mirror
19 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Daily Mirror
Michael O'Leary criticised for 'drive-by commentary' on Dublin metro
Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary has been criticised for his "insulting" comments on a metro for Dublin, which he called a "waste" of taxpayer money. The 18.8km rail line, most of which will be underground, is to run from north of Swords to Charlemont in the south of Dublin city centre. Various metro projects for the capital have been proposed in recent decades but none have proceeded to build stage. On Tuesday, the Government announced that the MetroLink project would get a €2 billion boost in funding as part of the national development plan, in what Taoiseach Micheal Martin said was "a very definitive commitment to the metro". While Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe indicated the latest estimated cost for the MetroLink was €11 billion, Mr O'Leary claimed it would cost €20 billion, "so about a billion a kilometre". Micheal Martin and Paschal Donohoe (Image: PA Archive/PA Images) "Dublin Airport doesn't need it, Dublin Airport passengers won't use it – they're already well-served by buses," he told RTE Radio on Wednesday, while claiming that less than a third of the airport's passengers use buses. He said that while the tube in London runs from Heathrow and through "all of London", the Metro will only serve a section of Dublin city's residents – around 100,000 people, he claimed. "Here's the madness of this. This thing is going to start at Stephen's Green in the morning. If you want to get to our first wave of departures, which leave at about 6.30 in the morning, you need to be at the airport at 5.30am. "Are you seriously going to drive into the centre of Stephen's Green, where there's no car parking, to get this metro to get to Dublin Airport for 5.30 in the morning? No, you're not. "Let me give you the alternative scenario: for €100 million, this year we could buy 400 buses, and 400 buses would provide exactly the same capacity as this metro from Dublin Airport, in through Ballymun, in through Drumcondra, on bus lanes that already exist." He claimed the plan had not been properly costed and hit out at the Government's handling of public finances. "This Government wasted €330,000 on a bike shed, imagine what they do with an 18-kilometre underground train from an airport?" He also criticised comments by Mr Martin, who said the Irish capital will not be sustainable without a metro. "Does he not understand that the buses actually will all be electrified by the end of this decade, which will actually be greener than light rail?" Labour TD Duncan Smith said Mr O'Leary's criticisms of public infrastructure were as sure "as night follows day". A Ryanair plane comes in to land at Dublin Airport during Storm Isha (Image: Collins Photos) "Dubliners are stuck in daily gridlock. MetroLink is their best chance at affordable, reliable transport that serves communities, not corporate profits. "As a consistent advocate for MetroLink in Swords, I find it insulting to hear this kind of drive-by commentary from someone who clearly doesn't rely on public transport to get to work. "Dublin deserves better than a transport plan from a billionaire whose only experience with buses is when he is pretending to be one." When asked about his endorsement of Enterprise Minister Peter Burke and junior minister Robert Troy during the general election campaign, Mr O'Leary claimed "they're not in government" and criticised Mr Martin again. "I endorsed Peter Burke, who actually topped the poll despite the criticism. I also endorsed Robert Troy – and they're not the government." Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
