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A front seat peek into the world of Vegas divas

8th November 20258th November 2025 funtime65

Mick and Macca are mean but Elton would give you the world and this your front seat peek into the world of Vegas divas comes free.

With your party-loving Bandanaman and our driver Crystal, not her real name, of course, because what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.

Crystal has driven all the stars in her stretch limo.

And will share her insider knowledge and her champagne.

Your entertainment: The free Neon City Festival

As you sit back and take in the sights, sounds and smells of Neon City outside.

Everybody and anybody has played Vegas and of course the big ticket is the artists in residence.

The stars come out to play

Mariah Carey, with her Christmastime in Las Vegas show at Park MGM Las Vegasn November 28 & 29. December 2-13.

The Eagles at Sphere, and you can check out any time you like…

Jennifer Lopez, Def Leppard, Kenny Chesney, Styx, Kelly Clarkson and New Kids on the Block.

The King and I: With Elvis at the Graceland Chapel Vegas

Now you want to be Hangin’ Tough you’ll have to book well in advance.

But if you want your entertainment for free then check out the off Strip bars.

And you might find a burlesque Seventies and Eighties covers band, bar staff ringing bells and doing body shots and Cami from Utah.

While this month, from November 21-23 Neon City Festival is putting on a range of free concerts.

And all for my 60th birthday, you guys!!!

The stage is set

So Good Charlotte and De La Soul headline the Friday, DeadMau5 and Breaking Benjamin the Saturday.

And Two Friends and Fitz and the Tantrums the Sunday, no us neither.

Our Vegas buddies tell us that the shows will unfold under The Canopy, the main stage nestled between Golden Gate and Circa.

The 1st Street Stage, located between Circa and Binion’s and the third stage near Fremont, Four Queens and the D Plus.

While VIP options are also available exclusively at Downtown Las Vegas Events Center.

The Founding Properties are offering exclusive weekend packages, with food and drinks credits, and discounted room rates.

Fremont wheelin’

As a sample and because we have fond memories of being shown how to zipline through Fremont Street by a very accommodating Elvis.

There is 25 per cent off at the Fremont Hotel & Casino.

When you book three nights or more, with nightly prices from $41 to $107.

We found a sample return flight from Dublin with our tranasatlantic airline carrier of choice, Aer Lingus, to Vegas from $544.18.

And, of course, be sure to travel in style when you get there, in a stretch limo.

So ask them who they’ve had in the cab.

America, Countries, Ireland, Music

Garth Brooks got friends in Las Vegas

16th August 2024 funtime65

If you missed him way back then when his no-show brought Ireland to a standstill, fear not, Garth Brooks got friends in Las Vegas.

Garth’s cancelled shows in 2014 consumed the nation and even got then-Taoiseach Enda Kenny to try to play peacemaker.

The Country & Western star had hoped to play five consecutive concerts at Croke Park.

Only for Dublin Council to pull the gigs because of a petition of complaints from local residents, many with recognisable names from history.

It ain’t Garth hot

A full ten years have passed since Garthgate as it was inevitably called.

With the saga even turned into a stage play.

And the Great Man did get to play a fab five concerts two years ago at the home of Gaelic Sports.

All of which piqued Garth fans’ appetite to see him again whether in Dublin or in his own patch of America.

And where better than the home of superstar residencies, Sin City now that Aer Lingus are flying directly?

Particularly as Garth Brooks got friends in Las Vegas… see what we’ve done there with I got friends in low places.

Garthmania

Cassidy Travel have got on board the Garthmania with their Las Vegas Concert Packages.

You’ll get a Garth Brooks/Plus ONE – The Vegas Residency at the Colosseum Theatre at Caesars Palace.

With concert dates of September 23-October 13.

The package includes return flights, four night’s accommodation, concert ticket – Section 300s, upgraded seating available. Prices from €1189pps.

Elvis and the Eagles

The King and I: My Elvis in Graceland Wedding Chapel

Now this being Vegas there are more Elvises than you could shake a stick at.

And this being Elvis week in Graceland it’s timely to flag up the tribute singer Cassidy will take you out to see in Vegas next year.

While fans of supergroup The Eagles will want to sign up for a Vegas spectacular next year.

And we guess you’d not complain if your hotel is one where you could check out any time you want but you could never leave.

America, Countries, Flying

Livin’ devil me Aer in Las Vegas

21st May 202421st May 2024 funtime65

The Irish are coming… well, in truth, they’ve always been there but the new Aer Lingus direct route from Dublin to Neon City means we’ll all be livin’ devil me Aer in Las Vegas now.

Now if you can’t channel your inner Elvis in Vegas…

And The King is everywhere with impersonators milling around the airport and all around the Strip.

Not to mention at the Graceland Wedding Chapel where Elvis himself will invite you on to say Love Me Tender and it’s Now or Never.

As two of the lads in our party did just that with a stunt-up service conducted by chapel owner Brendan Paul.

Brendan became the first fully licensed by Elvis Presley Enterprises, LLC. to conduct Elvis-themed ceremonies two years ago.

Lads and Lassies Vegas

Good luck charm: With Brendan at Graceland Chapel

As with all the best things in life, there is a Scottish-Irish link to the Graceland Wedding Chapel.

Through Irish-American Brendan and further back to the founder of the chapel.

Scottish immigrants called McKee put their stamp on what would become the jewel of Nevada with one of the first chapels in 1939.

And they took a little bit from home by renaming it the Gretna Green Wedding Chapel after the Scottish town.

Renowned for its runaway brides and grooms.

Whether that was what drew Elvis to its door has been lost to the mists of time.

But the King did visit in 1967 as he planned his coming nuptials with Priscilla.

Bon shook up

Going to the chapel: Graceland Wedding Chapel

Alas, Elvis found the chapel too small for his 250-person guest list but the link had been forged.

And ten years later the chapel set the trend for the funnest weddings ever.

By performing the world’s first Elvis-themed service to commemorate the King’s life.

Now, we know the rest and how Jon Bon Jovi eloped to Vegas and married Dorothea Hurley at Graceland Wedding Chapel a dozen years later.

And then held a concert behind the chapel with 75 couples who renewed their vows along with him two years later.

Now, whatever you get up to, and I still don’t know if I wed Cami here from Utah after meeting on the dance floor at Harrah’s off the Strip.

Bet on Aer Lingus

Remember what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.

Apart, of course, from Ireland’s national airline carrier, Aer Lingus which takes you out there with pre-clearance and back to Dublin.

Because it’s all about livin’ devil me Aer in Las Vegas.

Aer Lingus will fly direct to Las Vegas from October 25, three times a week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Flights are priced from €499 return including taxes and charges, and are now on sale.

America, Countries, Music

Where Las streets have Bono name

15th June 202315th June 2023 funtime65

Still, it’s what we’ve been looking for… Vegas, where Las streets have Bono name.

And to carry on the theme, well we will follow Bono and the boys gladly to the Venetian in Vegas.

And their new show, the launch of the Sphere at The Venetian (don’t call it a residency) in Sin City.

Now we expect that U2 know Vegas by now but is it just a coincidence that they’ve chosen my old stomping ground, the Venetian.

And that they’ve read my musings on the Palazzo hotel at the Venetian on the Strip or my misadventures there.

Of course, anyone who has seen any of U2‘s shows will tell you that it will be bells and whistles.

Support acts

But we can’t help thinking that after the gig if they want to get back to the raw fun of intimate entertaining then they should check out Harrah’s.

And if they’re looking for a support act then the burlesque 70s/80s cover band The Whip-Its should be on their radar.

Back to the U2 reveal and this is what Bono and the Boys have in store for you… and your favourite Irish travel provider Cassidy have planned.

‘U2: UV Achtung Baby Live At The Sphere’ is billed as a first-of-its-kind live music experience with the world’s biggest rock band.

With pre-sale tickets snapped up, Cassidy Travel is offering a four-night hotel and ticket packages departing October 9th.

U2 will be the first act to perform at the new Sphere venue which boasts 160,000 square feet of video viewing space.

And an exterior exosphere that changes the outer appearance of the building via LED technology.

Hit the Strip

Beenie there, done that: U2 back in Vegas

You will depart on Monday October 9 and be staying at the 4* Mirage Resort and Casino for two nights and explore Vegas.

And obviously meet Elvis and Marilyn along the way.

While depending on your poison you might want to pitch and pitcher at the Topgolf driving range.

Or zip line with Slotzilla down down town although make sure you make the weight and don’t get left hanging, a la Boris Johnson, above the street below. Elvis will help you out!

The King and I: At Graceland Wedding Chapel

Then on the Wednesday you will check-in to your suite at 5* The Venetian Resort for two nights and receive your souvenir U2:UV lanyard with exclusive laminate.

And at this rate I’ll be apportioning a room in Murty Towers to the many lanyards I’ve gathered over the years.

Wednesday evening, of course, is U2’s historical performance at Sphere and we can guarantee it will be a Beautiful Day all right.

Party girls and boys

On the Thursday you’ll receive priority entry into the immersive U2:UV Fan Portal exhibit and pop-up shop at The Venetian Resort.

To browse the interactive art, band artifacts, and pick up exclusive merch items not available anywhere else! and enjoy a night out in Las Vegas.

Before you check out on the Friday.

A quick checklist

So what’s included again?

Concert + Hotel Package Inclusions: concert ticket, two-night stay at 4* Mirage Hotel and Casino (excludes daily resort fee), two-night stay at The Venetian Resort (excludes daily resort fee) and U2:UV Achtung Baby Live At Sphere souvenir lanyard with exclusive laminate

And all from under €2,000, at €1999pp in fact.

So get your best cowboy (or beanie) hat and shades on and channel your inner U2.

Because remember Vegas is where Las streets have Bono name

America, Culture, Music

Aisle be in Vegas again

18th September 2021 funtime65

By rights I should be in Neon City just now but wedding anniversaries and reminders of past indiscretions means I’ve been confined to barracks… never mind Aisle be in Vegas again.

Yesterday was the 27th anniversary of me making Herself the happiest woman alive meant a sacrifice (another!).

And so a fancy meal here in North Berwick, east of Edinburgh.

And a lunchtime sandwich, if truth be told, but a la carte, if you don’t mind.

Fly the flag

And so to today when a rump of our Travel core set course for the American Travel Fair, IPW.

And they go with my best wishes.

I am still in contact and will bring you all the news of the US bounce back ahead of my own return.

Oh, that indiscretion… well, my dalliance with Cami from Utah at Harrah’s on the Strip.

Whip up a storm

Where the Whip-Its (the clue is in the name) had been setting the scene with their cabaret act of Seventies and Eighties hits.

You see anything goes in Vegas.

And anyone can get married in the Fun Capital.

And so two of our party did just that at the Graceland Wedding Chapel.

They were in good company as Jon Bon Jovi and Billy Ray Cyrus both tied the knot here… though not to each other!

Love me tender, Minister

Irish-American Brendan Paul does the marrying in full Elvis gear, pelvic thrusts and Presley puns.

Such as ‘It’s now or never’ and ‘I promise to be your Hunk of Burning Love’.

All of which the delegates were reminded of and advised to discover more at the Las Vegas Pavillion.

Life is a rollercoaster

Intriguing… and more ammunition for the Scary One for me not getting over to Vegas.

But hey ho, Aisle be in Vegas again.

And I’ll be sure to be in Orlando for the fair next year.

And what could possibly go wrong in Rollercoaster World?

Where Mickey, Donald and Harry are kings.