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A dog is for Christmas with Aer Lingus

20th December 202520th December 2025 funtime65

And a Joyeux Noel to all our pets and why a dog is for Christmas with Aer Lingus.

All animal lovers will know the challenges of transporting their creatures great and small at this time of year.

And our first-born, Celtic the Cat, would travel up in the back of the plane with a wee sleeping jag to help him with the journey.

Not that he would have needed it as he would sleep on Herself’s lap on the motorway into work in Berkshire back in the day… don’t tell!

We’ll all have our tails (sorry) about how we reunite with our pets or bring them home.

And just like us they don’t like waiting in a tailback on the motorway.

Which, and don’t shoot us here, is why short-haul flights are often the answer.

Puppy heroes

Our friends at Aer Lingus certainly know how to look after our furry friends.

As can be seen here with Aer Lingus cabin crew member Pedro de Barros giving a warm welcome to Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland’s superhero puppies.

Or Rocket, Hulk and Phoenix to their friends, as they checked in at Dublin Airport today.

The three golden labradors, who are just 8 weeks old, were flying with Aer Lingus to Brussels.

Where they will begin specialised training to become life-changing assistance dogs for autistic children.

Aer Lingus worked closely with Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland, a Cork-based charity dedicated to providing assistance dogs to families of autistic children.

To ensure the pups travel safely and comfortably.

That’s a brood

Donegal doggies tale: With my Dear Old Dad

The puppies are part of a record-breaking litter of 15 golden labradors born in Co Tipperary in October to Labrador parents, Omma and Mango.

Which in Grandpa McNulty’s day wasn’t unusual for country folk, as he was the youngest of 15 in the Donegal townland of Brockagh.

The pups, nine male and six female, are all named after superheroes.

And I’m thinking here that my Grandpa’s poor mum was something of a hero herself.

Over the next two years, the adorable litter will transform from playful pups into expertly trained companions.

And they’ll offer independence and support to children who need them most.

My pet project

Remember too to spoil your pets this Christmas.

Because remember a certain little donkey and shepherds tending their flock at night were all part of the first Christmas.

And, of course, there will always be a home on my lap for the neighbourhood cat, Rufus.

Who we expect will get more Christmas dinners than anybody.

Countries

La La Land goes AI Land

10th November 202510th November 2025 funtime65

It’s where we all go to reimagine our world which is why it’s almost inevitable when La La Land goes AI Land.

And not only because of the factory that is Silicon Valley up the road, which churns out these mad robotic tech-bro geniuses.

Who, never shy to flaunt their wares, are opening up a new AI museum, Dataland, in the City of Angels.

To show us the future of the human race.

And if you’re hearing echoes of floaty hippy Joni Mitchell ringing in your ears it’s not AI feedback.

‘They took all the trees and put them in a tree museum and charged all the people a dollar and a half just to see them.’

Only don’t be surprised if the tech-bros of the Oo Es of Eh are working on putting all the people in a people museum.

Some like it hot

Lying with Marilyn: West Village Morturary

Of course, in LA, you find out quickly that little is as you expect.

From the West Hollywood waiters who are not waiting for you.s

But canning the room for Martin’s Scorsese or Greta Gerwig to walk in.

To Marilyn Monroe, who greets you on the Walk of Fame.

The real Marilyn is, of course, at rest in Westwood Village Mortuary, where Playboy Hugh Hefner pushed in next to her.

Because, money buys you access in LA and the Next Big Thing which was what Marilyn was.

When Hefner bought nude pics of her to put on his first edition.

The Next Big Thing

The Next Big Thing we are told now is Artificial Intelligence.

And, of course, it very helpfully offers to write my life every day.

Although, I doubt if they could replicate my thoughts, words or deeds as I don’t even know them myself.

Which is the way it should be for all of us.

But because to be forewarned is to be forearmed.

I reckon I’ll pop by Dataland, the world’s first museum of AI Arts, which has Refik Anadol‘s fingerprints all over it.

When I’m next back in the City of Angels to see who I’m being replaced by.

Of course, it’ll cost more than a dollar and a half.

The tree museum

And as a sample of what’s on offer in Dataland, and we’re not making this up is what Joni was predicting.

Biome Lumina, the first collection powered by the Large Nature Model.

A generative AI system trained on 2.4 million ethically collected images of flora, fauna, and fungi.

Along with rainforest sound recordings, pigment analyses, and biosensor signals.

Dataland’s researchers have, of course, collected its 16 rainforest sites.

Equipped with LiDAR, photogrammetry, and environmental sensors that measure the heartbeat of the forest.

Billed as ‘a bold new frontier in generative art’.

Do the Data

Collectors are told they will be able to engage in dynamic conversations with the artwork.

Through a generative AI interface trained on environmental knowledge and datasets.

Now if you see a Bandanaman in Dataland at the Grand LA in Downtown LA.

We can’t guarantee that it’ll be the authentic but we promise you the real one wouldn’t be found dead there.

Because I have my heart set on the plot the other side of Marilyn Monroe

Our transatlantic airline carrier of choice Aer Lingus fly from our local airport here in Edinburgh.

Through Dublin with pre-clearance on a sample date from £675.

America, Countries, Ireland, Sport

Steel yourself for Irish Gridiron spice bags

27th September 202527th September 2025 funtime65

And as American Footballers take over Dublin this weekend steel yourself for Irish Gridiron spice bags.

Taking two of the cultural culinary staples of Pittsburgh and the Irish capital.

To create the Steel Bag,

Sponsors Aer Lingus are blending the homegrown take-away treat of a Spice Bag with Pittsburgh favourites like melted cheese and meats.

Which, of course, we know is a variation on a Philly Cheesesteak, but whisper that around Steel City.

While anyone who has been brought up, or reared their kids in Ireland, will be familiar with the smells of a Spice Bag from a weekend out.

Bag it up

Your bag is a mix of deep-fried salt and chilli chips, salt and shredded chilli chicken or wings, red and green and chili peppers, fried onions and a variety of spices.

That we’ve honed in on Pittsburgh rather than opponents Minnesota Vikings is no sleight.

On those brave men of the Mid West.

But rather because the Pennsylvanians have long had stronger links with Ireland,.

Particularly the Steelers owners, the Rooney family, whose rich Irish heritage dates back to the 1840s.

With the team’s fanbase, Steeler Nation, having also travelled across the Atlantic in huge numbers to see their team play on Irish soil.

Now gridiron fans who were around Earlsfort Terrace yesterday would doubtless have done a double take.

To see Steelers legend Brett Keisel rolling up his sleeves, serving the fusion feast.

Tailgate party on

Say cheese: Cheesesteaks and Arnold Palmers

And who knows the new dish might take on and the Steeler Nation might bring it back with them to adopt at their Tailgate parties?

Now, no quarter has been given in turning Dublin and the Aviva into an American Football outpost for the weekend.

With a Steelers Fan Tailgate set up at Merrion Square, presented by Aer Lingus.

With football themed fun for all the family.

Man of Steel: Pittsburgh’s ‘secret weapon’?

And fans can learn more about all the Steelers’ Black & Gold activities taking place in Ireland on the footie team’s website and the Vikings can be found on their site too.

Six-time Super Bowl Steelers entered a four-year partnership with Aer Lingus this year.

Establishing the airline as the Official Airline of Steelers Ireland and a Founding Partner of Steelers Ireland.

Deal us in

Aer we go: Aer Lingus and Pittsburgh Steelers

And Aer Lingus offers convenient travel options for fans from the US making their way to Dublin for the game.

With the airline flying 21 direct routes from North America to Ireland in 2025.

For next year, Aer Lingus will fly two new transatlantic routes from Dublin to Cancún, Mexico, and Raleigh-Durham in the US.

We found return flights with the national airline carrier through Dublin with pre-clearance from €815.65 for sample dates in October.

Countries, Europe

Aer Lingus’s turtle recall to Gran Canaria

24th May 202524th May 2025 funtime65

And because they pride themselves on getting everybody back home safe and sound a tale today of Aer Lingus’s turtle recall to Gran Canaria.

Turtles, of course, are more used to sea travel so Solstice will be the envy of his shoal.

Getting to fly all the way from the west of Ireland where she had veered off course back to his island off the north coast of Africa.

The green turtle, of course, carries an in-built sat-nav.

Ticking the right box: All your needs provided

But this little fella, who is believed to have been between 5 and 8, was beaten up on his journey north.

It was believed that she had become separated from her parents.

And we know from our own snorkelling misadventures from the Caribbean to the Red Sea.

And all places in between that turtles are very familial.

Hero in a half-shell

When she was discovered washed up on shore last Christmas Eve Turtle Jnr had bite marks, likely inflicted by a seal or shark.

Now you might think that our marine pals have hard shells but this little critter was also suffering.

From pneumonia and meningitis brought on by the cold North Atlantic waters.

Thankfully for our wee hero she had reached the most welcoming place on earth.

Where a volunteer from Hogsprickle Rescue in Co. Clare reached out to the expert team at Dingle Oceanworld to nurse her back to health.

And give her a name, Solstice.

A Canarian return

Now having spent the last five months undergoing extensive treatment to return to full health Solstice, who weighs 3kg and measures 30cm in length, is back home in the Canaries.

In advance of the flight Captain Conor Barrett and his colleagues in Ground Ops, Maintenance, and Flight Operations, worked closely.

With Dingle Oceanworld to carefully plan for Solstice’s journey home.

From custom transport containers to on-board environmental controls, every precaution was taken.

To ensure Solstice’s safety and comfort during the flight.

An official from Tarifa Wildlife Recovery Centre was on hand at the other end.

To begin her re-adaptation to her environment, with the goal of releasing her back into the wild.

Your seat is waiting

Donal Moriarty, Aer Lingus Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, said: ‘Aer Lingus is proud to support the team at Dingle Oceanworld in their remarkable efforts to give Solstice a second chance.

‘Every measure has been taken to ensure Solstice’s safety and comfort as she travels with Aer Lingus to Gran Canaria.

‘Solstice has her own assigned seat, right next to her carer.

‘And a specially designed container that has been fitted safely by our engineering team to ensure a smooth journey.’

Now Aer Lingus has seen it all in its 80 years.

A turtle’s path

And the pilot on board: SOS during Covid

And this is not the first, or even second time the national airline carrier has worked with local rescue teams to help a lost sea turtle find its way home.

Loggerhead turtle Julius Caesar, affectionately known as ‘JC’, was reunited with his native land in 2021.

And before that ‘Leona,’ also a loggerhead turtle, was transported back to Gran Canaria in 2014.

Now the takeaway from all of this is that Canarian turtles clearly like to holiday in Ireland, and who can blame them, and vice-versa.

Which is why Aer Lingus’s turtle recall to Gran Canaria has become a thing.

And why you weren’t seeing things and your fellow passenger on your latest flight was of the sea variety.

We found a sample return fare with Aer Lingus from €362.30 return.

America, Countries, Sport

Au Revoir Paris, Hey Los Angeles

11th August 202411th August 2024 funtime65

Au Revoir Paris, Hey Los Angeles and we’ll be guaranteed a Coliseum of noise in 2028 for a Games of gladiatorial combat.

I’ve seen first hand how the LA Memorial Coliseum channels the Olympic spirit with its mock classical style.

And for those who fall into the lazy stereotype of sneering at America’s recreations of the Old World.

It’s worth pointing out that the old cities of the Modern Games have dispensed with their old stadia for modern palaces.

Which is probably not the main reason why the Games are returning to America.

Three cheers

LA has real Olympic heritage with the LA Memorial Coliseum becoming the first stadium to stage three Games.

Following the successes of 1932 and 1984.

Of course, for Fiftysomethings the Coliseum holds iconic memories from 1984.

Of South Africa Brit Zola Budd clipping America’s darling Mary Decker Slaney and her lying crumpled on the track.

Fun and Games

Carl Lewis emulating Jesse Owens by winning four athletes golds at the one Games.

And Sebastian Coe holding off Steve Cram to retain his Olympic 1500m title and Daley Thompson defending his Decathlon crown.

We shouldn’t though have been surprised with the 1932 Games breaking new ground.

With the first Olympic photo-finish when Eddie Tolan held off Ralph Metcalfe to win 100m gold.

And became the first non-European to become the world’s fastest man.

Outwith the Coliseum the 1932 Games introduced an Olympic Village for the first time.

Oh Diana

To wander around the Coliseum, albeit for a concert, is to feel like you’re walking in the footsteps of athletics heroes and heroines.

Sweetest hangover: With Diana in the Coliseum

New names will be inscribed into the plaques in the Coliseum in 2028 to accompany those heroes of 1932 and 1984.

Now a behemoth like the LA Coliseum doesn’t stand around looking pretty until an Olympics rolls around.

And entertainers beyond the world of sport clamour to add their names to the Coliseum Hall of Fame.

With few bigger than Diana Ross who wowed a specially invited audience to see her perform at IPW, the American travel fair.

Four years is a long time but I’m planning on Coming Out to LA in 2028.

And flying Aer Lingus with pre-clearance from €260.70.

And so as we say a fond Au Revoir Paris, Hey Los Angeles… let the Games begin.

Countries

I’m a star in North Berwick, a star in LA

4th May 20244th May 2024 funtime65

With apologies to Nancy Gallant for mangling her sentiments but me, I’m a star in North Berwick, a star in LA.

What twists of fate dictate that my second trip out to La La Land is from the town that time forgot…

Rather than directly from Dublin is well trailed.

But rather than a leisurely coach ride from leafy Greystones, Co Wicklow into Dublin Airport.

And an Irish breakfast in Aer Lingus’s excellent 51st & Green lounge I’ve been slumming it.

Master of the Travelodge

At a Travelodge at Glasgow Airport where last night I was stuck behind the all-you-can-eat football fans couple.

And again this morning when I was worried all I’d be left with would be dried scrambled eggs and shrivelled sausages.

Thankfully they’d slaughtered extra pigs and the hens they were a-laying.

The oul’ Travelodge is basic but my traditional Scottish Chicken Tikka Masala and pint of Stella sufficed.

And at £19 and another £9.95 for the Full Scottish the next morning I could avoid Weatherspoons’ fare the next day.

As with all things Herself’s advice to avoid cutting corners had worked.

And so I’d forked out £50 to go through the night before.

Take the layover

Rather than get up with the sparrow’s fart for a 6am train from North Berwick to Edinburgh that probably wouldn’t have come.

And would have left me stranded in east Scotland when I should be on the West Coast of America.

As it’s transpired I was early enough at the airport to get to stand in the check-in queue for an hour.

While they figured out how to power up one of the two computers while the printer was also playing up.

Dublin all-clear pre-clear

All of which wasn’t lost on Curmudgeon from California who believed the flight was his alone.

Anyway I’m on my way and will not have any more stress allayed by pre-clearance in Dublin.

While my British pals had to wait an hour and a half.

Throw in too a half-empty Aer Lingus flight with killer views of the Greenland ice cap and I’lm a happy bunny.

Knowing that the world’s still in good shape and I’m off to the sun where it never rains in Southern California

As I was saying I’m a star in North Berwick, a star in LA.

America, Countries, Ireland

Escape room to victory with Universal Orlando

14th June 202214th June 2022 funtime65

Now I could lose myself in a telephone box so I’d deffo need some help with this one, an escape room to victory with Universal Orlando.

I’ve been in escape rooms before.

And some would say the story of my travels has been one of trying to escape from various scrapes and detours.

Thankfully though I’ve been rescued by any number of Good Samaritans.

And holiday providers, to get me back on track.

Chief among them are our friends at Aer Lingus.

I suspect too the Irish national airline carrier might have been having fun with me.

And that’s why they set their media partners an escape test challenge in Dublin a couple of years back.

Aer to go

The Great Escape: The Aer Lingus Escape Room

I was grateful to my old colleagues then, Eoin and Danny.

For coming up with the Crystal Maze solutions to get us outta there.

Although we were slower to get to the end than the other teams.

And hence we missed out on the big Transatlantic flight prize.

Mind you though, I have always been brought up to share the love.

And Aer Lingus have been nothing but generous throughout my Travel years.

In facilitating my journeys to the Land of the Free.

Escape to the movies

For other reasons, this year I was unable to join my fellow Travel professionals in Universal Orlando for IPW, the American Travel Fair.

But I am happy to report the bounceback in the States and particularly in Rollercoaster State.

The latest innovation this autumn is Universal’s Great Movie Escape which channels Jurassic Park and Back to the Future… read on.

Concepted and designed by the same creative masterminds responsible for the wildly immersive haunts of Halloween Horror Nights.

Universal’s Great Movie Escape will bring two distinct and extraordinary escape adventures to the heart of Universal CityWalk.

Through interactive state-of-the-art missions, captivating storytelling and intricately detailed sets.

How do I get outta here? The Back to the Future Escape Room

And guests will be swept into the dinosaur adventures of Jurassic World or the time-traveling chaos of Back to the Future.

Solving as they do, their way through a multi-sensory experience like no other.

Universal’s Great Movie Escape will open later this year and tickets will go on sale in the months ahead.

Scare us up some more fun

Talking of Halloween Horror Nights which our pals from out in Halloween have toured around the UK and Ireland on media nights…

Halloween’s relentless slasher Michael Myers makes his vengeful return to Universal Studios’ Halloween horror night.

All kicking off on September 2 and September 8, the show sizzles in haunted houses inspired by the classic 1978 film

The franchise’s latest trilogy concludes with Universal Pictures’ release of Halloween Ends on October 14.

And guests will venture back to where it all began.

Inside eerily authentic haunted houses that depict the most chilling moments from the critically-acclaimed original film.

On both coasts, this year’s harrowing experiences will transport guests to Haddonfield, Illinois on Halloween night

When Michael Myers first donned his notorious mask to embark on his brutal rampage.

As guests make their way through his dilapidated home.

They’ll narrowly dodge attacks from the knife-wielding Myers as he stalks their every move.

Lie back and think of scaring: Michael Myers

Both events will run on select nights through Monday, October 31, and additional details and haunted houses will be revealed soon.

Tickets are available via a number of travel partners including AttractionTickets.com (our old friends from West Hollywood, LA and Anaheim).

And Floridatix, Orlando Attraction Tickets, Travel Republic and Ocean Florida.

What though if you’re having so much fun you don’t wanna leave?

Well, maybe you can get stuck in that Escape Room to victory in Universal Orlando.

America, Countries, Food, Food & Wine

The Streets of Boston

26th April 202226th April 2022 funtime65

Now I’ve experience of the streets of Boston and the difference a turning can make, albeit 35 years ago.

So when I’d overshot Chinatown in Washington Street yesterday.

And found myself crossing the Mass Turnpike bridge I knew I was off course.

Way to go Shojo

I had been personally waited on by restaurant manager Jim at Shojo on Tyler Street.

And licked my lips and fingers tearing through his Wu-Tang Tiger Style Ribs, Jasmine rice and Japanese Saison Du beer.

And heavy of tummy had decided to take a walk down Memory Lane to my old workplace, the Black Rose, on State Street.

Now the proliferation of Asian spellings and smellings ought to have alerted me that I was on the wrong scent.

The Black Rose

So I doubled back, span into a vortex and was suddenly back in 1987.

With the singer, Irish Terry, singing The Dubliners’ standard Fiddler’s Green.

I waited patiently, cradling my Guinness, for the favourite when I tended door and bar here in the Eighties.

And was glad to put bread in his jar for a rendition of Black Velvet Band.

Filled with the best type of fuel I rolled home and let the tiredness of a three-country, 17-hour Aer Lingus journey drift me to sleep.

And dream of days gone and to come on The Streets of Boston.

Before hitting the Streets of Boston again and checking out its famous T trams.

And a tea party.

America, Countries, Deals, Flying

Happy Quacksgiving Day

25th November 202125th November 2021 funtime65

And the most famous Donald on Earth is certainly celebrating today because duck isn’t on the menu.. Happy Quacksgiving Day everyone.

We all know about the Other Donald, the one with the tuft and the big mouth who doesn’t make any sense.

I’m more interested in My Donald though – Donald Duck – and of course we go way back to when we had a quacking time out in Disney World in Orlando.

And if my luck holds out then I’ll be dancing with the duck next year at the American Travel Fair, IPW, next year.

But many of us can’t wait until then and have been working with Visit USA to get out there before then.

So, it’s just as well then that our old friends, Ireland’s national airline carrier are there to help us.

Aer we go to Orlando

From this Saturday customers will be able to travel directly to Florida, following the lifting of travel restrictions to the US earlier this month.

From this weekend, Dublin to Orlando will operate three flights per week to connect families, friends, and business in the run up to the holiday period.

This weekly schedule of direct flights to Orlando will fly on Saturday, Tuesday and Thursday with fares starting from €169 each way, including taxes and charges.

Those looking to visit the Sunshine State can avail of the great Black Flyday offers on flights to the US with Aer Lingus.

Flyday Friday

You’ll get €100 off return fares to North America and €200 Business Class fares to the US (travel 1st January to 31st May 2022). Book by November 30.

With 13 direct routes between North America and Ireland, including New York, Chicago, Boston, LosAngeles, San Francisco, Orlando, Washington, Seattle, and Philadelphia, offers, which run until November 30.

That includes €100 off return flights to North America and €200 off return business class tickets.

They’ll be valid for travel from 1st January to 31st May 2022. And remember there’s pre-clearance.

Very VerifLY

Now if you want the best advice on how Aer Lingus flies then it helps to have access to the people who fly us.

And fortunately I am and they gave us the rundown on how they, and us, travel these days.

And their super-duper VeriFLY travel pass app.

Most importantly… Aer Lingus customers cannot check-in online ahead of flights to/from the USA unless they use VeriFLY.

The app allows users to upload and ensure that their travel documentation is checked and approved before travelling to the airport.

This will allow customers to get their online boarding pass and go straight to bag drop/boarding gate, and avoid queuing at check-in.

Countries, Europe, Flying, Ireland, UK

A favourite airline now gone, Stobart Air

13th June 202113th June 2021 funtime65

Sorry to be such an old misery guts on your rest day but every day will now be a rest day for Stobart a favourite airline now gone.

Stobart Air has been the wings beneath my winding my way from Ireland back to Scotland.

On more occasions than I care to remember.

Liquidation looms

But alas the 50-year-old carrier has been forced into liquidation now.

By Covid and Irish Government inaction.

For every Irish adult Stobart Air will always be Aer Arann.

Aer Arann got off the ground in 1970 to serve Inishmore in the Aran Islands off the west coast of Ireland.

And Galway and the West, where I would spend my childhood summer holidays, is best.

Aer Lingus, the national airline carrier, saw the possibilities and soon got on board, contracting Aer Arran to operate their short-haul commuter links.

Stobart story

Stobart Group jumped in during the choppy mid Twenty-Teens and rebranded as Stobart Air.

Which is when I started to lean on them as my taxi service back and forth to Scotland while living and working in Ireland.

And revisiting my old haunts such as my young party days in Aberdeen, my adopted home Edinburgh and my home city Glasgow.

There are other airlines and they will fill the gap left by Stobart Air mist critically now where flights have been lost.

But the collapse of any airline is to the detriment of passengers.

A sad day

The wider the range of airlines the greater choice on offer and the better value.

This is all on the back of the collapse of FlyBe.

And they were a favourite too with their flights to cruise town Southampton, Stobart Air’s decline is a sad day for us all.

We’ll be told that it is Covid collateral damage but try telling that to those who have lost their jobs.

And passengers who have been left out of pocket.

And until governments change their attitude to Travel as vital and not trivial…

Then it might be Stobart a favourite airline now gone today but there will be countless others tomorrow.