Over the last number of years, heading out for Christmas dinner has become more and more popular. It’s a trend Martin Gallagher, who has been in the hotel business for the last 42 years, knows only too well.

A fleet of ‘Banner Bangers’ was on parade in Ennis yesterday ready to lead the mass exodus from Clare today to Dublin for the All-Ireland final hurling replay.

A second Xavier McAuliffe-owned Kilkenny hotel expects to record a profit in the current year.

A receiver has been appointed to the five-star Lyrath Hotel in Kilkenny by Bank of Scotland Ireland.

SIX leading hotels in the south-east have teamed up to bid for a greater share of the lucrative conference market.