ITTN was only too happy to be on hand to enjoy the finale of the Ireland v West Indies 3-match ODI (one day international) series at the spiritual home of Irish cricket, Castle Avenue Clontarf, on Sunday. Although rain disrupted play a few times during the day, it didn’t thwart the Windies gaining revenge for last Wednesday’s defeat and getting a much deserved win to draw the series 1-1 (following Friday’s rain abandonment)…and it, certainly, didn’t dampen the high spirits of the crowd – something hugely helped and maintained by the great hospitality courtesy of Barbados’ Ambassador to Ireland, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Cleviston Haynes; the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) team of Elan Mottley Harris and Cedric Lynch; and the TravelMedia.ie team of Colm McDonnell and Susan Craddock. Well batted, all! This all too brief taste of Barbados has gotten the Irish travel trade and media ever more impatient for that all important direct route between Dublin and Bridgetown. Hopefully that will happen sooner rather than later, but that shouldn’t stop people visiting in the meantime (currently the quickest route is via London Heathrow). So, for now here’s what awaits in the wonderful Caribbean… Barbados is not only one of the most idyllic locations in the Caribbean, but is also one of the region’s cultural, culinary and sporting gems; with a huge eco-friendly aspect as well. It is surrounded by idyllic white sand beaches and is the only coral island in the Caribbean. With over 400 restaurants and eateries, Barbados is the Culinary Capital of the Caribbean and home to the Caribbean’s Best Culinary Festival, the Barbados Food and Rum Festival. The island is also known as the birthplace of rum, commercially producing and bottling the finest blends since the 1700s. The island also hosts events like the annual Crop Over Festival, where A-lists celebrities like Barbados’ very own Rihanna are often spotted, and the annual Run Barbados Marathon, the largest marathon in the Caribbean. As the motorsport island, it is home to the leading circuit-racing facility in the English-speaking Caribbean. Known as a sustainable destination, Barbados won the Green Destinations Story Award for Environment and Climate in 2023 and was listed as one of the Best World Travel Destinations for 2025 by National Geographic. Accommodations on the island are wide and varied, ranging from picturesque private villas to quaint boutique hotels, cozy Airbnbs, prestigious international chains and award-winning five-diamond resorts. For more information on travel to Barbados, visit www.visitbarbados.org, follow on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/VisitBarbados, and via Twitter @Barbados. One final thing…ITTN wishes the West Indies the best of luck in their upcoming T20 and ODI tour of England.