Mike, We didn't bother to even apply this year because we have been rejected every time. You are correct, organisers only have so much money towards costs and we only have one heavy so understand the decisions. Last year we were simply told that we could not go. Travel costs help but we would have paid our own way (like most other events) but the email last year made it quite clear. We expected the same this year so didn't make plans, after all its during a working week so have to arrange time off not like a normal weekend event. Never been to Ireland before.