TRAVEL BARGAINS\5Discount tours offered on Ireland in March.

Byline: Daily News

CIE Tours International offers savings of nearly $500 per person on eight-day tours of Ireland for travelers who travel to the Emerald Isle in March. Tour prices start at $1,190 per person, double occupancy, $487 cheaper than the July/August price of $1,677 for the same trip. April trip costs total $1,294 per person.

Cost includes air fare from New York, seven nights' lodgings, daily breakfast, six dinners including a medieval banquet at an Irish castle, motorcoach sightseeing, a ferry ride across the Shannon River, tea and scones in an Irish farmhouse, walking tours of Dublin and Waterford, and visits to Trinity College, Dublin Castle, Blarney Castle, Kilkenny Castle, the Waterford crystal factory and other attractions. Information: [phone].

Bay area visit: The San Francisco Carlton on Sutter Street offers the "Best Kept Secret" package that includes lodgings for $88, single or double occupancy, plus evening wine reception, morning coffee or tea and a $20 food and beverage credit at two of the city's most popular restaurants. The discount rate is available until March 31, based on availability; tax is not included. Information: [phone].

Rail discounts: Rail Europe offers a 50 percent companion discount and low Benelux Tourrail Pass holder fares on Eurostar travel in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg on any five days during a month. The Benelux Tourrail Pass is regularly priced at $217 for adults, first class, and $155 second class; an accompanying adult traveler pays only half that price. Those who also purchase the additional three-country pass on Eurostar trains between Brussels and London pay $117 one way first class (regular price is $172) or $78 (regular $121) second class, a savings of more than 30 percent. Information: [phone].

Waikiki savings: Pleasant Hawaiian Holidays offers trips to Oahu, Hawaii, that feature seven nights' stay for the price of five. The two-free-night holiday is available through April 29 at a cost of $434 per person, double occupancy. Included are round-trip air fare, flower lei greeting, round-trip hotel transfers, baggage handling and tips, seven nights' lodgings, one breakfast and hotel taxes. Federal taxes and passenger facilities charges are not included. Information: [phone].

Bus ticket: Eurobus, the motor coach service that links 23 cities in 12 European nations with a pass system similar to Eurail, offers a 10 percent discount "Give Us a Try" promotion. Passes must be purchased by Feb. 29 and are valid for travel throughout spring and summer. With the discounted fares, 14-day unlimited bus passes for adults are reduced from $189 to $170. Students and passengers under 27 get the same 14 days of travel for $125. All Eurobus passes include a free roundtrip crossing of the English Channel via the Chunnel and service to London. Information: [phone]. Students should call the American Institute for Foreign Study: 800/727-2437.

Act your age: The Inn at Semi-Ah-Moo in Blaine, Wash., north of Seattle and south of Vancouver, offers "Age-Less Rates" that allow guests to deduct their age from the inn's $125 room rate. For example, a 45-year-old guest would pay a room rate of $80. Rates are offered through April 30, subject to availability. Information: [phone].