Lodging for NI trip

Merle · Senior Member

Lodging for NI trip

Michele Erdvig · Host

Merle,

For Antrim I have a couple of suggestions. Crockatinny is very nice and some rooms have little balconies overlooking the ocean. They are located a few miles from Ballycastle in the country. I have not stayed at Fragrens but I inspected it last October. It is a townhouse just around the corner from the Ballycastle marina and walking distance to many things. The owner Lily was very nice and friendly (that is her nickname so don't be confused by the name Valerie on the website!). Rooms were nice and clean ranging from medium to small. I think those two B&Bs would be best placed for the Antrim coast.

Another option (if you are open to such a suggestion) is three days self-catering at Limepark. It is located in Armoy several miles south of Ballycastle. But it would mean making your own breakfast. I loved staying there. If interested, send Melanie an email to see if she will let you do it for three days. She is pretty flexible. www.limepark.com

For Clifden take a look at The Quay House and Seamist House:

http://www.thequayhouse.com/

http://www.seamisthouse.com/

Michele

CowboyCraic · Guru

Merle,

Crockatinney would be my choice. The views from most of the rooms are fantastic. I had mentioned when I booked that I had roots in both Scotland & Ireland. My room allowed me the opportunity to "see" Scotland. I suppose if it had been a clear day & not a soft day, that might have been possible.

If you have the time, tryto make the trip to Kenbane Castle. I told my traveling companions that it would be a "quick" side trip. They ended up leaving and coming back to get me hours later. When I have my photos loaded, I will post them. The Famine Graveyard in Crockatinney is also worth a visit.

As for Clifden, I would definitely recommend The Quay. I love old, historical buildings. It is one of the benefits of traveling in Ireland. There are so many to choose from in each county. Paddy & Julia are truly delightful people.

Slan Agus Beannacht,

Bit Devine
Cowboy Craic

Merle · Senior Member

Michele & Bit,
Thanks for the recommendations. I originally thought of Crockatinney, but then I thought maybe there would be something else that you felt would meet our needs better. So, Crockatinney it is and I have sent an email to them. Michele, in my much younger days I would have considered self-catering, but now when I go on vacation I don't want to cook!! Also, I love the Irish breakfasts and I know mine wouldn't be as good.

Limepark did look very nice.

In Clifden I love the look of The Quay House but unfortunately it's a little too pricey for me. I really like the looks of the Sea Mist House and may send them an email.

I also have our first night at Drumcreehy in Ballyvaughn booked and the last two nights at the Beechwood in Malahide booked. I have sent an email to The Bervie, but no response in a week. I'll send another one next week.

Bit, thanks for your suggestions to see Kenbane Castle and the Famine Graveyard. I'm sure we'll try to check those out.

Merle

Michele Erdvig · Host

Merle,

I think Crockatinny will suit you well. Too bad Craig Park has sold! Give Seamist a try in Clifden. Only downside is since they are right in town they only have parking space for a couple of cars.

If you still don't hear from Bervie give them a call. It will be money well-spent.

Do note that Kinbane Castle access is now restricted. The National Trust has put up barricades because they fear lawsuits if someone slips and gets injured on the steep steps. If you are spry and feel like ignoring the signs you can climb over the locked gates and see the castle. Unfortunately, last time I couldn't make it over the second gate as I am too short. My over 6-foot husband with his long legs managed fine.

Michele

CowboyCraic · Guru

Michele, Merle,

From what I understood, Kenbane's restrictions are in place only on really cold & wet days. We were there in July and able to access the castle. However, you were there more recent, I believe, so things might have changed once again, as is often the case. At any rate, even getting close as the second gate would make for great pictures. The word to cue into is STEEP, as the access is definitely that. I made it and I am gimped up and using a cane. Of course, I am also very stubborn,

!

The Famine graveyard is on Crockatinney grounds so you will have easy access to that location.

As for Clifden, you might want to look into Mallmore House. I have yet to stay there but they were gracious in showing me around and telling me about its history. I wish I had stayed there instead of where I had booked into!

Slan Agus Beannacht,

Bit

Michele Erdvig · Host

Bit,

I was climbing those gates at Kinbane Castle on a fine sunny day in October 2006. Maybe they open them during the summer season? If you can get down to the castle it is an enchanting spot. Hey, maybe I will bring one of those folding step-stools next time!

Michele

Merle · Senior Member

Michele,
How short are you? I'm 5'2". Will I make it over the gate?

I might as well check it out since I'll be there.
Merle

Michele Erdvig · Host

Merle,

I am a whole inch taller than you!

Michele

CowboyCraic · Guru

Michele,

I have a great visual of you explaining a folding foot stool to customs. "Well you see, I need it to climb over locked gates to get to old ruins"

Merle,

It might also be something that your hosts at Crockatinney could arrange access. You can either email them before you leave for Ireland or ask upon your arrival.

I took one of my travel companions down to see her ancestral home of Coppinger Court. As it was behind a locked gate, we asked the owner of the property whether he minded us wandering about the ruins. His response, "If the cows don't chase you out, neither will I" is an example of the attitude I usually get when I ask someone for permission to investigate a ruin on their property. There was also the dear old man who, when asked if he knew the history of the grand manor house ruin in his pasture, said "That was my great uncle Joseph's place, I am sure he was important for such a fine house but I am not sure why."

Slan go Foill,

Bit

Michele Erdvig · Host

Bit,

Good idea to ask at Crockatinny about access. Actually, I would just tell customs that my folding step-stool was to access the overhead bins on the plane!

That they would understand.

Michele

Merle · Senior Member

Thanks, I'll ask at Crockatinney. What amazes me about the Irish is that you virtually have access to most of the old ruins and they assume you'll treat the ruins with the respect they deserve. Here in the US, we can't even keep our "old" tombstones in good shape because of the vandalism.

Merle

CowboyCraic · Guru

Merle,

There is an answer for that. I will try to put it into words without stepping on too many toes. In Ireland, their sense of history is ingrained. They don't look at a ruin and think that it would be a lovely place for a new Box store or apartment complex. The Irish feel that they have a responsibility to preserve that which was left behind. I stayed in a wonderful self catering cottage which was carbon date to the year 1468 and has been continuously inhabited since it was built. Even in adding on to it to make it a more viable self catering facility, the owners paid close attention to the construction of the cottage. The addition is seamless. Sadly though, modernization is encroaching in Ireland. Development has been booming the past few years and that will, in time, alter the landscape of the Ireland we know today.

I have had very few people forbid me access to a ruin on their property. Those who have did so out of concern for my safety as the buildings weren't stable. As one man told me, "We could tear it down ourselves, but who are we to rush God?" In gathering photos for my new book, "They Walked Here Once", I am having a difficult time finding comparable "ruins" here in the states, other than the Native American dwellings. It is all a matter of perspective and cultural investment.

Michele,

I now have another mental picture of you on the airplane!

Slan Go Foill,

Bit