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The Next Chapter


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Western & Northern Itinerary
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Hi all,

I'd like to give another shot at our travel plan and see if this will work better than the one I suggested before. I have some questions inserted below about driving times, B&B suggestions, and comments about some of the places we'd like to visit. Is all of this do-able? As a musician and harper I'm especially interested in visiting "Turlough O'Carolan" country so if anyone has other recommendations I'd love to hear them.

Thanks for any help you can give me!
Jeanne

June 4th - From Shannon head to Cliffden overnight at Byrne's Mal Dua House; Possible area attractions: Roundstone; Kylemore Abbey

June 5th - Westport- Cillcoman Lodge; Possible attractions: Visit Croagh Patrick; Explore Achill Island; visit Matt Malloy's Pub

June 6th - Donegal - Is it too far to drive from Westport to Killybegs to stay at Ocean View? Or should we stay in Donegal? Any suggestions for B&B's in Donegal? Possible attractions: See Slieve League and visit village of Glen Columbkille; visit Grianan of Aileach Fort on the way to Limavady

June 7th & 8th - Limavady - Ballycarton Guest House; Possible attractions: Giant's Causeway/ Rope Bridge/ Dunluce Castle

June 9th - Enniskellen - Abocurragh Farm Guesthouse Possible attractions: All day at Ulster Folk Park on the way

June 10th - Carrick-on-Shannon; Suggestions for B&B? Possible attracitons: Boyle Abbey/ Mohill - (where O' Carolan lived); Keadue to visit O'Carolan's grave

June 11th - Roscommon - Gleeson's; Possible attractions: Roscommon Castle/ Clonalis House (O'Carolan's Harp!)/ Strokestown Park House (with the Famine Museum) Anyone know anything about Strokestown Park House? Is it worth the visit?

June 12th & 13th - Galway - Marless House; Possible attractions: Aran Islands; Explore Galway

June 14th - Ennis; Any suggestions on B&B? Possible attractions: Music shops and music sessions

June 15th - Fly out of Shannon


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Michele Erdvig


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RE: Western & Northern Itinerary
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Jeanne,

Your itinerary is doable.

On June 6th I don't see any problem with staying in Killybegs. It is only about 30-40 minutes from Donegal. It is also headed in the right direction for the sightseeing you are interested in.

June 10th - Carrick-on-Shannon: Sorry but I have no personal recommendations for a B&B there. One of my readers stayed at and recommended Rosdarrig in Boyle: http://www.rosdarrig.com/ She said it was nice and very clean.

If you are into history you will enjoy Strokestown Park House. There is a small walled garden, the old house (photos only allowed in kitchen) and the famine museum.

In Ennis Dude has recommended Eden Hill House: http://homepage.eircom.net/~edenhillhouse/ and Green Dragon recommends Stonehaven: http://www.stonehavenclare.com/ Bill is off to Ireland on Saturday and is staying in Ennis. He will most likely have some feedback to give when he returns.

Michele

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CowboyCraic


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Jeanne,

You might want to look at staying in Boyle over Carrick-on-Shannon,as Boyle is more old world appealing.

As for the Strokestown questions, all aspects of the House, museum and gardens are fantastic seperately but they really become cohesive when you make time for all of the components. I usually recommend going through the museum, then the house tour and then the Gardens, as a contemplative walk amongst the gardens is usually needed. You will love Gleeson's. Make sure that you have one of Mary's Scones. They are delicious! Unfortunately, you will be there on a Monday, which will mean no Trad session at Doorly's but stop in anyways. Its a friendly place! Roscommon Castle is a treat and one with in walking distance of Gleeson's. Also, take time to visit Roscommon Abbey which is a short walk, about ten minutes tops, from Gleeson's.

As for Ennis, Custy's Music Shop is the place to go for musicians. If you want lodgings in town center, Old Grounds Hotel is fantastic. If you don't mind driving in, as it is too far to park, NewPark House would be my resting place of choice.

Slan Agus Beannacht,

Bit

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wojazz3


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In Boyle, I've stayed at the Abbey House B&B which is a fine old Victorian with the Boyle River running through the back. It's a nice change from the purpose built B&Bs which are lovely but this is just a neat old house. It is right next to the Boyle Abbey. When I stayed in Carrick-on-Shannon, I was sleeping on a boat, so that is porbably out of the question.

Bill

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