The best laid plans..

Dude · Guru

The best laid plans..

Michele Erdvig · Host

Dude,

There is always a fly in the ointment. Why not contact Cabra Castle to see if they have vacancies and then make your decision? I'm glad to hear you are staying at Abbocuragh. It is just the sort of place you will love. They also do dinners there. I haven't partaken, although if breakfast is any indication, I'm sure dinner would be excellent.

Did you decide to stay at Lough View House? It has lovely views of (what else) the lough!

Michele

Dude · Guru

I have contacted Cabra Castle and their answer will be a big factor in the decision, obviously. No rooms there would pretty much put paid to our idea of staying in a castle hotel this trip.

We have booked Lough View House, unless we stay at Cabra Castle...and it just gets confusinger and confusinger. I really would hate to give it up.

Once we get this little difficulty straightened out I will post our Final Itinerary and let everyone take pot shots at it! Hee hee. I really am looking forward to Abocurragh Farm. And Patricia at Ballycarton has been most gracious and funny, answering all my questions and promising sunshine, even if the clouds do hide it. Her son is getting married at the local Catholic church in 7 weeks so she was able to tell us where we can go to Mass! Apparently it's just across the fields from the B&B.

Dude · Guru

Cabra Castle's booking is very confusing. BUT...#2 sister has suggested Ballynahinch in Galway as a direct replacement for Kinnitty. We could certainly drive from Ballymurray to Galway in an easy day and then wander down to Bunratty on Thursday. We would miss the Lough Derg Drive but there are always tradeoffs.

Anyone have any experience with Ballynahinch?

Oops! Just found that Ballynahinch is in Recess, County Galway, not Galway City. But it would still be a possibility. And I do see that it is not a castle, but a castley hotel. I'll run that by the sisters.

-- Edited by Dude at 21:05, 2007-04-09

Dude · Guru

After over two hours IM-ing with two of my sisters (just be thankful that all six of us aren't going this trip) we have decided to stay at Ballynahinch on Wednesday. The beauty of this arrangement is that we can check out Standun's either coming or going.

We know it's not a real castle, but we decided to treat ourselves to a night in a really nice hotel. And it is sort of castle-y.

After we receive that last B&B confirmation I'll post the itinerary.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Dude,

Ballynahinch is lovely. You will want to just go there and hang out. The grounds and setting are wonderful and there is a library with fireplace and lots of nooks and crannies. Since it is out in the boonies you will want to have dinner there. I'm glad the sisters finally settled on something -- and a very good decision it is.

Michele

YaYa · Guru

Dude,

One of my fondest memories of Ireland was my 3 night stay at Ballynahinch. I had a standard room that was cozy, very clean, really good bed and nice bath over looking the front garden. My son had a huge room but not as nice a view. At the back of the house are the more expensive rooms with views of the river and lake. It's casual but we dressed a little nicer for dinner. My son had slacks and a turtle neck and was fine. I wish you could stay longer, as there are so many lovely walks. You're given a map.

Have a wonderful trip, Joan

Dude · Guru

Thanks, Michele and Joan. We won't have anything but our traveling clothes. Can we eat dinner (supper) in the pub restaurant in our jeans?

We spent a great deal of that IM time discussing who gets the private room and it ended up that the youngest sister has to sleep in the car and go potty in the bushes so the older ones can each have a private room. That should be interesting! In reality, we have a triple room reserved everywhere but Ballycarton House in Limavady and Lough View House in Ballymurray and then Ballynahinch. So we should be able to spread out the single room stays so no one feels put upon. We have 3 nights in Limavady so if we want to shift everything around we can each have one private night! The plan is to just divide the cost by 3 each time so that should come out okay.

yesiree · Guru

Being an oldest child, I think putting the youngest in the car is a perfect solution. It assures that the car will remain secure through the night, and I can assure you, the bushes in Ireland are quite luxurious compared to many other Eur-o-pean countries.

Jeans are fine in pubs and restaurants...only five star restaurants require better dress.

Dude · Guru

Corey, Mary Anne (the baby on this trip) will appreciate your input, I'm sure. I'm the oldest so I am used to being the boss. You wouldn't believe the dithering that went on last evening.

I really didn't make myself clear--does the pub restaurant at Ballynahinch serve dinner? We probably won't be dressed for the fancy restaurant. We could also make a run to Roundstone or Clifden if we don't start out too late.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Corey,

Very funny! I got that one: Eur-o-pean

Just watch out for the gorse bushes.

Dude,

Ballynahinch is pretty laid back. I personally don't think you have to dress for dinner. But fire them off a quick email with your questions. Then you will have the definitive answers.

Michele

YaYa · Guru

Yes, you can eat in the Pub for dinner. We did one of our nights and you can order from the dining room menu. Our other dinners came as a package so we wanted to eat as cheaply as possible for the one meal. I always travel with my SAS shoes,slacks and tops. When I want to dress for dinner, I but on my pearls. I do have a nice shawl from Avoca that I use to dress up a little more and stay warm. You need not worry about your clothing at Ballynahinch. One genteman came in to dine with jeans on. If you have a room the size of my son's you could fit in 6 people. It also had a dressing room the size of a small bedroom. I'm so excited about your trip and will wait to hear about it.

My Best, Joan

Dude · Guru

Joan, that allays my fears of being escorted out of the restaurant by a snooty maitre d'! Thanks for a first-hand report.

We too are excited about the trip and not sure we can wait 5 months. Like the little boy in the DisneyWorld commercial, "We're too excited to sleep!"

Michele Erdvig · Host

Joan,

I like your idea of dressing up. Just put on your pearls. How do they go with Wellies? wink And they don't take up much room in the suitcase.

Michele

YaYa · Guru

Michele,

I don't know, I bet you could carry it off with your wellies. As long as they're not bright pink or red. Now, that would be a sight.

Judy, I can't stand snooty people anywhere and I would not have enjoyed Ballynahinch as much as I did if they hadn't been so very nice. Only place I ran into it in Ireland was The Killarney Park Hotel. The owner gave me a look of, what is that person doing in my hotel. I smiled sweetly.

Joan