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Dude


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Here it is, the itinerary for three middle-aged sisters in a standard size car for the last two weeks of September. Feel free to make suggestions, but remember that we are very sensitive, so be nicewink. Nothing is set in stone except the dates. We do have reservations at each lodging.

Sunday 9/16 Fly into Shannon, arrive 6:55 Monday morning. Collect bags, change money, get car and on the road north. Stop at Thoor Ballylee and Coole Park. Maybe have a late breakfast/early lunch in the tearoom. Night at St. Anne's Farm B&B, Milltown.

Tuesday 9/18 Tour Knock (all raised Catholic, one sister still devout). Perhaps go to Foxford and check out the Woolen Mills. End up at Achill Island and start exploring there. Night at The Bervie, Keel.

Wednesday 9/19 Explore Achill Island: Craft Centre, Crogharn Mts., Giant's Grave, Kildavnet Castle, Minaun Cliffs, Cathedral Rocks, Innishbiggle and Annagh Islands Boat Trip, Achill Island Pottery. (may have done some of this yesterday and some can be done tomorrow). Night at the Bervie.

Thursday 9/20 Finish exploring Achill Island. Ceide Fields, maybe. Into Sligo: Knocknarea (NOT going to climb up there again), Creevykeel, Gleniff Horseshoe, Rosses Point Beach, Glencar Lake. Night at Iorras, Sligo.

Friday 9/21 Belleek Pottery for shopping and maybe tour. Into Donegal Town (any suggestions beside the Donegal Craft Village?) and on to Derry. Take a walking tour or open-top bus tour (any suggestions about which tour company? Are there still horse-drawn tours?). Night at Ballycarton House, Limavady (one load of laundry)

Saturday 9/22 Early start: Giant's Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede Bridge, Dunluce Castle, Dark Hedges, Torr Head Drive, White Park Bay (is the Bishop's View along this way or is it toward the Inishowen Peninsula?) Night at Ballycarton House (one load of laundry).

Sunday 9/23 Early Mass. Take the ferry across to the Inishowen Peninsula. Drive the 100 and see the Grianan of Aileach. Night at Ballycarton House. (one load of laundry if necessary)

Monday 9/24 Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh. Into Enniskillen: Castle Coole, Lough Navar Forest Park and the Cliffs of Magho, the Buttermarket for shopping. Maybe the Marble Arch Caves. Night at Abocurragh Farm, Enniskillen.

Tuesday 9/25 Maybe the Marble Arch Caves. Strokestown: Famine Museum. Maybe Lough Key Forest Park. Check out Doorly's Pub in Roscommon. Night at Lough View House, Ballymurray.

Wednesday 9/26 Clonmacnoise. Maybe shop at Standun in Spiddal on the way to Recess. Maybe drive the Sky Road. Hang out at Ballynahinch. (Anyone know where the Connemara Green Marble Shop is? Not the one in Moycullen, I think) Night at Ballynahinch Castle Hotel, Recess.

Thursday 9/27 Perhaps shop at Standun on the way east. Bunratty: Blarney Woolen Mills, Folk Park, Knappogue Castle, Craggaunowen, maybe into Limerick to see King John's Castle. Traditional Irish Night in the Corn Barn. Night at Bunratty Lodge, Bunratty.

Friday 9/28 EARLY start for the airport and home.

Now we understand that we probably can't do all the things listed each day, but they are on our Possible List. Feel free to suggest additions or deletions.

Found the Green Marble Shop--in Recess. Also found Bishop's Road.


-- Edited by Dude at 23:35, 2007-04-25

-- Edited by Dude at 23:47, 2007-04-25

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Slán go fóill, Judy
YaYa


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Dear Judy,

It looks like a lovely trip, don't you need a 4th older sister? Have a wonderful, wonderful time.

YaYa (which means granny in Greek, well YiaYia) or Joan

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joan chatham
Dude


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Well, Joan, there are actually 6 of us sisters so I can't see where one more would make any difference. I'm the oldest but would relinquish that position.

Next trips will be taking the grandchildren (not all 7 at once) and selected ones of their parents!

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Slán go fóill, Judy
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Not that there's a LOT to see there, but on Thursday (if you DO go to Ceide Fields, drop into Killala (site of the French Invasion of 1798) and check out the Round Tower and the Bishop's Castle.  Not worth a big detour, but it's particularly facinating if you  are a history buff.

Dunno if either are open for tours (they weren't when I was there last, in '02 -- but it WAS Feb yawn ).

Bob

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Bob

Help Us to Help You.  The more you tell us about your plans (dates, interests, budget), the better we can tailor our advice to suit!
Dude


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Killala has always interested me because of the line "The ships we'd been wearily waiting Sailed into Killala's broad bay." Some day I would like to do a tour of Ireland checking out all the places named in all the songs I know--but won't live that long. As the liner notes to one of my Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem albums (dating myself there, yes, vinyl) says, "There's a song about every stone by the side of the road in Ireland."

I'll make note of those possible stops. Thanks, Bob.

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Slán go fóill, Judy
Sidz


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That sounds like a great trip!  I will look forward to a report when you return, as there are some ideas on there that I am tempted to include in the next trip over.

Enjoy!!!aww

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Dude


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Oh, there'll definitely be a report, and no holds barred. Maybe even pictures as I get more technologically savvy. Our local grocery store chain (south Texas area) even has online photo albums etc. so I can take advantage of that.


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Slán go fóill, Judy
Michele Erdvig


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Dude,

It sounds like a great trip. In Donegal you could stop and see Donegal Castle. Be sure to walk the beach just outside the gate at Bervie.

Bishop's view is toward Inishowen. You shoudl stop at Mussenden for a look around. You can even drive on most of the beaches. The beach just after Mussenden has huge sand dunes.

I was just there last October and can't wait to return.

Michele



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Dude


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Michele, your suggestions have gone into the portfolio under the "Limavady" tab (Achill Island idea under "Achill" just so I don't get confused). I hope I'm not over-orchestrating. Just want to have all the possibilities scoped out so we can choose once we get there.

-- Edited by Dude at 15:12, 2007-04-28

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Slán go fóill, Judy
yesiree


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You've got a grand tour there. Definitely take good notes and photos...there are so many sites you mention that I'd like to see or relive.

We've got the Irish Fireside list of highlights for Inishowen at http://www.irishfireside.com/10inishowen.htm

I loved walking the glen at Downhill/Mussenden Temple. Several steps, but quite manageable.

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Corey
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Dude


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Thanks, Corey. I will definitely check out the podcast for Inishowen and put Mussenden on the list. We are also looking at taking the Viking cruise from Athlone to Clonmacnoise. I'm not sure I can wait 4½ months.

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Slán go fóill, Judy
Laoghaire


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Hi Judy,

Be sure to go to Mussenden Temple and the Castle.  We have been twice and never tire of it!  The view is terrific, as is all of the Antrim Coast.  It's a good walk from the parking area through the castle, through wandering sheep! (And there leavings!). The Temple wasn't open when we were there, is it now, does anyone know/

Your ininerary looks great and the way time passes, September will be here in no time. We are going in 3 weeks, and already I am planning our next trip in my mind!  So many places to see yet, and this will be our seventh time over.

Enjoy these months, a lot of joy is in the planning, and looking forward to your journey.

Helen

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Helen Leary Olson
yesiree


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When I was at the Temple last summer, it was not open for touring...however, you can rent it for weddings and events. John Bustard gave us the shady history of the structure in our Causeway Coast and Glens interview (www.irishfireside.com/13northernireland.htm).

I'm excited to hear about the cruise!

-- Edited by yesiree at 15:46, 2007-04-30

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Corey
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Dude


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Corey, when I download the Inishowen episode I only get 3.08 minutes. This chops me off just as I'm entering a seaside village. Haven't had any problems with the other episodes.

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Slán go fóill, Judy
yesiree


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Hmmm, there was some kind of glitch. I re-uploaded the file and it seems to be working now. Thanks for the heads up.

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Corey
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Dude


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I'll pop off to listen to it, some time after work. Thanks, Corey.

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Slán go fóill, Judy
Dude


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Corey, I was able to download and listen to the entire episode. Thanks for the help! I can't wait, if you had such a good time in the pouring rain. The B&B hostess in Limavady assures us that the sun always shines in Ireland, it's just that sometimes it hides behind the clouds.

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Slán go fóill, Judy
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