leaving soon -- travel thoughts?

bottledog · Member

leaving soon -- travel thoughts?

Michele Erdvig · Host

Bottledog,

Welcome to my forum! I edited your post above because there was a weird string of HTML in it that squeezed your comments into a long thin column. Hope that is okay with you? It is much more readable now.

After looking over your proposed itinerary and reading about your expectations, I would suggest refining your plans a bit. You say "Our main objectives are to enjoy the Irsih people and experience the culture", yet you are not giving yourselves time for that or many extra activities (like the adventure for your husband). You will be in the car for a good part of your trip.

Your stop in Kilkenny will be just that - an overnight stop. Because of the marathon drive to Dingle next day you will not be able to see the city, castle or wonderful surrounding area. That is fine if you are not interested in those things. Also, on the drive between Kilkenny and Dingle you are passing by much history (Rock of Cashel & Cahir Castle), scenic drives (The Vee), and the fabulous southwest (Killarney, Gap of Dunloe, Kenmare, Beara, etc.)

If you removed Galway from the itinerary I think you could come up with a more moderately paced and relaxed trip with more two-night stays. You do know that if you are in Galway you should not drink the water? They are having pollution problems and are on a "boil water" alert. Even brushing teeth should be done with bottled water. Galway is one of those "big cities" and after Dublin you might be looking for more contrast with more rural, scenic areas.

Of the Hidden Ireland homes you mentioned, I highly recommend Sallyport House. It is exquisite with wonderful views, very friendly and informed hosts, and perfect breakfasts. It is located in Kenmare my all time favorite small town in Ireland.

I will say that most B&Bs have little tables because that is what guests prefer. However, I have never found that a detriment to conversation. You can still chat with people but I usually don't do that when they are in the middle of eating their breakfast. Instead I do it either before or after they eat so they have time to converse (if they want). Not everyone is sociable, but most people are.

If you are attending the concert on Saturday for the Willie Clancy Summer School, I assume you have all that in order? Do you have any reservations yet for lodgings? It is possible that everything in the area is booked.

You may find these adventure sites helpful:

http://www.climbing.ie/joomla/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=28

http://www.irelandxtreme.ie/

http://www.dublinseatours.ie/

http://www.seasafari.ie/

Run these thoughs by your husband and see what you two can come up with.

Michele

bottledog · Member

Michele -

thank you so much for your thoughts. No, we do not have lodging near the Willi Clancy Fest yet. Do you have any suggestions - so far the few places I've contacted are booked. I was hoping to find a place that is close enough to the festival but also close enough to shannon airprt since we'll have to be up very early the following morning. Possibly ennis?

ps i'm so excited to check out the adventure websites!!

Michele Erdvig · Host

Bottledog,

I hope you had fun perusing those sites. It is possible there are more if you do a search. There are things like paragliding and others that may fit the bill.

I am not surprised that things are already booked in the vicinity of the Willie Clancy Summer School. In Ennis I recommend the Old Ground Hotel or the Temple Gate Hotel. Ennis will be an hour or more drive to the Clancy events.

What time is your flight?

Michele

bottledog · Member

our flight is at 9:35am out of shannon and we'll have to return the car.

thanks for the info -- i'll go check into these 2 hotels.

by the way, is ennis the best place between shannon airport and the fest -- is there another town that is more accessible and closer to both?

and lastly, do you know if i need ticket in advance for the festival or can we just show up?

thank you!
melissa

Michele Erdvig · Host

Melissa,

Ennis seems like the place to be!

You will probably be leaving Ennis around 6:30 am to drive, return your car and check in for your flight. Check the hotels for a "room only" rate since you will most likely not be having breakfast there. Most hotels start serving around 7 am.

I think you will find the following page informative and it has contact info for the concert: http://www.setdancingnews.net/wcss/wcsst.htm I suggest emailing to ask if you need to purchase your advance tickets. I have not been so cannot give you a definite answer.

Michele

bottledog · Member

hi michele -

thank you for the link.

do you know these bands? and what is ceili - i don't recognize the word?

Taylor's Cross Céilí Band

Four Courts Céilí Band

thank you.

melissa

Michele Erdvig · Host

Melissa,

Can't say I have heard of those bands. However, there will be bands from all over the world attending the event. Some will be well-known and others obscure.

A ceili is a party with dancing and music. Large groups of people dance together and they do set dancing, which can be compared to very complicated square dancing. It is fast-paced and fun. It is not Irish step dancing (like Riverdance). So that will be the type of music being played by the ceili bands.

You can listen to some ceili music here: http://www.rte.ie/radio1/ceilihouse/1011690.html

Michele

stewh · Guru

Hello,
Last Spring we spent a pleasant couple of nights at the Temple Gate in Ennis. No complaints. You might want to try http://www.hotelclub.com/ for a good rate. I used them with no problem. Have a great trip.
Stewart