Granny & The Boys

Dude · Guru

Granny & The Boys

Michele Erdvig · Host

Dude,

I don't have a personal recommendation in Carrickfergus. Perhaps take a look at Trip Advisor? There is no ferry from the Ards Peninsula over Carrickfergus way. There is a ferry at the tip of the peninsula from Portaferry to Strangford. If you want to be at the castle at opening time you probably want to stay nearby. Although if you have the time the places I recommend on the peninsula are wonderful especially Edenvale. The breakfast is incredible!

Are you doing the falconry on Friday or Saturday? Are you staying in Bunratty?

Michele

Dude · Guru

Falconry on Friday. I am thinking of staying both Friday and Saturday nights in Ennis. That's going to make Friday a rough driving day but oh well. Falconry and driving will be all we will get done, except maybe for some music in Ennis that evening.

Saturday perhaps we could drive to Liscannor or Doolin and take the Cliffs cruise, then Craggaunowen in the afternoon and the Ceili in the evening.

I did check Trip Advisor for Carrickfergus and there are some possibilities. Next I'll Dogpile them to see which ones have their own webpages.

Check out the brave old broad in my new avatar. My sister found some pictures on her camera that I didn't have. The hike to the bridge was much harder than crossing the bridge itself.

thekeepguesthousecarickfergus.co.uk seems to be the only one that has a triple room. The rates look good and it's a 2 minute walk to the Castle.

I need to go to bed.....what about staying Friday night at O'Connor's Farmhouse in Doolin or Drumcreehy House in Ballyvaughn, taking the Cliffs cruise on Saturday and then heading for Ennis/Bunratty.

-- Edited by Dude at 23:19, 2009-02-04

-- Edited by Dude at 23:39, 2009-02-04

-- Edited by Dude at 23:56, 2009-02-04

-- Edited by Dude at 23:57, 2009-02-04

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Dude -

Perhaps, I am CONFUSED (it wouldn't be the first time!)????

If you think the drive to Ennis is a bear, would not driving even FURTHER - to Doolin -- be even worse?

I presume that you are coming from the general direction of the North - Donegal, Sligo - Mayo - or perhaps, Galway. If so, would think Ennis would be the shorter drive - at least, TIMEWISE - due to the better caliber of roads.

All THAT said (and please feel free to edjumacate me as to any wrong-headedness on my part), it appears that you are flying into DUB and out of SNN. What time is your flight out on the 28th? Mrs. Chauffeur and myself have a 1300 departure from SNN on the 28th, as well. I believe that Continental does one of those Gawd-awful. 0-dark thirty AM departures, so it is not likely that our paths will cross in the terminal, but who knows about the night before?

Due to the relatively late departure, we haven't decided whether to 'extend' at the house by one night, or relocate to someplace closer. Ennis would be MY preference, in that case.

Would think the last two nights in the same lodging would make 'Granny's' repacking tasks MUCH easier than jumping about from room to room....

Bob

Dude · Guru

Well, IC, it wouldn't be the first time I confused someone, including myself. You are in good company.....

You are right, Doolin will be farther than Ennis. It just looks closer, as the crow flies. And since the Cliffs cruise doesn't run until noon, we could go to Ennis and stay two nights there. I'll have to see if Eden Hill House has a triple.

We will be coming from Enniskillen to Cong so that will be a full morning's drive, but nothing else planned, just drive, then falconry, then drive some more.

Our flight out of Shannon is at 9:00, so we won't meet there, but it would be nice to get together in Ennis. We will be attending the Ceili on Saturday night but if we make the above correction we will be in Ennis on Friday.

I'll be back when I have more information.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Dude,

I definitely noticed the new avatar. Brave you! I just couldn't do it when I looked down the steep stairs to the bridge and saw the ocean below. What a chicken! My husband Barry was much braver and even helped a woman who got to the island and couldn't face the trip back.

I'm glad you cleared the confusion. I was having a tough time figuring it out too. You are right that you have a long driving day Friday. What time is the falconry at Ashford? I think I would opt for the 2 nights in Ennis too. Although you will have a very early drive to the airport on Sunday morning. But there should be no traffic.

Michele

Dude · Guru

Michele, I am so lazy that I just couldn't have walked all the way to the bridge and then not crossed it! I'm not wasting that much exercise!

The falconry runs until about 4:00 p.m. so I can make a reservation for early to mid afternoon, I'm thinking.

Eden Hill Farmhouse is south of Ennis and almost a straight shot to Bunratty/Shannon. The motorway is very well signed, too. In '03 we drove from the Cliffs to Ennis, went into Bunratty for lunch and touring the castle, back to Ennis to check in, back to Bunratty for the medieval banquet, back to Ennis to sleep, and finally to Shannon to fly out, and didn't have any problems getting lost or with traffic. Maureen has an ensuite triple and the two days are available so we are set there.

I have contacted The Keep in Carrickfergus. Their website says they are a two minute walk from the castle. I shall let you know how that works out. Your discount is saving us 12 euros at Smarmore Castle Hotel.Thank you very much!

-- Edited by Dude at 10:45, 2009-02-07

Michele Erdvig · Host

Dude,

Glad you are saving at Smarmore Castle. Every euro counts in this economy. It looks like everything is shaping up for your trip.

Michele

Anchoress · Guru

Still confused here.... and we are part of the route:)

Blessings....

Dude · Guru

Here is the tentative itinerary. We have confirmed some of the accommodations, and have booked the falconry lesson.

Sunday, June 21 Arrive Dublin, sort out rental car and GPS. Trim Castle, perhaps Fore Abbey if we are not too jetlagged. On previous visits it hasn't been much of a problem for me and I was always the driver. Hill of Tara if the boys are interested. Night at Smarmore Castle, Ardee. Indoor swimming pool!

Monday, June 22 Newgrange--be there before the doors open if at all possible. Tyrone Crystal for lunch and the 2:00 tour. Night at The Keep, Carrickfergus.

Tuesday, June 23 Carrickfergus Castle (supposedly a 2 minute walk from B&B), drive up the coast. Torr Road if we are feeling brave, Glens of Antrim along the way. If we get there early enough, perhaps the Rope Bridge. Night at Crockatinney, Balleycastle.

Wednesday, June 24 Rope Bridge, Giant's Causeway, Dunluce Castle. Night in Ardeevin on Lough Eske (or Rhu-Gorse, still waiting to hear from them)

Thursday, June 25 Visit with our friend Anchoress in the morning and for lunch, then to Enniskillen. Lots to do there, but I'm leaning to Lough Navan Forest Park and the Cliffs of Magho. Marble Arch Caves if it hasn't been raining too much. Night at Abocurragh Farmhouse, Enniskillen

Friday, June 26 (killer) Drive to Cong. Falcon Walk scheduled for 3:00. Then on to Ennis.
Early bedtime at Eden Hill House, Ennis

Saturday, June 27 Morning, boys' choice of Craggaunowen or Bunratty Castle. Cliffs of Moher cruise leaves about noon from Liscannor. Ceili in the Corn Barn evening. Night at Eden Hill House, Ennis. With luck, meet up with Mr. and Mrs. Chauffeur some time today, or last evening depending on Bob's schedule.

Sunday, June 28 9:00 a.m. flight from Shannon.

I realize that this is a Green Blur, especially Wednesday and Friday, but it accomplishes what I want for the boys and they can go back on their own as adults if they want. Granny will definitely be back. Some of these sites are things I have already experienced, but there are some new things for Granny, also.

Anchoress · Guru

Dude wrote:

Well, a fairly quiet day on the Thursday at least; and Enniskillen is a short drive.

Let me know if you need me to call the Lough Eske places?

The weather has disrupted things here this last week though.

Fore is peaceful too:) Restful place.

Good food at the coffee shop there and she will get you the key to the Anchorite cell if you ask her....

Blessings

Here is the tentative itinerary. We have confirmed some of the accommodations, and have booked the falconry lesson.

Sunday, June 21 Arrive Dublin, sort out rental car and GPS. Trim Castle, perhaps Fore Abbey if we are not too jetlagged. On previous visits it hasn't been much of a problem for me and I was always the driver. Hill of Tara if the boys are interested. Night at Smarmore Castle, Ardee. Indoor swimming pool!

Monday, June 22 Newgrange--be there before the doors open if at all possible. Tyrone Crystal for lunch and the 2:00 tour. Night at The Keep, Carrickfergus.

Tuesday, June 23 Carrickfergus Castle (supposedly a 2 minute walk from B&B), drive up the coast. Torr Road if we are feeling brave, Glens of Antrim along the way. If we get there early enough, perhaps the Rope Bridge. Night at Crockatinney, Balleycastle.

Wednesday, June 24 Rope Bridge, Giant's Causeway, Dunluce Castle. Night in Ardeevin on Lough Eske (or Rhu-Gorse, still waiting to hear from them)

Thursday, June 25 Visit with our friend Anchoress in the morning and for lunch, then to Enniskillen. Lots to do there, but I'm leaning to Lough Navan Forest Park and the Cliffs of Magho. Marble Arch Caves if it hasn't been raining too much. Night at Abocurragh Farmhouse, Enniskillen

Friday, June 26 (killer) Drive to Cong. Falcon Walk scheduled for 3:00. Then on to Ennis.
Early bedtime at Eden Hill House, Ennis

Saturday, June 27 Morning, boys' choice of Craggaunowen or Bunratty Castle. Cliffs of Moher cruise leaves about noon from Liscannor. Ceili in the Corn Barn evening. Night at Eden Hill House, Ennis. With luck, meet up with Mr. and Mrs. Chauffeur some time today, or last evening depending on Bob's schedule.

Sunday, June 28 9:00 a.m. flight from Shannon.

I realize that this is a Green Blur, especially Wednesday and Friday, but it accomplishes what I want for the boys and they can go back on their own as adults if they want. Granny will definitely be back. Some of these sites are things I have already experienced, but there are some new things for Granny, also.