Beara and Mizen Head from Bantry

oceanblue · Veteran Member

Beara and Mizen Head from Bantry

Michele Erdvig · Host

Barbara,

Yes, you can do that in two days.

Michele

youngka · Guru

Hi Barbara! Glad you found Michele's forum! I have stayed in Bantry, but not in Kinsale )we did drive to Kinsale and really liked it!),I do remember we loved all the places you mentioned. My favorite Beara Peninsula. Keep in mind it is quite a way out to the lighthouse on Mizen Head, and if you want to walk the bridge to the lighthouse. The food in the little cafe is good if it is time to eat something. We loved Bantry. We had stayed in a self catering place two of the years we were in Ireland. If you go to Ireland again, you may want to check out : one of these two places: http://www.rentacottage.ie/holiday-homes/cottages/cork/ballylickey.htm http://www.geocities.com/klhoepsin/Kingston (I believe the rate this year for one week is E270 for ballylickey unit) and see if you like it. If you like to walk/hike, it is fun to walk from the "stables" down to the bay and all over the point - it was a good place for a "home" base. Each time we went into town, right as you enter, there is a little market where we got our food. The owners are very nice, we really missed seeing them this year..... The Baltimore beacon/tower (?) on the hill is a good walk -- if it isn't pouring down rain! Enjoy your stay, when do you leave and for how long? youngka

oceanblue · Veteran Member

Thanks Michelle and Younka

I leave June 18th for 15 days.
I have been following this forum for a long time before joining so was very excited to follow your trip as well as Bits,Michelle's and I believe Bob has another coming up. I only hope that I can go every year now as you all try to do. I am enjoying the trip reports, printed Bob's from 2007 and am reading that now. I truly think both Bob and Bit should write a book. Their writing style is amazing.

Younka I would love to go for 6 weeks as I know 2 wks is not enough. I was sorry to hear that you had to cut your trip short but at least you got 3 wks in. I was glad you to hear you and Bit met up. I was wondering if you were able to meet Anchoress.
I think the next time we go we will try the self catering cottage for at least a week. You can't beat the prices. This trip we are staying in Avoca, Kinsale, Bantry, Dingle, Doolin, Galway and Dublin. Had I bought Michelle's book prior to booking my accomadations I would have done things a little different but I am learning. We are flying in and out of Dublin as we were able to get non stop flight from Orlando. My husband doesn't do planes well.

Well Thanks for the info

Barbara

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Congrats and well-wishes on your up-coming trip.

Since you MAY be in the area around that time, consider 'dropping in' to:

O'Driscoll Clan Gathering Proposed Festival Schedule 25 - 28 June 2009

http://www.odriscolls.me.uk/

We attended in June of '07 and it was a VERY good time.

You DON'T need to BE an O'Driscoll to enjoy (or BE enjoyed). There are NUMEROUS events, activities including live music, a free meal and the place is filled with Irish, Brits, Australians, Canadians and Yanks.

As to Sheep's Head -- the most impressive drive is out from Bantry, along the Goat's Path, stopping at Finn MacCool's Seat on the ridge-line of Seefin -- if you go that way, you can't miss it -- look for the Pieta! biggrin

Also, heading out of Bantry on the Drimoleague road (R586), look for a sign marked, "Vaughn's Pass", on your LEFT. A short distance up that road is a Lay-By (Rest area) with OUTRAGEOUS views of Bantry and the Bay.

We, too are flying out of Orlando, but doing the 'JetBlue-to JFK-AerLingus-to SNN' routing. My wife doesn't handle planes well, either, but avoiding Dublin was well worth the added anxiety on her part.

Thanks for your kind comments on my reports. I'm actually planning to complete the research for the third and final segment of the Family History (told as quasi-historical fiction ) whilst in Millstreet. The 'Umbrella' title of the trilogy is SPOKES IN THE WHEEL, taken from a song, by Ciaran Wynne.

NOT that that makes me an author, though. Even though a dozen or so copies of Book One: MEN OF HONOR and Book Two: HARD ROAD physically exist in the hands of family, close friends and collaborators, they are hardly LITERATURE. biggrin biggrin

Still and all, thank you for your kind words.

Bob

youngka · Guru

Barbara, you have been reading for awhile, as you mentioned. (can see by what you have mentioned) I am sure you found some good places to stay and as I mentioned, you will be seeing some really nice towns, scenery
people, food, etc. i really get a lot of info from Bit, Michele and Bob, to mention a few. There are so many things to try and fit into your schedule just from reading the forum. No, I did not get up to see Anchoress.. I was disappointed. I have wanted to meet her for awhile, she sounds so interesting!

Bob! I am sure you mentioned before about what you were writing about, but I missed it! When did you write the two? It is nice to know, if you have two books done I would certainly call myself/yourself a writer ....

I also agree with you about Bob (writing more) and Bit writing about the WILD West!! That is wny I enjoy reading their trips. I certainly can talk a lot, but cannot for the life of me put down words on paper as they do.

Anyway, enjoy your trip and hope every day is a sunny one!! smile

youngka

oceanblue · Veteran Member

Hi Youngka and Bob

Youngka, I am alot like you, I know what I want to say but doesn't quite come out that way when I am writing. I guess that is why I read more than I post. I certainly have the passion for Ireland, now I am trying to get the knowledge.

Bob, how in the world did you find out about the O' Driscoll family reunion. I bet that has a story behind it.
Spokes in the Wheel, what an awesome title, it makes perfect sense, very clever.
Good Luck with your Third in the Trilogy.

Thanks for the info I am getting the map out now to see I can find the areas you speak of. Hopefully this time around I will recognize some of what I have learned on the forum when I see it.

By the way GO Gators!! My daughter just graduated last year from UF

Barbara P

youngka · Guru

Barbara, We just love Ireland and have been going since 2006, increasing our weeks each time. Being retired, makes it very possible and thank goodness for tax refunds, etc.! Re Bob's book/s -- I looked the title up on Amazon and didn't find it - so I asked Bob when he wrote it, because the title is so perfect and I'll bet it IS interesting reading. My brother has done so much research on Genealogy and can go no further -- I am thinking that is what Bob was meaning.....
Maybe he can fill us in on his next posting.....Bob? . We sure wish we lived on the East Coast, be a lot cheaper than Oregon to fly to Shannon -- I would go more often, for sure, if my husband didn't want to go! Keep researching, it is not only fun, it is extremely interesting. In fact, I spent the day going through a 2009 Self Catering publication I picked up at the B&B in Kenvira........HAVE FUN youngka

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Ladies --

Really didn't mean to make such a big deal about this ... confuse confuse

I would have been shocked had you found a listing on Amazon (or anywhere else, for that matter!) since they were Self-'Published' -- if you can call it that --
I formatted and printed the original on my computer, using Microsoft Office and had a local print shop Xerox copies and "Perfect Bind' (when the cover wraps, front to back and is glued to the pages, along the spine). Each 'Edition' totaled about 20 copies.

I gave the first away, as Christmas presents, December of 2002. I finally finished the second book in May of '05 and again, gave THOSE copies for Christmas that year.

The background:

In April of '01 (our 30th Anniversary Trip), we stumbled across a music cd by Ciaran Wynne titled NO WAY HOME. It was all EXCELLENT, but 'A MOTHER'S SONG' really touched something inside of me --

"This is not a love song --
This is how I feel.

But, I know I must be strong --
I'm just a spoke in the wheel."

I have always been a history buff and had done EXTENSIVE research on my wife's family and Irish history leading up to our first trip in 1999 (and every year since). I search out and buy locally produced histories and obscure biographies. In '01, my major BOOK find was a biography of the Hiring Fairs in Charlevillie, Co. Cork, during the 1920's and 30's, written by Liam O'Donnell titled "THE DAYS OF THE SERVANT BOY".

That entire, unseasonably sunny April, my wife spent the better part of the trip wondering aloud about her paterrnal ancestors --

"What were they like? What did they feel, as they walked these paths? Why did they leave? How did they abandon such beauty?"

And on the plane home -- cruising the airways at 35,000 feet, as I was reading about Servant Boys and listening to Ciaran's CD -- it came to me. By the time we had landed, I had written the last chapter of what will evntually be the last book.

Since then, I've been trying to fill in the blanks leading up to that. hmm hmm hmm

We had no concrete data prior to 1865 -- no tangible link, other than generic, historical data about the Celtic Sept, O'Dubhda, from the Clan Ui Fiachrach, from whence came the O'Dowds, Dowda, Doody, Dooley and Duddy of the world. That data places the principal seat of the Clan around Ballina, in eastern Mayo and southern Sligo, though there is a branch in Kerry, as well.

And so, I created a cast of ancestors AND a narrative tying those individuals with major historical events, begining in Ballina in 1798. Two hundred and sixty pages later (but, chronologically, STILL in 1798), I ended MEN OF HONOR, begrudgingly conceding that SPOKES IN THE WHEEL need must be a trilogy ....

HARD ROAD (also named from a Ciaran Wynne song) moved the family characters to the hamlet of Mullaroghe, on Belmullet, in Co Mayo, ending in the aftermath of the Great Famine.

Book Three is tenatively titled SOMETIMES WE CRY (from a Van Morrison song --- are you begining to see a pattern??? biggrin ) and is intended to span 1848 to 1898, centered around Millstreet, Co. Cork, so as to 'jibe' with known, historical facts. It will end, in 1898 with my wife's Grandfather standing on the deck of a ship, as Ireland slips from sight.

I KNOW this, because THAT part has been waiting for me to 'Catch Up' -- since 2001.

Yes, I am a writer -- but being an Author is not necessarily the same thing.

And, as to the O'Driscolls -- my wife's Grandmother was one -- born and raised in West Cork, just up the road from Baltimore. biggrin biggrin

Bob

-- Edited by Itallian Chauffeur on Tuesday 2nd of June 2009 04:35:48 PM

youngka · Guru

Bob, as usual your posting was as good as ever. I think the books would be interesting - what did the ones you gave them to say? All that research had to be very interesting...too bad the books are not on the market. Neat way to name each book. Ties them together. A friend of mine did the same thing you did and I was lucky to get one of his. He had researched to death the England hot spots for antiques. It really is interesting, but I still haven't gotten to England to check out the places -- the book and the shops will be outdated by
then smile

! And, it seems to me, you have written before on the forum about moving to Ireland when you retire? Each time we go over we check out houses. We will never move over, but it fun to dream. My folks were like you and your wife, except they went to Germany every year from 1972 till the early 1990's - 5 wks each time. No one could understand, but I do now. I loved Germany and wasn't going to ever go anywhere else - as I mentioned in last posting. Now Ireland has taken its place and we only started going yearly since 2006. So, off again in 2010! My husband even gave up the thought of traveling to Yellowstone or Alaska for Ireland -- now I have him hooked too -- nice to have company on the trips biggrin

. We can add more to our list of places to go since we never got thru this visit -- and are trying not to repeat places and see something different each trip. As I wrote I can talk a lot, but I will STOP! Have a really wonderful trip, know you will.
Barbara -- have a great trip!! youngka

-- Edited by youngka on Tuesday 2nd of June 2009 02:08:05 AM

oceanblue · Veteran Member

Wow Bob Your books sound wonderful, I bet your wife is thrilled with all your research of her family. Thanks for filling us in, it really is very interesting. I too love History, like your wife I often think of those who walked before us, their hardships their joy. It is so surreal sometimes.

I see you and your wife leave June 12th or start out the 11th. Not long now. I hope you get all your research finished for the third book. I am trying to get a little more research done on my family tree before I leave but time is short. Work tends to get in the way.

Youngka Being retired sounds great, the way the economy is and the way I love to travel I will probably be working till I am 80 if I make it that long. For now I am just happy to have a job. Would love to hear about your trip Youngka when you get a chance. I live for those trip reports

I wish the dollar would improve on the Euro, it is not looking to promising in the last few days. Fortunately I did get some Euro when it was way down but the rest of my group did not.

Bob I wish you and your wife the best trip ever and many sunny days ahead.

Thanks for all the great info and stories
Keep them coming

I really love Michele's forum

Barbara P

youngka · Guru

Barbara -- I can not tell you how much I love retirement - I was lucky and retired at 53! I feel very secure and fortunate during the recession; but I am sad for everyone who lost or is losing their jobs. Thanks for your comment re retirement. When we were in Ireland we just stayed on a sorta strict budget, still had a good time and were just happy to be there and meet new people and see the beautiful countryside. Time is rushing fast now, are you packed? biggrin

youngka
Bob! How can you resist not loaning us a copy of your book/s now?? smile

oceanblue · Veteran Member

I am with you Younka I would love to read Bob's books.
Good for you retiring at 53 that is great. I am 51 and no where near retiring
but as long as I have my travel to look forward to I am OK.

I have not started packing yet but am thinking about getting some things together tonight. I can't believe it is almost time to go, so much more to do.
I really wanted to do some work on the family from Ireland but it is not looking so promising at this point.

Any recommendations on places to eat or Pubs not to miss???

Barbara P

-- Edited by oceanblue on Tuesday 2nd of June 2009 01:21:44 PM

youngka · Guru

Barbara dont forget the little café (Mizenhead).. Prego (JAM is near ) is a good place in Kenmare (we always had fun going to the gift/suvenier shop to the left as you walk out of Prego--on the corner -- kitty corner from the Woolens store, if you get to Sneem, the Village Country Café be sure to go over the bridge, second restaurant on left, Also, there is a nice place for a snack, lunch, etc. at a little café on the main street side of the (believe me!) Fields gro. store front, in Skibbereen--wonderful sandwiches and LOVE their coffee--they make a good breakfast sandwich also. Where do you fly out and what date? What else are you doing during the rest of your time in Ireland what other places will you be near? Where are you staying your last night, etc? Re: your retirement -- just downsize and live a simplier life and STASH your money for trips -- biggrin

If you get to Roundstone, be sure and eat the Pub Food in the big white hotel (this is why I don't write a good story about our trips! I am so bad with names of places!!) In Clifden be sure and have dinner at the hotel across from the huge market and square -- it seems I have written this before? If near Kenvara DON'T miss going to Linnane's -- their sign will have a lobster on it with a smile. It is located South of Kenvara -- just look for signs. You will not believe how good their food is -- I love their crabcakes. My husband loves the lamb. Good Grief, makes it look like all we do is eat! Wellllll
Good grief, I was thinking you were leaving this Fri! The way I pack is that I tend to throw things in my suitcase as I pass it, when I think of something I don't want to forget -- makes it easier to pack when almost time to go. youngka

-- Edited by youngka on Tuesday 2nd of June 2009 07:07:52 PM

oceanblue · Veteran Member

Hi Youngka,

My schedule is as follows
June 18th Fly out Round trip Dublin
June19th/20th Avoca Koliba House B and B
June 21st/22nd Kinsale Old Prebytery B and B
June 23rd/24th Bantry Maritime Hotel
June 25th/26th Dingle Greenmount B and B
June 27th Doolin Culligans B and B
June 28th/29th Galway Park House Hotel
June 30th/July 1st Dublin Kilronan Guest House
July 2nd Fly Home

Had it been just my husband and I would have done things a little different.
The six additional people going with us have never been to Ireland so we are doing some places for them. Personally I would have loved to stay in Killkenny, Killarney, Westport and seen some of Donegal but that I will save for next year.
I am looking forward to seeing Beara, Mizen and Sheep Head Peninsula's. Dingle was my favorite on the first trip however we did not make it on the Slea head Drive so that will be exciting. I have been reading about Skellig Michael but I have 2 in the group that are in their 70's with bad arthritis so don't think they could make all those steps.

I started organizing last night. Printing out directions, making all my lists. I am the organizer and planner in the group. They all depend on me to handle it all, but I love it. I have so many print outs from the forum that it will take a couple of days to get that all together as well as names of Pubs, restaurants and sites to see.
My first trip we went not knowing anything except about the Blarney Stone, Cliffs of Moher and Durty Nellys otherwise we flew by the seat of our pants. This time I have a little more knowledge thanks to all of you.
We did get to stay at Ashford Casle on our first trip. That was a dream come true and worth every penny. Speaking of Penney's
Did you see what the Euro is upto now??

Barbara P

youngka · Guru

Barbara P. -- I should have spent more time in Bantry town. I sure don't remember the hotel where you are staying, very nice! Since you are going to Galway, you just may be able to eat at some of the places I wrote about -- from Doolin to Galway by way of the coast. Nice trip you planned. I was really sad about not making it to Westport, I have wanted to stay there for four years -- NEXT YEAR! It is such a cute canal town. The West Coast from Donegal area North looks really interesting. Maybe you can put Derry for the trip 2010. Skellig - the two in your group that can't make the steps, might enjoy doing something in the surrounding area? It is always fun to sit and watch the people and they could have coffee/tea in an outside seating area while everyone is gone. I know my folks would have loved to sit and just take it all in.

"I started organizing last night. Printing out directions, making all my lists." - You will do just fine and it will make moving around easier..I too like to do the organizing. I had to put the pages from this forum in a different folder. I just didn't want to miss out on something we might be headed toward. youngka

Euro:

Live rates at 2009.06.03 20:58:38 UTC
100.00 EUR	=	141.578 USD
Euro		United States Dollars
1 EUR = 1.41578 USD		1 USD = 0.706325 EUR

Michele Erdvig · Host

Barbara,

The euro is certainly up since I was there. Or perhaps we should look at another way and say the dollar is down.

I hope you get a good day for Slea Head Drive because it is fabulous. It sounds like you are very organized for this trip. I'm sure it will be to the benefit of everyone. With such a group it is good to stay put for a couple of days in most places.

Yes, Skellig Michael is not for the faint of heart. When I was in Ireland a tourist fell to their death there. You need to be fit to do it.

Michele

Michele Erdvig · Host

Bob,

You may just have to have more books printed to satisfy the forum members.

Michele

oceanblue · Veteran Member

Hi Michele

You were down in my neck of the woods I live in Tampa.

How awful about the death on Skellig. I often wondered even at the Cliffs of Moher if
anyone has died or been injured. I am so clumsy when I get near a curb my husband comes running. I make him nervous. You are right it is the dollar that is down. With inflation on its way this maybe a trend.

Youngka
I was bantering back and forth about staying in Kemare vs Bantry. The reason I choose Bantry was because of visiting the peninsula's, Beara, Sheeps Head, Baltimore and Mizen Head. After seeing some of Michele's accomodation suggestions I was sorry I did not stay in Kenmare or Killarney but will visit both on the way to Dingle. I have not been to any of these areas so I am sure they will all be a treat. Have you been to Garnish Island, I would like to see the seals on the way.
Thanks for the restaurant suggestions

Barbara

youngka · Guru

Hi Barbara --Kenmare is one of my favorite places. Maybe my husband, Dave, and I can stay two days there next trip. We already are planning on two days in Kenvara, 2 days in Roundstone, and the other stays will be self catering - 2010. Just remember, anywhere you go will be a treat.....! Garnish Island -- no, haven't been there -- have to look it up. I like a lot of the places Michele suggests, good ones. You are welcome for the suggestions, just hope if you do get to Prego in Kenmare, you will like
it biggrin

. When we first went to Ireland, it was just one place we always tried to go. youngka

100.00 EUR

=

141.578 USD