Newbie, with two questions

InMyLife · Newbie

Newbie, with two questions

Michele Erdvig · Host

Scott,

Welcome to my forum. I'm glad you finally found your way here.

Congrats on your 20th anniversary and your wife's all important milestone of beating cancer. Long may it last!

Will you be driving to Kenmare fresh off the plane or will you have some days in Dublin before beginning the drive?

My first thought for renewing vows is the little chapel at Gougane Barra:

In Killarney is the ruin of Muckross Abbey:

In Dingle is Kilmalkedar Church ruins where you can touch fingers through a holed stone:

Ahamore Abbey on Abbey Island at Derrynane on the beach:

Skellig Michael:

Staigue Fort:

There is a start for you.

Michele

InMyLife · Newbie

Thank you Michelle, these are great places.

We get into Dublin on Thursday morning, and we can't take possession of the house until Saturday. So we can either stay in Dublin two days, or only stay one day and then drive halfway to Kenmare and stay the night.

Part of me says just stay in Dublin for two days, simply because it's less unpacking and re-packing. But I'd love an opinion.

One more question. Have any of you rented a car for 5 people before? Holy Cow...I looked at Hertz (which is my favorite agency) and a Ford Galaxy mini-van with all the extra insurance and stuff will run me $1,800 USD! Yikes!

Just wondering if there are other cars/minivans that will accommodate us and our luggage for a bit cheaper.

Thanks again everyone.

Scott

Zstep · Veteran Member

I'm going to be renting a car for 5 (although 2 are children). Have you considered a full sized station wagon? It seats 5 and I have found them to be $500 cheaper than an SUV through Dan Dooley (9 day rental).

The SUV rentals are brutal...

Laoghaire · Senior Member

HI Scott and Michele...My husband Ed, and I renewed our vows in the little chapel at Gougane Barra in 2007. We did not have a priest there, we just went into the chapel(a special place for us!), and renewed our vows to each other. It happened early in a day that had a wedding decorated for the afternoon, so we had beautiful decorations as we knelt in front of the altar.

There is a quaint hotel there, and I still think it is open, where the family could stay. The area is situated on a wonderful little lake with a small monastic site on the property, and mountains in the background.. If I knew how to attach photos, I would sed you a picture of the church and the inside. I shall try to figure that one out!

Whatever you decide, have a memorable trip to Ireland with the family. What a special way to renew one's vows.

Helen

-- Edited by Laoghaire on Monday 15th of March 2010 12:16:47 PM

Michele Erdvig · Host

Scott,

If you decide on Gougane Barra be aware that it is a busy spot for weddings especially on Fri, Sat & Sun. It would be best to be there early in the day. I am sure they close the doors and lock up every night but during the day the door to the chapel is always open. I have never been there when it was locked. The hotel across from the chapel is not open off-season. If you were planning on a meal then bring a picnic!

The drive from Dublin to Kenmare will take a good part of the day, depending on your route. If you plan sightseeing stops along the way then it will take all day.

I'm with Zstep on the van/car issue. Try pricing a station wagon.

Michele

Michele Erdvig · Host

Helen,

Only photos that are already online on another website can be posted on the forum. In the Advanced Editor mode you can click on the little icon of a photo and input the URL of the photo. Then it will appear on the forum. If the photo is in your computer it won't work.

Michele

InMyLife · Newbie

Michelle,

We would be there on a Thursday, so hopefully that should make it easier. About how far from Kenmare would you say the Oratory is?

I think when we go from Dublin to Kenmare we'll just power through. I want to spend as much time as we can there!

Okay...one more question and I promise to stop for awhile. :)

If you had to pick the top 5 things to do in daytrips around Kenmare, what would they be?

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Let's see if this works:

Goghane Barra

MY choice, for Kenmare:

Kenmare Stone Circle

Bob

YAY! I FINALLY figured out how to do this!!!

-- Edited by Itallian Chauffeur on Monday 15th of March 2010 10:55:18 PM

Michele Erdvig · Host

Bob,

I think I have created a monster! Now you know how to post photos here. Don't go nuts now. aww

Shall I tell you how to embed YouTube videos?

Michele

Michele Erdvig · Host

Scott,

I think the last time I drove from Kenmare to Gougane Barra it took maybe 1 1/4 hours or a little more. It is way up in the mountains and part of the road is single track with passing places. Hardly another car around though. Go from Kenmare toward Kilgarvan. You will see a signpost on the right for Gougane Barra. Just follow those signs. You can come back a different way if you want.

I'm afraid there is much more than a top 5 for the Kenmare area. Right in the general vicinity is the Druid's Circle (Bob's photo of the stones), Reenagross Park, Seafari boat ride, the little lace and local museum, the cathedral.

Day trips:

Killarney & area
Moll's Gap & Ladies View
Beara Peninsula (don't forget to stop in at Josie's)
Healy Pass
Ilnacullin Gardens on Garinish Island
Bantry House & Gardens
Ring of Kerry
Skellig Michael

The best chocolates I ever had are near Bonnane Lorge Chocolates. The supermarket in Castletownbere had clotted cream. Yum! And I'm still kicking myself for not buying that jar of goose fat at the supermarket in Kenmare. I think it would be a great conversation starter in my kitchen! biggrin

Not that I would cook with it as my husband is trying to lower his cholesterol.

Michele

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Michele --

Probably BEST that you do NOT !!! biggrin

I'll have to increase my annual contribution to ofsett the increased use of bandwidth .... hmm

Bob