stannseniors
Registered User
Posts: 20
(9/2/03 11:46 am)

itinerary revisions

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Michele, your book is great - and so helpful (i love the pictures)

This is my revised version of our itinerary - i had to go to Kilkenny the 2nd night there because the castle is not open on Sunday or Monday and we did not want to miss that! If anybody could give a suggestion or two - i would really appreciate it....Boy - you could pull your hair out doing this!

Oct 3- land in Shannon 7:45am - drive to Bunratty B&B - sightsee and Barn Party

Oct 4- Drive to Kilkenny B&B - see Castle, St. Canice's Cathedral, Jerpoint Abbey

Oct 5- Visit Kells, Kilree (picinic lunch)
drive to Kinsale (Derrynaflan Farmhouse)pr Cobh (Seafield) - 2 nights

Oct 6- sightsee around Kinsale/Cobh - see Fort Charles, James Fort, Blarney castle late

Oct 7- Drive to Kenmare B&B - 2 nights
sightsee - maybe some of killarney, druids circle
Muckross house, Sheenan's pub

Oct 8- Drive Ring of Kerry (clockwise) (picinic lunch)
see what we missed in Killarney then back to Kenmare B&B

Oct 9- early start to Ferry up to Cliffs of Moher then to Ennis B&B

Oct 10 sightsee Ennis in morning - drive to Bunratty by early afternoon and go to B&B (Bunratty lodge) - Medievel banquet (both booked)

Is this too much? not enough? I'm missing Rock of Cashel but didn't know where to put it!

DebbieK
Registered User
Posts: 91
(9/2/03 12:36 pm)

Re: itinerary revisions

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One thing that I would possibly change is to stay in Killarney on the 7th & 8th. If you are planning on doing some pub stops , and listening to music, it would be easier not to have to drive back to Kenmare. By staying in Killarney you will have a much easier route back to the B&B. A 20 or 30 min drive in the dark may not be too much fun after a long day of sightseeing and an evening in the pub.

You may be able to fit Cashel in on the way to Kilkenny, but you would have to make it a fast stop.

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1812
(9/2/03 10:49 pm)
 
Re: itinerary revisions

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Hi stannseniors,

I'm glad to hear you are enjoying my book and the sketches of the B&Bs. According to the info on the Heritage Ireland web site Kilkenny Castle is open in October every day from 10:30am-12:45pm. The last tour is 45 minutes before closing time. So that means you need to be there by noon at the latest: www.heritageireland.ie/en...eKilkenny/ That being the case, you might want to see Cashel on your drive to Kilkenny and save the castle for first thing on Oct 5. Juggle some of the sightseeing around a little. If you want to re-check on opening times for the castle the phone number is: (056) 21450.

You mention Derrynaflan Farmhouse. I'm a bit confused. It is located near Cashel not Kilkenny. If you need some recommendations for Kilkenny, just ask.

Are you staying in Cobh or Kinsale? Or perhaps winging it?

Ennis is not really a scenic town. Had you considered overnighting in Doolin or Ballyvaughan instead?

Everything else looks pretty good.

Michele

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1815
(9/2/03 11:40 pm)

Kilkenny Castle

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Hi stannseniors,

Another web site states that Kilkenny Castle is open: October to March Daily 10.30am to 5.00pm (Closed for lunch 12.45 to 2.00pm). So I suggest calling them from your B&B in Bunratty to check to see what the actual opening times are. That way you can fine-tune your itinerary accordingly.

Michele

stannseniors
Registered User
Posts: 21
(9/4/03 9:05 am)

revised itinerary

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Michele, thank you - I'm so confused - i have looked at a few sites and they either say they are closed on Sun & Mon or they are open daily - this is the site i was looking at first:
www.kilkennycraic.com/vis...castle.htm

I'm glad you made the suggestions you did---i will list my new/tweeked itinerary today or tommorro. I still have so many questions but i feel like such a pest.

DebbieK
Registered User
Posts: 97
(9/4/03 9:45 am)

Re: revised itinerary

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Don't worry about being a pest.
We would rather you ask all your questions, and enjoy your trip, than have something go wrong/badly, that we could have steered you around.

Right Gang?!?

Dude
Unregistered User
(9/4/03 1:36 pm)

Pest?

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You betcha, Deb! We have all been there, and this is like a hobby for some of us. We get to go to Ireland vicariously, and relive our past trips.
Keep asking!

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1826
(9/4/03 10:27 pm)

Kilkenny Castle Opening Times

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Hi stannseniors,

Debbie and Dude are right on. You are not a pest at all. All the forum community members love helping with other's trips. When I first went I had help from a lovely couple that my husband worked with and we are still friends to this day. I blame them for getting me started on Ireland. So you found just the right forum for getting help. And we are all delighted to do so. If you need answers we've got them!

I agree that the various opening times listed on different web sites are confusing. That's why I use the times on Duchas' site since they run many of the attractions. However, in Ireland at the end of the season sometimes the rules change. If it's quiet they may reduce the hours or close up even though officially they should be open. I suggest emailing Mary Browne at Bunratty Lodge and inquiring if she can call Kilkenny Castle to get the opening times for you. The Irish people are a very helpful bunch too.

Michele

stannseniors
Registered User
Posts: 23
(9/5/03 10:55 am)

itinerary take 2

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that is a great idea - I've never called overseas before and i am a little intimidated. Ms. Browne has been so nice about e-mailing me with reservation questions etc.