MarthaA
Unregistered User
(12/20/03 5:52 pm)

Where to Stay on the Ring of Kerry

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The cooking for tomorrow's first of the family Christmas get-togethers is done and I have a little while to obsess over our May trip! After a week of self-catering in Co Cork we're going to head to the Ring of Kerry for two nights. What town/village would be a good base? I'd really like to find a special B&B with a good seafood restaurant and a cozy pub nearby.

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1990
(12/20/03 7:02 pm)

Ring of Kerry

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Hi Martha,

Visions of the Emerald Isle must be dancing in your head! There are several locations you could stay on the Ring of Kerry. I have personal recommendations for Cahirciveen and Glenbeigh. Other places to consider might be Waterville, Valentia Island or Parknasilla. There is a posh hotel at Parknasilla and its setting on the ocean is superb (but it's pricey!). What do you want to do in your time there? A trip to Skellig Michael, scenic drives, hiking, beach walking? That might make a difference in the place chosen.

Michele

MarthaA
Unregistered User
(12/20/03 9:53 pm)

Where to Stay....

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Michele,
As far as activities we're planning, we're trying not to!! We're determined to make this trip more relaxed than our previous ones have been. We tend to push ourselves on down the road to see one more terrific thing that we read about...the old green blur syndrome. This time we've promised ourselves not to feel like there is anything that we absolutely must see or do, just meander along. So I really am just looking for a good place to stop with peaceful surroundings and close to a good restaurant and pub. On one of our previous trips we drove from Kenmare to Caherdaniel but have not done the complete Ring. This time we will also be driving clockwise coming from Kenmare after starting out that morning from Union Hall, Co. Cork. I think Valentia looks like a relaxing place. I have not read much about Cahirciveen. What's your recommendation for there?
Martha

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1991
(12/20/03 11:47 pm)

Cahirciveen

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Hi Martha,

Cahirciveen is a small town on the end of the Iveragh Peninsula (Ring of Kerry). From there you can definitely do the Ring of Skellig, a trip to Valentia Island, Skellig Michael or whatever else appeals to you. The B&B I recommend there is Harbour Hill: www.dirl.com/kerry/cahirc...r-hill.htm It is in a rural area outside town on a hill overlooking the ocean. About a mile down the hill is a good seafood restaurant/pub called The Point. The B&B is not fancy, but is comfortable and clean with great views.

You can get to Valentia Island by ferry or bridge and it is a bit more secluded. There are not a lot of places to stay on the island.

Michele

MarthaA
Unregistered User
(12/22/03 5:53 pm)

Cahirciveen

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Michele,
Harbour Hill looks very nice. Thanks for the info! Have a very happy holiday season!
Martha

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1998
(12/23/03 7:03 pm)

Harbour Hill

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Hi Martha,

Delighted to be of help. Harbour Hill might be the perfect getaway. Do note that rooms are furnished with TVs only on request. So if you want one in your room let her know ahead of time. The beds are firm and comfortable and bathrooms, though on the small side, had good showers and washcloths are provided. Irene does a very good breakfast...and plenty of it. Do tell her that I recommended her B&B to you and she will take a little extra care of you.

Michele

wojazz3
Registered User
Posts: 325
(12/29/03 2:49 pm)

RoK

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Martha:

I posted a reply on Fodors a while back on where to stay in the middle of the Ring. This is what I said:
Although I've never stayed at this particular B&B, I took the review off a travelogue that I found. Try the Beach Cove outside of Portmagee. This is the web address for the place:
www.stayatbeachcove.com/mainpage.htm
and this is the review from the travelogue
www.sit.wisc.edu/~egzuelo...03_02.html

It's an excellent account of a trip from a guy who spent a year in Ireland.

The place looks great and the views are outrageous.

Hope this helps.

Bill

gillespie
Unregistered User
(12/29/03 5:47 pm)
 
OBSESSING!

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Martha, I just want to say that I loved your comment about "obsessing" over your trip... ...I feel the same way.....I am sure that my husband thinks that I am obsessing over our upcoming trip...also in May! But isn't it great???!!!! Soooooo much to research and soooooooooo interesting! I LOVE IT! ...and this is a very very cool forum!

Lori

MarthaA
Unregistered User
(12/29/03 5:51 pm)

Beach Cove

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Bill,
I like the looks of Beach Cove. I'm particularly taken with its proximity to the beach. Thanks for the tip!
Martha

M
Unregistered User
(12/29/03 5:58 pm)

Obsessing!

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Lori,
This is our 4th trip and one might think that my excitement level would be down a bit...but noooooo! The research and planning are part of the thrill. So obsess all you want! And this forum is the best! Michele and all the others are so helpful.
Martha

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 2004
(12/30/03 1:01 am)

Beach Cove

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Hi Bill,

I inspected Beach Cove in September. The view is fabulous and it is right across the street from St. Finian's Bay. It is rather remote though -- way out on the Skellig Ring. Did you notice no photos of the rooms on their web site? The rooms are sufficient but nothing to write home about. You would stay there strictly for the view.

Michele

P.S. Lori & Martha: I'm happy you are enjoying my forum.

Twanda
Registered User
Posts: 8
(12/30/03 1:13 pm)

Re: OBSESSING!

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I know exactly what you mean! We aren't going until July, but everytime I turn on the pc I end up researching places in Ireland. We have almost finished with everything where reservations are needed, and it's still December! Last week we started planning where to leave our car in Chicago. Since that was the last thing we had to decide, I asked my husband how we would spend the next 7 months until we leave! I'm so grateful for Michele's website. I love reading everything anyone offers! Thanks for a great service, Michelle!
Marsha

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 2007
(1/1/04 12:51 am)

Ireland Obsession

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Hi Marsha,

I'm glad that my forum is a hit with the obsessive Ireland crowd. This obsession with Ireland isn't all bad...look where it got me. A book, a web site, travel consulting and a forum, plus multiple trips to Ireland every year.

Michele

wojazz3
Registered User
Posts: 326
(1/3/04 9:08 am)

Re: Beach Cove

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Michele:

I was just taking the word of the guy who wrote the review. I like his style. Then again, you know me, it's all about the view ... and being remote? Ah yes, I'm in heaven.

Bill

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 2012
(1/3/04 10:44 pm)

Beach Cove

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Hi Bill,

Beach Cove might be just your cup of tea! But given Martha's requirements that she wanted to be near a pub/restaurant Harbour Hill would be better for her tastes. BTW, do you remember Finncorry House on Achill Island? I visited there for the umpteenth time in September and guess what? Right! No one there!! There is never anyone there. They do have an answering machine though. Maybe it is a hobby as opposed to a real B&B? Maybe it is a great cosmic joke on travel writers? I have yet to figure it out. Anyway, Achill Cliff House Hotel was very good. Realt na Mara had nice bedrooms but the public areas were littered with toys and kid's stuff. File it away for your trip to Achill.

Michele

wojazz3
Registered User
Posts: 328
(1/5/04 2:37 pm)

Re: Beach Cove

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Michele:

Well, they answer their email, but it may be from some location miles away . I probably only talked to the answering machine also. I think May of 05 may finally take me to Achill so I now have a place to stay.

I thought I had remembered the writer saying there was a place close to the B&B for food but I went back and re-read and it is in Portmagee ... ooops.

By the way, my stay at Cregg Castle was nice. I'm not sure if it is for everybody, but we loved it and Felicity was in heaven with all the animals. We got to sit in with Pat and Ann Marie and play some tunes and I got a bodhran lesson from Ann Marie. Oddly, it was enough to make my bodhran playing palatable. I think I’m already better on the bodhran than the tin whistle and Felicity “hid” the drum from me for a month. Hmmmm, maybe she should have hidden the tin whistle. Maybe the thought that being married to a drummer was too much for her.

Bill

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 2015
(1/6/04 12:10 am)

Cregg Castle

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Hi Bill,

Thanks for the update on Cregg Castle. It sounds like you both really enjoyed your stay there. Did you get your bodhran in Roundstone? They were selling them like hotcakes last time I was there. So evidently there are a lot of frustrated drummers out there. I'm glad to hear your lessons helped. Has the tin whistle gone missing yet? It can't be any worse than the garage band across the street from me. The other night I thought there was a nearby train wreck till I realized their amplifiers were set on stun. I'm hoping they get really famous and go on tour. A long, long tour.

Michele

Edited by: Michele Erdvig at: 1/6/04 12:12 am


wojazz3
Registered User
Posts: 331
(1/6/04 5:53 pm)

Re: Cregg Castle

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Hi Michele:

Actually Felicity purchased (what was she thinking?) the bodhran here in the States but it was made in Ireland though not by the world famous Malachy Kerns. The problem is that, with the dry weather here, I have to soak down the skin regularly as I play it. Colorado is a wee bit drier than Roundstone. The sound of the bodhran should be more of a thud than the terrible high pitched ring that comes from the dried skin. I may have to have a new skin put on.

Pat and Ann Marie were great and actually insisted on Felicity and I doing a few solos, a few of which I had written. At one point, Pat made us replay and aire that I've written for Ann Marie. I felt like an old hand. I think we are going to include a couple of my tunes on Felicity's upcoming CD.

Apparently, Pat's uncle recently was crowned Irish musician of the year at the age of 83 by some proud organization in Ireland. He is apparently very well known and is one of the few living composers whose tunes are considered "traditional" by traditional musicians. We picked up the book of his tunes in Galway, which he had to have someone transcribe because, of course, he can't read music. The ceremony apparently brought him to tears. It was great hearing about it.

There are rumblings here in Colorado that we may try to form an Irish band. I haven't come up with a great name ("Loose Chippings" was rejected) so I'm open to suggestions. We have a fiddle player who is also a fine flautist and can double on tin whistle, Felicity on guitar and banjo and me on tin whistle and bodhran. We desperately need a concertina player. I've learned enough new instruments in the past year. It's someone else's turn. By the way, we won't use amplifiers so even if we move in across the street, it won't be too loud. As I put it, music with no cords.

Hey, I'm rambling again.

Bill

MarthaA
Unregistered User
(1/6/04 10:11 pm)

Band Name

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Bill,
I think Loose Chippings is great! My only other suggestion would also come from signage in Ireland. It was a handlettered sign on a farmyard fence..."Cross Dog". He's not bad, he's just a bit cross! Makes sense to me for a band name!
Martha

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 2023
(1/7/04 12:10 am)

Irish Band

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Hi Bill,

Love "Loose Chippings". Too bad it got voted down. How about Banoffee? I know your fondness for it. Why don't you post another heading "Name the Irish Band" and perhaps everyone can suggest names. What fun!

Have you ever been to Linnane's Pub in Kilfenora? The owner's mother was a member of the original Kilfenora Ceili Band. He showed me a bunch of old photos. I understand they have good trad music there. www.irishmusicbars.com/clare/linnane.asp www.nci.ie/yp/fullpage/gu...hotel2.htm

Do you ever listen to Ceili House on RTE? www.rte.ie/radio1/weekend/ceilihouse/

You might also be interested in this place (I haven't been there yet): www.templehouse.ie/

Michele

P.S. I believe that Mary Browne has one of Felicity's CDs. I will have to borrow it next time I'm there.

wojazz3
Registered User
Posts: 332
(1/7/04 7:44 pm)

Re: Band Name

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Now see, I thought Loose Chippings was a great name and I'm glad to find some support. It just occurred to me that an actual photograph of a sign would help in the explanation to the non-regular Ireland traveler. I won't be there until at least May 05 so if anyone happens by a sign as has a reasonably high resolution digital camera with them, snap one off and you too could be a prize winner if we go with that name. The prize will no doubt be all but worthless and centered around our undying gratitude but the honor alone should be enough to make everyone’s heart swell with pride. I think they use “Loose Chippings” in the UK, so maybe I'll get a shot in Wales this year.

I think I can arrange for you to get a copy of Felicity's 1st CD Michele. This was not a joint venture with a friend in a genre that is not her main focus (folk tunes), and there are some nice things on it. She just completed a 2nd CD with the same woman, this one done rather hurriedly because the woman in question developed a brain tumor and doesn't have a lot of time left. I think the songs on the first CD are better, but the quality of the recording on the second one is superior. I've got a couple of cases of the 1st one, and if you'd like one, email me your address and I'll make sure you get one.

I'm off to check out the websites you mentioned. I'll start a thread on "Name the Irish Band" shortly. I like the idea.

Bill





Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 2027
(1/8/04 5:09 pm)

CD

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Hi Bill,

How kind of you to offer me a copy of Felicity's CD. I will email you my address later. I'm sure that I will enjoy it. I remember Mary saying that it was very good. I may have a "Loose Chippings" photo but finding it may take a while. I did a Google search and found a few online. How sad that Felicity's partner on the CD doesn't have much time left. It makes you appreciate your own life that much more when you hear of situations like that. I hope that you are back to glowing health again?

Michele

wojazz3
Registered User
Posts: 347
(1/20/04 3:04 pm)
 
Re: CD

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Ooops, I missed this reply Michele. Sorry about that. I hadn't thought about finding a photo online .... duh!

It has been a tough year for Felicity and her partner on the CD. They ploughed through the second CD in record time and finished just as her friends voice began to falter. I don't think she has a lot of quality time left.

My health is almost normal, but having 22 muscles ripped through in your abdomen is something that lingers for a while. It sure didn't stop me from traveling.

Looking forward to getting your address.

Bill

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 2060
(1/20/04 4:02 pm)
 
Re: CD

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Hi Bill,

I just made myself a note to send you my address. I have been so swamped with work lately I entirely forgot. Glad you are feeling better. Were you in an accident? Just proves you can't keep a good man down! Or at least not for long.

Michele

wojazz3
Registered User
Posts: 348
(1/22/04 1:55 pm)

Re: CD

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No accident, just three different gall bladder surgeries, the last being most hideous. I had more tubes in me than an old radio.

Bill

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 2065
(1/23/04 1:48 am)

Yikes!

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Bill,

I hope you got rid of that pesky gall blader. You don't glow in the dark do you? Might be handy on a dark night.

Michele

wojazz3
Registered User
Posts: 351
(1/23/04 2:42 pm)

Re: Yikes!

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Currently not glowing ....