Second visit- taking it slower

Alyboo · Member

Second visit- taking it slower

Michele Erdvig · Host

Well hello Kathryn!

Now you have changed over from a "lurker" to an Irregular. Welcome and congratulations on planning a trip to Ireland for yout 10th anniversary. We will try to help you make it special. Although it looks like you have things well in hand.

Your itinerary looks nicely planned. I like that you have mostly multiple-night stays with a few one-nighters sprinkled in at the beginning and end. I will add my comments below.

Sept. 1 Arrive 9ish, pick up car from Dooley's, drive to Powerscourt then on to Glendalough for the night. Visit Glendalough and do some hiking along the trails and have our anniversary dinner at Wicklow Heather? * The Wicklow Heather is your best bet in the area for a nice dinner. Are you staying locally at a B&B? If so, the restaurant has a free shuttle that will pick you up at your accommodation and take you to and from the restaurant. That way you can celebrate with a bottle of wine if you want and not worry about driving. Let me know if you are up for an anniversary splurge and I will suggest something entirely different (but pricey).

Sept. 2 Drive to Kildare and visit the Irish National Stud. We are fans of horse racing and would really like to spend time here. Would also like to visit the Rock of Dumanase on the way to Kilkenny. Is it well signposted from Kildare? I am worried about backtracking to these, but I am hoping they are worth the time spent in the car. * Last time I was at the Rock of Dunamase I did not find it to be well signposted. Here is how to find it. Go into Portlaoise. Follow signs to Stradbally. It is signposted on that road. Dan was there very recently. He may have some input for you. The road service is continually changing the signs!

Sept. 2 Arrive at Lawcus Farm for 3 nights. Thanks Bit for that tip, really looks great! We really want to take our time and get to know this area as it looks wonderful. * Lots to see and do in the Kilkenny area. Try Cafe Sol in Kilkenny for good food.

Sept. 5 Drive to Ballyvaughan via Cahir, Tipperary, Limerick and route undecided after Ennis. Playing it by ear depending on time. 3 nights at Capphaile House in Ballyvaughan. * It will be easy to fill your three days up in the area. If you get good weather I highly recommend Loop Head & Bridges of Ross. Some other overlooked areas are Coole Park and Kilmacduagh (both signposted from Gort).

Sept. 8 Drive to Oughterard via Athenry and possibly Cong. 3 nights at The Railway Lodge. Plan to explore Connemara, Westport and whatever else we can fit in. * Nice choice. Check to see if Annaghnaure Castle is open. It is near the golf club in Oughterard. I also like walking through Cong Woods in back of the Abbey.

Sept. 11 Drive to Dublin stopping at Clonmacnoise, and maybe Trim Castle. Haven't decided where to stay our last night. Thought about turning car in and staying at an airport hotel to make it easier the next morning before our 11a.m. flight. Any suggestions would be appreciated. * Been there, done that both different ways myself. I prefer to turn in the car, get the shuttle to the airport and then the hotel shuttle to an airport hotel. It saves so much time and agravation in the morning. Just have a nice dinner at your hotel and finish your packing. Getting to Dublin Airport three hours in advance of departure is essential. Note: Dooley's car lot closes at 6pm. Get there before then.

Let us know if you have any other questions. September will be here before you know it.

Michele

Alyboo · Member

Hi Michele,

Thanks for the quick reply. Good to know I am on the right page for our trip. We really wanted to slow down and enjoy these areas.

Yes, we are staying in Glendalough at Riversdale House. A recommendation for an anniversary dinner splurge would be appreciated!

Thanks for the directions to Rock of Dunamase. I wasn't sure if we would find it, and Stradbally was the closest town on the map.

I was thinking of going to Cashel and Cahir as a day trip from Lawcus Farm and thought maybe there would be a different route to Ballyvaughan that would allow us to see even more of Ireland and different places. Any suggestions?

Thank you for the info on returning the car before 6. Will we have time to see Clonmacnoise and Trim Castle before returning the car or should we skip the castle?

On our last trip, we really enjoyed going to the pubs in the evening and met some wonderful people. Any suggestions for pubs in the areas we will be, or along our route?

Thanks again for all the help.
Kathryn

Monty · Senior Member

Another "yes" for Cafe Sol in Kilkenny -- one of our favorites each time we are there!

-- Edited by Monty on Thursday 7th of July 2011 08:48:50 AM

Alyboo · Member

Thanks Monty. Have it on my list. Any other favorites?

Kathryn

Monty · Senior Member

Not sure you have ever seen the series "Ballykissangel," but it was filmed in Avoca, a wonderful little place not far from Powerscourt and Glendalough area. Have a bite to eat and a beer in Fitzgerald's Pub. Just outside the village is the Avoca Woolen Mill, which is a great place to watch items actually being made. A great location and a way to enjoy seeing craftsmen at their best.

And ... If I was in Ballyvaughn for that amount of time, I would probably eat every evening meal at Monk's, a great little seafood pub on the west side of the village. Literally the best seafood chowder I've ever had.

Monty

-- Edited by Monty on Thursday 7th of July 2011 04:35:24 PM

Michele Erdvig · Host

Kathryn,

Well my splurge would be staying at the Ritz Carlton Powerscourt and eating at the Gordon Ramsey restaurant there. Since you are staying in Glendalough stick with the Wicklow Heather and take the shuttle. Make reservations for the restaurant and ask for a romantic table not near groups. I was just at Riversdale House in May. It is one of the best places to stay in the area.

Definitely do Cashel and Cahir from Kilkenny. I like the Swiss Cottage in Cahir too. Plus if the weather is good there is a scenic walk between the cottage and castle along the river (about a mile).

Since you are going to Ballyvaughan via Cahir and Tipp you could consider doing part of Lough Derg drive. From Tipp you could go north toward Nenagh then cut over to Killaloe (cute town). From Portumna you could go west to Gort and then Ballyvaughan. That would avoid Limerick and be mostly country but will take more time.

On your last day the drive should take 3 - 4 hours (depending on traffic in Galway and Dublin). A couple of hours at Clonmac and at least one, if not two, for Trim Castle. If you get an early start it is doable. Let Dooley know you are returning the car very close to 6pm. Have their phone number handy in case you are delayed. You need to follow the signs for Santry when you are near the airport.

Michele

Alyboo · Member

Monty
Did a little checking on Avoca and looks like the kind of quaint town we like to stop in and explore. Monk's was already on the list, but thanks for the endorsment.

Michele,
We actually thought about staying at the Ritz Powerscourt, but we so enjoyed the B&B's on our last trip that we decided to do them again. So glad to hear you were at Riversdale in May, I chose it per your recommendation in your book. BTW your book is great!

Our last day will probably be a play it by time approach. I think DH will really like Clonmac and don't want to shortchange that experience.

I've been looking at the Crown Plaza for our last night. Is this close to the rental drop off? They have a shuttle to the airport, so nice and convenient. Also DH likes that there is a park across the street.

I know that we will have to pay a toll the first and last day. Is there somewhere along the way to Glendalough where we can pay and also can we pay when we turn the car in? I didn't ask if Dooley's includes this in our payment or not.

Guess I had more questions than I thought, but that is what makes this forum so great. It really is such a wonderful resource. Thanks again.
Kathryn

Michele Erdvig · Host

Kathryn,

The Crowne Plaza is not too far from the car drop-off point.

Take a look at my "Hot News" page for all the info you need about the M50 toll. Be sure to have your receipts for Dooley as they require them when turning the car in so you don't get charged for the toll by them. You can pay online and Riversdale has a computer in the lounge for guests to use. You could do it there, have the receipt emailed to yourself and then print it.

Michele

tony2phones · Guru

The M50 toll can be paid at any shop or fuel stop showing the "Pay Zone" sign. You can probably do it at one of the News stands before you leave the terminal.

Michele Erdvig · Host

You will need your car registration number in order to pay the toll. If you visit Trim you could avoid the M50 entirely if you scoot over to the M1 and go south.

Michele

Wellsley · Guru

Hi Kathryn,

"I know that we will have to pay a toll the first and last day. Is there somewhere along the way to Glendalough where we can pay and also can we pay when we turn the car in? I didn't ask if Dooley's includes this in our payment or not."

When you rent your car ask them and they will direct you to the nearest place to pay toll. When you go to pay the toll you can pay for both ways in fact it is cheaper. So pay it all to once.

Frank

tony2phones · Guru

From Budget Car Hire site.

Where can I pay?

You can pay using any of the following options

Online at www.eflow.ie
By telephone using a credit card or laser at LoCall 1890 50 10 50 or +800 50 10 50 11 (outside Ireland)
By cash at Payzone branded outlets nationwide.

Payzone outlets at Dublin Airport

'The Kiosk' - there are two located in the main airport building, one in Departures and one in Arrivals
Esso Service Station in the Airport Complex
Texaco Service Station at Nevinstown (near Swords)

On your return journey to the car rental drop-off location please allow sufficient time to make your toll payment.

murphy · Guru

Kathryn,

As Michele said, we did see the "Rock of Dunamase" back in March. How easy is it to find? Well we had just picked up our car after 2 days in Dublin, and we headed west out of Dublin toward Portloaise. We ended up in town....lost...and finally stopped at a Petrol station. The lady working there didn't know where it was, so we consulted the map and decided to head southeast on the N80 toward Stradbally. After we left Portloaise, we did begin to see some small signs for "The Rock"....I believe they were brown. It is on the left or east side of N80, about 1/2 way between Portloaise and Stradbally.

It was our first sight-seeing stop after getting our car about noon, and was well worth it. We spend over an hour there, and were still able to get to Kilkenny by 6PM.

We also toured Coole Park and Kilmacduagh between Shannon and Galway, 2 years ago when we were in NW Ireland. See my post called NW Ireland in the Trip Report section for more details. Both of these would be worth a stop if you have time! Dan

Alyboo · Member

Michele,
How close to leaving for Ireland should I book Wicklow Heather for dinner? It will be a Thursday evening, will that matter? Will it be easy to get a Heritage Card at Glendalough or should I pre-order? I will be checking the "Hot News" frequently before our departure.

Frank
Thanks for the toll info. We will ask about toll coverage and also whether to return full. One thing we've learned when we travel is that every car rental agency is different.

Tony2phones
Appreciate the information. I asked about an alternate route to Ballyvaughan and Michele suggested perhaps via Nenagh and Killaloe and Portumna. I believe I read that is your neck of the woods. If I'm correct, do you have a route from Kilkenny that we could take? We've been through Limerick and Ennis before and would like to see different scenery.

Dan
So glad you responded. I'm happy to hear that the Rock of Dunamase is worth a stop. I will look up your trip report again. I say again because I have read every trip report at least once, some more! Did you go to The Irish National Stud and Japanese Gardens?

Thanks to all who have responded! I appreciate the feedback!

murphy · Guru

Kathryn, No, we didn't go to see the horses because I am allergic to them. No one in our group was interested in the Japanese Garden, so we did't stop there either. Dan

Michele Erdvig · Host

Kathryn,

Send Zell at Riversdale an email a few days before you depart. Ask her to make you a reservation at the Wicklow Heather and also to arrange the shuttle. She will be happy to do that for you.

You should be able to get your Heritage Card at Glendalough. Be sure to check my Twitter page for daily updates (click the link at the top of this page). Also my Blog especially for the Friday Freebies.

Dooley will charge you 10 euro if you don't pay the M50 toll yourself. Best to remember to pay it.

Below is a scene at the Rock of Dunamase. More images here: http://www.zazzle.com/irelandyes/dunamase+gifts

Michele

tony2phones · Guru

Kilkenny to Ballyvaughan can be done a number of ways and drawing a straight line would send you through Lough Derg. Options are either the Northern crossing at Portumna or the South bridge Ballina/Killaloe.

Northern routes

Kilkenny-Birr-Portumna-Gort

Kilkenny - Nenagh-Portumna-Gort

Southern Routes

Kilkenny-Ballina-Feakle-Gort

Kilkenny-Ballina-Woodford/Portumna-Gort

From Gort you can either go via Kinvara or over the Burren via Carran.

All routes will take around 3 hours plus stops and the east of Clare is a diferent world to the coastal regions.

Rough map modified to and from Ballyvaughan from Killarney.

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?msa=0&doflg=ptk&ie=UTF8&ll=53.091962,-8.510628&spn=0.109479,0.220757&z=12&msid=215571892271980732006.0004a7c815b565c974dce

-- Edited by tony2phones on Monday 11th of July 2011 05:02:14 AM

Alyboo · Member

Gorgeous picture Michele!! I definitely am stopping there!

I've been looking at the map for which route to take to Ballyvaughan and I really like the Kilkenny-Birr-Portumna-Gort route. I think this way may take longer, but we have planned on taking our time and enjoying seeing a different part of Ireland. Do you have any suggestions on places to visit along the way? Any good places for lunch/snack/pint? I have Coole Park on the list of possibilities, but would love any others. Thanks again.

Kathryn

Michele Erdvig · Host

Kathryn,

I had a nice lunch at the County Arms Hotel just outside Birr. Be sure to see Birr Castle Gardens (castle not open to public) if the weather cooperates.

Michele

tony2phones · Guru

I will get back to you with some fine detail on that route shortly just a little hectic here at the moment

Alyboo · Member

Thanks Tony. Looking forward to that information.

tony2phones · Guru

Sorry for the delay I had thought we might have been heading down over yesterday but only got as far a Birr.

From Kilkenny the next place is Roscrea which is possibly the oldest town in Ireland but unlikely to be on anyone's tourist map. The heritage centre is in the castle complex in the centre of town and at 3.10 euro for the guided tour is worth a visit as is St Cronanns Cathedral. More evidence of the religious background to the town is the Round tower by Mannor Mills (you might want to see this before they put the supermarket up) and the Abbey about a mile out of town. The town also gives its name to the Roscrea broach which has strong celtic significance.

Birr is well known for the Castle and although you cant get into the Castle itself the grounds are wonderful and the telescope something to behold. Heading out for Portumna you turn right at Tesco's and right again after Riverstown heading over the old road you will pass the signs for Redwood castle on the right and Lackeen Castle on the left. These are Tower house castles and not really worth the detour.

As you come down into Portumna you cross the swing bridge over the Shannon and run up into town. The centre of town is a crossroads and turning right at the Bank of Ireland will take you up to the newly prepared Workhouse Centre the home to the local impoverished in earlier times. taking the left turn facing the Church on main street takes you into the Castle grounds with the old Abbey on the way to the Marina further along. Passing the Shannon Oaks hotel you will come to the main entrance to Portumna Forest Park on your left.

more to follow

-- Edited by tony2phones on Monday 25th of July 2011 11:43:50 AM

UNI4MER · Veteran Member

Michele that is good advice. Is it necessary to make reservations at a place near the airport in advance?

Thanks Bruce.

UNI4MER · Veteran Member

-- Edited by UNI4MER on Tuesday 26th of July 2011 10:42:10 PM

Michele Erdvig · Host

Bruce,

Usually it is find not booking way in advance for airport hotels. However, some of them may give lower priced deals if you book in advance. Since you know you need to stay at an airport hotel, why not?

Michele

tony2phones · Guru

Sorry for the delay getting back, busy week over here.

Continuing from Portumna.

As you have headed out from Tumna you come to a point where the road bends left and the branch goes straight on. This branch is the road to take signed Abbey R353, as you arrive into the village there is a guided stream and Church to your left and then the square and then Kilnalahan Abbey from which the village is named, only small but quaint. Continuing you cross the R351 this is a typically Irish junction with a dog leg right, left before continuing through Balinakill (give a wave up the hill, or call in for tea and bread) and over the slieve through the forestry dropping down to Gort. You have options from here including heading north past Coole Park and the Greggory museum branching for Kinvara or head over the Burren past Kilmacduagh Abbey and Carran.

Alyboo · Member

Tony,

Thanks so much for that information! Will definitely give at least a wave up the hill! There doesn't seem to be a lot of information for this area in most of the travel books I have, so I really appreciate you taking the time giving it to me. A little over a month and we'll be there!! We are anxious to be back!

Kathryn

tony2phones · Guru

There is too much to do and see as part of a journey in just a day. I have just got in from a visit to the Old Workhouse and thought we had been in there about half an hour, turned out to be over an hour and the place is still a work in progress if they ever get enough funding to finish the project it will be a very special experience. If you want any fine detail or tuning then let me know and I will be happy to embellish what I have given but you might have to bear with me a while because we have had a full week so far and Bunratty calls tomorrow.

tony2phones · Guru

Was in Roscrea yesterday and the nice new shiny Tesco store is up and not quite running. Now I am all for progress in the right place but this is definitely not the right place.