I.C.'s April Trip Plans

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

I.C.'s April Trip Plans

Michele Erdvig · Host

Bob,

A wedding...how fun! As you know there will be plenty of dancing and drinking at an Irish wedding. Good idea to stay at the hotel where it will be.

At first I was slightly confused by taking the train to Dublin. Then on re-reading it I guessed that you are leaving the car at the train station for the night and picking it up on the return. You could also get the train from Cork, which is really close to Middleton. I don't know about the parking there though.

Will you be doing the Copper Coast drive between Wexford and Midleton? There are some lovely beaches along the way. Have you ever stopped in Stradbally? Cute town with thatched cottages. Annestown is worth a photo stop. Cliff Walk at Ardmore plus the monastic ruins.

Were you looking for some suggestions in the Middleton area?

Fota House, Gardens & Wildlife Park
Barryscourt Castle
Jameson Distillery
Queenstown Story Museum at Cobh
Vee Drive
Lismore Castle Gardens

What's the attraction to Fermoy?

As you probably know the drop-off depot for Dooley is right beside the Carlton Hotel.

Michele

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Yes, on the surface, this visit DOES seem a bit ... biggrin confuse confuse biggrin

Haven't decided on the route from Wexford -- It will depend a LOT on the weather on the day -- Also, another Cousins' son is having their Confirmation on Thursday, so we MIGHT opt to make a Hasty Rush to make it to Watergrasshill for THAT.

The Train trip is to return SIL. She has never ridden on a train, plus it makes it easy to 'settle in' to Dublin City Center, so that SIL can sample the Dublin Night life. She has a 10:15 Flight on the Tuesday. My wife's older Brother (He from our 2005 Guilty Pleasures Tour) is also attending the wedding -- he is actually flying into Dub with the three of us and is on the Return flight with SIL, but he is attending a Tai Chi Instructor's Class in Dublin bracketing the Wedding, so we'll see very little of him this trip.

A tad leery of parking over night at Cork Kent, plus we have the Apartment booked in Killarney, so I figured Mallow seemed like a good compromise.

Fermoy, though a pretty little town, has NO particular attraction, in and of itself, but Watergrasshill doesn't offer much in the way of Accomodation options. We figured that things will be way too hectic with the Cousins around the wedding, so we thought to spend our next-to-last night nearby to actually VISIT with them ... biggrin biggrin

It's been a tough year all-around for the family, on BOTH sides of 'The Pond'. First, we lost my wife's father a little over a year ago and then, just a few months back, Sean -- the last Patriarch of that generation ( and Grandfather to the Bride) passed as well.

We're expecting this to be a VERY bitter-sweet reunion. cry cry cry

Still, we'll shed a tear or two and raise a laugh and a glass or two -- knowing well that neither Jack, nor Sean, would want or expect any less.

Bob

-- Edited by Itallian Chauffeur on Monday 19th of March 2012 08:39:57 AM

Michele Erdvig · Host

Bob,

Mallow would be good since you are iffy about parking in Cork at the train station overnight. I would be too. How nice of you to actually take you SIL to Dublin rather than send her off on her own. Sounds like a good "family time" in Ireland. Hope the weather cooperates, especially for the wedding.

Michele

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

As today fell into the 28 day window --- after waiting until after 7 PM EST biggrin -- I booked my three Mallow to Dublin train tickets for 9:55 on 23 April for only 10 Euro each ( Plus 2 E Transaction confuse and 1 E Credit Card Usage confuse confuse ), or a total of 33 Euro.

The two return tickets, on 24 April at 12 Noon ran 23 Euro, including fees. I have a Res form to trade for the tickets, which I will pick up at the Mallow Station.

In order to avail of the Online Specials, you have to Register at the Irish Rail Website but it's free and relatively painless. biggrin biggrin

I will probably leave the night of the 28th open and book something on the day, based on what / where we are ...

Dunno if we are up for the approx. FIVE Mile Cliff Walk at Bray -- we MAY just ride the DART down to Greystones, walk around a bit and then ride the DART back to Bray. I figure the scenery is IDENTICAL, since the walk parallels the rail line ... biggrin biggrin

If we're feeling Rested and Energetic (doubtful, but POSSIBLE), on Tuesday, we MAY opt to take in EITHER Glendalough and the Vale of Avoca OR do the Wicklow-to-Arklow Coastal Drive ...

We'll see how it goes ...

Bob

Michele Erdvig · Host

Bob,

Great to hear you got your train tickets at a good rate. Thanks for sharing the info, which will be useful for everyone.

I'm sure you are counting down the days now. Good idea - let DART do the walking for you. wink I guess it depends on how many Irish breakfasts you need to work off.

It's nice to have different options. Just see what the weather is like, how you feel and go where the day takes you.

Michele