Corey,

Thanks for providing this wonderful resource for everyone. It is very generous of you to share your walking tour with others.  I have been suggesting it to everyone who mentions Kilkenny. I'm afraid I was so busy checking out new places last time I was in Kilkenny that I didn't have time for the tour. But will try to do it in 2006. I have the Kilkenny Walking Tour you sent me in my "Next Trip" folder.

I just tried the download and could only access the preview. The full tour and feedback form was unavailable. Let me know when it is working and if you like I will provide a link to it on either the "Free Coupons" or "Links" pages of my website when I do my next update.

Michele

P.S. Thanks for mentioning my Community Fund. It does defray costs and helps my bottom line a bit when people donate. I like to keep it low key though and at the bottom of the page since the forum is a free resource and anyone can use it gratis.

I'll do a little troubleshooting with the PDF downloads tomorrow and try to work out any bugs.

I appreciate the referals...it's been very interesting to get the feedback forms back and hear about people's experiences. It feels great to know my research and writing can have a positive impact on someone's holiday. 

I tried to start a Walking Waterford tour this summer, but the city was just too busy to get any research done. I'll have to return during the off season. Meanwhile, I had better luck setting the groundwork for a Walking Nenagh (in County Tipperary) tour. Someday, I'd love to have an entire series together. Until I get a bit more freetime, it'll be a slow process, but it's about the journey, not the destination, right?

Anyone having trouble with the downloads are welcome to email me at yesiree100@hotmail.com.

Must have had one too many when I got to that section

Download issues should be fixed.

Corey

Glad the downloads are working...and thank you all for the kind words.

I'd love the tour to be linked from your site...Discounts Page would be my first choice, but anywhere is fine with me.

Liam and I have been friends for several years. He's the one who piqued my interest in Ireland...so I guess we can partly credit him for the Walking Kilkenny tour. Actually, the tour kind of came about when he asked me to design some packets of "things to do" near his cottage in County Tipperary. He was looking for a one-page list, but once I visited Kilkenny, I just had to create a booklet...the place just lends itself to being "discovered."

Thanks for the listing.

Liam has had great success serving as tour guide/driver. All his advertising has been word-of-mouth referals, which has allowed the business to grow naturally and speaks well of his capabilities. 

Fortunately, he has the personality and charm for that sort of thing. After 6 trips to the Cliffs, 4 to Waterford Crystal, 4 to Bunratty, 6 to Cashel IN ONE SEASON, I think I'd begin phoning it in...but he gets so much energy from the people he's traveling with, it's like he's seeing it all for the first time each visit.

Plus, he has two extra goals he sets for each group...one is to visit a destination he has never visited before...of course that means that every time he visits that site in the future he credits his co-discoverers in his description "now, I never would have found this place without the O'Brien sisters from St. Paul." The second goal is to find a clean bathroom along the way...of course that pit stop will be eternally associated with his co-discoverers as well.

I would definitely recommend Liam to anyone looking for a small, personalized tour. He's more than happy to do the driving and is very knowledgeable of Ireland and all things Irish. I'm sure he would be happy to talk to people looking for his insight or services.

This month, Liam was featured in the Changing Course newsletter. You can read the article at http://www.changingcourse.com/archives/issue132.html.

Corey

Corey,

What an interesting story! Thanks so much for the link to the article. I will keep Liam's services in mind for future reference.

Michele

Expect the core of the tour take 1.5 hours (less if you are on the move or visit only selected stops...more if you plan to tour some of the sites or include some of the "detours" which are little bonus stops along the way.

The tour is too long for school-aged students to complete in its entirety, and it is not written for a school-age audience (copy is above a 6th grade level as is some of the content). It includes some graphic medieval history (cats losing their tails, women being burned at that stake, saints murdered by jilted admirers, stuff like that), so an adult should read the tour beforehand and select highlights that are age-appropriate.

A lot would depend on the specific age and interests of the youth, but I'd suggest stops at Kilkenny Castle #2, Shee Alms House #4, The Butter Slip #7, Kyteler's Inn #8 (an adult would likely want to edit Dame Alice Kyteler's story), St Canice's Cathedral #14, The Black Abbey #15 (home of Marty the DominiCat), Old City Walls and Black Freren Gate #16, The Club House Hotel #24 (for its story about the grey mare).

I'd suggest downloading it and taking a peek.

Hey Gang,

I just posted a higher resolution version of Walking Kilkenny. I realized in the earlier version I had compressed the file to a point that maps got rather blurry. This version is much better.

Thanks for all the positive feedback. I hope you all enjoy the walk.

I've stayed at Danville House and that was pretty good...they say you can walk to city centre, but it would be considered a long walk to most people.

I can also recommend the River Court Hotel. It's a bit pricey, but you can find some Internet specials and it includes a good breakfast. You really can't beat it's location just across the river from the castle, it's brand new and it has all the amenities.

Also stayed at Ashleigh House which was basic but nice.

I've peeked in at Celtic House (just a short walk to city centre) and the Club House Hotel (right in city centre) and would recommend them based on that quick glance. Bulter House (across the street from the Club House) has all the trappings of a great place to stay, but it seemed like it needed some updating.

Blanchville House outside of town has caught my attention from things I've read about it, but I haven't had a chance to inspect.

I've also stayed at the Woodstock Arms in Inistioge. It's a converted old hotel and the rooms are well-equiped, but not necessarily "decorated." It's not luxurious and is a strange mix of old and new, but the breakfast was great and it's in the heart of a very cut village. If you're up for a long walk, you can make your way to Woodstock Gardens.

I usually visit Kilkenny on a daytrip from Tipperary, so I don't always stay overnight, so I haven't tried a lot of accommodations.

Debbie,

I have never worn shorts in Ireland. However, my husband has. I can count on one hand the number of times in over 30 years!

Michele