Okay, I'm obsessing...

Dude · Guru

Okay, I'm obsessing...

Michele Erdvig · Host

Dude,

Please remind me again of what month you are going? I looked at your past postings but couldn't seem to find it.

Ashford Castle near Cong would be a treat. I will answer the rest when I know the month.

Michele

Dude · Guru

Oops, sorry, it now looks like September of '07. I know, it's a long way off...but at my age, time goes by faster and faster. And planning this trip is my new hobby.

Editing--The more I look at Ashford Castle the more I like the idea of staying there on the way from Feakle to Westport. Thanks!

-- Edited by Dude at 17:25, 2006-05-04

Michele Erdvig · Host

Dude,

1) Can we leave Kenmare, drive the Beara peninsula and get to the Cork area in a day? * I suppose it depends on where in Co. Cork. If you also plan on doing the slow but scenic coast of west Cork, I would say no. There is also much to do and see on the way. There is Illnacullin Gardens on Garinish Island (near Glengarriff) and Bantry House & Gardens. You could do an abbreviated Beara drive and head over Healy Pass.

2) From there, can we do the Vee Drive, do Cahir Castle and end up at Cashel in time to tour the Rock? We'd stay in Cashel. * Again, it depends on where you are starting from in Cork. But you could always do the Rock of Cashel next morning.

3) From Cashel, can we do the Lough Derg drive and possibly stay in Feakle overnight? * Probably doable.

4) From Feakle, how would you get to Westport in 2 days? We'll be hitting Galway, Dunguaire Castle, Coole Demesne, Thoor Ballylee, on the way back. Should we drive along the northeast side of Lough Corrib and Lough Mask? * The drive you mention is scenic but slower than the main road. If you have the money a stay in Ashford Castle would be lovely. However, I don't think you need two days to get to Westport. If you get the time when in Westport, the Museum of Country Life in Castlebar is very interesting (and free!).

Michele

wojazz3 · Guru

1. Yes, though a very full day. It depends on how much stopping you do along the way. I might get in trouble and only make it halfway around Beara.

2. Again it depends on how much stopping you like to do and it depends on how much of each site you want to visit. Avoid driving through Cork.

3. Getting to Feakle wouldn't be very hard. I've been through Feakle, but I remember nothing about it.

4. Ashford Castle is lovely and expensive. The rooms with the view of Lough Corrib are quite nice. But, if you are going to stay at a place like that that has such a serious price tag, don't treat it like a Motel 6. Check in as early as you can and leave as late as you can. Westport is an easy (and beautiful esp over Doo Lough Pass) drive from Ashford.

That's my 1.574 euro cents worth (base on today's exchange rate).

Bill

Dude · Guru

Michele Erdvig wrote:

Dude,
1) Can we leave Kenmare, drive the Beara peninsula and get to the Cork area in a day? * I suppose it depends on where in Co. Cork. If you also plan on doing the slow but scenic coast of west Cork, I would say no. There is also much to do and see on the way. There is Illnacullin Gardens on Garinish Island (near Glengarriff) and Bantry House & Gardens. You could do an abbreviated Beara drive and head over Healy Pass. What I was thinking here was from Kenmare to Dursey Island and then up the southeast coast in the direction of Cork. Cork City sitting there directly in our line of sight causes such a headache. How about heading for Kinsale or even Cobh (is there a ferry across the bay at Cobh?)

2) From there, can we do the Vee Drive, do Cahir Castle and end up at Cashel in time to tour the Rock? We'd stay in Cashel. * Again, it depends on where you are starting from in Cork. But you could always do the Rock of Cashel next morning. Again, from Kinsale or Cobh. "Doing the Rock" early next morning is a good idea. What a start for the day.

3) From Cashel, can we do the Lough Derg drive and possibly stay in Feakle overnight? * Probably doable. Okay, Feakle isn't necessarily a must. I see where you recommend a nifty B&B in Mountshannon. Then we could go to Ashford Castle in Cong for the castle stay (Thanks, Bill, for the taking-our-time idea. This will give us plenty of time to get to Westport the next day).

4) From Feakle, how would you get to Westport in 2 days? We'll be hitting Galway, Dunguaire Castle, Coole Demesne, Thoor Ballylee, on the way back. Should we drive along the northeast side of Lough Corrib and Lough Mask? * The drive you mention is scenic but slower than the main road. If you have the money a stay in Ashford Castle would be lovely. However, I don't think you need two days to get to Westport. If you get the time when in Westport, the Museum of Country Life in Castlebar is very interesting (and free!). This question is sorta addressed above. Thanks for the museum idea. We loved Westport the last trip and may stay at the same B&B this time also. It's right on Clew Bay and most restful.

I'm writing down ideas as fast as they come to me. I sure miss your book! But I'm using a pencil so that when it comes back I can check my ideas against your very good ones and make adjustments. There is lots of time, after all.

Mark · Veteran Member

Dude,

Going to Feakle after Lough Derg drive should be very dooable since Feakle is very close to Lough Derg. To me the decision to stay in Feakle or somewhere else like Mountshannon depends on what night of the week you are going to be there. If you are going to be in the area on Wed or Thurs. night then absolutely, positively, and in no uncertain terms stay in Feakle so that you can catch the session in Pepper's Bar (Wed night) or Shortt's (Thursday night). Otherwise I suppose it doesn't matter.

Also if you really like the looks of the B&B in Mountshannon then theoretically you could stay there and drive from there to Feakle for a night out (I think it would take you about 20-30 minutes if my memory serves me) although if you are fond of the Guinness like I am then I wouldn't recommend it.

Mark

Dude · Guru

Mark, it was your posts about Feakle that started me down that road in the first place!
It looks like we'll be in that area on a Friday night. Nothing going on on that night, huh?

The Guinness won't be a problem; I'm always the designated driver and there will be at least one other non-drinker in the group so we should be okay.

One of the B&Bs in Feakle doesn't have enough rooms for the four of us. Have you stayed at Laccaroe House? It looks good on the website, but very few put out bad websites!

-- Edited by Dude at 21:21, 2006-05-04

Mark · Veteran Member

Dude,

There might be something going on Friday but know that the regularly scheduled session there is Wednesday at Peppers and Thurs at Shortt's. However if you don't mind a driving a bit then there are a couple of other good pub recommendations for the East Clare region:

Donnellan's pub in Kilkishen and Malachy's Bar in Quin. They both have sessions on Friday night and I've heard from musicians they are well worth going to. Off the beaten track and therefore not touristy at all.

I didn't stay at the Laccaroe House but folks that live there said its a good place. That was originally where my wife and I were going to stay but then found Feakle Cottage by chance and liked the looks of it so went there instead but the woman at the Laccaroe House seemed very friendly.

Good luck.

Mark

Dude · Guru

Mark, you are the source of all things musical, in Co. Clare, at least. Thanks so much for the good ideas. Perhaps instead of the Lough Derg drive we could go to Ennis from Cashel and then go to Quin for the evening. On the drive we could check out Knappogue Castle and perhaps Craggaunowen Project although I hear it's not what it used to be.

Here's another thought I had: after the Beara Peninsula we could swing north, perhaps staying in Mallow or some place before there, then drive due east from Mallow to Lismore and pick up the Vee drive

Mark · Veteran Member

Dude,

If you choose Ennis as your place to stay for that Friday night then there would be no reason to drive to Quin that night since Ennis is loaded with great pubs with sessions going on particularly on a Friday night. Actually Ennis would be a great destination to spend that Friday night and a good launching point to head up towards Westport the next day.

Cheers

Mark

Mark · Veteran Member

"Mark, you are the source of all things musical, in Co. Clare, at least."

Well if its trad. music you want then Co. Clare is the very best.

Dude · Guru

It was trad Irish music that got me interested in the Auld Country in the first place, back in the '60's. Then I found that several ancestors came from there, and I was hooked. Since my surgery I can't sing, but I sure can listen! I'll check out the archives for some Ennis ideas. Although driving to some less-touristy spots still appeals.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Dude,

If you want to go all the way out to Dursey (and perhaps take the cable car to the island) it sounds like Beara will take the whole day. Instead of trying to push on to Cork along the very scenic coastal route (this also takes much time), I would suggest you may want to stop along the coast. Skibbereen would make a good overnight.

There is a ferry that crosses the river from the Kinsale side over to Cobh. It takes mere minutes. http://www.scottcobh.ie/ferry.php

Michele

Mark: You will have to become the forum's resident expert on trad in Clare!

Dude · Guru

That sounds good--Kenmare to Skibbereen via the scenic route. Then the next day Skibbereen to Cashel via the Vee drive and see the Rock the next morning.

I'm going to need another pencil and eraser before this is over!

Michele Erdvig · Host

Dude,

Between now and September 2007 you are going to need a whole package of pencils! It is fun though, isn't it?

Michele

Dude · Guru

I don't know how you do it, Michele! On the surface it seems like a dream job, but I'll bet it's a LOT of work. If you ever need someone to carry your bags, I'm fine since the rotator cuff healed...

Too bad I can't afford to go as often as I'd like; I have so many people to take and show all the things I can only show pictures and talk about. And when I take someone new, we end up with the Green Blur, trying to get it all in. Also too bad I'm so fond of my stay-at-home husband, or I'd try to figure out how to live in Ireland.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Dude,

I will keep that offer in mind! You never know...stranger things have happened. It is a dream job but as with all jobs it does require work. Many times in Ireland I would just like to laze around or go for a walk. Instead I spend hours in the rain ringing doorbells of accommodations so I can inspect them. Then half of them are not at home. My husband is in the car nice and dry listening to the radio! But he does carry my bags once we get to our destination and helps in so many other ways it is impossible to list them.

My book takes a lot of time to update each year. And my clients and custom itineraries take even more time. But I have met so many nice people doing this. What's not to like?

I do understand the problem of taking new people to Ireland. You try to fit it all in and maybe miss something that you really wanted to see. It is a balancing act. Maybe you can start a travel club in your area devoted to Ireland. Now that could lead to something.

Michele