CASTLE QUESTION

Irisheyesrdreaming · Veteran Member

CASTLE QUESTION

Michele Erdvig · Host

Deborah,

Congratulations on booking your airfare. It makes your trip a reality, which will be here before you know it. First, let me say that although Adare Manor is wonderfully posh it is not a castle and neither is Ballynahinch. If you want a genuine castle I would personally choose Ashford. The setting (gardens, lake, golf, falconry) is just beautiful, it has many different things to do on the estate and I love the tiny village of Cong. Rent the old movie The Quiet Man starring John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara because it was filmed in Cong and on the estate. It will show you what the area looks like. Cong is just on the edge of Connemara, although not officially in it.

I'm glad you are enjoying my book and website. Feel free to post your itinerary when it is worked out.

Michele

yesiree · Guru

I'd go for Ashford as well. A walk into the village from the castle is wonderful (I'd suggest walking the route you'd take with your car to exit the grounds...it lets you out in the village by the old abbey, and you pass a few Quiet Man sites along the way). The rest of the grounds are great for walking as well...it's very peaceful. Although I've walked the grounds several times, I haven't been able to stay at Ashford yet, but one day I will.

Cong is also a great base for a Connemara day trip and it's a pretty easy drive to Galway.

Maggie L · Senior Member

Since you're discussing castle accommodations, I have a question, too.

Is there a dress code (or an "understood" level of attire) at the fancier hotels and castles?

Michele Erdvig · Host

Maggie,

If you want to dine in the main restaurant of a castle hotel generally a man must have a jacket and tie and women should wear a nice blouse & dress pants (or a skirt or dress). No jeans, sneakers, shorts, etc. Many of the castle hotels have golf clubs and you can eat at the clubhouse with casual attire. Of course, if you are just walking through the lobby or stopping in at the bar you don't need to "dress". In fact many of the castle hotels cater to fishermen, golfers, sporting enthusiasts who would be wearing rough and ready attire while out and about during the day.

Michele

kathy · Veteran Member

we went for tea in march when my family visited - 7 of us took over a large seating area in the windows near the fountain and the youth were wearing tennis shoes and denim - we were treated wonderfully for a great 2 1/2 hrs as we lingered and wandered. i don't know if they might be a bit more snooty in high season.

but i also must mention that yesterday (wednesday, may 10th) i spent the day with a friend wandering around the grounds - we followed all these little lake-front paths past boat houses (where you could rent) and big beachy areas... it was a wonderful day.

we also followed that with a great lunch at the hungry monk across from the cemetary... well worth it!!!

Irisheyesrdreaming · Veteran Member

Once again Michele and everyone...thank you so much for your very valued opinions. We have decided on Ashford due to all your info. I asked my hubby if he'd heard of the Quiet Man and he knew all about it! Musta been before he met me! So I will definitly rent it. I also own Circle of Friends and I know that a large part of it was filmed in and near Kilkenny. When we get there, are there any signs posted as to where? Or do you think the locals will know?

Michele Erdvig · Host

Kathy,

Sounds like a fun day out. Did you follow the signs for the falconry and see Danaher's farmyard where parts of The Quiet Man were filmed? I eat at the Hungry Monk too. Nice food there and a great cappuccino. The Quiet Man Coffee Shop is a good choice also. They have excellent sandwiches.

The castle hotels are more "relaxed" during the day. It is at dinner where they dress.

Michele

Michele Erdvig · Host

Deborah,

The movie is funny and charming. I think you will enjoy watching it; but it is long.

Circle of Friends was filmed in Inistioge, which is on the R700 between Thomastown and New Ross. It is really a cute village. Woodstock Gardens are worth a look.

Michele

yesiree · Guru

In addition to Circle of Friends, Widow's Peak was also filmed in Inistioge...and it's quite funny (stars Mia Farrow, Natasha Richardson, Joan Plowright and a few other actors you'll recognize). Once you get to the village, you'll immediately start recognizing things.

I enjoyed a great walk from the village to Woodstock Gardens (it took about an hour). Along the way, there was a clearing cut out of the forest (obviously for the film) that provides the most enchanting view down the valley to the arch bridge in the town. There are also several paths that run along the river offering very nice walks (there is a map signposted in town...we took a picture of it with the digital camera and pulled it up as necessary).

A lot of the Quiet Man was filmed on the grounds of Ashford Castle (the river fight scene was filmed right across the river from the castle entrance), and there are tours and maps to other sites. Most B&B hosts (and I'm sure the castle staff) can direct you to their favorite Quiet Man destinations. The real Quiet Man cottage is in ruins a ways outside of town, but there are at least two reproductions in the area.

If you get the Quiet Man on DVD, it's worth watching it again with the commentary by Maureen O'Hara...she reveals a lot of fun stories.

-- Edited by yesiree at 19:25, 2006-05-12