suggestions on my itinerary

Irisheyesrdreaming · Veteran Member

suggestions on my itinerary

Michele Erdvig · Host

Deborah,

I think it looks just about perfect. Nice pacing, multiple-night stays only a couple of long driving days. The only comment I have is that I think that there is more to see and do with three days in Kilkenny rather than three in Wicklow. But perhaps you are planning on hiking and other things in Wicklow?

Michele

Irisheyesrdreaming · Veteran Member

Dear Michele, thank you so much for your quick reply! My friend kind of wants to drive along some of the east coast on our way to Wicklow area. That is why I thought we might need 3 days. Is there alot to see along that area? I can't seem to find too much info on it. If we stay another day in Kilkenny area instead, what else would you recommend doing? We do love castles, ruins, walks and are also interested in canoing somewhere along our trip. Bicycling is another interest we share. I do know that we have no desire to do Waterford, which I'm sure is more than just crystal, but I think we'll get our fill of city life in Dublin and since she loves coastline I thought I'd try to accommodate her wishes as well. We both love Maeve Binchy and we thought we could visit Dalkey, just to see the area the famous author lives in, which probably could be done as a daytrip from our location in Wicklow area. I truly value your advice, and if you think we'd love Kilkenny area much better, we will take you up on it:

Thanks again Michele!

Michele Erdvig · Host

Deborah,

After seeing the coastline in the southwest (which is spectacular) the east coast of Ireland is somewhat of a letdown. There are some nice beaches but you get more bang for your buck in Dingle, Ring of Kerry, Beara, coast of Clare, etc. Visiting Dalkey will not take the whole day.

Most of your drive day from Killarney to Kilkenny will be taken up with sightseeing along the way. (Cahir Castle is a must!) You probably won't arrive in Kilkenny till evening. The next day I'm sure you will spend the day seeing the city. Have you downloaded Corey's free Kilkenny Walking Tour? It is listed on my "Discounts" page and "Links" page.

There are some great things to see south of Kilkenny:

Kells Priory

Jerpoint Abbey

Inistioge (cute village)

Mount Sandford Walk (Inistioge)

Woodstock Gardens (Inistioge)

Graiguenamanagh & Duiske Abbey

Dunbrody Famine Ship at New Ross

R700 Scenic Drive

I'm sure that you can also fill your time in Wicklow. There are many lovely gardens and estates there. Whatever you choose you can't go wrong.

Michele

Irisheyesrdreaming · Veteran Member

Thank you once again Michele for your excellant advice. I looked at the walking tour by Corey and it sounds wonderful! I really don't know what I would have done without this website. I feel very confident that we'll have an excellant excursion because of it. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Michele Erdvig · Host

Deborah,

You are most welcome. I'm glad that the forum and advice here has helped you plan your trip. Your heartfelt thanks has made my day. Now you will be in suspense till your trip in September. We hope you will tell us all about it when you return.

Michele

Irisheyesrdreaming · Veteran Member

Dear Michele,

Joanne in Florida · Member

Deborah,
We'll be in Ireland the same time you are. Maybe we'll cross paths.

Irisheyesrdreaming · Veteran Member

Joanne, wouldn't that be the coolest if we did cross paths? Are you flying into Shannon as well? If you are doing Bunratty on Sept. 3, let me know maybe we can meet somewhere!

Joanne in Florida · Member

Deborah,

We're still working out the details. It's looking like we'll arrive in Shannon on Sept. 2. So maybe Bunratty on the 3rd will work out. I'll have to do some more planning.

Irisheyesrdreaming · Veteran Member

great Joanne...we arrive in Shannon on Sept. 2 as well! I'll be walking up to everyone in the airport and asking them if their name is Joanne and are you from Florida!

Joanne in Florida · Member

Too funny... Maybe we'll even be on the same flight. Have you bought your plane tickets yet? We're still watching the fares - and they keep going up! Yikes.... But my mother hasn't decided yet if she's coming with us. Hopefully, she'll decide pretty soon....

Irisheyesrdreaming · Veteran Member

Yeah we bought our tickets in May. The travel agent said they were going up $100.00 the very next day, so we got lucky that time! Our flight leaves from Toronto so we probably won't be on the same plane

We get into Shannon at 1:15 pm Sept. 2. Do you know yet when your plane lands?

Michele Erdvig · Host

Where are you two ladies spending your first night in Ireland? Wouldn't it be a coincidence if it were the same B&B?

Michele

Irisheyesrdreaming · Veteran Member

Wouldn't it though? We're pretty sure we'll be staying at a b&b called Ashgrove House. It's supposedly not too far from the airport and Bunratty Castle. How about you Joanne?

Michele Erdvig · Host

Deborah,

I will be interested in hearing about Ashgrove when you return. I have heard mixed reviews. Are you attending the banquet or Irish Night?

Michele

-- Edited by Michele Erdvig at 02:34, 2006-06-06

Joanne in Florida · Member

We're still undecided on where we'll stay. My mom isn't sure she will be going to Ireland with us because of some health concerns with my dad. So, we've not booked anything yet. Hopefully, she'll decide this week so we can get some reservations made.

fennellkevin · Senior Member

Dear IrishEyesDreaming,

When I see you are staying at JurysInn Christchurch, I can't help recommending a little breakfast spot around the corner. The hotel itself wanted 12 euro for breakfast, so I'll never know what theirs is like, and breakfast at the hotel across the square (forgot the name) we definitely didn't like.

So, the place I'm recommending is called Applewood's Cafe. Go out the front of JurysInn and go to the right. Make the first right and go a short distance down that street. Very nice home-cooked breakfast, baked goods and coffee.

While I'm recommending, I can't say enough how much we enjoyed the musical pub crawl that starts at Oliver St. John Gogarty's pub in Temple Bar.

By the way, Dublin is wonderful and if you were to add a night there, you won't regret it.

Have fun!

Kevin

wojazz3 · Guru

Deborah:

The R700 as Michele points out is a wonderful drive. Use it to get somewhere. We almost balked on taking the tour at Jerpoint Abbey because it was cold and windy but decided to do it anyway. Take the tour, a well spent 45 minutes loaded with information that makes the place all the more impressive.

Corey's tour is very nice though we used it in a patchy way because it was pouring rain the day we were set to do it. The round tower is only open to climb as weather permits. You'll be in Kilkenny on a Saturday night which is hugely popular for Stag and Hen parties. It'll be hoppin'. The basement restaurant at Kyteler's Inn is very cool and only serves dinner on Friday and Saturday down there. Many places don't serve dinner on Sunday, so keep that in mind. You would want to make a reservation for Kyteler's. I can't vouch for the food but the room is as cool as it gets.

Have fun!

Bill

Irisheyesrdreaming · Veteran Member

Dear Bill and Kevin thank you both so much for the wonderful advice, I'm printing it all out along with Michele's so I don't forget anything! I didn't realize that we'd be in Kilkenny on a hopping Sat. night so I'm doubly excited. We'll be ready for a good party about then! My friend is hoping to meet some handsome men, this should increase her chances!

Irisheyesrdreaming · Veteran Member

Michele we'll be attending the banquet at Bunratty. My friend just called me today to say she's received her passport! I was getting kind of worried for awhile. Are there any really bad things you've heard about Ashford House? Let me know what you've heard. I came across it on the net and I just kind of got a good feeling about it. Maybe I should just book the first night there to see what it's like first!

Michele Erdvig · Host

Deborah,

Basically I have heard that some people liked Ashgrove, while others did not. That is what I meant by "mixed reviews". The last thing I heard was that the rooms were very basic but the hosts were nice. I must stop by next time to investigate myself. If in doubt, you can always book Bunratty Lodge or Headley Court. You will be assured of a nice B&B there.

It sounds like the trip is shaping up.

Michele