Diana,

If you are not getting emails from the festivals, I suggest phoning them instead. Remember it is 5 hours later in Ireland than EST. Dial 011+353+ area code (minus the zero)+phone number.

I cannot give you feedback on the festivals because I have not attended them. The people you speak with can most likely answer all your questions.

Since the Cuisle - Limerick International Poetry Festival starts on Oct 16 through Oct 21 you might want to consider your first several days in the Limerick area. You could stay in Limerick city itself or choose a smaller place like Bunratty or Adare, both of which are within a short drive of the city.  There are some overlapping days for both festivals since the South Tipperary Writer's Festival starts on Oct 19 through Oct 22.

You need to sit down with a calendar to decide which events you will attend on what dates. That will determine where you will need reservations. Once you decide on that we can figure out some sightseeing.

It is really not that hard, just a matter of getting organized.

Michele

Hi again,

Happy to report some progress.  I now have plane tickets and a rental car.

So I'm there and moving but no place yet to sleep.

I still arrive at Shannon airport Saturday October 14, 2006 at 1:45 p.m. 
     depart from Shannon Monday morning, October 23  at 6:45 a.m.

I will attend the Poetry Festival in Limerick City from October 16 - 18.

I will attend the Souther Tipperary writers festival in Clonmel from October 19 - 22.

I'm now looking for recommendations and advice about B&B's, sights,tips in and around these venues. Probably I will only attend some of the festival events and move about for some travel adventures.  But since both Ireland and Irish festivals are new to me I don't know what to expect.  I might be enchanted and fascinated by the festival activities and wind up staying close in.  Still, my imagination has me driving, walking and perhaps horseback riding in green rural areas.

Any thoughts?  I especially would like a recommendation for a B&B for when I first arrive.  I will probably be both excited and tired and would likea good place waiting for me.

This week end I'll get more into Michelle's book and some more Irish reading. So far I'm reading Delaney's Ireland and watching the Masterpiece Theater series, "The Irish RM."  This program - sometimes wonderfully funny and sometimes strained and reaching - shows fabulous intimate day by day features of Irish weather in all seasons. I'm definitely bringing layers to wear and one pair of shoes/boots that can handle mud and water.

Thank you for reading my posts.  I am so glad to have found Michelle and this forum. 

Best regards to all,

Diana

Hi Michele and all.

Thank you, Michele for the suggestions!  The horse place looks fantastic but a bit pricey. Perhaps I cana visit there and see if I can negotiate something. The others look great.

I have more information abut the festivals and the timing.  The Limerick poetry festival website was not accurate.  The festival runs Oct 18-21 in Limerick City.  Most of it is free.  The 8:00 p.m. readings cost money and require advanced booking. It is now being referred to as the Cuisle Poetry Festival. I don't know why a name change happened or if both are accurate.

Clonmel - South Tipperary Writers Festival - is Oct 19-22 and most events cost and require advanced booking.  Sales start Oct 2.

So I will attend in Limerick Oct 18-19 and Clonmel 20-22.

That give me four open days at the beginning of my trip with nothing planned except lovliness and fun as it occurs.

I will need a B&B near the airport, suggestions for those four days and B&B booking for places near the festivals.  I'm told that B&B's might fill up because of the festivals and that I should book soon.

I so want the green of Ireland, wet or dry (wet AND dry)! This is getting exciting now!

A big part of planning, as I'm sure you all appreciate, is getting the homefront covered while I'm away: Family issues, work issues, animal care, house sitters, website watching, home care, garden care - oh, my gosh.  Gone are the days when I could just pack a small bag and go. All is starting to fall into place now, and I'm committed to creating a smooth transition for those I leave behind as I embark on this trip.  

For people who may be interested in festivals, I'll keep you posted.  I still haven't called.  My schedule and the time difference is working against me.  The websites don't offer much, but they offer enough to get started.  After three or four e-mails over a period of three weeks, I received a gracious and helpful e-mail today from The city arts officer for the Cuisle Poetry Festival in Limerick.

And I found more details about the Clonmel festival - which seems to be comprised mostly of novelists reading from their work.  Info gets mounted on the internet when the time of the event is close. 

Both festivals refer to "debates".  The events are readings and debates.  I don't know what debates are, but will let you know when I find out.

Diana

Diana,

While not a B&B, the Great Southern Hotel, http://www.greatsouthernhotelshannonairport.com/, at the Shannon Airport would be my suggestion for the night prior to your departure. You can turn in the rental car after you check in to the hotel, saving a bit of money. Their breakfast is fantastic. The best part is that you only hav eto walk across the parking lot to get to the terminal.

In Clonmel, I would have to say that I love the Brighton House, http://www.tipp.ie/brightonhouse.htm. Pat & Bernie Morris will make you feel at home. The house was built in the 1860's so there is a lot of history with it. The rooms are spacious.

As a writer myself, I like to surround myself with objects of the past as much as possible. It helps my creativity to listen to their "voices".

I hope you have a marvelous time!

Slan Agus Beannacht,

Bit Devine

Cowboy Craic

Diana,

The Ring of Kerry is quite doable in one day. Should you decide to do the Ring, I would suggest driving it counter clockwise as the views unfoldable more strikingly that way. If you have a few extra days, perhaps you should consider a two night stay in Killarney as your base for the Ring. That way you could take advantage of one of the days for seeing Killarney National Park & Muckross House. I would recommend either Falshea House, or Killarney Lodge. Falshea has fabulous Rose Gardens, although they will be dormant at the time of your travel. Killarney Lodge is within walking distance of both Town Centre and Killarney National Park. Make sure you take the cart tour of the park and Muckross, as it is the best way to experience the whole setting. Along the Ring, make time for the Kerry Bog Village, the Kenmare Heritage Center, if you like lace-making, and the Skellig Experience.

The Arans are the first place I head when I land in Shannon. I consider Inis Mor a second home. Aran Direct leaves out of Rossaveal, which is Northwest of Galway. In my opinion, they are the best ferry service. This ferry service is owned and operated by Aran Islanders. I am not sure if they will be open at the end of October, but Man of Aran Cottages is where I hang my hat. It is a bit removed from Kilronan though so you might prefer to check with Ard Einne Guesthouse or the Pierhouse. At that time of year it is rather quiet on the islands. You might prefer to make the trip a day trip and then stay somewhere on the mainland. There are some great places to stay in Galway, Copper Beech and Corrib Haven are two of my favorites. If you make it to Galway, make sure you have fish & chips at McDonough's located in city centre. It is the best fish & chips I have ever had and I have eaten a lot of fish. If you could give two days to the Galway area, you could hook up with one of the Connemara Bus Tours that leave from the tourist centre. It is the best way to see the Connemara region, as they usually hit all of the best attractions.

I write Western Poetry, Western Songs, and Children's books. I also design jewelry using semi-precious stones or antique glass and sterling silver or irish peweter. If  you find you have any other questions or would like to see some of my photos from Ireland, you can go to my site, www.cowboycraic.com, and email me.

I wish I was going with you. I need an Ireland fix!

Dear Craic and Michele,

Thank you so much for this guidance.  I getting closer to solid plans!  Yeah!

In terms of reservations or winging it as I go, here is the outline of movement I think might work.

Is my geography/driving plan reasonable or should I go to Galway first and then Kilarney then Limerick.

The Limerick and Clonmel dates are solid because of the festivals.

So:  arrive in Shannon 1:45 October 14.

Oct. 14  sleep in Kilarney

Oct 15 - 16 sleep on Ring of Kerry

Oct. 17 sleep in Galway

Oct. 18 - see Aran Island - sleep in Galway

Oct. 19 sleep in Limerick

Oct. 20-21 sleep in Clonmel

Oct. 22 sleep at Shannon airport hotel   

Best regards,

Diana

Hi Craic, Michele and everyone,

Thank you again.  Backtracking is what I want to avoid.  And I know I will want to go to bed early the night I arrive.  It would be nice to sleep in a place close to the next day activities. You seem to have an excellent appreciation of that kind of need.

Tomorrow I go over my travel guides.  Today I worked a writers Festival in Santa Barbara.  This was great preparation for the writing festivals in Ireland.  People here want me to let them know how they run in Limerick and Tipperary.  I've alrady made contacts witht the art council  in Limerick, and my hunch is that they will want to know about writers festivals here.  So I'm feeling delightfully ambassadorish.

Do you have any recommendations about where to stay my first night coming from Shannon airport? Stay on the outskirts of Galway? In Galway proper? I'd want a place that is convenient for leaving in the morning to the Aran Islands and returning to spend the night again, leaving in the morning or next morning for the Ring of Kerry two day excursion.

Five of you travelling together?  What fun, and yes I can appreciate your looking for economical ways to feed your entourage while giving them delicious Irish experiences. How old are the children? I assume you are talking about your family.

I hope to become a kind of Auntie Mame in my family. I am so ready to have travelling adventures with the young ones.  We've had a few happy experiences in Hawaii, and I'm hoping for more in Europe - maybe Ireland once the little one isn't quite so little!

Diana

Hi Michele, Craic and the 238 Ireland visitors to this thread,

Isn't this a great place to learn and develop plans?

Here's my major turnabout and regrouping.  Craic, your passion and committment to Irish music rang through your post to me about Galway.

It was your passion that reminded me, woke me up actually, to the original purpose of my going to Ireland.  From the letters here and on other boards, from watching "The Resident Magistrate" and travelogues on cd, listening to "My dream of you" on tape, reading Delany's Ireland and pouring over guide books, I got completely seduced and carried away by Ireland.

My trip was turning into a driving, see and catch the magic as I go by kind of excursion.  When I finally received my Michelin travel map the wake up call was complete.

My original compelling call to go involved a rambling stone wall, fields of green, rain, horses, Irish brogue, a fireplace and me writing.  When I found the poetry festival in Limerick scheduled for the time I could get away I took it as a sign and started making plans.

Craic, you reminded me of that.  Follow the passion, the bliss. So now my plans are extremely simplified and connected to my heart.

And I still need some guidance.

I still arrive in Ireland October 14 and leave the 6:45 a.m. October 23 via Shannon airport.

South of Limerick, about 26 kilometers, is a town/village called Kilmallock.

That is where I will stay Oct 14-17. I'm thinking aboout booking a place called Flemingtown House - a 250 year old farmhouse with views of green and dairy farm pastures.

Anybody know anything about the town or the B&B?

The festival goes from October 1ctober 21 in Limerick, and I plan to stay around and attend all of it.  But I don't want to sleep in the city.

Since the activities begin at 11:00 a.m., and I'm both an early riser and accustomed to Los Angeles driving, I wouldn't mind a half hour drive into town each morning. Do you have any recommendations for B&B's and/or areas that might have B&B's at that distance and which are more toward the rural, pastoral environment rather than urban cement and stone?

I'm taking your advice, Craic and booking the hotel at the airport the October 22.

This all leaves me one night open, Oct 21, and by the time that rolls around I should have enough in the field knowledge to find a place to sleep.

What a change from the above conversations which I treasure.  I feel like I've been on a whirlwind visit to Ireland, and now my heart is taking over and leading me where I need to be.

Thank you for your patience and please let me know if you have any suggestions for this much less expansive trip plan.

warm regards to you both and to all the visitors to this thread!

Diana

Thank you one and all,

My trip is planned as much as it can be. Your support and information have been invaluable in helping me get clear and make the arrangements I need.

Here's the final.  I land in Shannon at 1:45.  Get my car and drive to Kilmallock Village where I stay at the Flemingstown House for three days.  It's on a dairy farm with lots of green.  Check out Kilmallock, a city center in medieval times.

Then I move on to Clonunion House in Adare, a 250 year old farm house where they used to raise horses.  The people in both places are warm and friendly.  We've had lots of e-mail conversations.

I wanted five nights at Clonunion, but she could only give me four.  However, she said her daughter lives next dor and could give me an en suite for the fifth night.  Turns out that "next door" means that the old stables have been converted to living space, and that's where I'll be.  Sounds great to me.

It's about a 20 minute drive from Adare to Limerick which is just what I wanted.  The poetry festival starts at 11:00 a.m. every morning.  Since I'm an early riser I'll have time to write, walk, explore in the mornings and have an easy drive home in the evenings. 

My last night will be at the Shannon airport hotel.  My flight home is at 6:45 a.m. and I prefer to have the least amount of tension possible in terms of making that flight.

Now I've got some Irish movies to watch. Don't know if I'll get to them all:  Breakfast on Pluto, Crying Game, Waking Ned Devine and Matchmaker.

Also, I plan to listen to: How the Irish Saved Civilization: The Untold Story of Ireland's Heroic Role From the Fall of Rome to the Rise of Medieval Europe  on the plane.  Tomorrow I will finally break down and get an i pod!

The arts officers of Limerick hasve been helpful in my getting lots of information about the poetry festival and reserving my space.

Now ithe task is about creative packing.  Michele, your list of what to bring is great. I'm bringing electronics, (camera, neo for writing, i pod not owned yet) but all battery operated so I don't have to deal with charging or plugging in.

I'm thinking about host/ess gifts, small items to give as appreciation to people along the way.

Any suggestions?  Cowboy Craic mentioned small boxes of See's chocolates.

I'm getting happier every day! Thank you, Michele, for this board! It's fabulous.

warm regards,

Diana