Must See?

wheatjw · Member

Must See?

Michele Erdvig · Host

wheatjw,

Welcome to the forum. You will be traveling in No. Ireland during Orange Day July 12. There can be tensions that are ongoing at that time. I suggest you spend that day and a few of your first days with your friends.

Where are you departing from? That will tell you where you need to spend your last night. Then you can fill in all the days in between. No. Ireland is a wonderful place to visit and the Antrim coast can't be beat for scenery.

Feel free to post your itinerary and we will all be happy to comment.

Michele

wheatjw · Member

They (our friends) had suggested that we stay them on the 12th and then head out after that. They had said that the 12th was a holiday. We are flying in and out of Belfast. I think we would like to see some of Mayo County? Thanks Wayne

-- Edited by wheatjw at 09:02, 2006-12-28

-- Edited by wheatjw at 10:19, 2006-12-28

CowboyCraic · Guru

Wayne,

There are so many things to see in County Mayo. You can stop at the Foxford Woolen Mills in Ballina, which has a great little historical museum, factory tour and woolens shop. Then there is the Our Lady's Shrine Knock, one of the great Marian shrines of the world. If you have seen the Quiet Man, a visit to Cong and other scenic locations where it was filmed in Mayo, such as Ashford Castle, are in order. There is Ceide Fields, for an archeological look at the Mayo area in Ballycastle. In Ballintuber, Ballintuber Abbey is the only church founded by an Irish King that is still in use today. In Doon, there is the Promontory Fort, on Lough Carra, with sites from Late Bronze Age, one of the largest identified site of its type in Ireland. Castlebar has the Museum of Country Life.

If you are looking for a delightful B&B, Rockville Guesthouse , in Westport, has some beautiful gardens or you could also look at Cillcoman lodge, also in Westport. There is also Woodview lodge in Castlebar, Kilmurray House in Crossmolina or for a wonderful change of pace, Brevie, a restored coastguard house on Achill Island. I believe that Michele has information for a few of these on her site.

I hope that this gives you a good footing, Co. Mayo is both rugged and extraordinarily beautiful. You will have a most enjoyable adventure there!

Slan Agus Beannacht,

Bit Devine

Cowboy Craic

wheatjw · Member

Thanks for the reply. We are really excited. This will help us get started. I have seen the Quite Man several times and it is what started me wanting to go to Ireland We met the couple that we are going to see through friends in West Texas They had met them at a Harley rally in Arizona.They were over here on their honeymoon. Our west Texas friends traveled over to Ireland and just had a great time. The Irish couple then came to West Texas and stayed. We loaned them a Harley and we all road down to Del Rio Texas. It was for the annual St. Patty's rally over in Cd. Acuna, Mexico. They were are really nice folks and seem to enjoy Texas. They invited us over and we finally decided to go. We are spending the first couple of days with them. They have a dairy farm so it should be interesting. After that we are really lost on what to do and see but hope to catch-up or put a plan together these coming months. Thanks again for the help. Wayne

CowboyCraic · Guru

Wayne,

What a delightful way to start your visit in Ireland! You will fall in love with Ireland. Depending on how long you have in Ireland, I would suggest that you visit the Connemara region, if even for a day trip, whilst you are in County Mayo. There is such beauty in all of Ireland that I believe a person could spend a year there and not see or experience it all. Bring good, sturdy, waterproof walking shoes and remember that layering is key, even in July. You should make reservations soon, as July begins the High season. I would suggest that you look at autoeurope.com for car rental and then compare it with other car rentals.

Slan Agus Beannacht,

Bit Devine

Cowboy Craic

Michele Erdvig · Host

Wayne,

The Enniskillen area is very beautiful with lots of lakes, islands, woodlands and is full of history. Not too far off are Marble Arch Caves (if you are into that) and Florence Court. I'm sure your friends will have a lot lined up for you to see and do. The Ulster American Folk Park is well worth seeing if you don't mind a drive to nearby Omagh.

Sligo is a lovely area that is not much visited by tourists and is on your way to Mayo. Westport is a good base for Co. Mayo. If the weather is good you will not find a nicer place to stay than right on the beach at Bervie (go to my Lodgings page for a link or click on the one Bit provided).

Be sure to look at my Car Rental page as it will give you a lot of info you need to know before renting a car. You can click through to Kemwel there for a quote. They are a sister company of AutoEurope who Bit has had good results with.

Planning is half the fun of going!

Michele

wheatjw · Member

Thank ya'll for the input We are wanting to stay one night at Ashford Castle. Any thoughts on that and is it worth it? Thanks Wayne

CowboyCraic · Guru

Wayne,

Though I have not stayed there myself, I have a friend who was treated to a two night stay there. She said that it was the most luxurious room in which she has ever stayed. She said the service is impeccable and that she felt like a "lady of the manor" for her entire stay. Since she is not one to "gush" about many things, I will assume that Ashford well deserves its five star rating. It has everything you woud expect, turrets, drawbridge, towers and battlement. However, there is no moat monster. If you can afford it, treat yourself to a stay, it will be a most excellent memory.

Athbhliain faoi mhaise duit (A prosperous New year),

Bit Devine

Cowboy Craic

Michele Erdvig · Host

Wayne,

I have had a look around Ashford Castle and it is truly fabulous. However, the price has always kept me from actually staying there. Instead I have wandered through the gardens and grounds, had a pint at the bar and stayed somewhere less expensive. If you can afford it and want a castle experience, go for it.

Michele

Mark D · Senior Member

I agree with Michele.

There is a little side road that goes from in front of Cong Abbey, and goes right behind Ashford Castle. You have to walk it, but is very short and easy. I enjoyed the castle grounds etc, but could not convince myself that it was worth the $$$. It's a beautiful castle, but you can enjoy it many ways for little money. I believe there is a nice little boat ride that departs from Killary Harbor.

Our trip included many of Cowboy's suggestions.

We visited Ceide Fields, Foxford Mills, Knock, Cong, Ballina, Ashford Castle all are fantastic !

I would also suggest Kylemore Abbey !

Cheers !
Mark D.

-- Edited by Mark D at 18:31, 2007-01-02

-- Edited by Mark D at 18:37, 2007-01-02

-- Edited by Mark D at 18:38, 2007-01-02

Michele Erdvig · Host

Mark,

Good suggestions. There are also boats that go from Ashford Castle to Oughterard with a stop at some of the islands. When at Ashford if you take the path through the gardens and follow the signs for the falconry you will come across Danagher's farm (as used in The Quiet Man movie).

Michele

wheatjw · Member

Thank you for the help. I think that after your suggestions, we will just go visit the castle. I would be interested in one of the boat rides Thanks again Wayne

Michele Erdvig · Host

Wayne,

Take a look at this: http://www.corribcruises.com/

Michele

wojazz3 · Guru

Hi Wayne:

I've done the Corrib cruise and it's really quite nice. There are two boats, one that leaves from Cong and one that leaves from Oughterard. They meet at Inchagoill island where a local expert provides a tour of this amazing little place. He's written a book on the island and it's a great pickup. From Inchagoill you can either choose to go on to the opposite end or stay on the same boat and return to your original departure point. There are also 1 hour cruises that depart from Ashford Castle.

I've stayed at Ashford and don't think I would spend the $$ to do it again. My wife loved it, I found it a bit stuffy. I'm a pretty casual person and I don't particularly need (or care) to be waited on.

Westport is a wonderful town and has great music offerings. The most famous is Matt Molloy's but there are others which tend to be less crowded and easier to actually hear the music. In fact, right next door is The Porterhouse which has a couple of fine musicians working there on a regular basis.

Unlike most people (it seems), I like to stay in the country. Near Westport, we stayed at the Tighbeag http://www.anu.ie/tighbeag/index.html B&B which was really quite comfortable and had a beautiful view of the bay. It sits at the base of Croagh Patrick and the owners are avid walkers and have excellent information on long and short walks in the area. I really like the idea of Bervie though so that may just have to happen next time I hit the area.

Hope this helps.

Bill

Michele Erdvig · Host

Bill,

I actually prefer staying in the country myself. Do yourself a favor next time. Spend a couple of nights at Bervie. You will not regret it. Achill Cliff House Hotel (just across the road) has wonderful banoffee and great food. I have photos and a review of Bervie now on my website: http://www.irelandyes.com/excerpt.html

Michele

wojazz3 · Guru

Michele:

Tup, you've inspired me to stay at Bervie. Not sure when I'll be getting that way but hopefully soon.

Bill

wheatjw · Member

Michele Thanks I really like the Bervie We are going to try and stay there.. also I ordered your book this morning Thanks again Wayne

Michele Erdvig · Host

Wayne, Your book is on its way. Look for it soon. Only problem is you will be tempted to stay at all the different places.

Bill, I also found a lovely B&B on Achill last time. I didn't stay yet but will next time. It is not too far from Bervie, up a hill with ocean views from some rooms (no website). But the Bervie is very special.

Michele

wheatjw · Member

Well, The time as finally arrived. We are leaving Tuesday. This is what we have come up with. Our friends from Enniskillen are picking us up Wednesday morning in Belfast and we are going to travel to their farm just outside of Enniskillen and stay with them until Saturday morning. They have a dairy farm and sell all their product to Baileys Irish Cream. They wanted to show us around that area until Saturday morning. They arranged for a rental car. We head to Achill Island and Bervies Saturday. We plan to base out of there until Tuesday and find a place Tuesday night. We return to our friend's home Wednesday and they are going to take us to Belfast Thursday morning to catch the flight home. I know we left so much out but this will be a good start. There is just so much to see and do and our time is limited. We have day trips planned to Westport, Cong and the surrounding areas. We decide not to stay at Ashford Castle. We are just going to stop and have a beer. We also want to take the Corrib Cruise. I want to thank all of ya'll for the help. Will let you know how it goes on our return. Thanks Wayne

YaYa · Guru

Wayne,

I hope you have a wonderful trip.

Joan

Michele Erdvig · Host

Wayne,

I hope you have a wonderful time. The areas you are visiting are lovely. You will find plenty to do and I know it will be fun seeing your friends. Tell Liz and John at The Bervie that I send greetings. You are in for a treat there. I hope the weather cooperates so you can walk the beach and do the Atlantic Drive. We greatly look forward to your trip report when you get back.

Michele

CowboyCraic · Guru

Wayne,

Safe travels! May you have a most excellent adventure filled with many faery-led moments. It sounds like the perfect itinerary for the amount of time you have. I can almost guarantee you that here wil be another time in Ireland. The where and when of it will be the key. Have a most wonderful time with your friends. It sounds as if they are as excited about your visit as you.

Slan Agus Beannacht,

Bit