Ireland itinerary
Jan 20th, 2015, 11:37 PM
#83
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GreenDragon: I came upon your ebook, Hidden Ireland, on your Facebook photo page, and I bought it on Amazon. Good price! Actually your Scotland book looks equally fascinating.
Tony: So I'm narrowing in on Galway Bay Hotel for a 2 night stay. Coming from Kinvarra, it looks like I can avoid driving through town by taking N18 to N6 and then a road down to Salthill. I'd rather not deal with city driving WORSE than Sheffield.
Tony: So I'm narrowing in on Galway Bay Hotel for a 2 night stay. Coming from Kinvarra, it looks like I can avoid driving through town by taking N18 to N6 and then a road down to Salthill. I'd rather not deal with city driving WORSE than Sheffield.
Jan 21st, 2015, 03:44 AM
#84
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susan - thank you! They're both on sale this month for $2.99. Back up to $9.99 in February 
I tried to go through Galway on one of my trips - and got right back out again. Having grown up in a city (Miami) I have less interest in them than in the countryside. Yes, I know each city has its own unique personality. That doesn't mean I enjoy getting stuck in rush hour traffic in labyrinthine streets while on vacation! I felt the same way about Derry. Oddly enough, I'm fine driving in London, Dublin and Belfast. And Edinburgh. Go figure. Maybe it's the increased sense of history and wonder attached to those cities?
I tried to go through Galway on one of my trips - and got right back out again. Having grown up in a city (Miami) I have less interest in them than in the countryside. Yes, I know each city has its own unique personality. That doesn't mean I enjoy getting stuck in rush hour traffic in labyrinthine streets while on vacation! I felt the same way about Derry. Oddly enough, I'm fine driving in London, Dublin and Belfast. And Edinburgh. Go figure. Maybe it's the increased sense of history and wonder attached to those cities?
Jan 21st, 2015, 09:17 AM
#85
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GreenDragon -- I feel the same. My last trip -- 4 weeks in England with car -- was almost exclusively countryside and villages. I did a couple of city stops and regretted both. My GPS took me through the traffic snarl of downtown Sheffield to get to the other side (Hathersage in Derbyshire -- my reward). Salthill on Galway Bay looks relatively free of traffic and on a nice seaside promenade, so that's a definite option, and a shuttle to the ferry dock stops in front of the hotel.
Jan 21st, 2015, 10:02 AM
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susan001...yes Maud Gonne was Yeat's love but she turned him down and married another as you know. Thereafter, he met Lady Gregory and a group who founded The Abbey. We went to a production there in Dublin and also one at The Gate Theater years ago. I have seen several Irish plays and a memorable one was at Vassar College where son was teaching some years ago about the English changing all the signs in western Ireland...can't remember the title.
Jan 22nd, 2015, 09:11 AM
#92
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jaja: I found the Yeats exhibition online. It looks fantastic! Thanks for mentioning it; otherwise, wouldn't have known.
Tony2 & ozark: I'm definitely going to make time for Coole Park. Looks worthwhile.
Tony2 & ozark: I'm definitely going to make time for Coole Park. Looks worthwhile.
Jan 22nd, 2015, 10:48 AM
#93
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Just booked the Galway Bay Hotel for two nights. It's a win-win. I get to see Trad on Prom there, plus found out the shuttle to the ferry stops in front of the hotel. It looks much less congested than central Galway.
Next booking: Ballyvaughan for one night. Decided to give up the 3rd night in Dingle.
Next booking: Ballyvaughan for one night. Decided to give up the 3rd night in Dingle.
Jan 22nd, 2015, 11:29 AM
#94
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Say, that Yeats exhibition on line at Nat'l Library in Dublin is wonderful. Is there information in some book or guide?
Tony2phones, I glanced at the picts of flooding at the Yeats tower residence in Coole Park and note that there was some damage. A shame. I remember climbing up the stairs.
Tony2phones, I glanced at the picts of flooding at the Yeats tower residence in Coole Park and note that there was some damage. A shame. I remember climbing up the stairs.
Jan 22nd, 2015, 11:38 AM
#95
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Fail(te)Ireland who were in charge of Thoor Ballylee passed the renovation work over to Galway Council 3 years ago. I can't even get an answer from the council about any renovation plans. As 2015 is the 150th anniversary of Yeats Birth you would have thought some effort would have been made, if only to tidy up the grounds.. I live in Galway and it's a shame the council seems to have the arrogance that they don't need to make any effort, tourists will come because the city is there. call me cynical if you like..
Jan 22nd, 2015, 03:24 PM
#97
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My two eurocents....Coole Park is delightful for nature walks. Check out the turlough. Too bad about Thoor Ballylee. I've been there twice and sounds like never again. I just kept thinking "poor George."
The public toilets at the National Library (the ladies' ones, anyway) are to be visited.
The public toilets at the National Library (the ladies' ones, anyway) are to be visited.
Jan 23rd, 2015, 07:35 AM
#99
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Thank you jaja and GreenDragon. Looking forward! GD: I booked Gregan's Castle Hotel in Ballyvaughan in the midst of the Burren. Excited.
Hopefully, 2 nights in Dingle will give me plenty of time to visit Slea head, and the Blasket Islands and hear some music.
Hopefully, 2 nights in Dingle will give me plenty of time to visit Slea head, and the Blasket Islands and hear some music.
