My Ireland ITINERARY: please add a wee bit of magic!
Dec 4th, 2005 | 05:15 PM
#41
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
Hi Melissa. Not sure this will help you make any decisions, but I just have to share one of our favorite travel experiences.
We spent a magical evening in Ballyvaughan on our first trip to Europe many moons ago. After a wonderful dinner at Clare's (not sure if it's still there) we wondered into a local pub looking for some traditional Irish music and some good Craic. The musicians were just setting up for the night and the place was packed as it was a Bank Holiday weekend. The only empty "table" (more like a picnic bench) was in the far corner at the end of the bar. So we made ourselves at home and ordered a Guinness - life is good.
Well, it turns out the table was empty because it was reserved for the band and their families. We apoligized for our mistake and offered to move on, but they would have none of it. We were honorary members of the band for the evening! This was an extremely difficult task, which consisted of making sure that the band - and us - never had an empty glass. It was a job well done!
BTW, I noticed you mentioned several times your preference for B&B's on the main road because it's hard to find your way home in the dark. I remember that in Ballyvaughan rooms were tight as it was a holiday and we had to stay several miles out of town in the boonies in some obscure farmhouse B&B - I think we paid 18 USD. I don't know how we found our way home that night, but if we could so can you!
We spent a magical evening in Ballyvaughan on our first trip to Europe many moons ago. After a wonderful dinner at Clare's (not sure if it's still there) we wondered into a local pub looking for some traditional Irish music and some good Craic. The musicians were just setting up for the night and the place was packed as it was a Bank Holiday weekend. The only empty "table" (more like a picnic bench) was in the far corner at the end of the bar. So we made ourselves at home and ordered a Guinness - life is good.
Well, it turns out the table was empty because it was reserved for the band and their families. We apoligized for our mistake and offered to move on, but they would have none of it. We were honorary members of the band for the evening! This was an extremely difficult task, which consisted of making sure that the band - and us - never had an empty glass. It was a job well done!
BTW, I noticed you mentioned several times your preference for B&B's on the main road because it's hard to find your way home in the dark. I remember that in Ballyvaughan rooms were tight as it was a holiday and we had to stay several miles out of town in the boonies in some obscure farmhouse B&B - I think we paid 18 USD. I don't know how we found our way home that night, but if we could so can you!
Dec 4th, 2005 | 07:06 PM
#42
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,146
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Melissa, No, I don't want you to have to go through the decision making again for County Clare . You have made a good decision and stick to it. It will be lovely to see the Atlantic in Ballyvaughan and Lisdoonvarna is a nice village but maybe not as colorful. I love that county and have spent many days there. Now, I'm waiting to hear what you have decided for Westport. Best Wishes, Joan
Dec 4th, 2005 | 11:24 PM
#43
Original Poster
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,254
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39Steps, now I am really looking forward to Ballyvaughan, after reading about the fun you had there! Plus I am looking forward to exploring the other small villages like Kilfenora, and hey, maybe the drive "home" to our b&b in the dark after an evening of pubs & fun will enliven my trip report!
JOAN: You are merciful, thank you for sparing me the temptation to re-plan my b&b choice for County Clare! Perhaps I will balance this trip a bit for my daughters by staying in dublin city centre at the end of our trip. (Well but not right in Temple bar area, I was thinking just south of St. Stephens' green at Kilronan House, somewhere similar, that is supposed to be on a relatively quiet street, for dublin!)
I am really enjoying planning this trip with the help of you all, who have added that "wee bit of magic"!
chatham, I think I'm going to go with Cillcoman Lodge for Westport, which apparently is about a 1/2 mile from the Westport Quay.
Soon I will actually have the b&bs all booked, and I have already commited to airline tickets. Then I think it's a very fun and more relaxing phase of trip planning, where you know where you're staying, and you just want the fun details that people can give you on good food, good shopping, interesting sights within a day-trip of your lodgings.
Dreaming of Ireland, with soft days and green, Guiness and trad, craic and castle ruins, sheep and farms, fish and field...
Wow, my itinerary has changed a bit since I began this post and now. i was just reading how I began. Now it looks like this:
fly into Shannon.
1 night: Bunratty or Ennis
3 nights: Dingle Peninsula
3 nights: County Clare (Ballyvaughan)
3 nights: County Mayo (Westport)
2 nights: Belfast area
3 nights: Dublin/Trim Castle
Fly home from dublin.
Sigh...and still trying to figure out how to fit in Antrim coast in Northern Ireland and Dunluce castle and Giant's causeway (doesn't fit without giving up Dublin really...)
JOAN: You are merciful, thank you for sparing me the temptation to re-plan my b&b choice for County Clare! Perhaps I will balance this trip a bit for my daughters by staying in dublin city centre at the end of our trip. (Well but not right in Temple bar area, I was thinking just south of St. Stephens' green at Kilronan House, somewhere similar, that is supposed to be on a relatively quiet street, for dublin!)
I am really enjoying planning this trip with the help of you all, who have added that "wee bit of magic"!
chatham, I think I'm going to go with Cillcoman Lodge for Westport, which apparently is about a 1/2 mile from the Westport Quay.
Soon I will actually have the b&bs all booked, and I have already commited to airline tickets. Then I think it's a very fun and more relaxing phase of trip planning, where you know where you're staying, and you just want the fun details that people can give you on good food, good shopping, interesting sights within a day-trip of your lodgings.
Dreaming of Ireland, with soft days and green, Guiness and trad, craic and castle ruins, sheep and farms, fish and field...
Wow, my itinerary has changed a bit since I began this post and now. i was just reading how I began. Now it looks like this:
fly into Shannon.
1 night: Bunratty or Ennis
3 nights: Dingle Peninsula
3 nights: County Clare (Ballyvaughan)
3 nights: County Mayo (Westport)
2 nights: Belfast area
3 nights: Dublin/Trim Castle
Fly home from dublin.
Sigh...and still trying to figure out how to fit in Antrim coast in Northern Ireland and Dunluce castle and Giant's causeway (doesn't fit without giving up Dublin really...)
Dec 5th, 2005 | 12:57 PM
#44
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 160
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Ballyvaughn should be a fine place to alight for a few days. You can go up to Kinvara for an evening, too. Check out Keogh's Pub at www.kinvara.com. I'm sure that, now matter which town you choose, you'll have a great time.
Dec 6th, 2005 | 12:08 AM
#45
Original Poster
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,254
Likes: 0
mexicobeachbum, thanks for recommending Keogh's pub in Kinvara. I'll make a note of that one too. I was also interested in the Dunguaire castle medieval banquet, though it might be touristy, it sounds fun and I am interested in Irish writers/musicians/poets as well, and I have heard some of their work is featured in the event at Dunguaire.
