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Posted by: ctbard 09-Feb-2008, 09:47 AM
Anyone know much about interesting places to stay in western Ireland, actually, above Shannon, I'm going back again, and want to see some of the sacred spots and such, haunted castles, good music, etc.

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 09-Feb-2008, 11:46 AM
When I was over in April, we passed Clonony Castle, near Shannon Harbor, Co. Offaly. Stopped and talked with the new owners, who just moved back from the U.S. They said they were going to restore the castle and open it for tours but it was going to take some time to do that. Clonony Castle is supposed to be the most haunted castle in Ireland.

I have a picture of it posted in the Gallery, under the Castle heading: http://www.celticradio.net/php/gallery/displayimage.php?album=70&pos=31


Here's a page for Irish haunted castles: http://www.medieval-castle.com/irish_haunted_castles.htm

The picture of Clonony Castle on the above web page, does not look anything like what it looks like today. A good portion of the castle has fallen down.

Posted by: ctbard 09-Feb-2008, 08:08 PM
Thanks so much!

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 09-Feb-2008, 08:22 PM
Check your messages. I left one for you.

Posted by: haynes9 09-Feb-2008, 09:42 PM
My son spent his honeymoon in Ireland over Christmas. He stayed in Doolin for a couple of days. Well known for Trad music and there is always someone plying in the pubs in town. He stayed in a B & B there and the hostess was fantastic. Let me know if you want more info and I'll get it for you.

They also stayed in Adare at a really nice hotel. I believe it was Dunraven Arms. Of course, you could get adventurous and stay on one of the Aran Islands.

Take care and have a great day!

Posted by: ctbard 10-Feb-2008, 07:15 AM
Yeah, let me know, that would be great, I'm planning on staying in that area the first night, since it's close to Shannon airport and your pretty wiped out the first day there. I definitly want to hear as much traditional music therre as I can.

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 10-Feb-2008, 08:35 AM
If you want to hear traditional music in the pubs, you need to head up to Galway and get on the N-84, go through Shrule and follow that road up to Westport. You won't have a hard time finding a pub that has the locals just hanging out playing and having a good time.

Plenty of B&B's in the area also.

Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 25-Feb-2008, 05:51 PM
Hey Ctbard, you and Lynn will be too scared in a haunted castle!!!

A Shrule Egan, I went to your site of the Highlander B & B. I put my info in the contact boxes but I'm not sure it registers, it doesn't appear to acknowledge after you hit the submit box.

I would love to take some time and visit down your way and the Inn looks like a great way to do that. Can't wait to see it completed and open for business.

Heres wishing you the best for your B &B.

Posted by: ctbard 26-Feb-2008, 08:00 AM
Scared!!!! My own house had more ghosts then the castles in Ireland I bet!!
We should have had you sleep in our cellar and seen if you could have made it the night.

Posted by: ctbard 26-Feb-2008, 08:09 AM
A Shrule Egan,
Just checked out your Highland site also, when is it going to be open for business? My husband and I will have to check it out when it's completed, the land is beautiful there!

Posted by: ctbard 26-Feb-2008, 08:12 AM
Haynes9,
Were going to be staying the night in Doolin in May, at a B&B called Cullinanas, or something like that, hopefully it's nice.
I would like to stay a night on the Aran Islands, have you been to them all?

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 26-Feb-2008, 07:24 PM
QUOTE (ctbard @ 26-Feb-2008, 09:09 AM)
A Shrule Egan,
Just checked out your Highland site also, when is it going to be open for business? My husband and I will have to check it out when it's completed, the land is beautiful there!

Hopefully, we will be open by late September, early October. We walk the property with the contractor and excavator this weekend and mark out where the house will be built. Still need to get a few of the permits and bids in place and after that, we can break ground. Keep checking the Gallery on the web page. We will be adding more pictures of the construction in progress. biggrin.gif


As for the Aran Islands, I have a bunch of pictures on the CR Gallery, under the Ireland section. If you need a list of B&B's on Inishmore, I can get that for you. Also, I can hook you up with a top notch and fun guy to meet you at the docks and take you around in his jaunting car. Let me know what you need.

Posted by: Annabelle 26-Feb-2008, 09:27 PM
I like the Jaunting car ride! It was one of the best parts of the trip!

But the losers had to walk up hill!

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 26-Feb-2008, 09:47 PM
QUOTE (Annabelle @ 26-Feb-2008, 10:27 PM)
I like the Jaunting car ride! It was one of the best parts of the trip!

But the losers had to walk up hill!

Only because George and I were gentlemen. You and Shelly proved what prisses you were by staying in the cart while that poor horse was near collapsing. And, you continued to throw more rocks into the car and make it even heavier for the poor horse.

Posted by: ctbard 27-Feb-2008, 07:00 AM
Yeah, that would be great, I want to go for a jaunting car ride!!
It would be fantastice if you could hook me up with him!
And as for as B&B's, that would be great too, I'll try and talk the rest of the group to stay a night on the islands. Thanks again!

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 27-Feb-2008, 04:34 PM
QUOTE (ctbard @ 27-Feb-2008, 08:00 AM)
Yeah, that would be great, I want to go for a jaunting car ride!!
It would be fantastice if you could hook me up with him!
And as for as B&B's, that would be great too, I'll try and talk the rest of the group to stay a night on the islands. Thanks again!

laugh.gif With all the moving around of stuff and packing things up and throwing things out, I can't put my hands on that information at this moment. I know it's still here, cause we wanted to go back to Inishmore and spend a week there, plus have Patrick take us around a bit more for a jaunt. I'll locate the info long before you need to go on vacation.

Posted by: ctbard 27-Feb-2008, 05:25 PM
Thanks, you have time to find it, were not going for another 2 months.

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 10-Mar-2008, 05:29 PM
Here's the guide for the B&B's on the Aran Islands: http://www.galway.net/galwayguide/acc/bb/aran/


Still can't put my hands on the paper with Patrick's info but it's not hard to find a jaunting car when you arrive. They are waiting at the dock. I'll keep looking. We had a great time with Patrick and I know you would too.

Posted by: ctbard 10-Mar-2008, 05:51 PM
Thanks so much! Don't worry if you can't find it, like you said, I'm sure we'll find someone when we get there, whats a good B&B there? or did I already ask you?
Can't wait to get there!!!

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 11-Mar-2008, 08:23 PM
QUOTE (ctbard @ 10-Mar-2008, 06:51 PM)
Thanks so much! Don't worry if you can't find it, like you said, I'm sure we'll find someone when we get there, whats a good B&B there? or did I already ask you?
Can't wait to get there!!!

We didn't stay on the island but Patrick Connelly, our jaunting car driver, suggested we stay at the Kilmurvey House: http://www.kilmurveyhouse.com , which is next to Dun Aengus.

By the way, when you depart the ferry, you can always ask any of the drivers and they will point Patrick out. I found a picture of Patrick and his car that was posted on the internet, by someone who visited Inishmore. Check out this picture and you will have an idea of what he and his car look like. http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2159133680076627364LpZSzV

I'll keep looking for Patrick's contact info, in case you want to set it up in advance with him.

Another note, Patrick asked 80 Euro for the 4 of us to ride with him around the island. We enjoyed the trip and his sense of humor so much, we paid him 100 Euro.

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 11-Mar-2008, 08:29 PM
Oh yea, the bar behind Patrick in that picture, is where he ends the island trip. He suggested going in there and have lunch and we did. The food was very good. I believe it was called the American Bar.

Posted by: ctbard 12-Mar-2008, 05:48 AM
Thanks! I'm sure we'll find him, and I'll check out the Bed and breakfast online later. And I've heard of the American bar before, it must be in one of my Ireland books.

Posted by: ctbard 12-Mar-2008, 03:43 PM
Just emailed that Bed&Breakfast about rooms in may, It looks nice and it's nearby alot of interesting stuff.

Posted by: lawrence50 13-Mar-2008, 02:33 PM
Hopefully I get a chance to explore some of these places on my trip.

Posted by: ctbard 13-Mar-2008, 03:15 PM
Where are you heading in Ireland Lawrence50? When I was there a few years ago I went to Dingle, Ring of Kerry, Ring of Beara, The Burren, I pretty , much stayed in that area, south western I guess, It's so beautiful there.
Are you renting a car or taking a tour? We drove, which is challenging the first few days, til you get use to it.
Cant wait to get there in May, I'm just not looking forward to the flight.

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 22-Mar-2008, 09:49 AM
I thought I had taken a picture of Patrick Connelly, when we were at the docks. Here he is talking with Shelly (Irish Stepper), before we started our tour of Inishmore. Shelly wanted to know all about the horse.

The docks are a very busy place when the ferry comes to the island but you can't beat the scenery.

Posted by: Irish Stepper 23-Mar-2008, 08:32 PM
QUOTE (A Shrule Egan @ 26-Feb-2008, 10:47 PM)
QUOTE (Annabelle @ 26-Feb-2008, 10:27 PM)
I like the Jaunting car ride! It was one of the best parts of the trip!

But the losers had to walk up hill!

Only because George and I were gentlemen. You and Shelly proved what prisses you were by staying in the cart while that poor horse was near collapsing. And, you continued to throw more rocks into the cart and make it even heavier for the poor horse.

Oh no! Don't put the rock fettish on me! I wasn't the one picking up rocks all over Ireland. laugh.gif

Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 24-Mar-2008, 08:30 AM
QUOTE (Irish Stepper @ 23-Mar-2008, 09:32 PM)
QUOTE (A Shrule Egan @ 26-Feb-2008, 10:47 PM)
QUOTE (Annabelle @ 26-Feb-2008, 10:27 PM)
I like the Jaunting car ride! It was one of the best parts of the trip!

But the losers had to walk up hill!

Only because George and I were gentlemen. You and Shelly proved what prisses you were by staying in the cart while that poor horse was near collapsing. And, you continued to throw more rocks into the cart and make it even heavier for the poor horse.

Oh no! Don't put the rock fettish on me! I wasn't the one picking up rocks all over Ireland. laugh.gif

Oh no, I'm a rockhound! I hope the rocks aren't too interesting! My wife will go nuts if I start collecting rocks in Ireland!! rolleyes.gif

Posted by: ctbard 24-Mar-2008, 09:11 AM
I'm sure we'll spot his cart when we get off the ferry, Will he bring you to the B&B your staying at? does he have luggage room? Were staying near Dun Aengus.

Posted by: ctbard 24-Mar-2008, 09:12 AM
Ulsterscotnutt I'll be dragging home rocks with me for sure, I do that wherever I go.

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 24-Mar-2008, 06:42 PM
QUOTE (ctbard @ 24-Mar-2008, 10:11 AM)
I'm sure we'll spot his cart when we get off the ferry, Will he bring you to the B&B your staying at? does he have luggage room? Were staying near Dun Aengus.

Since there will be 4 of you, plus, luggage, there certainly won't be enough room. You'll have to get a taxi or the mini bus. I would suggest you locate Patrick first and set up a day and time for him to take you around. See if he will take you for an extended tour of the island. He gave us a perimeter tour but there was much more of the island we didn't get to see.


Print out this picture and tell him we recommended him.

Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 25-Mar-2008, 07:34 AM
ctbard, Since I will be use to 1st class travel, I think I should ride the jaunting car, pick up lots of rocks and enjoy the scenic travel as I was meant to live the life of leisure. king.gif
PS Please have lunch ready when I get to the B&B.

Posted by: ctbard 25-Mar-2008, 09:05 AM
Ulsterscotnutt, your just a fancy Lad at heart, I think you should be carried in a sedan by 4 irish wenches to the B& B while rose petals are thrown at your feet. How does Lynn put up with your dandyness?

Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 25-Mar-2008, 09:22 AM
Just dandy she does!!!

You think Patrick has a bar on board the jaunting car? I might get parched.

Posted by: ctbard 25-Mar-2008, 09:37 AM

Maybe he"ll have watercress sandwiches and Bob-bons for you also.

Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 25-Mar-2008, 11:22 AM
QUOTE (ctbard @ 25-Mar-2008, 10:37 AM)
Maybe he"ll have watercress sandwiches and Bob-bons for you also.

Hey A Shrule Egan, is ctbard pulling my leg!!??!! unsure.gif laugh.gif tongue.gif

Posted by: ctbard 25-Mar-2008, 01:39 PM
I think we'll drag you behind the Aran Ferry like they did to whats his name in the movie "Cabin Boy", ever see it?

Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 25-Mar-2008, 02:33 PM
No I haven't seen it. Is it a sign of respect and reverence??!! I hear the water is very clean there.

Posted by: ctbard 25-Mar-2008, 02:50 PM
I shall bring you Cabin Boy tomorrow, he reminds me of you, I think afer you watch it, you to shall agree.

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 25-Mar-2008, 03:19 PM
QUOTE (UlsterScotNutt @ 25-Mar-2008, 10:22 AM)

You think Patrick has a bar on board the jaunting car? I might get parched.

I'm not sure what Patrick may carry in his jacket but there certainly was enough pubs on Inishmore, that maybe you should ask Patrick to take you on a pub tour instead. beer_mug.gif laugh.gif

Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 25-Mar-2008, 03:37 PM
QUOTE (A Shrule Egan @ 25-Mar-2008, 04:19 PM)
QUOTE (UlsterScotNutt @ 25-Mar-2008, 10:22 AM)

You think Patrick has a bar on board the jaunting car? I might get parched.

I'm not sure what Patrick may carry in his jacket but there certainly was enough pubs on Inishmore, that maybe you should ask Patrick to take you on a pub tour instead. beer_mug.gif laugh.gif

Excellent recommendation!!!! beer_mug.gif thumbs_up.gif

I shinks I shaw anudder pub ober der!!! Yust one moore!!! hic partytime.gif

Posted by: ctbard 26-Mar-2008, 06:02 AM
Ulsterscotnutt, is this going to be a drunkin roadtrip perhaps?

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 26-Mar-2008, 03:02 PM
QUOTE (ctbard @ 26-Mar-2008, 07:02 AM)
Ulsterscotnutt, is this going to be a drunkin roadtrip perhaps?

Wendy, it sounds like you have been nominated as the designated driver for the trip. Just make sure he isn't under the influence when you go up to Dun Aengus. It's 330 feet down off those cliffs and it make take some time to get a boat around that side of the island to save him. biggrin.gif

Posted by: ctbard 26-Mar-2008, 04:29 PM
Who say's I'd want to save him!!

Posted by: ctbard 27-Mar-2008, 08:16 AM
That wasnt very nice of me to say! Of course I would save Ulsterscotnutt!
I will babysit him in his drunken state.

Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 27-Mar-2008, 08:48 AM
Oops, Sorry Fred , didn't mean to drop that rock on you from up here!!!! tongue.gif

I know you would save me!! biggrin.gif

Posted by: ctbard 27-Mar-2008, 12:17 PM
Yes, but would Brian??

Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 27-Mar-2008, 12:21 PM
Better question, Would Lynn??!!?? laugh.gif

Posted by: ctbard 27-Mar-2008, 01:17 PM
I wouldnt stray to close to the edge of a cliff if I were you.

Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 27-Mar-2008, 02:36 PM
Thats the trouble with islands, you wander too far and the next thing you know................

Posted by: ctbard 27-Mar-2008, 05:28 PM
We'll have to get you some little swimmies for your arms, swimmies??Is that what their called??

Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 28-Mar-2008, 01:50 PM
Just a tad over one month till Ireland!!!!

Any advice anyone???!!!

Posted by: ctbard 28-Mar-2008, 02:11 PM
I know!! It's soo exciting!!!!!! I'll have to have Alice make me my tape for the airplane, reassuring me that it's not going to crash into the ocean.
I even got new jeans and shoes for Ireland!! I can't wait, I cant wait, I cant wait!!!

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 29-Mar-2008, 09:00 AM
QUOTE (UlsterScotNutt @ 27-Mar-2008, 03:36 PM)
Thats the trouble with islands, you wander too far and the next thing you know................

FRED!!! HELLO FRED!!! ARE YOU DOWN THERE??????











laugh.gif wink.gif

Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 29-Mar-2008, 01:26 PM
QUOTE (A Shrule Egan @ 29-Mar-2008, 10:00 AM)
FRED!!! HELLO FRED!!! ARE YOU DOWN THERE??????











laugh.gif  wink.gif

lol.gif THAT ... will keep you sober!!!!! sad.gif But what a lovely view on the way down!!! laugh.gif

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 30-Mar-2008, 11:14 AM
I was about 18 inches from the edge when I took that picture and the wind was swirling around. I didn't want to get blown off into the Atlantic. biggrin.gif

Thankfully, they haven't put up any rails yet, not like The Cliffs of Moher, where they have a suicide problem now. sad.gif

Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 31-Mar-2008, 07:34 AM
It's a great picture , gives me a quesy everytime I look at it. wink.gif
Thats what ctbard said , they were putting up a fence when they went over.

Posted by: ctbard 31-Mar-2008, 07:52 AM
My daughter gave me a horrifing picture of her self hanging over the edge of the cliffs, before they put the fence up, why do our children do this to us?

Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 31-Mar-2008, 09:01 AM
QUOTE (ctbard @ 31-Mar-2008, 08:52 AM)
My daughter gave me a horrifing picture of her self hanging over the edge of the cliffs, before they put the fence up, why do our children do this to us?

You raised a very independent, adventurous, challenging, out of the box scion.

Posted by: ctbard 31-Mar-2008, 09:45 AM
Yes I indeed did. She's going camping at the Grand canyon April 12th, was in Yosemite over the weekend and is going to peru this summer, she is a busy little girl.

Posted by: ctbard 31-Mar-2008, 09:53 AM
What is a Scion besides a little car????

Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 31-Mar-2008, 10:34 AM
sci·on (sn)
n.
1. A descendant or heir.
2. also ci·on (sn) A detached shoot or twig containing buds from a woody plant, used in grafting.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Middle English, from Old French cion, possibly of Germanic origin.]

Posted by: ctbard 31-Mar-2008, 01:34 PM
My sweet Amy is a detached twig??

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 31-Mar-2008, 03:21 PM
QUOTE (ctbard @ 31-Mar-2008, 09:52 AM)
My daughter gave me a horrifing picture of her self hanging over the edge of the cliffs, before they put the fence up, why do our children do this to us?

laugh.gif My mother use to say the same thing to me. I was 51 when this picture was taken. Why stop now??!! biggrin.gif


Posted by: ctbard 01-Apr-2008, 05:39 AM
That picture just makes me feel ill, my husband does stuff like that to me.

Posted by: ctbard 01-Apr-2008, 09:08 AM
We really need to get back on the subject of interesting places in Ireland to visit, above Shannon that is.
We are leaving May 3rd, and will be going up as for as Donegal I think, Anyone know anyplace interesting to go?
We are going to InisMor, recomended by Shrule Egan.
Anyone know anything about Sligo?

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 01-Apr-2008, 07:40 PM
Before you get to Sligo, you need to make a few stops. Take the N-17 to Claremorris and go to the middle of town and look for Higgins & Co. It can be found on the east side of the street. It's a store carrying all sorts of better quality Irish goods, plus, they are the manufactures of the Celtic Design Collection of Irish rugs. http://www.celticdesigncollection.com/

Next as you head north, you need to take a little ride west to Foxford and visit the Foxford Clothing Mills. Some of the best made Irish woolen goods can be found there.

Next, there is an exit off the N-17 for the Knock Shrine. Never been there but the exit off the Thruway is rather busy, so I will take it, it's worth stopping.

After driving up to Sligo, off to your right, you begin to see Benbulben. The N-15 traces the outline of Benbulben all the way up to Bunduran. This mountain creates a non-stop view that will have you taking pictures the whole time. A picture of Benbulben is below. My picture was taken while I was heading south.

As you ride up the N-15, about half way to Bunduran, look to your left, out towards the ocean. You will see a castle in the distance. I don't know the name of it off the top of my head but most Irish maps have it listed. I'm told that it is a very nice castle and a nice ride out through the countryside to get to it. If I remember the name of the castle, I'll post it.


When you enter Ballyshannon, take the time to ride up and down some of the streets, esp. the western side of the round-about, up the hill. The store fronts and bars are all colorfully painted. Very neat little town and the pubs are fun to check out.

After Ballyshannon, the next real fun town to stop in is Donegal. Find your way to Donegal Castle and park your car. Do the tour of the castle, then go walk around town. Your camera will stay very busy.

That should be enough for you to ponder and research for a bit. If I think up more, I'll post it.

Posted by: ctbard 02-Apr-2008, 07:01 AM
Fantastic! I found them all on my map! If you think of anything else, let me know. Have you been above Donegal?
And we were planning to go to the shrine in Knock, fred's wife really wants to go, we already have a B&B booked. Thanks, Wendy

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 02-Apr-2008, 07:37 PM
Donegal is as far north that I have been. Just remember, you will only be a few miles from the Northern Ireland border and may want to cross over and check out some of the sites there to. Such as, The Marble Arch Caves (http://www.marblearchcaves.net/), between Sligo and Enniskillen, along the N-16. May need your passport for crossing. Not sure of that.

The castle mentioned above, is Classiebawn Castle, in Mullaghmore. It's a fairly new castle, built in the 1800's. The castle is privately owned and not open for tours.

Just north of Sligo, you will find the Lissadell House. Unfortunately, we didn't have enough time the day we were passing through to stop and see this mansion. Check out the web page: http://www.lissadellhouse.com/home.php


That's all I have for tonights edition. wink.gif

Posted by: ctbard 03-Apr-2008, 05:54 AM
Thanks again, we just may want to cross into Northern Ireland, I can't beleive were leaving in a month from today!

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 06-Apr-2008, 10:43 AM
You could always take the Irish Whiskey tour.

Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre
Bury Quay,
Tullamore,
Co. Offaly.

Entrance on Bury Quay. Central location and all-day parking. Disabled access and toilets.

Tel. +353 57 9325015
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.tullamore-dew.org
Opening TimesMonday - Saturday 9am - 6pm
Sunday Midday - 5pm


Old Bushmills Distillery
Bushmills, County Antrim
Northern Ireland

Tel. 44 2820 733 218
www.bushmills.com


Old Midleton Distillery
(The Jameson Experience)
Midleton, County Cork

Tel. 353 21 461 3594
www.whiskeytours.ie


Old Jameson Distillery
Bow Street Distillery
Smithfield Dublin

Tel. 353 1 807 2355
www.whiskeytours.ie



Locke's Distillery Museum
part of the Cooley Distillery
Kilbeggan, County Westmeath

Tel. 353 57 93 32134
www.lockesdistillerymuseum.ie

Posted by: ctbard 07-Apr-2008, 08:36 AM
Good idea! That will have to be another trip though.
I see 2 more trips to Ireland after this one in my future, I hope.
How many times have you been to Ireland A Shrule Egan?

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 07-Apr-2008, 04:17 PM
Only twice, nine days for each trip. The first time was for genealogy purposes but I still found time to explore. The second, we met with the relatives for two days, then we explored the rest of the time. Having a motorcyclist mentality is a very big plus when visiting Ireland. I needed to know what was down every road. biggrin.gif wink.gif

Posted by: Lady of Avalon 07-Apr-2008, 04:42 PM
Hello ctbard,

If you wish to cross into Northern Ireland you must go and see the Giant's Causeway it's quite remarkable and there is of course the city of Belfast and one of the best preserved Norman fortress by the Belfast lough is Carrickfergus.

Still in Antrim Co. you can always stop by Carrick-a-rede Rope Bridge although you must walk quite a while to get to it but once there the view is breathtaking.

One guide book that I find very complete when travelling is the Michelin Green Guide, it is a very easy to read guide book and clear. I am sure you will enjoy your trip very much.LOA

Posted by: ctbard 07-Apr-2008, 05:07 PM
Oh, Thank you, I'll have to look online for that book. I would like to go to the Giants Causeway, but I think it will be to far, we'll have to wait and see how good we do with driving time, when I was there before didnt get very far it seemed.Wouldnt it be great to have an entire month there? Or an entire summer!! I would miss my animals too much though to be gone so long.

Posted by: Lady of Avalon 07-Apr-2008, 05:43 PM
My dear ctbard, I don't know how long is your trip but for me the best way is you go with the flow otherwise it is not a trip it's stress.

We've been there a little over 3 weeks and we did pretty much the whole country from Dublin to Dublin the only place unfortunately we haven't had time to see was teh Dingle Peninsula which probably in 2010 we will return for it'll be that year that we will renew our wedding vows in Scotland and plan to stay for 2 months at least. This year we are planning to go and visit Iceland in October. Be sure to get your hands on that book,you won't regret it.LOA

Posted by: ctbard 07-Apr-2008, 05:55 PM
We did make it to Dingle on our trip, I loved it there.
It seemed liked we wasted alot of time trying to find a tattoo parlor for my husband, "he really wanted a tattoo from there" which we finally found.
we were only there for 7 days, this time will be longer, I think 11 days.
I do hate the plane ride there as I have a horrible fear of flying.

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 24-Apr-2008, 07:18 PM
We were thinking about going back over again for July 4th week but the airfare was over $1100 for each of us. sad.gif

Looks like we need to find something a little more local.

Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 25-Apr-2008, 07:26 AM
One week to take off. smile.gif
Euros have been hanging betwen $1.57USD and $1.59USD for a month now. sad.gif
Ctbard says she is going to fly over wearing her Grace O'Malley pirate outfit! laugh.gif

Posted by: ctbard 25-Apr-2008, 05:48 PM
OK Ulsterscottnut, as long as you dress like Capt. Jack Sparrow.
$1100.00 a peice Shrule Egan!!!!! What airline is that? Or was that for the both of you?

Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 26-Apr-2008, 06:56 PM
Maybe my Bonnie Prince Charlie outfit, eh king.gif


Posted by: Camac 26-Apr-2008, 08:19 PM
USN;

Don't forget your Shillelagh and a Harp and have at least a keg of Guinness.
Safe journey there and back and may you catch a Leprechan with at least 2 pots of gold.

Camac. bye1.gif bye1.gif

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 27-Apr-2008, 01:51 PM
QUOTE (ctbard @ 25-Apr-2008, 07:48 PM)
OK Ulsterscottnut, as long as you dress like Capt. Jack Sparrow.
$1100.00 a peice Shrule Egan!!!!! What airline is that? Or was that for the both of you?

Yes, $1100 a piece. That was on U.S. Air but that is for July 4th week and the airlines know that is when people go on vacation. So, it's gouge the public when they can, as if they aren't already doing that with the rise in airfares.

I'll be staying domestic this July 4th and I won't be flying. It's cheaper to drive. The airlines can stick it!!!

Posted by: ctbard 28-Apr-2008, 01:10 PM
Boo Hoo, no Ireland for me..........):

Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 28-Apr-2008, 02:34 PM
Well, that really sucks to put it mildly!!!! sad.gif

Posted by: ctbard 28-Apr-2008, 04:40 PM
I feel absolutely sick over it, just had to change dates on the plane, Oct., and emailed the ferry and B&B"s.
All I can say is crap crap crap, crap.......

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 28-Apr-2008, 08:44 PM
QUOTE (ctbard @ 28-Apr-2008, 03:10 PM)
Boo Hoo, no Ireland for me..........):

???????????????? What happened? Did I miss something here?

Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 29-Apr-2008, 09:39 AM
Yes, Ctbard and her husband will not being going with us to Ireland. Something about Ctbard doesn't want to wear her pirate wench outfit.
Ctbard may wish to explain.
USN

Posted by: ctbard 29-Apr-2008, 02:12 PM
Dont blame it on me USN, your the one who wouldnt let me wear it because you took a likeing to it yourself, it fits me better though.
No really, my husband has been sick and hasnt been feeling good at all, and thought it was the best for everyone that we stayed home until he gets on a different medicine for his ulcerative colitis.So, were going in October when Fred isnt wearing the pirate wench outfit.

Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 29-Apr-2008, 02:28 PM
I think I make a dashing figure in my outfit cool.gif and we were so looking forward to you acting out the Pirate Queen scene when we got to Clare Island!! tongue.gif I just really don't want to have to play the Pirate Queen!! unsure.gif I make a bad understudy for that part rolleyes.gif Kiera Knightly I'm not!!

Now make sure you take care of your hubby and I'm sure everyone here on the forums will keep you company til I return angel_not.gif

I will raise a glass or 2 in every pub we come to beer_mug.gif beer_mug.gif "Here's to the Cartys, May the winds be swift and return them to Ireland again"!!!!

Posted by: ctbard 29-Apr-2008, 05:14 PM
Wouold you like me to put the picture of you in your pirate gear on the photo page USN? Hmm?

Posted by: Lady of Avalon 29-Apr-2008, 05:49 PM
Oooooh! yes I want to see this!!!!! red_bandana.gif Mr.Peacock in pirate gears.

Posted by: ctbard 29-Apr-2008, 05:53 PM
Let me get USN"S "permission", before I put the photo up, He's very vain you know.

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 29-Apr-2008, 06:48 PM
I'll take it, this means that Fred is now the designated driver.

TAKE COVER IRELAND!!!!!

cool.gif

Posted by: ctbard 30-Apr-2008, 07:07 AM
Yes, I think they better take out the extra car insurance.

Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 30-Apr-2008, 07:49 AM
Hey, I look so much better in color!!! and I paid extra for my Prince Purple overcoat!!!

Posted by: Camac 30-Apr-2008, 08:02 AM
USN;

My friend if on your trip to the "old sod" you get to Ulster and are up near Glenarm or Cushendall on the coast. Look North East and you should see Arran on the Left and the Scottish mainland on the right. Split the difference and you will be looking at Troon where I was born. Has to be a clear day though or you won't see a damn thing what with all that Highland Mist.


Camac.

PS. Yeah the mist gets down to the Lowlands. laugh.gif laugh.gif

Posted by: ctbard 30-Apr-2008, 08:07 AM
If anyone would like to see Ulsterscotnutt in his pirate garb, just go to members photos and look at the new additions.

Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 30-Apr-2008, 08:21 AM
Camac, I will toast the good sense that Troon had in introducing you to this world and our CelticRadio forum. Here's to Troon, MotherEarth. cheers.gif
USN

Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 30-Apr-2008, 08:24 AM
A Shrule Egan, Now, tis reall does stink!!! I know I can't teach my wife to drive a standard, ask me how I know!!! Can you hire designated drivers over there?? I guess I will be on the "moderation in all things " rule!! laugh.gif beer_mug.gif thumbs_up.gif

Posted by: Camac 30-Apr-2008, 08:30 AM
QUOTE (UlsterScotNutt @ 30-Apr-2008, 09:21 AM)
Camac, I will toast the good sense that Troon had in introducing you to this world and our CelticRadio forum. Here's to Troon, MotherEarth. cheers.gif
USN

USN;
Thanks for the toast and I hope you don't put the glass down till the kegs empty.
I have a small confession to make, I am part Irish as my maternal Grandfather was from Galway. My maternal grandmother was Einglish. Hell of a thing for a Scot to admit. Anywho one takes ones nationality from ones father and he was as Scots as they come.
cheers.gif cheers.gif cheers.gif clap.gif clap.gif clap.gif

Camac.

Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 30-Apr-2008, 01:17 PM
Camac, I will hold none of that against you. I will just have to toast more is all!!.
USN

Posted by: Camac 01-May-2008, 12:53 PM
beer.gif cheers.gif cheers.gif pepsi.gif pepsi.gif To you USN

Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 02-May-2008, 02:34 PM
Well, this will be my last post for a couple of weeks. Off to the Emerald Isle!!!!
Thanks, to everyone of you, who gave us insight for this trip. We truly appreciate your kindness. smile.gif

I unsubscribed to all my topics sad.gif , I didn't realise how many had caught my attention and how much I posted!!! Now I see how some of you get into the 1000's of posts. This is a great site thumbs_up.gif laugh.gif

Please take care of Ctbard while we are away as she has a tendency to the wild side if not closely monitored. tongue.gif and she is feeling a little depressed at not being able to go and play pirate wench rolleyes.gif

Here's to everyone til we get back.

Wandering re-establishes the original harmony which once existed between man and the universe. ~Anatole France

I think that travel comes from some deep urge to see the world, like the urge that brings up a worm in an Irish bog to see the moon when it is full. ~Lord Dunsany

The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page. ~St. Augustine

Posted by: ctbard 03-May-2008, 08:21 AM
Well, I guess I can take my canoe out on the Hokanum River and play the pirate wench...
And, I'll be going to Ireland in oct. if all goes well with the hubby.

Posted by: Lady of Avalon 03-May-2008, 11:13 AM
I am sure it'll be well then ctbard don't give up your dream.LOA

Posted by: fionadunbar 05-May-2008, 08:06 AM
hi I'm going back to Ireland in 2009 , my family's from connemarra,I too would love to know of your jaunting cart man!

Last time I stayed in a cottage for a week booked thru "shamrock Cottage" it was fantasic value and the location was amazing. You need to book for a week.We have a cottage booked at "Macgillycuddy's reeks" in cork for 2009, sorry don't know about any haunted castles

Posted by: ctbard 05-May-2008, 11:06 AM
Macgillycuddy"s reeks sounds very intriguing Fionadunbar, tell me about it?
Because were going in October if everything is well with my hubby.

Posted by: Patch 07-May-2008, 05:39 PM
Mara Freeman

http://www.celticspiritjourneys.com/

Interesting site. Some tours give you guided access to ancient Druid sites not open to the public.

The web site is interesting too.

Slàinte,    

Patch

Posted by: ctbard 07-May-2008, 06:11 PM
QUOTE (Patch @ 07-May-2008, 06:39 PM)
Mara Freeman

http://www.celticspiritjourneys.com/

Interesting site. Some tours give you guided access to ancient Druid sites not open to the public.

The web site is interesting too.

Slàinte,    

Patch

Oooh, very interesting, I'll have to delve into that, excellant! Let's go!

Posted by: Lady of Avalon 07-May-2008, 06:40 PM
QUOTE (Patch @ 07-May-2008, 07:39 PM)
Mara Freeman

http://www.celticspiritjourneys.com/

Interesting site. Some tours give you guided access to ancient Druid sites not open to the public.

The web site is interesting too.

Slàinte,    

Patch

Yes Patch, I've been visiting this site a few times and it is quite interesting.
thanks,LOA

Posted by: Patch 07-May-2008, 06:43 PM
QUOTE (ctbard @ 07-May-2008, 01:11 PM)
QUOTE (Patch @ 07-May-2008, 06:39 PM)
Mara Freeman

http://www.celticspiritjourneys.com/

Interesting site.  Some tours give you guided access to ancient Druid sites not open to the public. 

The web site is interesting too.

Slàinte,    

Patch

Oooh, very interesting, I'll have to delve into that, excellant! Let's go!

When your health is good GO! I put off some travel and now probably will not make the trips.

Slàinte,    

Patch

Posted by: ctbard 08-May-2008, 06:44 AM
QUOTE (Patch @ 07-May-2008, 07:43 PM)
QUOTE (ctbard @ 07-May-2008, 01:11 PM)
QUOTE (Patch @ 07-May-2008, 06:39 PM)
Mara Freeman

http://www.celticspiritjourneys.com/

Interesting site.  Some tours give you guided access to ancient Druid sites not open to the public. 

The web site is interesting too.

Slàinte,    

Patch

Oooh, very interesting, I'll have to delve into that, excellant! Let's go!

When your health is good GO! I put off some travel and now probably will not make the trips.

Slàinte,    

Patch

There's also a book out, I think it's called, "Guide to Sacred Ireland", which is pretty neat, I'll bring it to Ireland in Oct. when I go, it show you all the sacred spots there. and good directions on how to get to them.
And yes, your right, one should never put off traveling if they can help it, I use to work for the visiting nurses and met so many people who wanted to wait til they retured to travel, but, you never know what will happen before then, so just do it if you can.
My daughter is only in her 20"s, and she and her husband have been to Ireland, England, France, Belize, and alot of places in that area, the mayan ruins there.
There going to Alaska next month and Peru in the fall, and all over the US, which I think is great, I wish I could afford to do that.

Posted by: ctbard 08-May-2008, 07:06 AM
To all it may concern,
Ulsterscottnutt has finally made contact with us, he is alive and well.
So far he has had 2 flat tires and hit a stone wall,but, he says their having a good time.

Posted by: fionadunbar 08-May-2008, 08:03 AM
Poor Ulsterscottnutt driving on "the other side " of the road must be so disorienting.
I'm in a band called the scuttlers, he has one of our songs in his favorite song list which is an honour

Ctbard ,in regards to Macgillycuddy's reeks is a faboulous name!. It is a small mountain range close to Kilarney on the Kerry peninsular. Apparently part of a national park and virgin forest still exists on the slopes of the mountains I chose the location as it is in a good location for touring Cork and Kerry (I'll be connecting with my O'sullivan heritage on this trip)

The cottage we have booked is number 105 in the "www.shamrock cottages.com" brochure.We used this company in 2007

Last time in Ireland we rented a cottage in Connemarra.It was amazing value $34 Australian dollars a day! Also was in a rugged and spectacular position. Really was like living in Ireland, visiting the smokhouses to buy fish for dinner. With the roads and being so remote it was best to just act like a local for a week and enjoy the remote location. I was doing family history the area so it was perfect for me. I don't need luxury ,so if you like camping and nature over fine hotels I can recomend cottages .

The only thing about renting we found "very Irish" when we received the directions in a letter it was like, "Well den you go down the little road piece ,acroos a bridge and then it's the cottage 2 doors down from the pink cottage with the donkeys out front !! but we did find it quite easily on the day.

I'll put up some photo's of the cottage in Lettergesh East Connemarra
it is number 248 and has beautiful sea views that they don't even mention on the website.

I'm saving to go back in 2009 so all planning is great to talk about.

Posted by: ctbard 08-May-2008, 02:13 PM
To all it may concer, again,..Ulsterscotnutts car has now broken down...

Posted by: ctbard 08-May-2008, 02:18 PM
QUOTE (fionadunbar @ 08-May-2008, 09:03 AM)
Poor Ulsterscottnutt driving on "the other side " of the road must be so disorienting.
I'm in a band called the scuttlers, he has one of our songs in his favorite song list which is an honour

Ctbard ,in regards to Macgillycuddy's reeks is a faboulous name!. It is a small mountain range close to Kilarney on the Kerry peninsular. Apparently part of a national park and virgin forest still exists on the slopes of the mountains I chose the location as it is in a good location for touring Cork and Kerry (I'll be connecting with my O'sullivan heritage on this trip)

The cottage we have booked is number 105 in the "www.shamrock cottages.com" brochure.We used this company in 2007

Last time in Ireland we rented a cottage in Connemarra.It was amazing value $34 Australian dollars a day! Also was in a rugged and spectacular position. Really was like living in Ireland, visiting the smokhouses to buy fish for dinner. With the roads and being so remote it was best to just act like a local for a week and enjoy the remote location. I was doing family history the area so it was perfect for me. I don't need luxury ,so if you like camping and nature over fine hotels I can recomend cottages .

The only thing about renting we found "very Irish" when we received the directions in a letter it was like, "Well den you go down the little road piece ,acroos a bridge and then it's the cottage 2 doors down from the pink cottage with the donkeys out front !! but we did find it quite easily on the day.

I'll put up some photo's of the cottage in Lettergesh East Connemarra
it is number 248 and has beautiful sea views that they don't even mention on the website.

I'm saving to go back in 2009 so all planning is great to talk about.

Yes, it;s so hard to decide where to go in Ireland, there's such limited time, well, atleast for me, I"ll have to check out your pictures, are they up yet? are they under general or Ireland?

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 08-May-2008, 07:22 PM
QUOTE (ctbard @ 08-May-2008, 04:13 PM)
To all it may concer, again,..Ulsterscotnutts car has now broken down...

poster_oops.gif Fred will laugh about all of this some day. laugh.gif

Posted by: ctbard 09-May-2008, 06:58 AM
Fred is mobile once again and going to Ross Castle in Oughterard today.

Posted by: ctbard 15-May-2008, 02:51 PM
Ulsterscotnutt is coming home from Ireland today, with I"m sure tales to tell.

Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 19-May-2008, 07:45 AM
I"M BAAAACK !!!!!!!!!!!!!
WOW< Now that was fun!!!!!!!!!
Let's do it again!!!!!!!!!
It's like your favorite amusement park ride, you want to do it over and over!!!!!!!
Absolutely beautiful, peaceful, fun, green, sunny, every wildflower, plant, tree, bush was in bloom, NO RAIN the entire trip, baby sheep, goats, horses, donkeys and cows galore. The gorse was blooming yellow on every hill and dale, so many wildflowers of every color and description, didn't matter were you went nor were you looked there was something to see, people to talk to, things to do, Lynn and I loved every last minute of this trip.
Would have been nice to share it with friends, eh, Ctbard, but alas, we still had a wondrous time.
Met the friendliest folks anywhere, outside of this forum, everyone is willing to talk the second you make eye contact and I talked with anybody and everybody, sometimes my wife would be tugging on my arm to get a move on and I always hated to end my conversations. Store clerks, pub patrons, sheepmen, pedestrians, B&B proprietors, fellow travelers, tour guides, walkers, bikers, restauranteurs, castle owners, retirees both ex-pat and local, all facinating.
They will talk about things as far back as 800 years ago as if it was last year. I can honestly say , I am glad I was on this forum to learn things that came up in conversation over there. Including the music.
We met John, the sheepman in a pub somewhere near Letterfrack, Connemara, Galway Co., bought us our first pints, single 50 year old, his one and only true love, alas, did not choose him, sang us sad songs of lost love and youth and the sufferings of the Irish at the hands of England, if it wasn't for Lynn, we'd still be there, singing, raising pints of Bulmer and Guiness to anything and everything.
I raised a pint for as many names on this forum as I could remember and probably made up a few too!! The Cartys(Ctbard), Camac, A Shrule Egan, MyLOA, JC, DoA, stoirmeil, Rindy, Jime307 and many more of you and I'm truly sorry if I left you off this list because I raised my glass to the entire forum.
In short it was GREAT.
PS, it was all the baby sheeps fault for the 2 flat tires at once.
PPS, no animals were harmed by me at anytime on this trip!!
PPPS I really like Traditional Irish Lamb Stew.
A trip to Ireland, 5/5 thumbs_up.gif thumbs_up.gif thumbs_up.gif thumbs_up.gif thumbs_up.gif


Posted by: Lady of Avalon 19-May-2008, 08:06 AM
Ulster, welcome back.

I see that you enjoyed very much your trip and I hope you'll put up some pics in your profile for us to see.

It is so true that they are very friendly and like to talk with the visitors.
I am very glad for you and look forward to read your stories about it.
And raise my coffee (because it's a bit early to drink alcohol for me) to you.
Chin Chin msncoffecup.gif msncoffecup.gif smile.gif

P.S I can see I'm not the only one reading your reply....lol
LOA

Posted by: Camac 19-May-2008, 08:11 AM
USN;
Welcome Home my friend. You were missed. Sounds like you had a "Grand old Time in the Old Sod". "Tis definitely a different world over there. Again Welcome Home. clap.gif clap.gif pepsi.gif pepsi.gif cheers.gif cheers.gif

Posted by: valpal 59 19-May-2008, 09:37 AM
WELCOME HOME!!!!
It sounds like you you had a great trip. I'm So Jealous!!! LOL Hope you will post pictures.

Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 19-May-2008, 10:28 AM
MyLOA and Camac, Thank you for the welcome home. It really was a wonderful time and I am also happy to be home.

I will post pictures as soon as I figure out how or have my son do it for me.

You know we didn't get very far because you could really spend 2 weeks in one spot and still miss stuff.

We stuck to the West of Ireland and went as far northwest as the Achill Island and north to Ballina.

Landed in Shannon, to Ennis, Ennistimon and then backroads thru the Burrens to Doolin on the Cliffs of Moher. Fun ride, beautiful sites, great views. First night we stayed at Cullinans B&B and restaurant, very nice with great views out the windows, creek in back with fish jumping and a big grey heron standing by the little waterfalls catching fish, pretty multiple arched stone bridge out the other window, and cows and donkeys across the pasture out the other along with a stone wall closed in hostel yard for campers. people everwhere, bank holiday. Went across street for food and drink at the pub. Next day did the Cliffs and
from there we coast roaded north along R479 to Ballyvaghan and Finavarra and Aughnish to Kinavarra and on to Galway and along R336 over to Rossaveal for the ferry to Inishmor. Galway was crazy with people because it was a bank holiday weekend and the weather was sunshine and in the mid 70's. Now me and R336 have a history together, story to follow. We had a funeral in Rossaveal, the postman died and everyone went to it, the village was empty, except for a few folks. We pulled in to the ferry lot and spoke with a friendly man who explained that everyone was at the funeral, postman died from cancer, so we decided to drive around and find a B&B, drove one way and came back in a big circle, turned around at the ferry lot, man waved, went another direction and came back again from another scenic ride, turned around in lot , waved at lot man, left again and went another way, stopping at a couple of B&B's but nobody home, went back to ferry lot, now the guy thinks we are crazy and we wave at him and tell him we are taking the scenic route. We find somebody home about 500mtrs from the ferry lot and check in at Cuis Cuilan B&B, young 18 yr old girl mets us , mom and dad are at funeral , son of postman is the neighbor, AuPort restaurant is a 100mtr walk down street, waitress from town, lived in Boston for 11 years, married Boston chef, moved back to Rossaveal opened AuPort, excellent roast, potatoes, squash, broccoli and Guiness, back to B&B for a read in the sunroom til 10:30 when parents return. Party all nite down road a spell, must have been the residual from the funeral. Next morn traditional Irish breakfast and on to the ferry to Inishmor.
TBC

Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 19-May-2008, 10:33 AM
valpal 59, thanks for the welcome, it really was a fun trip. I looked at the camera, 323 pics.
USN

Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 19-May-2008, 10:53 AM
Now you know when we landed at Shannon at 6:00 am in the morn it was foggy and rainy, by the time we got our bags, went to the rental car,gave us free automatic from standard upgrade, and hit the road , it was already sunny, by the time we hit Ennis it was bright sunshine and warm beautiful late spring day. Yellow gorse and green pastures everywhere.

I kept washing my windows and turning on the wipers everytime I wanted to use the turn signals!! The driving on the left took alittle getting use to but not bad.
First day, scraped the bushes once, caught rocks on the passenger side once and hit 100kmh pretty steady with the locals.
Lynn was alittle beat from the time change, it hit me the next day but a little 1 hour nap and I felt normal again.
Can't say enough about the weather, sunny, warm and gentle breezes, ALL THE TIME.
On the way north we stopped at Dunguaire Castle/Towerhouse for our first stone building amongst many to come, they all offered something different and wondrous.
2nd day, clipped mirror on passenger side once, caught the edge of road once, from then on the mirror would fall off if you slammed the door too hard. Took out full 0 deductible insurance, what the hey. Did you know the only thing you can't insure is the tires??!!, more to come on this later.

Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 19-May-2008, 02:15 PM
Ok, next morn, I have a traditional Irish breakfast and the wife has pancakes. We park the car at the ferry lot, lot man laughs again when he sees us, asks how we enjoyed our scenic visit, loved it thank ye, walk 500 meters to ferry and hop on board, lots of daytrippers and some overnighters. Did I mention , that the ferry is about 500 mtrs form the lot across a under construction radway with a light for oneway traffic. The nite before as we rode about, we crossed this bridge when the light turned green, halfway across, this car comes flying towards us, I stop, and he continues to squeeze by us and I say, "hey, we had a green light" he proceeds to say something in Irish, that I can only presume was a polite apology wink.gif.
Well, back to the ferry, we board for the 45 minute ride out to Inishmor under a bright sunny, warm and slight breeze, 10am.
We land and of course we see the jaunting carts and go looking for Padraic-Patrick as A Shrule Egan had recommended, well apparently A S E mentioned Padraics name to others as he was the first to be booked, oh well, we saw him go jaunting off with a couple in the cart, so we go and ask another cart driver and he says 40 euro each to go to the Kilmurvy House where we are staying, plus he said it was really to far to go via jaunting cart. Oh, well. We then are coralled by Peter of the mini bus tour gangs, He does his best song and dance and convinces us to go with him on an island tour and he would be happy to drop us off at the Kilmurvy House. So , we get on board and he proceeds to convince another 10 folks to join us, very comical and entertaining, he turns out to be quite the native character.
The very first stop is , you guessed it, the KHouse at the base of Dun Aenghus, the most popular site on the isle. He drops everyone off and says he will pick us up in about 2 -1/2 hours. At this corner is a cafe, craftshop, around the corner 20 yards away is the gates to the KHouse and a little 12th century church in the back yard. This is at the base of Dun Aenghus, check out their website http://www.irelandwide.com/acom/kilmurveyhouse/index.htm
So we check in with Treasa Joyce the hostess, what a wonderful place, views to die for, hospitality that warms you thru and thru, tea and fresh scones before we hike up to the fort . Absolutely magnificent!!!!!! the cliffs, the walls, did I mention rock walls?? Now I thought we knew all about rock walls here in New England, we grow rocks here, I know nothing!!! They have the recipe for rocks on this island!! 7,000 miles of rock walls on an island barely 10 miles by 3 miles, EVERYWHERE. Walls within walls, within walls. Really a sight to see. Go to google satellite maps and you will see lines everwhere on these Aran Islands, those are the walls.
We climb back down and have alittle snack at the base cafe.
Peter comes back and we continue our tour of the isle, he regales us with stories and points out sites, we stop at some chapels, the 7 chapels as they are called, baby donkey and mom are right there as you walk into the chapels area, on to the end of the isle to the lighthouse, coast road were the seals gather, saw a few, still alittle early for the big gatherings in the summer, we stop here and there for photo ops, back to town and the harbor, drop off the others and Peter takes us back to the KHouse. We go to our room which has these views of the hilltop fort out one window and the backyard chapel out the other.
Later Treasa called us a ride to go into town for dinner at the Bayview Restaurant, excellent meal of Fish casserole and Lynn had Coq au vin, 2 pints Guiness and a couple of toasts to all. We ask waitress to call Treasa for a ride back , as she told us to and 10 minutes later, we are riding around with Treasa to pick up her son and friends at soccer practise, we take all kinds of roads from one end of the island to the other to drop off the kids and finally back to KH about 10pm. Did you know it stays light out til after 10pm??!!

Posted by: John Clements 20-May-2008, 10:43 AM
Wow! After those descriptions, who need to see photos? I feel like I was there, and feel a wee bit tipsy for it.
Anyway, I’m so glad you enjoyed your trip, and it’s good to hear from you, you were missed.
JC

Posted by: ctbard 20-May-2008, 02:39 PM
Come on, where's the pictures? I know I saw them, but maybe other people would like to see the picture of you on the beach perhaps?????Hmmm?
I think I"d like to move to Ireland too and open a B&B, I don"t think Brian would do well with opening an upholstery shop there though, and I don"t think they would let Maeve into the country.

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 20-May-2008, 04:39 PM
Fred, you made me laugh through all of your descriptions. It brought back many memories and esp. the one about telling everyone to purchase the extra car insurance. laugh.gif

Maybe I should have warned you about trying to be one of the first off the ferry, to hook up with Patrick. He isn't bashful about being right at the ferry as folks get off and offer them a ride. Most of the other drivers stay back by their cars till the passengers walk to that area. Still can't believe that one driver told you he couldn't take you to the B&B. The B&B is right next to the most popular tourist site on the island. How could he NOT be going in that direction???

It also sounds like while you were driving up the coast after the Cliffs, you missed going to the High Crosses of Kilfonora. If you did miss that, to bad. That was a very impressive site and you should put it on your to-do list for next trip.

OK, waiting for your next days descriptive experiences and lets get those pics up here.

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 24-May-2008, 06:52 AM
unsure.gif Fred, are you out there or were you kidnapped back to Ireland to assure you pay for all the tickets you got?







biggrin.gif angel_not.gif

Posted by: Finduella 24-May-2008, 07:55 AM
Hi to everyone on this thread and specially to Ulsterscotnut, we havent met yet but I am in the band "the Scuttlers" and I see you like our version of 'I put a spell on you.
I was in west Ireland in 2007 and think I know the friendly little open air pub in Letterfrack, we stayed in a cottage there for week , amazing value staying in a cottage we use 'Shamrock cottages " =eazy to google.

Sounds like the weather was great , we were rained out of going to Aran Isles last trip but will try again in 2009 will try to beat the que for Patric's jaunting car !!!!

It's such fun reading your travel memories , such a buzz telling everyone and great to hear all about it specially when all I'm doing is saving so spending plenty of time on the net, cheers and keep the stories comming.

ta fi

Posted by: Camac 25-May-2008, 11:29 AM
USN. USN. USN., CAMAC calling. Where are you my friend? Are you in hiding? Have the Garda a warrant out for you? What did you do bash a few bluidy English heads? bash.gif bangin.gif bash.gif bangin.gif

Camac

Posted by: ctbard 27-May-2008, 08:21 AM
Where are you USN??? where's the rest of your travels? Are you hiding?

Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 27-May-2008, 02:40 PM
Sorry folks, so sorry for my delays. Its aamzing how much I have to do to play catchup with work and family and friends. Please forgive my negligence in finishing my tales and posting pictures. I will be back on soon , most likely later thgis week as I am still playing catch up. This was our first real vacation in over 10 years and I really am very glad , as is my wife, that we chose Ireland.
I shall return.

Remember, patience is a virtue!!
Miss you guys.

Posted by: Lady of Avalon 27-May-2008, 05:41 PM
QUOTE (UlsterScotNutt @ 27-May-2008, 04:40 PM)


Remember, patience is a virtue!!
Miss you guys.

Is it?
Well mine is about to burst. taz.gif
I thought you'd just decided on abandonning us...sadwalk.gif

We miss you too Ulster I'm just teasing come back soon!

Your friend,
Lady of Avalon. smile.gif

Posted by: ctbard 02-Jun-2008, 08:29 AM
OK Ulster, were still waiting? and no, don't tell me to be patient, I"m done being patient.
And you havent posted any pictures yet have you??Hmmm??

Posted by: Lady of Avalon 02-Jun-2008, 05:06 PM
Yes ctbard i'm done with being patient too bad that guy is far from me. I would fix box.gif him good for letting me linger like this.

Ulster partytime.gif, we want photo.gif, we want photo.gif, we want photo.gif.

smile.gif LOA

Posted by: ctbard 02-Jun-2008, 05:25 PM
QUOTE (Lady of Avalon @ 02-Jun-2008, 06:06 PM)
Yes ctbard i'm done with being patient too bad that guy is far from me. I would fix box.gif him good for letting me linger like this.

Ulster partytime.gif, we want photo.gif, we want photo.gif, we want photo.gif.

smile.gif LOA

He"s probably just playing hard to get.

Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 05-Jun-2008, 12:28 PM
Ok,now were was I.................................... rolleyes.gif


Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 05-Jun-2008, 12:55 PM
To all my friends, I am sorry........... wacko.gif Its been alittle nuts with catch up. But, I'm tired of doing business now and only have 2 more proposals to do, so let'em wait abit.

I think the last time I was online I had talked about Inishmor of the Aran Islands and A Shrule Egan mentioned Patrick, The guys with the mini buses and the jaunting carts take turns as to who gets to be closest to the ferry dock and who's furthest away, and then they rotate from front of the line to the back the next day until its their turn again.
Later that same day we landed and had settled into the Kilmurvey B&B, we saw and spoke with Padraic outside of the B&B, he said to be sure and say hello to all of the folks on the forum. So we know the jaunting carts go at least 4 miles out, not sure why the other fellow didn't want to go that day.
We no where near saw all the sites on the island and could have easily spent another few days, I would have liked to see the smaller less frequented circle forts on the island, oh, well another day.
PS, the one and only Bank on the isalnd, Bank of Ireland is only open on Wednesday and later in the summer for 2 days, Due to the weak dollar we figured we'd exchange over in Ireland and the fees are alot less, true, so I brought a few hundred Euros for the first couple days and figured we'd find a bank, now luckily it was a Wed when we were leaving Inishmore and I stopped at the bank when it opened about 10:15am, there were already 8 ladies sitting in there waiting to do business and the second clerk doesn't come in til the next ferry at about 11, so I sit with the ladies and wait my turn, all of them were going in and out of gaelic back to english and back again to gaelic. They were lambasting some poor guy who did something that they all agreed was wrong and he was gonna get what was coming to him and he deserved it the no good scoundrel, thats the jist of the conversation that I could pick up... They also occasionally looked at me and smiled and said nice things in english to me, we talked about an article from the newspaper that was posted on the wall about the island and they were all laughing at some of the things it said but all generally agreed it was a good article and they hoped the weather would stay nice.
I finally got my turn at the counter , said hallo, and gave her my 100 USD bills to convert to euros.
Problem is.... they no longer take 100USD bills older than 2002.... because they don't have equipment to verify its authenticity and too many counterfiet bills from China that are too well made to detect. So I go thru all my 100's and find about 5 of them that are newer bills and she accepts them.
NOTE: If you go to Ireland do not take $100 bills at all, because later on the mainland we find that nobody will take any $100 usd bills at all!!!!
Lucky we activated our atm cards for overseas use and took money out that way.
So from the bank , we walk to the ferry and load for the trip back to the mainland.

Posted by: Camac 05-Jun-2008, 01:26 PM
USN;

Good to hear from you my friend. I was begiining to suspect you had been abducted by a leprechaun or perhaps the "Shee" were chasing you or better yet the R.U.C. had a warrant for your arrest. laugh.gif laugh.gif
cheers.gif pepsi.gif

Camac.

Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 05-Jun-2008, 01:33 PM
Hi Camac, Just been playing major catch up with things at work and at home. I kind of was slow getting back online.
But it is good to be back online.
USN

Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 05-Jun-2008, 01:39 PM
PS, I did nothing more overseas than what would be considered minor misdemeanors in this country!!

Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 05-Jun-2008, 01:41 PM
PPS, tomorrow morning I am going to have Ctbard show me how to upload pics. If it doesn't involve a screwdriver and needlenose pliers, I am at a loss.
USN

Posted by: ctbard 06-Jun-2008, 07:24 AM
Well, I have instructed Ulsterscotnutt in the fine art of downloading pictures, so we should all be seeing them shortly, I think....

Posted by: Rindy 06-Jun-2008, 07:32 AM
Glad to see you made it back safe and sound. Sounds like you had a good time. I Look forward to seeing the photos.

Slainte

Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 06-Jun-2008, 12:10 PM
Hi Rindy, thanks, its fun to be back!! beer_mug.gif note.gif thumbs_up.gif
USN

Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 06-Jun-2008, 12:37 PM
Ok,so we are on the ferry back to Rossaveal from Inishmor, beautiful day, sunny, warm, very nice start.
We get to Rossaveal, walk back to the car and off we go heading north into the mountains we see up on the horizon, Connemara country.
We head up R336 , lovely, just past R340, we are winding about on the road, good 80-100kph, gotta watch all these big dump trucks, barely enough room, no big deal, catch the edge once, please ,please no flat, nope, alls ok, about 1mile later another big dumper, this time right at the last moment, this mamma sheep runs across the road and baby doesn't pay attention right away, then just as the dump is getting closer , baby decides to follow mom, all happens pretty quick, dump swerves over my lane about 2 feet , well thats enough to push me off the road, baby sheep changes mind, goes back to its side of the road , dump continues, baby now runs across road, all is safe, now anybody who's been to Connemara knows its all bogs and or rocks, well I'm praying please no flat, but , noooo, I hear the twump, twump of a flat, I pull over on this little sheep road off the side. Ok, no big deal, I can change a flat. Time 2:13, weather , sunny, slight breeze, very comfortable, scenery stupendous in all directions, not a sign of humanity except the road and the electric line, occasional car and truck, 3 sheep , baby and momma stick around and look at us, I for now on call them goats at every opportunity.
Ok, back to flat, I'm still smiling all is going well, change the tire in no time flat, pun intended, start to lower the car down and Lynn says, The rear tire looks alittle low, now, hopefully I'll post the pictures of this incident shortly and you will see photographic evidence that the rear tire is NOT flat when I jack up the car, BUT now I lower the car, remove jack and look at the rear tire, psssssss, slowly it lowers itself to a flat condition. This stinks.
Now what, no more spares, ok think quick, aha, all rentals have emergency tel numbers, so sure enough I find and 800 number and call it, now here's were I start my slow downhill mental state. Time 2:37, weather, same, scenery same, same goats. Lynn needs to use the facilities, walks down sheep path and disappears off in the distance, goats decide she may be of interest so they head her way.
Me, I call 800-save-mee, and get this gentleman who says no problem we will "Organise a Retrieval" where are you, well I know R336 past junction of R340. Guy: Wheres that?
Me: Just north of Rossaveal
Guy: where?
Me: north of junction R340 with R336 north of Rossaveal
Guy: are you in Ireland??
Me: huh, yes!!?? County Galway on R336
Guy: I'm not sure were that is but" We will organise a retrieval" I'll call you back .
He hangs up.
Lynn wanders back , much relieved, goats are all now gathered about from were she just came from, hmm.
She looks at me and asks me if I'd like to write some postcards.
Me: NO< I"M IN NO MOOD FOR POSTCARDS!!
I wander off, looking at the ground, kicking rocks, waiting for a return call. Wait, he doesn't know my number!!
to be cont.

Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 06-Jun-2008, 12:52 PM
ok, I find 3 cool marbles, one sheeps tooth and a couple of unique rocks, PS I'm an amateur rockhound.
Cell phone rings, thank god,
Guy: well we aren't sure were you are yet, are you sure you are in Ireland??
Me: (Patience, no panic) Yes sir, we are in Ireland, Co. Galway, north of Rossaveal, past junction of R340 on R336.
Guy: Is that near.......
Well he starts with these gaelic names and I'm looking at my map and nothing seems to match what he is saying, I mean not even close. I name some towns that are north of us, and he's nope, don't know where that is, but no fear he is..... " Organising a Retrieval", he'll call me back.
5 minutes later,
New guy: Hallo, jdfjhli,lkduidnm, kjdksi7d, ksduis, yah, eh, ok??!!
Me: huh, what??
Guy: slower, hdggyrom jdsyrbnf nsdyuy yea, eh, ok??
Me;Sorry, please slow down.
Guy: Hallo, sorry, I am pretty familiar with this area, were are you?
Me, R336 .... etc. you know the spiel.
Guy: ah, I know exactly where you are, just south of Maam Cross.
Me: YES<YES< THATS ON THE MAP!!!!!!
Guy: I'll be there in 10 minutes.
Me: OK< !!!, Honey, we are saved!!
Time: 3:12, all other factors remain the same, my attitude improves, Lynn finishes her postcards, goats have wandered off in all directions.
to be cont.

Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 06-Jun-2008, 01:10 PM
Time: 3;18, I'm being pretty anal with time keeping now and writing in the journal.
Tire van comes roaring up, pulls in , gravel flying, gets out, goes to the back, pulls out a class A, all aluminum racing jack, beautiful. I happen to notice his tires and there isn't a stitch of tread on these tires, I mean bald!!! Well, I guess the cobblers son wears no shoes.
He puts the jack under, one pump, loosens lugs, 2 pumps, removes lugs, puts them, more like throws them on the ground, yacks tire, throws it in the back of his van, asks if I'd like the other front tire flat fixed at the same time, ok, we put that in the van, he says, be back in 15 minutes and takes off. Jack remains under car.
Elapsed time , its exactly 3;22.
3:37, sunny, goats walk by.
3:52, ditto
4:07, " "
4:22 "
4:37 van shows up, yea, no longer fear that we just had our tires stolen or he got a flat with those bald tires and they were "Organising HIS Retrieval"
Best part, He opens the back of the van and...........wait for it..................
hands me 2 beers and with an apologetic look on his face says, and I kid you not as Lynn is my witness........" Sorry, I was delayed, the butcher showed up, I know you must be thirsty, you and your wife" NO KIDDING.
4:43, I pay him 150 Euros and 10 Euro tip. Finish first beer, Lynn declines, she has water.
Back on the road again...............

Posted by: Lady of Avalon 06-Jun-2008, 05:51 PM
Ulster man....this is hilarious what is it with you and bad luck.

Well at least you tasted Irish hospitality I see....that's good really good.
Can't wait for the rest...keep writing!!!

LOA

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 07-Jun-2008, 08:55 AM
biggrin.gif Yes, the road is a bit narrow out there but you at least, broke down in very scenic area. I still think it's funny, that the sheep just wander all around very freely in Connamara.


With all the flat tires that people get in Ireland, you would think that they would make the attempt to widen the roads a bit more.

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 07-Jun-2008, 09:12 AM
clap.gif Terrific pictures Fred. Keep them coming!!

Wish we had better weather when we drove through the Burren. It was raining and we just couldn't get any really nice pictures that day. The Burren is very creapy looking but we all thought it was rather unique and none of us had ever seen anything like it before. The Burren is also where Shelly (Irish Stepper) got her flat tire and we found out how cheesy her car jack and lug wrench were. Fortunately, we had three cars with us that day and were able to make the change.

Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 07-Jun-2008, 12:00 PM
My Lady, I look back at the flats as kinda good luck, it was beautiful scenery, lovely weather,we saw peat bogs real up close, met a nice fella, found some pretty things, now laugh at the guy on the phone about wanting to know if we were sure we were in Ireland, you know as I think back on his accent , he may have been English, well, it was an experience.

AShruleEgan, you would think with so much unused open land that they could add just a wee bit more to the sides and stop using these rock shrapnels that they use to edge the road with. Yup, sheep everywhere, more baby sheep than you could count. Funny thing we wondered about, well Lynn more than me, why you always saw one and only one baby black sheep at a time. Even in a herd of 20 or 4, one of the babies was black, never saw a big black sheep, just babies,and always one, maybe thats what they make the Traditional lamb Stew from. My apologies to those with sensitive constitutions for the graphic topic.
The other thing is I guess they don't get to be big unless they do get road savvy.

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 07-Jun-2008, 12:24 PM
Hey Fred, is this not a typical scene in Connamara? laugh.gif



Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 07-Jun-2008, 01:41 PM
LOL< yup, except you are in a most highly populated and forested area!!!! and yup, those are them goats!!!!

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 07-Jun-2008, 01:56 PM
We had just got off the ferry from the islands and were taking the scenic route thru Connamara, to get back to Shrule. We stopped at Keane's Bar in Maam for a break and I saw these guys hanging out by the bridge. They probable were just walking up the path from getting a drink of water. An inlet from Loch Corrib is below the bridge. biggrin.gif

Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 07-Jun-2008, 02:11 PM
A Shrule Egan, We intentional went around to drive thru Shrule just so I could tell you we did.
The day we went, there was a big and I mean big congregation of cars and tractors in town. There was a funeral going on . One tractor comes flying down the road and parks and this guy gets out in a suit and jogs up to the church.
We saw Craddocks, The Shawl, Mullins, TJ Gibbons and the old tower house, all right in town.
USN

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 07-Jun-2008, 02:31 PM
scared.gif Hope it wasn't one of my relatives!!!


To bad you didn't stop in to the Highway Pub and have a beer with Patrick, the bartender.

Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 09-Jun-2008, 10:27 AM
A Shrule Egan,
I hope not, but if it was a relative, know that they were very popular!!
We could only stop at so many pubs, you know Lynn, she gets a Guiness in her and the next thing you know , we are all singing and raising toasts. laugh.gif

BIG thank you to Ctbard, she showed me how to create my gallery and I posted some pics. She wouldn't let me hit the computer with a hammer though.

USN

Posted by: Lady of Avalon 09-Jun-2008, 06:02 PM
QUOTE (UlsterScotNutt @ 09-Jun-2008, 12:27 PM)

BIG thank you to Ctbard, she showed me how to create my gallery and I posted some pics. She wouldn't let me hit the computer with a hammer though.

USN

Well, it took a woman to finally show you how to posts those wonderful pics of yours. Thanks my friends for sharing them with us.

LOA thumbs_up.gif

Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 10-Jun-2008, 07:16 AM
QUOTE (Lady of Avalon @ 09-Jun-2008, 07:02 PM)
QUOTE (UlsterScotNutt @ 09-Jun-2008, 12:27 PM)

BIG thank you to Ctbard, she showed me how to create my gallery and I posted some pics. She wouldn't let me hit the computer with a hammer though.

USN

Well, it took a woman to finally show you how to posts those wonderful pics of yours. Thanks my friends for sharing them with us.

LOA thumbsup.gif

MYLady, biggrin.gif , you are too funny!!! Yes, you are right , it took a woman. I just kept getting more frustrated and Ctbard just kept showing me how til it finally sank in!! I'd ah rather have used a hammer. happy.gif

Posted by: valpal 59 10-Jun-2008, 07:42 AM
GREAT PICTURES!!! Thank-you so much for sharing them. I can't wait for more about your trip. thumbs_up.gif

Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 10-Jun-2008, 09:23 AM
Thank you valpal 59.
Iwas all set to post more pics when the camera batteries died, I left the replacements at home. Will do more pics tomorrow.

On with the tale. Back on the road again.

We were about 3 km south of Maam Cross and the junction of r336 and N59. Pulled into petrol station at junction and Lynn had an ice cream cone. Big tow truck with a big box truck hooked up, about a 22 foot box sitting there all muddy.. We continued north on r336 passing some incredible views of valleys and mountains, bogs and sheep, the valleys of green sometimes were in such sharp contrast to the pinkish gray of the mountains, you'd see these rock walls go straight up these steep slopes and marvel at the labor involved.
We past Lough Naugh and a beautiful yellow hotel across from the shoreline, can't remember its name and I failed to write it down, in the lake you see one of those stone circle tiny island forts, I forgot their name, starts with a "c".
Continue on and all of a sudden you start to see huge amounts of bog black soil on the road, so much so you have to drive around some of the clumps they are so big. Dang if another dump truck doesn't nearly push us off the road and AGAIN, a baby sheep nearly gets clipped by me this time. This r336 and me are not too fond of each other. Alittle further north you can see where a truck drove off the road and was pulled out of the bog mess. Now we connect the tow truck and its companion at the station, they were the ones that made the mess. Continue on to Leenaum and turn left on N59 to check out Kylemore Abbey. You drive across a causeway on the inlet were you look to your right and you see the Abbey about a 1/4 mile at the end of this lough. We pull over, take pics, nice Czech family and us swap taking pictures of each other, very pretty views. Crazy drivers nearly clip one of the Czechs as they fly by , onward to Letterfrack, we'll stop at Abbey tomorrow, around 6:30 we found a B&B, The CornerStone, just past Letterfrack, Crocnaraw Moyard, very friendly greeting from Eithna Horan, our host. www.connemarabnb.com. Now from this place and our view was beautiful .You can see the Connemara Mountains across Ballinakill Bay and with the binoculars you can just see Kylemore Abbey to your far right. We drop off our luggage and head off to find a pub to eat at.
TBC

Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 10-Jun-2008, 09:57 AM
I like pub food.
We stop at Pub Wedford and the first thing we do is make eye contact with this guy at the bar, we walk up and he introduces himself, John, and offers to buy os a pint. I accept and 3 pints of Guiness show up, Lynn patiently waits for the head to settle. Now John turns out to be a classic from the picture movies and books Irishman. We talk about this and that and before you know it he's singing songs about his lost love and how cruel the English have been to the Irish. We toast all kinds of things and folks. He's a sheepman, family goes back 800 years that he can tell you everyone of the family. A bachelor, was turned down by his one and only true love at 16 years old and still laments his unrequited love. I thought he was about in his late 50's early 60's, he was 50 years old. Another round, Lynn declines, getting hungry, we sit down now at a table and John conts. at the bar, other locals sit and talk with him. I see he is almost empty and buy another round, we eat and then go sit at the bar for one more, I buy, we all toast, Lynns tired, about 9:45, still daylight. We all say our goodbyes.
Back at the The Cornerstone, we hear the donkey braying and I comment to Eithna and she laughs and says" Like we call it around here at 5 in the morning"BLOODY DONKEY" ", too funny. The yard is immaculate, flowered and landscaped, the room is perfect and the views are spectacular. Turns out this B&B was last years runner up as best b&B in in Co.Galway. It deserves to win.
Next morn roll over early and see this beautiful sunrise happening, get up , grab camera and take some pics, go back to bed.
Breakfast at 9, scrambled eggs, stewed tomatoe, bacon, toast, cereal, served by daughter, very nice and friendlyacross the board.
Quick note, travelling with Lynn is like being accompanied by a tornado! Mind you at home she is pretty darn neat, but get her on the road and I swear , every morning she had stuff covering every square inch of free flat space! She says its because she is so neat at home she is entitled to her messiness on the road. OK, no more on her travel habits.
Morn is beautiful, sunny, slight overcast, puffy clouds, breezy, nice. We say our goodbyes, bloody donkey says his, we head off to Kylemore Abbey, OK, Kylemore is beautiful, nuns here and there, schoolgirls sunny themselves on the little beach area on the lough. It really is as pretty as the postcards.
Kylemore Abbey was built as a home originally and now serves as an Abbey to the Benedictine Nuns. www.kylemoreabbey.com
On to Lennane and the fabled r336.
tbc

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 11-Jun-2008, 04:13 PM
Fred, I didn't know you were going to the Abbey. If I had known, I would have told you to ask any of the nuns to show you where my first cousin, once removed, was buried. Ellen Greaney, aka, Sister Teresa, is buried up on the hill behind the Abbey. A picture of her is below with her two older brothers.


The petrol station at the Maam Cross was closed and empty last April. Just the tourist trap restaurand next door to it was open.

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 11-Jun-2008, 05:20 PM
laugh.gif laugh.gif laugh.gif Just was looking at your new posted pictures and I knew you couldn't resist seeing how close you could get to the edge, up on the cliffs.

Nice going, Fred!! biggrin.gif beer_mug.gif

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 15-Jun-2008, 01:38 PM
The crash really killed this thread. I was really enjoying Fred's stories of his vacation. It brought back so many memories for me, since I have covered most of the same territory.


It doesn't look like the lost posts will be returned. Maybe we can cut and paste from the reply menu and rebuild the thread. We might miss a few posts but it will begin to make sense again.

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 15-Jun-2008, 08:17 PM
OK, it looks like this thread is back to normal.


BRING IT ON FRED!!!!



smile.gif

Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 16-Jun-2008, 07:26 AM
A Shrule Egan,
We didn't know we were going to the abbey either!! We really went with an open agenda. We had booked the first nite, 3rd nite and 5th nite. In between we just kinda headed in the general direction of the next nites stay. After the 5th nite we had no plans. I seems no matter were you go there is something beautiful and interesting to see. We didn't cover all that much geography but were thoroughly entertained and enjoyed the wonderment of it all. We have spoken with folks that land in Dublin, drive to Belfast, drive to Westport, over to Galway, down to Limerick and pot shoot the country that away, not my style. I liked LOA suggestion of less formality in travel makes for a much more stress free vacation.

Well at Kylemore Abbey I may very well have said her name outloud, as I like to say the deceaseds' names outloud. I mentioned once before in another topic how I wonder when it was their name was last spoken outloud in this world. I read many of the names at their tombs.

The picture did not show up??!!

We had ice cream from the station and I filled up there, at Maam Cross. We did see the restaurant next door and everything about it shouted "stay away" to us!!

USN

Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 16-Jun-2008, 07:37 AM
QUOTE (A Shrule Egan @ 11-Jun-2008, 06:20 PM)
laugh.gif laugh.gif laugh.gif Just was looking at your new posted pictures and I knew you couldn't resist seeing how close you could get to the edge, up on the cliffs.

Nice going, Fred!! biggrin.gif beer_mug.gif

It's funny, no matter how hard I tried my brain made a mental fenceline it would not let me cross!! I did get pretty close but there was this young woman , say 20 years old that actually climbed down to this little cliff area and was sitting there reading in the sun!!! She was down about 6 feet below the main floorline of the cliff wall near the fenceline in Dun Aenghus, Crazy!!
You are right, if you go down off these cliffs, its gonna be awhile before they recover you, thats for sure!! Regardless, Spectacular views!!

Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 18-Jun-2008, 09:38 AM
I tried to postb the pics of the area we had the flat in but I left the camera in high pixel mode and they are too big to post, sorry.

Now............ We head south again from Leenaun on the fabled R336, figure we'll head back to Galway to find a big city bank and get more cash and try and trade in these 100usd bills nobody wants. Drive down again on r336 and somehow I miss the turn for 336 and continue on 345 onto the east side of Lough Corrib. Wait aminute there shouldn't be water to our right , it should be on left. My trusty navigator simple shrugs and says its pretty, If I recall Keanes Pub was on this route. Well we almost go to Cong before I decide to turn around. I figure we'll head back up this way after we hit Galway. So I turn around and sure enough there is the 90 degree turn for r336. Ok back on track. Stop at our petrol station in Maam Cross, get ice cream and turn left to head on N59 back to Galway. Drive down to the lake on some really back roads and pop out in Oughterard. Really a fun drive today, great sites and now we decide lets spend the nite here. So we stop at a B&B but she is full and recommends the Waterfall Lodge, ok, we go there and Lynn goes in, comes out with this big old smile on her face and says we stay here! Kathleen, our hostess, welcomes us and shows me the room, now I know why Lynn was so happy, beautiful! Antique furniture, big four poster bed, huge room, wide floorboards, settees, chairs, armoire and an incredible view out the window to the side and backyards, You can hear and see the river and waterfalls and the flowers, lilies, wisteria, firebushes all in full bloom. Lynn unpacks, or should I say explodes her luggage in the room, I go down and have a cup of tea in the sitting parlor, gorgeous, comfortable and read alittle of my book. 2 ladies walk in and start telling me how they love this and that and how wonderful I am. Of course I then look at them quizzically and they realise I am not the homeowner, They are Carol and Veronique, an American and a Polish national living in France, travelling together, met like penpals and now they travel all over together. Funny couple, very gregarious and like an old married couple. Nice, meet some folks from Wisconsin and Minnesota. 6:30 Lynn is hungry and off to town we go for dinner. Find a pub, drink Guiness, have traditional lamb stew, another Guiness, now, this is the only time we saw rain, people started to come in soaking wet. By the time we got up and left it stopped raining and was just cloudy. Back to B&B, I read til 10:30 in parlor, Lynn continues to unpack, oops, I said I wouldn't say anymore about her unpacking, my bad.
To bed, slept great, waterfalls is so soothing, best nite sleep. Next morn, breakfast, talk with carol and Veronique and couples from mid west,
TBC

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 19-Jun-2008, 05:19 PM
crybaby.gif Figured I could come home every day and find a new adventure written by USN or some new pictures and nothing!! I'm so depresssed. sad.gif

Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 20-Jun-2008, 04:06 PM
Sorry, DSL has been down since yesterday early afternonn, still down. Am at home on son's and he is kicking up a storm, big baby.
USN

Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 23-Jun-2008, 12:17 PM
Now we finish breakfast at the Waterfall Lodge and say our goodbyes to all and head into town to find a bank. Oughterard is a very nice little town on N59 about 15 miles north of Galway. We ask about for the bank and walk down to it. Oh well they won't take $100 bills either. So I settle in to using the atm and get me a bunch of euros, no problem now. So first thing Lynn wants to do is hit up this little gift shop she saw. We walk up to it, go in and start perusing about, when this older fella says " Clinton won the primaries" , well that catches my attention and I turn around and think "What" and he continues on with the 2 ladies in the store about Hillary being on the front cover of Time magazine , so she must be going to win the Democratic primaries. Now then this is when I am really drawn into this conversation when the youngest of the 2 women, say she is about 22 years old, comments back that" They put Hitler on the cover of Time in '36 and he didn't win". I'm like , were are these people from, they know more about our politics and things from the past then most people 3 times this young ladies age.
Now I jump in and say "Who says Hillary won and we start alittle discussion on politics. They are amazingly informed on American presidentila politics and follow it very closely. Well, Lynn buys a couple of little things, the ladies tell the old guy he's full of it and we all step out on to the sidewalk. The guy introduses himself and we to him. His name is George McLauglin, is a retired American ex-pat and has lived in Ireland since 84. We continue to talk about American politics and he invites us to his home done the road a piece, can't miss it, look for Killarneys and the old cottage, next to the old gate posts and turn left there. Those were the directions he gave us. he was still on his way to visit people at the old folks home because he said that was his job now, he brings cookies and keeps old folks company for about a couple of hours every day. he tells us to come on down in about an hour or so. In the mean time, he likes to play trivia with me , constantly asking me questions about this that and the other thing, from American history to Irish history and all kinds of things in between, astronomy, horse racing, you name it and he is quite surprised that for a bunch of questions I knew the answers, not to toot my own horn, well one I could not remember was the persons who ran against Hillary for the NY senate, I just could not remember, George laughed and said for me to look it up.
Now he goes off and we figure lets kill the hour in town. We find the local tourist center and go in and lo and behold they have internet access, so for 1 euro you get 20 minutes , Lynn emails home and family and friends then I google who ran against Hillary on the Republican side. I got the answer now. Oh yea, so while we are in there we ask the lady if she knows were Killarneys is next to the old cottage by the old gate posts, and she says, o" Oh, ya goen to see George?", Well it turns out everyone knows George, she gives us alittle more info on finding Killarneys and the cottage and the old gate posts are the original entrance to the estate lands were George lives.
WE drive south a bit and find the old gate posts and turn in, pass abunch of houses and road turns to dirt, then we see this guy walking and ask him if he knows were George lives, he smiles and points down the road and says keep going til you see the gates and drive in there, so we do......... What a surprise!
The road at the gate turns to meticusly manicured gravel and lawn with a lake to our right and this beautiful manor house to our left, curve around front and we see Georges 18 acres of manicured front lawn!! Ok, I can't do justice to what we see for the next 3 and half hours as George takes us all about his property. The best I can do is say go here and even these pics do not do it justice.
Check this out www.rosscastle.com
30 acres, 90 acre tournament course fishing lake, boathouse, enclosed gardens, courtyards, greenhouses, koi pond, pool, tennis courts, apartments for rent, chapel with Tiffany stained glass windows, museum manor house, just spectacular and quite the sight to see up close and personal for a couple on their first visit to Ireland. George walks and talks with us for over 3 hours and I felt alittle bad because it turns out he's like 80 years old, but such a wonderful man to treat us like he did. He used to raise Connemara ponies there also but recently sold out of that venture. His wife Elizabeth was a world renowned concert pianist and did all of the interior design and furnishings, just incredible. She was busy all over the place, working on adding a new feature to one of the garden areas.
He bought the property, derelict at auction , sight unseen in 1984 and the Spanish general contractor just left the week before!!! 20 plus years of restorations!!!
If ever you want to rent out a truly exclusive beautiful place, this is definitely an option to remember.
Well we again said our thankful goodbyes and drove off. Now we went to Aughnanure Castle, home of Grace O'Malley and the O'Flahertys fame. Some beautiful scenic areas there, with the river undercutting the castle moat area it looks like little peoples places to hide. Now we are very tired from walking all day and decide to go back to Oughterard, check out a couple of different B&Bs and decide to go back to Waterfall Lodge, new room , just as pretty, not spectacular like the first nite but very very nice, in to town for dinner at Archers, Lynn has a pizza and I have Oughterard Beef Stew, mm, mm good. Back to room, read and good night........

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 23-Jun-2008, 03:59 PM
QUOTE (UlsterScotNutt @ 23-Jun-2008, 02:17 PM)
The guy introduses himself and we to him. His name is George McLauglin, is a retired American ex-pat and has lived in Ireland since 84. We continue to talk about American politics and he invites us to his home done the road a piece, can't miss it, look for Killarneys and the old cottage, next to the old gate posts and turn left there. Those were the directions he gave us.

Now, wait a minute. You become buddy buddy with George. Get yourself and your wife invited to his house, of which you are expecting a typical simple Irish house and find out it's the Taj Mahal of Connamara and you never figured out a way to weasel a one nights stay there??????








tongue.gif wink.gif

Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 24-Jun-2008, 06:43 AM
A Shrule Egan, Now let me tell you, this whole thing caught us by surprise and we were so in to the moment, we drove off and looked at each other with this "what just happened look" as we are driving out Lynn says , we didn't even take a single picture, who's gonna believe how beautiful this place is, lucky for us when we parted, George and I exchanged business cards and my wife and him exchanged kisses! On his card is an email and website, on our next night out we stopped and emailed home and I looked at the website, so that was good. When we got home George wrote us a nice letter and I sent him a whole bunch of Obama stickers as I had promised him. His wife emailed me and said I know not what I have wrought, as nothing was too much for George when it came to Obama. George it turns out is a big supporter of Obamas and was looking forward to having his car plastered with Obama stickers. Simply lovely folks.

Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 30-Jun-2008, 01:31 PM
Next morning after another great nights sleep, Lynn and I have breakfast. Its a beautiful morning again, very nice, partly sunny and warm. We head out back to the little red bridge and take some pics and then walk the river walk right next to the house is a stone wall enclosed entrance for a river walk, really pretty view of the upper falls, an old concrete wwii bunker, cliffs and just a pleasant walk along the river for a bit. We then head off for another days travels. We decide to head north again and stop off at Glengowla Mines, drive down a long driveway and pull in. Its still pretty early and we are the only ones there. We meet Johnnie the guide in the gift shop, he's doing alittle cleaning and such waiting for the day to start. Of course we get to chatting and Keith Geoghegan the owner comes in and we talk about mining and geology, me being a junior rockhound and my grandfather being a mining engineer, we hit it off for the next hour or so as my patient wife looks at stuff, finally giving me that little tug on the sleeve. So Johnnie takes us to the various buildings and talks about the history of Glengowla Mines and the lead and silver mining. we get our hard hats and head down into the mine, very interesting , Johnnie keeps up a steady banter of information about the history, operations and things we see within the mine. A tough life for miners for sure. We have a very nice personal tour and finally say our thanks and goodbyes. Another great example of hospitality.
Off to Cong today, Lynn wants to see the Quiet Man Cottage. Well Cong is a pleasant surprise, a very pretty and picturesque village. We park and walk over to the tourist building walk in and peruse about, nobody home, we ring the bell and I find this nice lambs wool scarf I like but no one is around, so I leave a note with a little pile of things we wanted to buy and leave it on the counter with all the stuff. We walk across the street to the Abbey and just as we get there the church bells go off and a whole bunch of people come out of St Marys RC Church which is right attached to the old abbey. Out comes First Holy Communiun families, kids all dressed in white and everyone in their Sunday bests, We go to this second floor area in the old abbey and have a view of all the parents and kids taking pictures and kids running around in the open area of the abbey, really fun to watch, little by little they drift off and we continue with our walk around the grounds, beautiful old yews, pretty scenic river, the classic Monks Fishing Hut, AShrule Egan has a pic of that, It really is a very pretty place, we walk down the far side of the church along the river bank and what is pulling into the church now but a big wedding!! W wave at the bride as she gets out of her old Bentley all decked out with ribbons and flowers. From here we decide to walk up to Ashland Castle hotel. A classic castle building, its a very nice walk and very picturesque and as Lynn says, Now thats a castle, she likes to think of them more as King Arthur type places rather than the stone fortified tower houses. We walk about the grounds and watch the river and swans. We take our liesurely stroll back to Cong proper and as we get back to the church the wedding party is getting out. We stand around and watch as the newly weds get into the Bentley and the wedding party in 2 other fancy cars and drive off. We decide tpo have a bite to eat at a little pub, visit the QuietMan Museum and from here we headout to Westport. We decide Westport is too big of a city for us and continue on to Newport were we stay at the Anchor BNB across from the water inlet. We walk over to have dinner at Grainne Uaile Pub, I have Beef and Guiness Stew, mmm good. From our seats by the window we watch the kids down at the playground, an old and I mean old dog, lays down in the middle of the road and everyone just drives around him and he wags his tail at them, occasionally getting up to see what the kids are doing aand then right back down in the middle of the road. , now its about 10:15, Lynns tired, we walk back to our BNB, I trade my just finished novel for a new book from their library. Read abit then lites out per Lynns orders.
Another beautiful day, nice people, pretty sites just a great day.
TBC.

Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 07-Jul-2008, 01:56 PM
Now we are getting ready to leave Newport after a hardy traditional breakfast, I know I'm gonna get fat anyways!! We take the ring road N59 out of Newport and start heading north. We stop at this pretty beach area called Mulranney Beach and watch a couple of early arrival seals frolick about. We continue along the Atlantic Coast road with beautiful views. We see Clare Island in the distance and continue on thru the bridge on 319 to Achill Island along the coast road, pass beautiful cliffs and views out . Nearer the end we spot alittle area to pull over and decide to walk over to the cliffs for a picture and discover a walkable area were you can make it down to the waters edge. Lynn grabs her book, sits down in this little grassy area and I make my way down to the mighty Atlantic Ocean. It is this perfect little cutout bowl area where the cliff face collapsed long ago and made an accesible are. We scared away a couple of sheep grazing there, every once in a while they would peek back down to see if we were still there. So Lynn reads and I go scampering, or at least as best as my knees let me scamper about the waters edge. Now I start to get alittle warm from all of my excertions and decide to go skinny dipping or as Lynn says chunky dunking. The water looked so inviting and we were secluded, well off go the clothes and in the water I go, COLD, but refreshing and I get to say I went swimming in the North Atlantic Ocean. I air dry and we pack it up and continue to the end of the island . When we see in the distance this beautiful turquise beach, nestled in a hook and the rolling hills down to the ocean. Turns out Lynn kept her eyes closed as we approached on the cliff road as we switchedback down to the beach, photos posted. We walk about the beach, explore alittle in the rocks and collect some rocks from the beach. What a pretty place for a daytrip and a boxed lunch. Ok time to head off again and we need to get over to Knock were we have reservation at a BNB. We stop off at the Beehive Coffee and Craft Shop, buy a few knick knacks, get alittle late lunch and drove back to Newport, Castlebar, Bally, stop for ice cream, Lynns bathroom break, then serious back roads on to Knock. We arrive at Knock with a Mass going on and people everywhere, town is packed to the gills. Knock is a Holy Shrine for the Catholics and Lynn wanted to see it. We drive about till we find our BNB, Drumhaven, very nice, fairly new construction, young couple with 2 children, very nice family home. We settle in and then go to the Belmont Hotel for dinner and Guiness, again I have a Traditional Irish Lamb Stew, delicious, our son Daniel calls, makes mom very happy, we finish dinner and walk up to the shrine, alot fewer folks about, we enter the shrine and walk about the grounds, walk in town and Lynn buys a few knick knacks, back to BNB for a little reading and bed.
tbc

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 10-Jul-2008, 08:22 PM
laugh.gif laugh.gif Fred, was away on vacation, down at the property in NC. Finally got a chance to look at your new pictures in the Gallery. I thought this was a "Family Oriented Forum". Looks like you will be the new "pinup", once the ladies figure out how to save that picture. wink.gif



beer_mug.gif

Posted by: maggiemahone1 10-Jul-2008, 09:38 PM
ohmy.gif

whoa!!! a back side view!!!

Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 11-Jul-2008, 10:29 AM
The honey took the picture, I'm innocent.

Everybody who has gone swimming in the North Atlantic off the western coast of Ireland raise your hands.

Ever see the movie Waking Ned Devine?? They set precedence!!!

USN beer_mug.gif note.gif thumbs_up.gif smile.gif

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 12-Jul-2008, 05:38 PM
QUOTE (UlsterScotNutt @ 11-Jul-2008, 12:29 PM)
The honey took the picture, I'm innocent.

Everybody who has gone swimming in the North Atlantic off the western coast of Ireland raise your hands.

Ever see the movie Waking Ned Devine?? They set precedence!!!

USN beer_mug.gif note.gif thumbsup.gif smile.gif

Other than the side show, they are really nice pictures. I have yet to make it out to Achill but your pictures tell me that it goes on the list for the next trip.


Great job!!

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 12-Jul-2008, 05:53 PM
QUOTE (UlsterScotNutt @ 30-Jun-2008, 03:31 PM)
From here we decide to walk up to Ashland Castle hotel. A classic castle building, its a very nice walk and very picturesque and as Lynn says, Now thats a castle, she likes to think of them more as King Arthur type places rather than the stone fortified tower houses. We walk about the grounds and watch the river and swans.

You mean this old place? biggrin.gif


By the way, it's called Ashford Castle Hotel
http://www.ashford.ie/index.php

Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 13-Jul-2008, 07:14 AM
Yea, thats the little old castle! Very picturesque, and there is a falconry school on the grounds also. What a pretty walk up from the center of town, past the Church of Ireland then pretty woods, then the castle view of in the distance, the river. Beautiful place.

I went back and looked at my scribbles and you are right, it is Ashford not Ashland.
USN

Posted by: Lady of Avalon 13-Jul-2008, 02:41 PM
QUOTE (UlsterScotNutt @ 11-Jul-2008, 12:29 PM)
The honey took the picture, I'm innocent.

Everybody who has gone swimming in the North Atlantic off the western coast of Ireland raise your hands.

Ever see the movie Waking Ned Devine?? They set precedence!!!

USN beer_mug.gif note.gif thumbsup.gif smile.gif

I won't raise a hand for me but raise it for hubby.
He swam in the 4 seas while there. And imagine how cold for we were there in October.

w00t1.gif LOA

Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 14-Jul-2008, 07:26 AM
QUOTE (Lady of Avalon @ 13-Jul-2008, 03:41 PM)
QUOTE (UlsterScotNutt @ 11-Jul-2008, 12:29 PM)
The honey took the picture, I'm innocent.

Everybody who has gone swimming in the North Atlantic off the western coast of Ireland raise your hands.

Ever see the movie Waking Ned Devine?? They set precedence!!!

USN beer_mug.gif  note.gif  thumbsup.gif  smile.gif

I won't raise a hand for me but raise it for hubby.
He swam in the 4 seas while there. And imagine how cold for we were there in October.

w00t1.gif LOA

Good for hubby!! and brave too!!!!! beer_mug.gif note.gif thumbs_up.gif or perhaps a cup of hot cocoa would be more appropriate!!
USN

Posted by: ctbard 05-Aug-2008, 09:16 AM
No more stories Ulsterscottnutt?

Posted by: Lady of Avalon 05-Aug-2008, 10:31 AM
He's playing hard to get again. boff.gif

Posted by: Camac 05-Aug-2008, 11:28 AM
QUOTE (Lady of Avalon @ 05-Aug-2008, 11:31 AM)
He's playing hard to get again. boff.gif

LOA

I'm tellin ya the Royal Ulster Constabulary has got a warrant on him and he's in hiding.


angel_not.gif scared.gif lol.gif lol.gif lol.gif

Posted by: ctbard 05-Aug-2008, 01:15 PM
QUOTE (Camac @ 05-Aug-2008, 12:28 PM)
LOA

I'm tellin ya the Royal Ulster Constabulary has got a warrant on him and he's in hiding.


angel_not.gif scared.gif lol.gif lol.gif lol.gif

No, he's just all full of hisself since he had his DNA test done.

Posted by: Camac 05-Aug-2008, 01:39 PM
QUOTE (ctbard @ 05-Aug-2008, 02:15 PM)
QUOTE (Camac @ 05-Aug-2008, 12:28 PM)
LOA

I'm tellin ya the Royal Ulster Constabulary has got a warrant on him and he's in hiding.


angel_not.gif  scared.gif  lol.gif  lol.gif  lol.gif

No, he's just all full of hisself since he had his DNA test done.

ctbard;

Yeh them Irishmen EH!

Camac.

Posted by: Lady of Avalon 05-Aug-2008, 02:12 PM
No, cry.gif I think he decided not to be our friend anymore sadangel.gif

Posted by: Camac 05-Aug-2008, 02:28 PM
QUOTE (Lady of Avalon @ 05-Aug-2008, 03:12 PM)
No, cry.gif I think he decided not to be our friend anymore sadangel.gif

LOA

I'm gonna take my poem back. So there. sad.gif thumbdown.gif

Posted by: John Clements 05-Aug-2008, 02:55 PM
QUOTE (Camac @ 05-Aug-2008, 03:28 PM)
LOA

I'm gonna take my poem back. So there. sad.gif thumbdown.gif

Excuse me Dave, but don’t you belong over in Celtic Hearts?

The last time I went to a Haunted Castile…all the ghosts left. Hey, maybe that’s my niche?

Posted by: Lady of Avalon 05-Aug-2008, 04:45 PM
QUOTE (Camac @ 05-Aug-2008, 04:28 PM)
LOA

I'm gonna take my poem back. So there. sad.gif thumbdown.gif

tongue_ss.gif

Posted by: ctbard 05-Aug-2008, 05:55 PM
QUOTE (Lady of Avalon @ 05-Aug-2008, 03:12 PM)
No, cry.gif I think he decided not to be our friend anymore sadangel.gif

I'll have to have a talk with mr,Stuckupulsternutt tomorrow.
Were still suppose to go to Ireland Oct. 4TH, don't know if my husband will be well enough then though.
If we cancel then and re-schederule, we'll be charged $410.00 again.

Posted by: Camac 05-Aug-2008, 06:31 PM
ctbard;

A while back he did say that he was very busy and didn't have ready access to a computer. Maybe he deserves the benefit of the doubt.


unsure.gif

Camac

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 06-Aug-2008, 04:24 PM
QUOTE (ctbard @ 05-Aug-2008, 07:55 PM)
Were still suppose to go to Ireland Oct. 4TH, don't know if my husband will be well enough then though.
If we cancel then and re-schederule, we'll be charged $410.00 again.

Wendy, my passport is current. I'll take his place. angel_not.gif



And tell Mr Nutt, I'm still waiting for the pictures he wanted to resize for the Gallery.

Posted by: Lady of Avalon 06-Aug-2008, 06:03 PM
QUOTE (A Shrule Egan @ 06-Aug-2008, 06:24 PM)
QUOTE (ctbard @ 05-Aug-2008, 07:55 PM)
Were still suppose to go to Ireland Oct. 4TH, don't know if my husband will be well enough then though.
If we cancel then and re-schederule, we'll be charged $410.00 again.

Wendy, my passport is current. I'll take his place. angel_not.gif



And tell Mr Nutt, I'm still waiting for the pictures he wanted to resize for the Gallery.

Mine too A Shrule Egan, what say you we'll all leave and wreck havoc in Ireland??? band.gif


smile.gif LOA

Posted by: ctbard 07-Aug-2008, 12:18 PM
QUOTE (Lady of Avalon @ 06-Aug-2008, 07:03 PM)
QUOTE (A Shrule Egan @ 06-Aug-2008, 06:24 PM)
QUOTE (ctbard @ 05-Aug-2008, 07:55 PM)
Were still suppose to go to Ireland Oct. 4TH, don't know if my husband will be well enough then though.
If we cancel then and re-schederule, we'll be charged $410.00 again.

Wendy, my passport is current. I'll take his place. angel_not.gif



And tell Mr Nutt, I'm still waiting for the pictures he wanted to resize for the Gallery.

Mine too A Shrule Egan, what say you we'll all leave and wreck havoc in Ireland??? band.gif


smile.gif LOA

Let's all go to Ireland!!!
Except, Mr. Nutt! Since he doesnt have any time for us!

Posted by: Camac 07-Aug-2008, 02:54 PM
QUOTE (ctbard @ 07-Aug-2008, 01:18 PM)
QUOTE (Lady of Avalon @ 06-Aug-2008, 07:03 PM)
QUOTE (A Shrule Egan @ 06-Aug-2008, 06:24 PM)
QUOTE (ctbard @ 05-Aug-2008, 07:55 PM)
Were still suppose to go to Ireland Oct. 4TH, don't know if my husband will be well enough then though.
If we cancel then and re-schederule, we'll be charged $410.00 again.

Wendy, my passport is current. I'll take his place. angel_not.gif



And tell Mr Nutt, I'm still waiting for the pictures he wanted to resize for the Gallery.

Mine too A Shrule Egan, what say you we'll all leave and wreck havoc in Ireland??? band.gif


smile.gif LOA

Let's all go to Ireland!!!
Except, Mr. Nutt! Since he doesnt have any time for us!

ctbard;

Oh you cruel wicked people picking on the poor wee lad. rolleyes.gif Serves him bluidy right for snubbin us. laugh.gif laugh.gif laugh.gif


Camac.


PS. If you read this USN were no lettin it go.You....you....Irishman angel_not.gif

Posted by: ctbard 07-Aug-2008, 03:09 PM
QUOTE (Camac @ 07-Aug-2008, 03:54 PM)
QUOTE (ctbard @ 07-Aug-2008, 01:18 PM)
QUOTE (Lady of Avalon @ 06-Aug-2008, 07:03 PM)
QUOTE (A Shrule Egan @ 06-Aug-2008, 06:24 PM)
QUOTE (ctbard @ 05-Aug-2008, 07:55 PM)
Were still suppose to go to Ireland Oct. 4TH, don't know if my husband will be well enough then though.
If we cancel then and re-schederule, we'll be charged $410.00 again.

Wendy, my passport is current. I'll take his place. angel_not.gif



And tell Mr Nutt, I'm still waiting for the pictures he wanted to resize for the Gallery.

Mine too A Shrule Egan, what say you we'll all leave and wreck havoc in Ireland??? band.gif


smile.gif LOA

Let's all go to Ireland!!!
Except, Mr. Nutt! Since he doesnt have any time for us!

ctbard;

Oh you cruel wicked people picking on the poor wee lad. rolleyes.gif Serves him bluidy right for snubbin us. laugh.gif laugh.gif laugh.gif


Camac.


PS. If you read this USN were no lettin it go.You....you....Irishman angel_not.gif

Poor wee lad!!!!??? Fred's always picking on me at work!! He always calls me Rockets!

Posted by: Lady of Avalon 07-Aug-2008, 05:35 PM

QUOTE
Let's all go to Ireland!!!
Except, Mr. Nutt! Since he doesnt have any time for us!


QUOTE
ctbard;

Oh you cruel wicked people picking on the poor wee lad. rolleyes.gif Serves him bluidy right for snubbin us. laugh.gif  laugh.gif  laugh.gif


Camac.


PS. If you read this USN were no lettin it go.You....you....Irishman angel_not.gif


QUOTE
Poor wee lad!!!!??? Fred's always picking on me at work!! He always calls me Rockets!


He's picking on ye and he's pretending to be verra busy...the brute hitler.gif
and that's why we don't get stories from Ireland anymore!!! taz.gif

Waz up with that Mr.Nutt...maybe you should consider a change in your internet connection...hmmm! lamo.gif

How long do we have to wait????? mad1.gif

Your friend always, smile.gif LOA

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 30-Sep-2008, 08:56 PM
QUOTE (ctbard @ 07-Aug-2008, 05:09 PM)

PS. If you read this USN were no lettin it go.You....you....Irishman angel_not.gif [/QUOTE]
Poor wee lad!!!!??? Fred's always picking on me at work!! He always calls me Rockets!

Wendy, have any idea why Fred hasn't returned and finished his story? We need closure!


sad.gif

Posted by: ctbard 06-Oct-2008, 04:53 PM
Well, this is the first time in quite awhile that I've been on-line myself, as my hubby has been sick since his operation.
i don't know why fred hasnt posted, lazy bum, I'll have to get after him when and if I see him at work tomorrow.
We were suppose to have left Oct.4th for Ireland ):

Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 08-Oct-2008, 11:37 AM
Well maybe because I am an inconsiderate, procrastinating, self obsessed, pitiful excuse of a middle aged old pophead (as my oldest use to say as a child, who is now 22) , you may now add the missing "o ".

I have no legitimate excuse for my neglect and deserve a good beating with a stick.
Will any one buy senile dementia??!!?? Abduction by aliens??!!?? Called away for business trying to reunite TheBeatles???!!!?? Elvis called me and said he needed me right away??!!?? Laziness and procrastination followed by a good dose of guilt??!!??

Please pick A maybe B and not E rolleyes.gif

My sincerest and heartfelt apologies to all.

USN, Ultimately, Simple Neglectful sad.gif

PS My Ireland journal still sits next to the computer, paperclipped to the last chapter, woefully waiting for me to get my act together.

Posted by: ctbard 08-Oct-2008, 11:47 AM
I'll be over shortly to beat you with a stick, after I take a nap in our shop recliner, which, Ulsterscott so genously gave my hubbie after his surgery so he could nappie at work when need be, well, I guess I shouldnt beat you with a stick then....

Posted by: Rindy 08-Oct-2008, 11:48 AM
It's great to see you both back! thumbs_up.gif beer_mug.gif

Slainte

Posted by: Camac 08-Oct-2008, 11:58 AM
What's this? Do my eyes play tricks? Is there an imposter afoot? The UlsterScotNutt
has returned from the wild and wooleys. I know he's been in King Arthurs' Court.
Welcome back you old?????? whatever. Good to hear from you.

Camac. band.gif clap.gif clap.gif cheers.gif pepsi.gif

Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 08-Oct-2008, 01:09 PM
QUOTE (ctbard @ 08-Oct-2008, 12:47 PM)
I'll be over shortly to beat you with a stick, after I take a nap in our shop recliner, which, Ulsterscott so genously gave my hubbie after his surgery so he could nappie at work when need be, well, I guess I shouldnt beat you with a stick then....

All due considerations are accepted and appreciated!!!!

USN

Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 08-Oct-2008, 01:13 PM
Rindy & Camac,

Thank you for the warm welcome.

You should have seen the 3 moon rise on Planet XB19!!!

PS Elvis says hello and I'm sorry but TheBeatles will not be touring again.

USN

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 08-Oct-2008, 03:22 PM
QUOTE (UlsterScotNutt @ 08-Oct-2008, 03:13 PM)

PS Elvis says hello and I'm sorry but TheBeatles will not be touring again.

USN

Me thinks, you are yanking our chain about Elvis too!!!



idiot.gif

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 08-Oct-2008, 04:17 PM
QUOTE (A Shrule Egan @ 01-Apr-2008, 09:40 PM)
Before you get to Sligo, you need to make a few stops. Take the N-17 to Claremorris and go to the middle of town and look for Higgins & Co. It can be found on the east side of the street. It's a store carrying all sorts of better quality Irish goods, plus, they are the manufactures of the Celtic Design Collection of Irish rugs. http://www.celticdesigncollection.com/

Wendy, I forgot I had these pictures of the rugs we bought at Higgins and Co. We bought five rugs that day and these are two of them. Sibylle packed them up for us and shipped them back to the States.

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 08-Oct-2008, 04:21 PM
No. 2

Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 09-Oct-2008, 07:37 AM
QUOTE (A Shrule Egan @ 08-Oct-2008, 04:22 PM)
QUOTE (UlsterScotNutt @ 08-Oct-2008, 03:13 PM)

PS Elvis says hello and I'm sorry but TheBeatles will not be touring again.

USN

Me thinks, you are yanking our chain about Elvis too!!!



idiot.gif

ok, now that you mention it, it may very well have been an impersonator, he was the 50's Elvis, Thank you , thank you very much.
USN

PS nice rugs, how goes the House?

Posted by: valpal59 09-Oct-2008, 07:57 AM
Love the rugs. thumbs_up.gif

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 09-Oct-2008, 07:45 PM
QUOTE (UlsterScotNutt @ 09-Oct-2008, 09:37 AM)

PS nice rugs, how goes the House?

We are waiting for the county engineer to sign off on the foundation plans. Because of the altitude and wind on the mountain, the county requires the engineer to look over the foundation plans and make sure they are built strong enough to handle the 125 MPH winter winds. There will be a lot of re-bar inserted in the concrete blocks. The foundation guys are ready to go. Hopefully, groundbreaking will be in the next week or so. We need the house closed in before the first week of December or the wind will just rip it apart during the winter.

Finding DP-50 windows has also been a tough thing. Not many window companies make hurricane rated windows and North Carolina now requires it on all homes that are over 3000 feet elevation.


As for the rugs, we have 7 Celtic Collection rugs that will be used in the house. We may acquire a few more somewhere along the way. smile.gif

Posted by: UlsterScotNutt 10-Oct-2008, 09:41 AM
Wow, now that sounds like some winds ablowin!! Where is it exactly, I'm going to google earth the site!!
So figure we can book a room for springtime??!!??

USN

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 11-Oct-2008, 09:06 AM
laugh.gif If I put my pointer exactly where the house will be, according to Google Earth, the coordinates are 36.241715, - 81.305455. When you punch those numbers up on the search of GE, it takes you to another property about 12 miles away. laugh.gif


If you would like to know exactly where it is, PM me with your e-mail and I can send you an e-mail that contains the actual shot of Google Earth that I'm looking at. I know that works, because I've sent that out to others.


Once construction starts, we will be adding more pictures to the Highlander House Gallery, so check with that and watch the progress.

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 12-Oct-2008, 07:24 PM
I found another picture of a third rug we bought that day.



By the way, the hands that are displaying all the rugs, are not professional models hired by Higgins and Co. They belong to Annabelle and Irish Stepper.


angel_not.gif



Posted by: ctbard 27-Oct-2008, 01:11 PM
Very nice! i wish I could trust my dogs to have things like that, one of my dogs tore up my slip covers last week.

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 30-Jan-2009, 01:44 PM
Wendy, I came across a web page that has a list of 10, not to miss, megaliths in Ireland. If you did just a vacation dealing with seeing these, that alone, would be a fun vacation. http://goireland.about.com/od/specialinterestholidays/tp/prehistoric_top.htm

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