tskeeter
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Post by tskeeter on Apr 10, 2018 14:46:05 GMT -5
The DW just retired. We’re planning an extended trip to Ireland. Do you have an idea of a fun thing for us to do or see?
We’ve been to Ireland three times, so we’ve seen most of the old standards. The Book of Kells, Guinness, the National Museum, the Rock of Cashell, the Ring of Kerry, the Cliffs of More, Powerscourt, Dingle, Kylemore Abbey, the Giant’s Causeway, PRONI, Kilkenny Castle, Nicholas Mosse pottery factory, Waterford Crystal factory, Bunratty Folk Park and Castle.
Newgrange and the Dublin public records office are on the agenda for this trip.
We’ll be primarily in the Dublin area. Staying in Blessington, southwest of Dublin, and in Rush, north of Dublin along the coast.
We’re looking for off the beaten track types of sights or experiences in or within an hour or two drive of Dublin. Things such as our discovery of the abandon Tor Head lifeboat station, on the Antrim coast. (Missing that turn added a go-to spot on our Northern Ireland itinerary.)
Would you be willing to share the treasures you’ve found?
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movingforward
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Post by movingforward on Apr 10, 2018 15:32:56 GMT -5
I didn't see you mention that you have been Belfast. That was a very interesting place to me. You can't drive your rental car there though so we took a day tour. I really enjoyed it. Relatively calm these days and I never felt unsafe there.
You have probably been there already but Kilmainham Goal in Dublin was great!
Wicklow mountains
ETA: Oh, I see that you don't want to go north. It really IS interesting...but I would definitely do it as a day tour. Part of the reason it was so interesting was hearing the tour guide talk about all the history.
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simser
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Post by simser on Apr 10, 2018 16:07:36 GMT -5
I went on a dolphin watching tour. It was hard to find online (in 2013) but was worth it. It was on the other side than Dublin though. Aran Islands also were a lot of fun and not on your already done list. They were very unique.
Why stick to Dublin if you’ve done most of the stuff on that side?
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mmhmm
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Post by mmhmm on Apr 10, 2018 16:22:08 GMT -5
There are some pretty cool mummies in the bowels of St. Michan's and the leprechaun museum is fun. Those are both in Dublin. Glendalough is absolutely beautiful and there's an old castle in Malahide. If I remember correctly, you can even make a day trip to Blarney Castle from Dublin. Enjoy!
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Apr 10, 2018 18:39:52 GMT -5
I know there are surf spots on the west coast, but maybe there are some on the east coast. You get a lesson and rental gear and get to tell people you went surfing in Ireland. 🏄
Also, there is a ski hill south of Dublin that makes snow fairly late into the Spring. Another fun story...🏂
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Bonny
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Post by Bonny on Apr 10, 2018 20:40:01 GMT -5
I went on a dolphin watching tour. It was hard to find online (in 2013) but was worth it. It was on the other side than Dublin though. Aran Islands also were a lot of fun and not on your already done list. They were very unique. Why stick to Dublin if you’ve done most of the stuff on that side?
Although I recommend actually staying on one of the islands. It's really a world away.
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Bonny
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Post by Bonny on Apr 10, 2018 20:44:34 GMT -5
I know there are surf spots on the west coast, but maybe there are some on the east coast. You get a lesson and rental gear and get to tell people you went surfing in Ireland. 🏄 Also, there is a ski hill south of Dublin that makes snow fairly late into the Spring. Another fun story...🏂 Yeah, that was a surprise. We cycled from Ennis on a back road to Lahinch. Who knew there were Irish surfers! Fun to watch and a cute town to just have lunch in.
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HoneyBBQ
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Post by HoneyBBQ on Apr 13, 2018 10:34:57 GMT -5
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tskeeter
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Post by tskeeter on Apr 13, 2018 14:57:15 GMT -5
I didn't see you mention that you have been Belfast. That was a very interesting place to me. You can't drive your rental car there though so we took a day tour. I really enjoyed it. Relatively calm these days and I never felt unsafe there. You have probably been there already but Kilmainham Goal in Dublin was great! Wicklow mountains ETA: Oh, I see that you don't want to go north. It really IS interesting...but I would definitely do it as a day tour. Part of the reason it was so interesting was hearing the tour guide talk about all the history. Yes, we’ve been to Belfast. My great, greats emigrated from a town a few miles outside Belfast. Never made it to Kilmainham Gaol. Hope to see it this trip and soak up some of the political history of Ireland.
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tskeeter
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Post by tskeeter on Apr 13, 2018 15:06:14 GMT -5
I went on a dolphin watching tour. It was hard to find online (in 2013) but was worth it. It was on the other side than Dublin though. Aran Islands also were a lot of fun and not on your already done list. They were very unique. Why stick to Dublin if you’ve done most of the stuff on that side? Laying groundwork and doing research so we can act as resident tour guides for Family (both of us have Irish Roots). So much to see right around Dublin that a Dublin area focus with a day or two devoted to the appropriate family home area makes for a good first visit for the sibs and a few friends. We’re planning to cover housing and in country transportation, so it makes the trip more affordable for family members who wouldn’t ever see Ireland without some incentive. (Your dolphin watching tour was probably out of Dingle. Fungi, the dolphin, is a popular attraction in Dingle Bay.)
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tskeeter
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Post by tskeeter on Apr 13, 2018 15:10:46 GMT -5
There are some pretty cool mummies in the bowels of St. Michan's and the leprechaun museum is fun. Those are both in Dublin. Glendalough is absolutely beautiful and there's an old castle in Malahide. If I remember correctly, you can even make a day trip to Blarney Castle from Dublin. Enjoy! Mummies, now that’s the ticket! Got Glendalough on the docket. Probably Monday. I was thinking about Malahide Castle for an example of a Castle. Glad you mentioned it.
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tskeeter
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Post by tskeeter on Apr 13, 2018 15:15:43 GMT -5
I know there are surf spots on the west coast, but maybe there are some on the east coast. You get a lesson and rental gear and get to tell people you went surfing in Ireland. 🏄 Also, there is a ski hill south of Dublin that makes snow fairly late into the Spring. Another fun story...🏂 Do they make wet suits like they make beer? Extra stout? While the surfers are fun to watch, I’m not sure that I want to take the risk of being mistaken for a large, unattractive sea mammal. A ski hill! That’d be a kick! Looking like a large, brightly colored ball is more my style. We’ll be staying reasonably close. Will try to check it out.
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tskeeter
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Post by tskeeter on Apr 13, 2018 15:19:06 GMT -5
Have not made it to Newgrange, yet. Definitely on the agenda for this trip.
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tskeeter
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Post by tskeeter on Apr 13, 2018 15:29:48 GMT -5
Folks, thanks for your great input! Please keep up your comments. We’ll be in Ireland fairly soon, but I’ll keep watching this thread for more suggestions. We don’t have a Day by Day itinerary for this trip (how un accountant like), so we are set to incorporate your suggestions into our travels.
Thank you to all!
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Bonny
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Post by Bonny on Apr 13, 2018 17:40:23 GMT -5
Folks, thanks for your great input! Please keep up your comments. We’ll be in Ireland fairly soon, but I’ll keep watching this thread for more suggestions. We don’t have a Day by Day itinerary for this trip ( how un accountant like), so we are set to incorporate your suggestions into our travels. Thank you to all! Well you both are RETIRED. Bust a budget while you're at it!
And report back please. DH wants to go to Ireland. Maybe we can do it next year. I want a "Best of Ireland" report from you.
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Apple
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Post by Apple on Apr 13, 2018 18:08:47 GMT -5
I did Ireland with a tour group (my first real trip, so I was playing it safe). So, I don't have much to add. I enjoyed the National Museum though (my son was funny about seeing the bog bodies-- like he had to, but only a peek!)
I'm mostly commenting to see what everyone else recommends, because it's on my short list for a return visit. Hopefully soon.
Make sure to give us a report when you come back!
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NastyWoman
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Post by NastyWoman on Apr 13, 2018 19:28:26 GMT -5
Folks, thanks for your great input! Please keep up your comments. We’ll be in Ireland fairly soon, but I’ll keep watching this thread for more suggestions. We don’t have a Day by Day itinerary for this trip ( how un accountant like), so we are set to incorporate your suggestions into our travels. Thank you to all! Well you both are RETIRED. Bust a budget while you're at it!
And report back please. DH wants to go to Ireland. Maybe we can do it next year. I want a "Best of Ireland" report from you.
And don't forget there is that little line item for budgets that won't balance called "miscellaneous"
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Gardening Grandma
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Post by Gardening Grandma on Apr 13, 2018 22:25:51 GMT -5
Highly, highly, highly recommend visiting Kilmainham Gaol...
(former prison in Kilmainham, Dublin, Ireland. It is now a museum run by the Office of Public Works, an agency of the Government of Ireland. Many Irish revolutionaries, including the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising, were imprisoned and executed in the prison by the British.)
If you read Trinity by Leon Uris ahead of time, it will be even more meaningful... (Good book for the flight over)
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sesfw
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Post by sesfw on Apr 15, 2018 22:42:25 GMT -5
We were in Ireland last June (2017), and the year prior (2016). Loved it. First trip our trip mates got a book on visiting the country's back roads. We saw all kinds of just people living and had a great time. Started in Dublin, and took the southern loop.
One of the hotels we stayed at was Abbeyglen Castle Hotel just west of Clifden, Co Galway. Fascinating, and about 5 miles west you were at the Atlantic Ocean with lots of small islands and the ocean breeze. Just south of Dublin was a Steam Museum, and going north to Belfast is the Titanic Museum.
Enjoy ......... it's a beautiful place
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tskeeter
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Post by tskeeter on Apr 17, 2018 10:42:25 GMT -5
Folks, thanks for your great input! Please keep up your comments. We’ll be in Ireland fairly soon, but I’ll keep watching this thread for more suggestions. We don’t have a Day by Day itinerary for this trip ( how un accountant like), so we are set to incorporate your suggestions into our travels. Thank you to all! Well you both are RETIRED. Bust a budget while you're at it!
And report back please. DH wants to go to Ireland. Maybe we can do it next year. I want a "Best of Ireland" report from you.
Our first year budget did include spending on this trip. I originally projected 6-12 months. In true accountant fashion, we’re only doing several weeks. So we’re OK on the spending front. Unless we have €50 fill ups on the car every couple of days. Ouch! Paying €1.40 a liter, or about $5.30 a gallon for gas.
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tskeeter
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Post by tskeeter on Apr 22, 2018 9:46:11 GMT -5
OK, here’s a week one update.
I’m surprised that shifting a manual transmission left handed came right back. It’s been 15 years, but seems normal. Did get flashed yesterday. Pulled on to the wrong side of the road. At least neither of us was going fast. The car still has all the mirrors and all the fenders. We’ll see how they hold up over the rest of the trip.
Weather has been mixed. The week started off cold, rainy, and very windy. Been shopping for a fleece to wear under my rain jacket. The later part of the week was sunny and glorious. For locals, shorts and shoulderless tops have been the dress of the day. The salesperson at the sporting goods shop was telling how the snow was cheek deep just three weeks ago. I assumed he wasn’t talking about the cheeks on either side of his nose.
Spotted the remains of that snow snow on a drive across the Wicklow Gap to Glendalough. Made the trip twice this week. Once in the fog and rain. Visibility across the top of the gap was three or four car lengths. A second trip to see the gap in the sunshine. DW and I both preferred the fog. Felt more like an Irish winter.
Visited Russborough House, a historic country house. You art aficionados might recognize the name. For many years, it was the home of the Alfred Beit art collection. (Beit was a heir to one of the De Beers diamond partners.) The home was burglarized four times (once by the IRA), and valuable paintings stolen. As a result, much of the collection was donated to the National Gallery of Ireland. Nonetheless, the art in the home remains the most outstanding collection in private hands in Ireland.
Also visited a couple of prehistoric sites. A ring fort situated on a hilltop and constructed of concentric rings of stacked stones. The rings of stone are about 10 feet high and 12 - 14 feet thick, with nearly vertical sides. There were also ditches between some of the rings to slow invaders down a bit. Interesting how multiple defensive rings remain part of our military defense tactics, even today. We also checked out a dolmen (stone tomb) that was sitting out in the middle of a farmer’s pasture. These types of sites (ring forts, dolmens, monastic ruins, and castle/fortified tower house ruins) are scattered along country lanes throughout Ireland.
Started off yesterday (Saturday) to visit a small craft center about 20 miles down the road. It was a bust. But, we decided we were already half way to Kilkenny, so we might as well extend the drive to nearby Benettsbridge and the Nicolas Mosse pottery factory. Visitors to the Kilkenny area during the week will be able to observe factory employees as they shape and decorate the signature Nicolas Mosse spongeware. Weekend visitors are forced to make due with the contents of the factory shop and tea room (a great place for lunch). Lots of other sights make Kilkenny a great base for a couple of days of sight seeing and shopping.
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Apr 22, 2018 17:46:14 GMT -5
Please keep posting about your trip! I travel vicariously through others these days while I pay college tuition. 😉
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tskeeter
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Post by tskeeter on Apr 29, 2018 4:59:52 GMT -5
Week two here in Ireland was genealogy week. Chasing down DW’s great grandparents and great great grandparents. Visited the National Archives of Ireland, the General Records Office, and visited with a second cousin of DW’s, who still lives down the road from where DW’s Gram grew up.
The Archives was really cool. After signing in and getting a free reader card, we had a free consultation with a genealogist. It was a slow day, so the fellow spent nearly an hour with us. First, the genealogist quickly reviewed some of the online records to confirm some basic information, such as making sure you were looking at the correct family. Many first and sur names are very common, so it would be easy to be looking at the wrong family. And names were used generation after generation. Three consecutive generations of “John Murphy” would not be too surprising. Nor would use of names in alternating generations. A common practice was to name the first son after the paternal grandfather and the second son after the maternal grandfather. A similar practice was often followed for daughters. Another thing we came across was multiple uses of the same name in a single generation. If Thomas died as a child, a later child in the family might also be named Thomas. Then throw in cousins and unrelated families that are using the same names. It’s like you’ve got a whole country that uses only six or seven boy names and a similar number of girl names.
Anyway, the genealogist at the Archives was able to identify the names of DW’s maternal great, great grandparents and great, great, great grandparents. For the great, greats, he also was able to locate the property they lived on using tax records compiled in the late 1840’s (Griffith Registers, for you Irish genealogists out there). We were also able to learn some things about DW’s paternal great grandfather’s family
With the correct background information in hand, we were off to the Records Office to get copies of some of the records. Different agencies of the Irish government maintain different types of records. Church records with one agency, civil records with another. Civil records often contain information not in church records, so looking at multiple sources for something such as a marriage registration may yield information you want. Many records are available online, or registers of basic information are available online, and you can get copies of the old records which often contain more information than the online register.
Talking with DW’s second cousin yielded more information. She put some place names we had seen in context so that we could locate where DW’s Great Grandfather had come from and grown up (he wasn’t the boy across the road), and some information about his first wife (Been having really good luck confirming family lore with information from records, and then confirming the contents of records with additional family lore. Finding that things such as place names trigger long forgotten memories of lore passed from generation to generation. All you have to do is ask about the right topic to get more pieces of the puzzle.)
It hasn’t been all genealogy, though. As you folks suggested, we visited Kilmainham Gaol to learn about Ireland’s political history. Although there have been five major uprisings in pursuit of Irish independence over the centuries, the one most people know about is the 1916 Easter Rising. Most of the leaders of this revolt were locked up at Kilmainham. Key leaders were quickly executed. Others survived their incarceration to become the political leaders who shaped modern Ireland. Also visited the Jeane Johnston, a replica famine ship, and EPIC, a new museum covering the history of Irish Immigration.
We’ve been using the bus to travel from our B&B in Blessington to Dublin. It’s about a quarter mile walk to the bus stop. The fare is €3.30 each way. You can’t park a car in Dublin for a day for the cost of round trip bus fare for the two of us. If I remember correctly, car parking 20 years ago was about €15 a day. Driving a car in Dublin would be a real challenge. “Wrong” side of the road, narrow streets, street names that change every block, a lack of standardized color and placement of street signs, cars parked half on the sidewalk, half in the street (that’s how you park on a street too narrow to have parking spaces), bicycles, lots of bicycles, and hordes of pedestrians. No wonder so many cars display minor body damage. Dinged bumpers, scraped fenders, etc. Simply not the place to drive if you don’t know exactly where you are going (on the other hand, driving in the countryside is much less problematic). In Dublin, a hop-on/hop-off bus tour helps you get between most tourist sights. Or you can simply walk. Most of the key Dublin sights are within a 3/4 mile radius of O'Connell Bridge. Kilmainham is a bit far out unless you are young and energetic.
And now for a weather report. Rain some days. Sun others. Often both on the same day. I brought a mid weight jacket with hood and a broad brim hat. The hat has kept the rain off my glasses. But the jacket hasn’t been quite up to the task. Waiting for the bus in a light drizzle with a stiff breeze and the temp slightly above 40 gets pretty chilly. (Note that locals report this has been an usually cold and snowy spring. Our B&B host said some reports are predicting snow for Wicklow late next week.). I’ve been on the search for a fleece jacket (rather, I’ve been looking, DW has been on a mission) to layer under my jacket. Apparently, moderately rotund is not a valid size in these parts. While a XL does it at home, round here it takes a 4XL. Fortunately, you can order online and have clothes shipped to your B&B. Now, thanks to Debenham’s, I’m toasty warm. A certain guarantee that the weather will change for the warmer.
Coming next week, a return trip to Kilkenny to visit St Canice and climb their round tower, the Smithwicks experience, and probably some shopping at the Kilkenny Design Center (looking for a wedding gift for a niece). Probably more genealogy.
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Apr 29, 2018 16:01:32 GMT -5
Thanks, tskeeter. I really like your idea of a longer stay using a "home base" and then traveling from there. The trip I have had planned for years was more of a "3 week circuit" which, while covering all of the important stops, could be really wearing with all of the changes in hotels/B&Bs, etc. I might tweak it when the time comes to concentrate on a few areas and work from a base in each. Keep posting!! I am traveling with you in spirit!!!
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tskeeter
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Post by tskeeter on Apr 30, 2018 13:45:48 GMT -5
Thanks, tskeeter . I really like your idea of a longer stay using a "home base" and then traveling from there. The trip I have had planned for years was more of a "3 week circuit" which, while covering all of the important stops, could be really wearing with all of the changes in hotels/B&Bs, etc. I might tweak it when the time comes to concentrate on a few areas and work from a base in each. Keep posting!! I am traveling with you in spirit!!! GRG, what we have done in the past is a version of our current trip. Stay two or three nights in a location and day trip from there. Last trip we did a full circuit in about two weeks. Three nights in Dublin, three nights in Ballynure, where my family is from outside of Belfast, with day trips to Belfast, PRONI, the Giant’s Causeway, etc. A couple of nights in Westport, with day trips to Kylemore Abbey and the Cliffs of Moor. A couple of nights in Dingle with a circuit of the Dingle peninsula and a visit to the Blasket Island Center. Between Dingle and Kilkenny we made a stop at Muckross House, outside Killarney, then spent about three nights or so in Kilkenny. From Kilkenny we visited Jerpoint Abbey, Waterford (Waterford Crystal), Benettsbridge (Nicolas Mosse Pottery Factory), Kilkenny Castle, Kilkenny Design Center, and the Rock of Cashel. We think Kilkenny is a great base to see much of SE Ireland. It’s also a great location to explore the Irish craft scene, with quite a few potters, weavers, jewlery makers, glass makers, etc. in the area. You see that we skipped Galway, Cork, and some other spots on this trip. The nice thing about this approach is that you are not packing bags and loading them into the car every day. And you don’t have a car full of stuff that is attractive to thieves.
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NastyWoman
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Post by NastyWoman on Apr 30, 2018 14:18:10 GMT -5
Well you both are RETIRED. Bust a budget while you're at it!
And report back please. DH wants to go to Ireland. Maybe we can do it next year. I want a "Best of Ireland" report from you.
Our first year budget did include spending on this trip. I originally projected 6-12 months. In true accountant fashion, we’re only doing several weeks. So we’re OK on the spending front. Unless we have €50 fill ups on the car every couple of days. Ouch! Paying €1.40 a liter, or about $5.30 a gallon for gas. With the Euro at ~$1.25 make that $6.60 for a gallon of gas
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tskeeter
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Post by tskeeter on May 1, 2018 12:15:52 GMT -5
Our first year budget did include spending on this trip. I originally projected 6-12 months. In true accountant fashion, we’re only doing several weeks. So we’re OK on the spending front. Unless we have €50 fill ups on the car every couple of days. Ouch! Paying €1.40 a liter, or about $5.30 a gallon for gas. With the Euro at ~$1.25 make that $6.60 for a gallon of gas I used an exchange rate a bit less than $1.25, but my math may have been off, too. At any rate, gas is expensive. Even compared to what folks in CA pay.
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tskeeter
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Post by tskeeter on May 5, 2018 7:01:08 GMT -5
Week 3 update.
Forgot to tell you guys that we got an Irish SIM card for my iPhone once we got into town. At home, we use Verizon. One of the more stubborn companies when it comes to unlocking phones. According to their website any 4G phone is unlocked. This proved to be accurate. My 5S has worked fine.
Before we left home, I selected TescoMobile as our Irish cell company. Why? Fairly good reviews and we could pick up sim, etc at the Tesco Extra store in the town where we picked up the rental car. Cost was €15 for the SIM card and first month of service, which included 10G of data, local voice, about 100 local texts, and about 50 international texts. I wasn’t as interested in the voice service as I was the data. We’ll be staying in a B&B that doesn’t have WiFi, so I’ll use the phone as a hot spot. Used the phone as a hot spot in a government office that didn’t have public WiFi the other day, and it worked fine.
We did experience some initial challenges, though. Although reviews said Tesco had good coverage, we discovered that the location of our Current B&B (we’re moving to the B&B with no WiFi on Sunday) is not well covered. The cell signal frequently drops out and will not reconnect. This led to some start up issues and other problems. On the second return trip to Tesco, they realized what was causing the problems and gave us instructions for manually reconnecting the phone to their network. We’ve also figured out that the cell signal is much better in the vestibule than it is in the club chair, so we use the vestibule when we want to make calls. Email and internet access comes through the B&B’s WiFi.
Having phone service has been nice. We were able to connect with a local genealogist who we had been in contact with over the Internet and arrange a meet up. Lots of fun and some information about the location of the cemetery where DW’s ancestors may be buried. Also we’re able to contact a second cousin of DW and have arranged a meet up with her for Monday.
Although we hadn’t planned for another week of genealogy, things have been going so well that we just keep plugging ahead. On a second visit to the Archives, we learned that there are supplements to the Griffith Registers that track changes in ownership, additions of buildings, etc. that affect a piece of property. These records are kept by the Valuation Office and are referred to as revisions.
At the Records Office we learned that civil records are available on line. That means you can print your own copies, rather than going to The Records Office and paying €1 per page for any copies you want.
We drove out to see if we could find the property that DW’s great, great grandfather came from. Thought we’d found the location on some maps that were linked to the Griffiths on the AskAboutIreland.ie website. The property we found was at the end of a dead end lane which was blocked by a closed gate. We could see a large, old house, partially hidden by trees, in the center of the 184 acre property. Not wanting to trespass, we respected the closed gate. Back down the lane, we crossed paths with a Post man who confirmed that we were in the correct location and shared the name of the current occupant of the property. The next day, it was back in to Dublin to visit the Valuation Office. Starting with DW’s great, great grandfather, we were able to trace occupancy of the property through the Valuation Office Records from about 1850 up to 1968 and someone who appears to be the current occupant’s father. Have sent a letter to the current occupant requesting permission to visit.
Between running around the countryside on genealogical expeditions, we got in some more sight seeing. Returned to Kilkenny to visit the Kilkenny Design Center, climb the round tower at St. Canice Cathedral, and take the tour at the Smithwick’s Experience, at the old Smithwick’s Brewry site. Boy, those old monks were a lot shorter and skinnier than I am. Climbed on to the top of the tower through a hole about 20 inches wide and a couple of feet long. This is one of two round towers in the country that you can actually climb. The Smithwick’s tour was interesting as you learn a bit about Irish history, Smithwick’s history, and beer making. The best part, of course, was the tasting at the end of the tour.
Yesterday we made a quick trip to the Portlaoise area to see the Rock of Dunamase . If you are familiar with the Rock of Cashel, it’s kind of similar. Ruins on the top of a knob of rock. While Cashel was a religious site, Dunamase was a castle fortification. While Cashel is fairly tightly controlled, with an entry fee, Dunamaase is wide open, free, and you are welcome to climb on the ruins. A great place for kids of rock climbing age. However, you are expected to exercise appropriate caution. Europe seems to expect a higher level of personal accountability for your own safety than we expect in the US. At Dunamase, as with other European sites, there are many fewer guard rails than there are opportunities to take a serious fall. You must use good judgement or suffer the consequences.
Weather update. It’s getting warmer and we’re getting less rain. We’ve had a couple of really nice days in the past week. The snow that was predicted has not materialized. Today is laundry day, warm, sunny and breezy. Jeans are on the clothesline. This B&B has a washer and dryer. The next one does not. Getting clothes clean to minimize laundromat trips or the need to have clothes laundered. In the past, we’ve done both. A laundromat can be a fun cultural experience as a local demonstrates how equipment works (France has a central coin and control system for all machines vs. controls on each machine). Having your clothes laundered keeps you sight seeing, instead of spending your valuable and expensive vacation time on housekeeping type chores.
More next week.
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tskeeter
Junior Associate
Joined: Mar 20, 2011 19:37:45 GMT -5
Posts: 6,831
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Post by tskeeter on May 13, 2018 3:32:25 GMT -5
Changed B&B’s this week. No problem with the last one. It was lovely and fairly convenient. The reason for the change was an AirB&B policy that limits your ability to cancel a reservation that is longer than 30 days. Makes sense in that this protects hosts from an extended vacancy if the guest cancels a reservation. But, it caused us to book reservations in two different locations.
The new location is in a town called Rush, a little way north of Dublin, along the Irish Sea. Only one house between us and the sea. Great location for water loving DW. She’s enjoyed walking on the beach. More importantly, it’s only a five to ten minute walk to a couple of pubs!
Also, about a quarter mile walk to the closest stop for the Dublin bus and two or three miles to the commuter train station. One of the things we’ve learned on this trip is how important good access to public transportation can be. We’ve been in and out of Dublin way more than we expected. I suppose, in part, because it was convenient. I don’t want to try to drive in Dublin, and parking is very expensive. The host at our last B&B told of paying €25 to park in Dublin for a couple of hours so she could lunch with friends.
We’ve been quite a way outside Dublin (Blessington and Rush). While taking the bus has been convenient, it has been time consuming. About a 90 ride each way. The train has fewer stops and a more direct route, so the travel time is 30 minutes. Cost of bus fare and train fare is almost the same. Pennies different. With the train, you add the cost of parking at the train station. Well worth it to avoid a couple of hours on the bus.
Did a quick driving tour of the Boyle Valley yesterday to check out some sights before MIL and SIL arrive later in the week. Weather was really nice. Sunny with temp in the 60’s. I think I got a bit of sunburn on my face. Anyway, visited the ruins of Monasterboice to see some high crosses in the graveyard. Interesting how these religious sites are just scattered throughout the countryside. In farmer’s fields. Next were the ruins of Old Mellifont Abbey, just a few miles from Monasterboice. An impressive site. Gives you just a little understanding of just how wealthy some of those old religious communities were, as you look at the scale of the facility and the elegant, refined (read expensive) stone work. You kind of expect grand construction at Notre Dame, but not tucked into a small valley in rural Ireland. Ended up driving by the Hill of Slane. Hadn’t planned to stop, but since we were there ... More religious ruins with towers to climb. Then, on to Oldbridge and the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. Protestant William of Orange battled and defeated the deposed Catholic king of England, James II. James defeat prevented him from regaining the British crown and ensured that Protestants would remain in control of Ireland. Drove right by the entrance to Newgrange.
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tskeeter
Junior Associate
Joined: Mar 20, 2011 19:37:45 GMT -5
Posts: 6,831
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Post by tskeeter on May 13, 2018 3:49:09 GMT -5
Saving that for when MIL and SIL are here next week.
We took a drive out to scope out Trim Castle earlier in the week. Trim was used for castle scenes in the movie Braveheart. Trim is also the location of several other ruins that show how big a town Trim was when the castle was built.
Did more genealogy this week, too. Met one of DW’s second cousins for the first time on Monday. DW is getting good enough at finding records that she dug into an issue the cousin was having a hard time finding records on.
Got some things coming up that should be fun. Tonight, traditional music at a pub in Skeeries, five miles down the road. On Wednesday, a performance at the local theater. Next weekend, a traditional music festival at several locations in Skeeries. Concerts, clinics and the like. Maybe I can learn to play the bodhran.
Gotta go. Heard they have an excess of Smithwick’s at the Harbor Bar.
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