Travel

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Comment by Ratty Patti on March 1, 2009 at 6:33pm

It's been awhile since I picked up this thread...but I need your help....Our trip is coming together quite nicely, but I seem to be stuck on where to stay in Dublin. We need lodging for 2 nights and since we are catching the early ferry to Holyhead, I was thinking it would be best to stay closer to the FerryPort, but I am not getting much options...I am leaning toward Jury's Custom House, it was recommended by a friend who travels on business to Ireland and the UK frequently, but is it really as much hassle to move around in the city, as people say?? Could I stay in the thick of things without worrying we'll miss the boat???

Comment by Ratty Patti on November 18, 2008 at 9:38pm

Sounds lovely and just the sort of thing we are looking for...thank you!

Comment by Marianne MacDonald on November 16, 2008 at 4:49pm

If you want to go somewhere that feels like you are at the end of the earth, go to Loop Head in South Clare. This peninsula is largely unpopulated, other than a few small villages out of Kilkee. When you leave the main road to travel the "scenic route" you are on a one lane road that skirts the edge of some mighty high cliffs with breathtaking views of the Shannon estuary and the Atlantic Ocean. One turn after another is more breath-taking than the last. And speaking of taking away your breath, some days the wind reaches speeds of up to 50-60 miles an hour...don't get too close to the edge of the cliff! A little side trip while out on Loop Head is the Church of the Little Ark, located near the village of Cross (An Crois), population about 35 people, 350 cows and 200 sheep! This church contains a hand-pulled altar which was used in the 1700's to celebrate mass when it was pulled out to the strand between high and low tide. This was a time when the landlords did not allow the Catholics the opportunity to practice their religion. The church is always unlocked and you can go in and see the ark. And if you need directions, just look for the handsome farmer at the side of the road, digging at his wall. He was very accomodating when we asked him for directions:
Me: "Excuse me, can you tell me how to get to the Church of the Little Ark?"
He: "No, I can't...ah, but sure I can, don't I go to mass there every Sunday? Go down there to the second pub, not the first one, the second one. And sure you can get a bite to eat there while you're at it! Turn there at the pub and go 1-2-3-4, past the school and sure, you'll be at the church." All of this said while a drop of something (?) trembled at the tip of his nose. Oh, and the soup and tea at the pub were just what we needed to warm up from the wind gusts and soggy feet from tramping through the grasses to the cliff edges!

Comment by Ratty Patti on November 11, 2008 at 10:57am

Finally...Tom and I have the oppurtunity to travel to Ireland next April...Starting near Tralee for a wedding at Ballyseede Castle....Looking for advice...we do NOT want to be on a tour bus the whole time nor are we interested in most of the Tourist attractions..What should we absolutely NOT miss?