RootsChat.Com
Ireland (Historical Counties) => Ireland => Carlow => Topic started by: Phenmark on Sunday 14 June 15 03:44 BST (UK)
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Hi Fellow Chatters,
I hope I might be able to get some guidance regarding a couple of questions I have.
My wife and I are planning a trip to Ireland in early September. We are going to land in Dublin and take a train to Kilkenny, where we will rent a car. I hope to visit Rathanna and Raheendarragh to breathe in the air of my MacDonald/Bryan/Doyle/Neil progenitors. I wonder if someone might know of a B & B or hotel located nearby that area.
The other question I have is, are we making the right decision in taking the train to Kilkenny. This is the only place we could find a car for hire (Enterprise). Any thoughts or guidance would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Steve
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To get the train you will need to go into the city, a bus would I think be cheaper and leaves from the airport
http://jjkavanagh.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Clonmel-Dublin-Airport.pdf
http://www.buseireann.ie/inner.php?id=241
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The other question I have is, are we making the right decision in taking the train to Kilkenny. This is the only place we could find a car for hire (Enterprise). Any thoughts or guidance would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Steve
There are car hire companies at Dublin Airport?!
See: http://www.dublinairport.com/gns/to-from-the-airport/car-rentals.aspx
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To get the train you will need to go into the city, a bus would I think be cheaper and leaves from the airport
http://jjkavanagh.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Clonmel-Dublin-Airport.pdf
http://www.buseireann.ie/inner.php?id=241
Thanks Sinann!
You know, we hadn't even considered a bus. We were thinking a nice train ride might be the way to go, but a bus might work. Thanks for the schedule. It is nice and clear.
Thanks again!
Steve
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There are car hire companies at Dublin Airport?!
See: http://www.dublinairport.com/gns/to-from-the-airport/car-rentals.aspx
Thanks K,
I was hoping not to have to drive around Dublin, and just get a car when I get to the country.
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The train can be roomer of course and faster but I think by the time you get a bus into the city and board a train the bus might be just as quick straight from the airport.
I do like that the bus goes through each town, although than you have to deal with traffic and traffic lights etc. but you get to see places, on trains it's all country side and the back of houses and factories.
This site might be useful
http://www.visitkilkenny.ie/directions_kilkenny_train_bus_road
It has more car hire companies
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There are car hire companies at Dublin Airport?!
See: http://www.dublinairport.com/gns/to-from-the-airport/car-rentals.aspx
Thanks K,
I was hoping not to have to drive around Dublin, and just get a car when I get to the country.
It's easy driving!
M1 from the airport.
Then the M50/E01 - through the toll.
E20 through Naas.
M9 to Kilkenny.
Your profile doesn't say where in the world you live?
Please be aware that most hire cars in UK & Ireland are stick shift!
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There are car hire companies at Dublin Airport?!
See: http://www.dublinairport.com/gns/to-from-the-airport/car-rentals.aspx
Thanks K,
I was hoping not to have to drive around Dublin, and just get a car when I get to the country.
It's easy driving!
M1 from the airport.
Then the M50/E01 - through the toll.
E20 through Naas.
M9 to Kilkenny.
Your profile doesn't say where in the world you live?
Please be aware that most hire cars in UK & Ireland are stick shift!
I'd rather face some of those zoo animals that escaped :D :D but than Newlands is the closest I've ever driven to Dublin.
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Sorry, guys. I'm from Massachusetts. I updated my profile. Driving isn't a huge concern, but I figured if I could take public transpo as far as I could, why not? The bus is actually sounding pretty good to Kilkenny. We can then rent a car and stay in say, Borris, which is pretty close to Rathanna.
Thanks for all the great tips. Please keep 'em coming!
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I figured you were from the USA!
If you need an automatic car, you'll have to ask for that specifically when you book.
They won't have automatics hanging around the car-lot!!
And you'll have to get used to driving on the correct side of the road?! ;D
(That's on the left! ;D ;D)
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I figured you were from the USA!
If you need an automatic car, you'll have to ask for that specifically when you book.
They won't have automatics hanging around the car-lot!!
What gave me away!!
Yeah, I heard about the stick vs automatic debate. I would probably go automatic. The less complications the better. I don't want to leave Ireland less populated than I found it!
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I was picking up a hire car at Dublin Airport about 10 years ago, when an irate American came storming back in demanding an automatic car!
Because he didn't specify, they had reserved a normal stick-shift for him.
There weren't any automatics left! ;D
So it was "take-it or leave it".
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I'm pretty ambidextrous, so that wouldn't bother me!
I think I know that guy, he lives next door!
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The Green gas/petrol pump handle is UNLEADED.
Black handle is Diesel.
Opposite from the US I believe.
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http://www.tripadvisor.ie/Attractions-g186593-Activities-County_Carlow.html
Some suggestions for places to visit in County Carlow and County Kilkenny :)
http://www.tripadvisor.ie/Attractions-g186616-Activities-Kilkenny_County_Kilkenny.html
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If you do decide to drive from Dublin and take the ring road then beware of its bizarre toll system ::)
https://www.eflow.ie/help-guidance/faqs/
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The Green gas/petrol pump handle is UNLEADED.
Black handle is Diesel.
Opposite from the US I believe.
Great tip.
Thanks!
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If you do decide to drive from Dublin and take the ring road then beware of its bizarre toll system ::)
https://www.eflow.ie/help-guidance/faqs/
Duly noted.
Thanks!
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http://www.tripadvisor.ie/Attractions-g186593-Activities-County_Carlow.html
Some suggestions for places to visit in County Carlow and County Kilkenny :)
http://www.tripadvisor.ie/Attractions-g186616-Activities-Kilkenny_County_Kilkenny.html
This is great.
Thanks!
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Make sure you have accommodation booked in advance for at least first night of trip.
Tourist season has started.
Drive safely and within speed limits which are Kilometers per hour.
You are bound to get stuck behind a tractor at some stage on country roads.
Enjoy the holiday.
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My daughter and myself have driven around Ireland.We found it relatively easy compared to driving conditions where we live in Australia.The distances between towns is much shorter than what we were used to at home .So we had more time to stop and observe the sites whilst driving from place to place.Enjoy your stay hope you have a memorable holiday Ireland is a beautiful country filled with friendly people.
Chinka
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Might be worth asking your bank about chip and pin credit/debit card, you can get pre paid ones now which a lot of tourists seem to be using.
You can use the sign ones but may be asked for photo ID
http://www.safecard.ie/cardholders/problems-using-non-chip-pin-cards/
I have a vague memory of seeing a sign in arrivals last time I came home from the U.S. I remember thinking it was a bit late telling people after they had landed in the country.
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Make sure you have accommodation booked in advance for at least first night of trip.
Tourist season has started.
Drive safely and within speed limits which are Kilometers per hour.
You are bound to get stuck behind a tractor at some stage on country roads.
Enjoy the holiday.
Thank you. We are looking now at B&B's and hotels in the area.
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My daughter and myself have driven around Ireland.We found it relatively easy compared to driving conditions where we live in Australia.The distances between towns is much shorter than what we were used to at home .So we had more time to stop and observe the sites whilst driving from place to place.Enjoy your stay hope you have a memorable holiday Ireland is a beautiful country filled with friendly people.
Chinka
Thanks, Chinka!
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Might be worth asking your bank about chip and pin credit/debit card, you can get pre paid ones now which a lot of tourists seem to be using.
You can use the sign ones but may be asked for photo ID
http://www.safecard.ie/cardholders/problems-using-non-chip-pin-cards/
I have a vague memory of seeing a sign in arrivals last time I came home from the U.S. I remember thinking it was a bit late telling people after they had landed in the country.
Great tip,
Thanks.
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Looking forward to staying at Brenda's B & B, and visiting Osbourne's Bar in Rathanna. We plan on going to Mass at St. Fortchern's Church, and walking around the graveyard as well. I came across a bit of history on this old church and discovered that the land was donated by a Mrs. MacDonald. I only wish they gave her forename. She might quite possibly have been Thomas' wife (for more on that see: http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=706946.9)
Anyway, that's the update!
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enjoy your trip following the traces of your ancestors :) we stayed in brendas b+b in may for a music festival, christina from austria
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Ireland is certainly lovely, Mr KHP and I did it in March, along with our Son and DIL. It rained on the day we arrived and by lunch time the next day, the sun came out. Son hired a car in Dublin, and used his GPS ... no problems at all driving around Ireland with it. Plenty of stops along the way for those photo shoots and there are certainly spectacular ones. Stayed in two hotels and the rest in B & B's and were made very welcome in each one we stayed with, the breakfasts were yummy and filled us up for the day.
Enjoy your trip, and as China said, the people are very friendly.
Cheers
KHP
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Ireland is certainly lovely, Mr KHP and I did it in March, along with our Son and DIL. It rained on the day we arrived and by lunch time the next day, the sun came out. Son hired a car in Dublin, and used his GPS ... no problems at all driving around Ireland with it. Plenty of stops along the way for those photo shoots and there are certainly spectacular ones. Stayed in two hotels and the rest in B & B's and were made very welcome in each one we stayed with, the breakfasts were yummy and filled us up for the day.
Enjoy your trip, and as China said, the people are very friendly.
Cheers
KHP
Thanks KHP!
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enjoy your trip following the traces of your ancestors :) we stayed in brendas b+b in may for a music festival, christina from austria
Thanks Christina!