Relax and see Ireland with Dove Chauffeur Drive Executive chauffeurdriven vacations in Ireland with Dave Hogan and Dovechauffeurdrive For your own especially designed Tour of the Republic of Ireland/West and South west
Crossing the Shannon River on the ferry. Today i finished my latest tour when we parted company at the Kerry International airport. This was a short tour but a very enjoyable one for all and i wish i could have had them with me for a little longer. They came a long way from S.A so they wanted to see as much of Europe as they could in the time available but they had serious regrets that they had not allocated more time to Ireland as they felt that there was no place like it. I would have to go along with that.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
The family on a hilltop in the Burren with Galway Bay in the background.
Colin and Darrel with their sons Matthew and Declan at the Cliffs of Moher. This morning we left Galway on our way to the south. We drove through the Burren on our way to the Cliffs of Moher. Here we spent time on a day my friends found a little chilly, but they nonetheless enjoyed the experience very much.We took the ferry over the Shannon and arrived in Killarney later in the afternoon.Tomorrow we will tour the Ring of Kerry and we are all looking forward the that. My present group are from South Africa and while we natives are enjoying the lovely warm spell of weather we have been having ...they think it is cold.Well, i never.
Bonfire for St Johns night There is a tradition that you should light a bonfire on St John's night and enjoy singing and music and dancing. This tradition lives on where i live in the west of Ireland and this fire was the one burning near my home on Wednesday night, St John's night. There are many old traditions living on in rural areas here but they are dying out gradually. Sorry for not being around for a few days but i have been busy between tours and am ready to start again with a fresh group. I actually started yesterday with this new group and today they are gone to the Aran islands and i will not see them until the evening. They are from South Africa and all is going great so far. I seem to be exceptionally lucky this year with all the lovely people who are coming my way. Tomorrow we set sail for the south once again so i will be reporting as we go. Please feel free to join me on my journey.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Happy and well fed. Owen and Katie are on their way home once again as i write after what they described as a wonderful holiday. I was sad to see them go this morning (Mon) and i know that we have two new and wonderful friends. We spent Sunday morning taking in the main sights of Galway city before having a lovely Indian lunch in our favourite Indian restaurant. My wife Sue joined us for the day today and we really had a nice time. Later in the day Owen and Katie attended the medieval banquet in Dun Guaire castle and they thoroughly enjoyed this. It was a fitting finale to what i know for them was a special holiday and it was a privilege for me to be the one to take them on that tour. I would love to think that they will come back again sometime. This morning i brought them to Shannon airport for their departure flight and it was sad to see them go. Thank you sincerely Owen and Katie...i miss you both already. I have a small break until Thursday when my next tour begins. Time to recharge the batteries. Keep in touch.
Owen and Katie at Kylemore Abbey in the heart of Connemara Saying good bye to Ashford Castle in Cong county Mayo
How can you get around to saying good bye to two new wonderful friends after such a special holiday together? Well, we are nearing that time now and yesterday was our last day of real touring as we set out from Ashford castle where they had spent the previous night. They were enchanted by their stay here and did not waste a moment of their time as Katie took part in the Falconry which my dear friend Rita had suggested to her when relating to her the time she spent there during her own holiday with me some time ago. To be a part of watching these birds at work is something else. Later in the day they went on the Corrib cruise which takes you out on this wonderful lake, Ireland's largest lake. It is famous for its 365 islands and the views of the castle on the lakeshore are awesome. Later they enjoyed a wonderful meal in the elegant dining room before retiring to the lounge to be entertained by Annette Griffin and her pianist for the rest of the evening. If you can manage it then Ashford would be a treat to remember....but it does cost a little more than a B&B. The day was once again just brilliant with Summer sunshine like we rarely get credit for in Ireland. Our drive through Joyce country and the Maam valley to the fjord at Leenane, and then finally to Kylemore, was once again memorable. Kylemore is another place not to be missed and maybe you should Google it and get to know its history just to make sure that you do not miss it when you get here yourself. We reached Clifden in the early afternoon and enjoyed a great lunch of garlic chicken baps with french fries (chips as we call them). Then it was a drive from Clifden right through the heart of Connemara back to Galway and on to Kinvara. What a lovely day this was. Tomorrow, (today as i write), we travel in to Galway city to enjoy this medieval city and visit its many historic sites. This will be our final day before setting out for Shannon in the morning where we must say our goodbyes. I think i would just rather say "See Ya, and thank you".
Owen and Katie inside St Bridgid's well in county Clare St Bridgid is one of Ireland's most revered saints and this holy well is visited by many believers in search of her intervention with whatever problems they may be experiencing. They leave behind them many little tokens, photos of their deceased loved ones, photos of missing friends or relatives, rosary beads and ribbons and all kinds of trinkets including children's toys etc. It is located near the cliffs of Moher and is a nice place to visit. This morning Katie and Owen were on their way to the wonderful Ashford in county Mayo. They really wanted to experience a night in a castle and there is no finer castle than Ashford. They will have a most exciting and unusual day today as they are going to take part in the Falconry in the woods and later take a cruise on Ireland's largest lake, the Corrib. Tonight they will dine in the magnificent dining room at Ashford and be entertained by great musicians later. I am sure this will be another day that they will remember for some time to come.
Owen and Katie at the Cliffs of Moher Yesterday (Thur) we left Killarney behind as we made our northwards crossing the mighty Shannon river estuary by ferry from Tarbert to Killimer into county Clare. The day once again was really pleasant and it was a great day to view the cliffs in all their glory. The journey through the Burren, that land of limestone mountains, ancient abbeys, ruined churches and castles, was special for my fellow travelers and we were all ready for a break when we finally reached Kinvara. Kinvara is a lovely little harbour town situated on the southern shores of Galway bay. Here you will find great old-fashioned pubs and excellent restaurants Tonight we dined at the Pier Head and enjoyed a fine meal in the most pleasant surroundings with a lovely view of the harbour. This was another wonderful day for all.
Gougan Barra was that special place that that great Irish saint St Finbar chose as his retreat from the outside world.It is a really peaceful and beautiful place to visit. The walks through the woods and the mountain pathways and little waterfalls are good for the soul. Put it on your itinerary.
Yesterday (Tue) we toured the famous Ring and the above photos were just a couple of many great shots on our journey. The weather was wonderful and there is no place like Ireland when the sun shines. Katie really enjoyed holding the baby lamb and we did find someone to take a photo of all three of us overlooking Dingle bay. I am the guy with the tummy...these Irish breakfasts.
High in the mountains at the Conor Pass on the Dingle peninsula Sitting on the wall at Slea Head with the Blasket Islands in the background.
Today we toured the magical Dingle peninsula on a day that was a little chilly and windy. It did not spoil what was another great day. Tomorrow we will be touring the Iveragh peninsula and the famous Ring of Kerry. The weather is forecast sunny and warm once again so i should imagine we are in for another great day.
Today we left Kinsale behind after a really nice stay and made our way to the Blarney Castle in Blarney town. Today, once again, was bright and sunny and we were all in good form after a hearty breakfast in the Kinsale Carlton Hotel. I would highly recommend this hotel, and its location on the outskirts of Kinsale, in a beautiful secluded and forested area overlooking Oysterhaven Bay, is a wonderful retreat from the hustle and bustle of the town. Owen and i just walked the grounds while Katie went to see the castle. She was all excited on her return as she had climbed to the top and kissed the Blarney stone all on her own. I was more than pleased as i had been able to assure her that the rumours circulating about what people do to the stone are rubbish and it was a special moment for her. We then spent time in that great store, The Blarney Woolen Mills, and after a fine lunch in their great restaurant we were on our way to Killarney. After checking in to our hotel, The Killarney Plaza, we relaxed in their lovely swimming pool and jacuzzi and tonight we will dine in their superb restaurant. How could you complain about a day like that. The Plaza is a fine hotel and located right in the heart of the town and convenient to all the action. All is well and the forecast for the coming week is for bright sunny days with high temperatures. Ireland is now an island in the sun and our weather critics are in hiding.
Katie and Owen at he Rock of Cashel in County Tipperary This morning my tour with Katie and Owen from Florida got under way and what a lovely first day we had. We started out in Dublin where they had been for the last two days and our first stop was at the Rock of Cashel pictured above. This was the seat of the Kings of Munster and the legendary Brian Boru, High King of Ireland. He was the King who brought about the massive defeat of the Vikings at the battle of Clontarf in 1014. Descendants of Brian were of course the O'Brien's and Katie is very proud to be one of those. This fortress stands high above the surrounding countryside on a massive rock and inside a great wall. There was also an abbey and cathedral built inside the walls and the ruins of these, and the castle itself , are a must if you are anywhere near this region.After spending time in the castle we had a wonderful lunch in a superb local restaurant called Ryan's Daughter. It is a small place and the food is just wonderful.I always look forward to dining there and the prices are unbeatable also. Make sure you try the bread and butter pudding for dessert. Delicious, and just like your mother would have made it. We arrived at our final destination in Kinsale after what had been a very pleasant and most enjoyable journey and the rest of the afternoon was spent enjoying this historic town. Tomorrow we head for Blarney and then on to Killarney. Stay with us and enjoy the tour.
Dave
http://www.chauffeurdriveholidays.com
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Alison and Andrew in Roundstone earlier in their tour. This morning we left Kinsale behind after a lovely stay at the Kinsale Carlton, another of my favourite hotels. Blarney was our first stop and we spent some time in the Blarney Woolen Mills where some shopping was done before we had a great lunch in the main restaurant area. Be ready here for large portions at a most competitive price. Our final destination was Bunratty where tonight Andrew and Alison are spending their final night in Ireland before flying out early tomorrow morning. I hate these partings and i really had a wonderful time over the last couple of weeks with this special couple from Oregon. I hope they enjoyed it as much as i did. Now it is time to rest up before i start out again on a new adventure this Saturday morning.
Dave
http://www.chauffeurdriveholidays.com
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Andrew and Alison on the hillside overlooking Kinsale harbour.
This morning we left Killarney behind as we traveled allong the south coast to the historic town of Kinsale.This town is known as the gourmet capital of Ireland. There is much to see here and the historic fort overlooking the harbour is a most impressive fortress.We had rain early today but it was bright and sunny when we reached Kinsale. We also discovered a really nice restaurant in Skibbereen called the Riverside Cafe. Their food was lovely and the prices were very reasonable. The view of the river at the rear of the restaurant was an added bonus and their selection of home baked products was most tempting. Well worth a visit if you are passing through Skibbereen.
Andrew and Alison beside the lake at Gougane Barra
What a wonderful place Gougane Barra is. It is easy to see why St Finbarr chose this place as his center of meditation in the 6th century. This is the little church on St Finbarr's island on the lake. I could have stayed here today.The drive through this glacial gorge is a fantastic experience and the magnificent mountains and forests here are the perfect retreat if you are looking for a peaceful place to pass some time.There is a lovely hotel here also of which i will tell you more when i have time.
A street vendor selling the team colours of Cork and Kerry before the big game yesterday.
Harley Davidson Rally in Killarney
This is a photo i took from my hotel window yesterday as the Harley bikers drove in formation through the streets of Killarney. There were hundreds of bikes of all shapes and sizes and it was a sight to see. The Plaza hotel in the centre of the town is a lovely hotel and one i use regularly. I would highly recommend this hotel. The top photo shows one of the street vendors selling the team colours before the match which drew huge crowds into the town yesterday. The match ended in a draw and will have to be played again in Cork.
Exploring one of the Beehive huts near Slea Head on Dingle
Andrew and Alison high on the mountain top at the Conor Pass
Yesterday (Sat) was our day on the Dingle peninsula and what a lovely day it was again. The Conor Pass where this photo was taken provides wonderful views of both sides of the peninsula and if you approach it from the Dingle side then you can avoid the really dangerous stretch of this mountain road from the Tralee side. It would mean going back down to Dingle once again but it would be easier and safer for the nervous driver. The top photo was taken near Slea Head and is one of the treasures of this are, these Beehive huts dating back to at least the sixth century. It is hard to date them accurately as they may have been reconstructed at various times. It is quiet obvious, even to the amateur, that this type of dwelling does pre-date even to the B.C era. Killarney is alive this weekend and today the crowds are already congregating for the big Cork v Kerry match and they will take over the town. I think it will be a sleepless night for many tonight.
Andrew and Alison at Ladies View high in the mountains above the Lakes of Killarney
Alison crossing the Shannon on Thursday
We left Kinvara and county Galway behind on Thursday morning as we made our way into the Burren of county Clare to the Cliffs of Moher. The day was warm and sunny once again and stayed that way as we crossed the Shannon by ferry on our way to Killarney. Today we had a wonderful day again on the Ring of Kerry and on arrival back in Killarney i left Andrew and Alison to enjoy a couple of hours in the wonderful gardens and grounds of Muckross House where Queen Victoria stayed during her visit to Killarney many years ago. Tonight Killarney is buzzing with a sold out Willie Nelson concert and a Harley Davidson bike rally attracting thousands to the town.This weekend we also have the annual clash between Kerry footballers and the Cork team and this will bring huge crowds into the town. Killarney is the place to be this weekend.
Andrew and Alison at Ladies View high in the mountains over the Lakes of Killarney
Crossing the Shannon on the ferry Yesterday (Thur) we left Kinvara and county Galway behind and began our journey to the south via the Burren and the Cliffs of Moher. The day was gorgeous with plenty of sunshine and it made our journey all the more pleasant. Today we journeyed around the famous Ring of Kerry. Once again the day was lovely and the ocean and the mountains were at their best. On arrival back in Killarney I left Alison and Andrew at Muckross House where they spent a couple of hours enjoying this wonderful place. Killarney is a busy place this weekend as there is a Harley Davidson bike rally on here with thousands of Harley's on view. Tonight there is a Willie Nelson concedrt on here and that is also a sell-out. Sunday we have the big annual clash of Cork and Kerry on here and that will brin this town to a stand still. We really have chosen a super weekend to be here in Killarney.
Alison and Andrew on the Sky Road Clifden Connemara (2nd June 2010) Today we took the coastal route to Connemara through Spiddal and Roundstone, Ballyconneely and Clifden, and what a glorious day it was for this journey. This photo was taken on the Sky Road outside Clifden where the views are stunning. Our wonderful weather continues and it looks set to last another while. Tomorrow i head for the Cliffs of Moher and across the Shannon river by ferry and on to Killarney tomorrow night. I will write again as soon as i get a chance. Questions or comments welcome.
Andrew studying the engravings on Thomas Mc Nulty's headstone.
The Memorial Stone in the Famine cemetery at Attymchugh. This is a photo i took in the cemetery where many of Alison's relations were buried. There were also many unmarked graves here from the famine times when cartloads of bodies were unloaded and interred in unmarked graves. This memorial is to all of those who were buried here without anything other than a rock to mark the spot. The graveyard itself was far higher than the surrounding land and it was obvious that graves had been piled on top of one another over many years. It was indeed a strange and sad place. Today we visited Ashford Castle and the village of Cong in County Mayo before traveling on through the Maam Valley to the fjord at Leenane and then on to Kylemore Abbey. The weather was once again really nice, warm and sunny, and Connemara was the place to be today. The peat bogs, the mountains and the lakes were all a sight to see and we had a great day. Tomorrow we take in the coastal regions of Connemara traveling to Roundstone and Clifden and returning via Costello and Spiddal to Galway. This again will be a special trip and the weather once again is forecast warm and sunny. Who said it always rains in Ireland. Talk to you soon.
Alison with her cousin Martin Feerick at the site of the old ancestral home.
Alison and husband Andrew with John Mc Nulty (centre)
What a great day we had yesterday as we went to try to discover the ancestral homes of both sides of Alison's family. The first one was located near Foxford in North County Mayo. I had made contact the previous day with John Mc Nulty seen above in this photo. I just looked for any Mc Nulty listed in the phone directory in this region and what a nice man i discovered when i found John. This man is 88 yrs of age and was a fountain of knowledge and was able to bring us to this old ruin of a cottage where Alison's cousins lived many years ago. This was once upon a time a thatched cottage and in a place that would have been impossible to find on our own. John himself was not a direct relation but knew many of Alison's relatives. Then we moved south to the Ballinrobe region where the other side of her family came from. These were the Feerick's and we just had the name of the townland and nothing else. As we drew near to the area i found a postman who directed us to the only Feerick family now living in this area and what a find we made. We were welcomed with open arms by Martin Feerick and his family who had given up all hope of ever meeting any of their long-lost relatives who had emigrated so many years ago. Martin had all of the names of those who left (all his own, and Alison's also)and there was no doubt that Alison had found her home. We shared tea and cakes with this lovely family and Alison and Martin enjoyed a couple of hours of memory sharing. One of Martin's sons produced a photo of Alison's great-grandfather as a gift for her and this really made her day. I always believe that nothing happens by accident and the ease with which we discovered Alison's relatives today just confirms this belief. It was as though an unseen hand had led us to this home and if Alison was delighted to meet Martin then i believe that Martin was even more delighted to meet Alison as he said that he had given up all hope of ever finding any of them. He said it was the best day of his life. I can only say that these type of occurrences are a part of my job which i really enjoy. Today we head for Connemara and once more the sun is shining. Who says it always in Ireland.Comments or questions welcome.
Dave P.S. I would like to add a special word of sympathy to a dear friend who has lost her grand-mother. She knows who she is.
Crossing the Shannon River on the ferry.
