Expert: Hugh O'Rourke - 8/31/2009

Question
I am going to visit my daughter( who is spending a year as a volunteer in Dublin for a year)  from October 28 to Nov 3.  We would like to go out into the countryside near Dublin for a few days and stay in a B & B.  What area would you recommend that would most represent the true Ireland and do you have recommendations for transportation options and places to stay.

Answer
Dear Evelyn
Thank you for your family interest in, and commitment to Ireland and I am certain you will have a very pleasant time here.
I feel transport arrangements are of the essence of success in the visit to the countryside that you propose and therefore I believe Kilkenny would be a good base for your stay. It is less than two hours by train from Dublin and has some good attractions easily accessed by walking about the city. In particular the Butler Castle offers a tour which gives insight into the history of the family and of Kilkenny.
Train services a number of times each day serve Carlow and Waterford which are also towns of interest to visitors.
I would recommend viewing this web-site
http://www.google.ie/#hl=en&source=hp&q=accommodation+kilkenny&meta=&aq=4&oq=acc...
as a source of places to stay.
I think the two night rate at the Ormonde is good value . This hotel is right in the centre of Kilkenny, two minutes fro the caastle and my very favourite Kilkenny hotel. When you compare the room rate there with B&B individual rates I think there is little difference.

I hope you have an excellent stay in Ireland and I will be glad to fill out more detail if you need this
kind regards
hugh