Accommodation details are up!

(revised...)

Hi all,

Use the links on the right to view the wedding information pages

Please ensure you read "General wedding info" and "Ballykealey Manor Accommodation" before reading the rest

Also, a look at the Maps page will prove useful before using the accommodation pages below it - so you'll know where the towns are located

Note the following important points...

• Please make your Ballykealey Manor booking through us. Once you're booked in, they'll need a credit card to secure your booking so we'll ask you to contact them. All their contact details are provided in our Ballykealey Manor page.

• Please make your own bookings for all other accommodation.
  

• We strongly suggest booking your flights and accommodation as soon as possible, so as to get the best choice and deals. It's a bank holiday weekend so things will book up sooner rather than later

• If you need help grouping up to share car hire and/or accommodation we're happy to assist

J&A xx

Self Catering near Carlow

(Most require a week booking but if shared between a few people it might work out quite cheap even if you don’t stay the whole week, give them a call and see)

HILLSIDE COTTAGE (approx 40mins from Stradbally, 20mins from Ballykealey)

Hillside Cottage is situated on several acres of land, amidst the rolling hills of Killeshin, County Laois. Sleeps 4?

Tel +353 5786 51120 info@hillsidecottage.org

Hillside cottage, Killeshin, Co. Laois

www.hillsidecottage.org

Self Catering near Vicarstown (Stradbally)

(Most require a week booking but if shared between a few people it might work out quite cheap even if you don’t stay the whole week, give them a call and see)

THE LODGE, VICARSTOWN INN (approx 10mins from Stradbally, 50mins from Ballykealey)

At the Vicarstown Inn we offer self-catering accommodation. Friendly, family-owned and run with a fully licensed bar with pool room and large lounge where musical entertainment is staged at weekends

Tel +353 5786 25189 Fax: +353 5786 25652 info@vicarstowninn.ie

Vicarstown Inn, Vicarstown, Co Laois, Ireland

http://www.vicarstowninn.ie/accommodation.html

Self Catering near Portlaoise

(Most require a week booking but if shared between a few people it might work out quite cheap even if you don’t stay the whole week, give them a call and see)

HILLVIEW FARM (approx 17mins from Stradbally, 60mins from Ballykealey)

Beautifully converted stone building in traditional farm setting. Sleeps 2, 4 or 6 (1 twin stable, 1 twin + double stable)

Tel: +353 5786 46530 Fax: +353 5786 46530 hillview22@hotmail.com

Coolbanagher, Emo, Portlaoise, Co. Laois

http://www.hillviewselfcatering.com/

THE LOFT (approx 15mins from Stradbally, 60mins from Ballykealey)

Relax in a recently converted coach-house, with hayloft, in a scenic location on the outskirts of Emo Village. Sleeps 4

Tel +353 5786 46538 info@oldrectoryemo.com

Mobile +353 8515 95455

Coolbanagher, Emo, Portlaoise, Co. Laois

www.oldrectoryemo.com

APPLE COTTAGE (approx 15mins from Stradbally, 60mins from Ballykealey)

Apple Cottage is a recently restored Victorian Cottage, which originally as used as a Toll house on the old Dublin Portlaoise road. Sleeps 6

Tel +353 5786 24143 revol@elive.net

Emo, Portlaoise, Co. Laois

http://www.laoistourism.ie/searchdetail-3-63898.html

THE SPIRES (approx 10mins from Stradbally, 50mins from Ballykealey)

The Spires is a spacious five bedroomed (all en-suite) house set on 4 acres of an 18th century walled garden and orchard. Sleeps 8-10

Tel +353 5786 25833 kevin@thespires.com

Brockley Park House, Rathaniska, Stradbally, Portlaoise, Co Laois

www.thespires.com

DAWSON'S HOUSE (approx 15mins from Stradbally, 60mins from Ballykealey)

A newly renovated wing of The Old Rectory, furnished with period pieces of furniture, maintaining the character of the 18th century building. Sleeps 6

Tel +353 5786 46538 +353 8515 95455 info@oldrectoryemo.com

Coolbanagher, Emo, Portlaoise, Co. Laois

www.oldrectoryemo.com

THE COACH HOUSE (approx 15mins from Stradbally, 60mins from Ballykealey)

This tastefully converted coach-house has all modern amenities. Sleeps 4

Tel +353 5786 46538 +353 8515 95455 info@oldrectoryemo.com

Coolbanagher, Emo, Portlaoise, Co. Laois

www.oldrectoryemo.com

Self Catering near Stradbally

(Most require a week booking but if shared between a few people it might work out quite cheap even if you don’t stay the whole week, give them a call and see)

COOLANOWLE HOUSE (16mins from Stradbally, 40mins from Ballykealey)

2 double rooms, 2 double + 1 rooms

Self catering apartments

Coolanowle, Ballickmoyler, Co. Laois

Tel/Fax +353 5986 25176 coolanowle@eircom.net

http://www.coolanowle.com/

ABBEYVIEW COTTAGE (20mins from Stradbally, 70mins from Ballykealey)

(yes, that’s a real photo!) Luxury spacious 4 star thatched cottage. Sleeps 5

Jamestown, Ballybrittas, Co. Laois

Tel +353 8682 19430

http://www.abbeyview-selfcatering-ireland.com/index.asp

Hotels near Carlow

SEVEN OAKS HOTEL (40mins from Stradbally, 20mins from Ballykealey)

Athy Road, Carlow, Co. Carlow

Tel +353 5991 31308 info@sevenoakshotel.com

http://www.sevenoakshotel.com/

THE DOLMEN HOTEL (40mins from Stradbally, 20mins from Ballykealey)

Kilkenny Road, Carlow, Co. Carlow

Tel +353 5991 42002 reservations@dolmenhotel.ie

http://www.dolmenhotel.ie

OSTAN DINN RI (40mins from Stradbally, 20mins from Ballykealey)

Kennedy Avenue, Carlow, Co. Carlow

Tel +353 5991 33111 dinnri@eircom.net

http://www.dinnri.com

TALBOT HOTEL (40mins from Stradbally, 20mins from Ballykealey)

Portlaoise Road, Carlow, Co. Carlow

Tel +353 5991 53000 sales@talbothotelcarlow.ie

http://www.talbothotelcarlow.ie

McHUGH’S COURT HOUSE HOTEL (40mins from Stradbally, 20mins from Ballykealey)

Dublin Street, Carlow, Co. Carlow

Tel +353 5991 33243

Hotels near Athy

CLANARD COURT HOTEL (20mins from Stradbally, 40mins from Ballykealey)

Dublin Road, Athy, Co. Kildare

Tel +353 5986 40666 Fax +353 5986 40888 info@clanardcourt.ie

http://www.clanardcourt.ie/

CARLTON ABBEY HOTEL (20mins from Stradbally, 40mins from Ballykealey)

Athy, Co. Kildare

Tel +353 5986 30100 info@carltonabbeyhotel.com

http://www.carltonabbeyhotel.com/

Hotels near Portlaoise

THE HERITAGE HOTEL (12mins from Stradbally, 50mins from Ballykealey)

Town Centre, Portlaoise, Co Laois

Tel +353 5786 78588

http://www.theheritagehotel.com/

http://www.hotelclub.net/hotel.reservations/Heritage_Hotel_Portlaoise.htm

COMFORT INN PORTLAOISE (approx 12mins from Stradbally, 50mins from Ballykealey)

Togher Roundabout, Midway, Portlaoise, Co Laois

Tel +353 5786 95740

http://www.comfortinnhotelportlaoise.com/accommodation.htm

THE KILLESHIN HOTEL (approx 12mins from Stradbally, 50mins from Ballykealey)

Dublin Road, Portlaoise, Co Laois

Tel +353 5786 31200 info@thekilleshin.com

http://www.thekilleshin.com/

B&Bs near Ballykealey

BALLYKEALEY FARM B&B (50mins from Stradbally, 5mins walk from Ballykealey)

2 Doubles En-suite and 2 Double Rooms with Extra Single En-suite

Ballykealey, Ballon, Co Carlow

Tel +353 5991 59130 ballykealeyfarm@eircom.net

http://paulandolivia.com/wheretostay.html

PHEASANTS RISE B&B (50mins from Stradbally, 5mins walk from Ballykealey)

3 Double Rooms, 1 Twin, 1 Single All En-suite

Ballykealey, Co Carlow

Tel +353 5991 59267 helencastle@eircom.net

http://paulandolivia.com/wheretostay.html

FARM LODGE B&B (50mins from Stradbally, 5mins walk from Ballykealey)

Ballykealey, Ballon, Co Carlow

Tel +353 5991 59748

HUNTSMAN’S REST B&B (50mins from Stradbally, 5mins from Ballykealey)

1 Double En-suite, 4 Double + Single En-suite, 1 Double Room & 1 Triple Room Huntsman’s Cross, Co. Carlow

Tel +353 5991 48753

http://paulandolivia.com/wheretostay.html

DORMER HEIGHTS B&B (50mins from Stradbally, 5mins from Ballykealey)

4 Doubles, 1Twin, 1 Single Room, All En-suite

Sherwood, Kildavin, Co. Carlow

Tel +353 8723 17741

http://www.bunclody.net/dormerheights/Contact+rates.htm

LABURNUM LODGE B&B (50mins from Stradbally, 5mins from Ballykealey)

6 Double Rooms, All En-suite

Bunclody Road, Tullow, Co. Carlow

Tel +353 5991 51718 lablodge@indigo.ie

http://www.laburnum-lodge.com

SHERWOOD PARK HOUSE B&B (50mins from Stradbally, 5mins from Ballykealey)

5 Double Rooms, All En-suite

Ballon, Co. Carlow

Tel +353 5991 59117 info@sherwoodparkhouse.ie

http://paulandolivia.com/wheretostay.html

GERALDINE HOUSE B&B (50mins from Stradbally, 5mins from Ballykealey)

2 Twin Rooms, 2 Double Rooms, 1 Family Room. All En-suite

Ballon, Co. Carlow

Tel +353 5991 55642 gerhouse@iol.ie

http://paulandolivia.com/wheretostay.html

B&Bs near Carlow

SLIPPY STONES B&B (40mins from Stradbally, 10mins from Ballykealey)

3 family rooms, 1 double room

Rathcrogue, Wexford Road, Carlow, Co. Carlow

Tel +353 5991 40545

http://paulandolivia.com/wheretostay.html

THERESA TWOMEY B&B (50mins from Stradbally, 20mins from Ballykealey)

4 double rooms

Kernanstown, Tullow Road, Carlow, Co. Carlow

Tel +353 5987 30680

MRS NOLEEN DUNNE (45mins from Stradbally, 20mins from Ballykealey)

6 double rooms (extra single beds available), all en-suite

Green Lane, Carlow, Co. Carlow

Tel +353 5991 42670

CARLOW GUEST HOUSE (45mins from Stradbally, 20mins from Ballykealey)

Carlow Guest House Bed and Breakfast Accommodation in Carlow, Ireland, offers you luxurious accommodation close to the center of Carlow Town.

11 twin rooms, 3 double rooms, all en-suite

Green Lane, Carlow, Co. Carlow

Tel +353 5991 36033 info@carlowguesthouse.com

http://www.carlowguesthouse.com/

BALLYVERGAL HOUSE (45mins from Stradbally, 20mins from Ballykealey)

Ballyvergal Guest House is a small family owned guest house situated just outside Carlow on the Dublin Road (N9), adjacent to Carlow's 18 hole championship golf course.

3 double rooms, 3 single rooms, all en-suite

Dublin Road, Carlow, Co. Carlow

Tel +353 5991 43634

http://www.goireland.com/scripts/low/Premises.asp?PremisesID=1391

BLUEBELL LODGE (45mins from Stradbally, 20mins from Ballykealey)

2 double rooms, 1 twin room, all en-suite

Old Dublin Road, Carlow, Co. Carlow

Tel +353 5991 3402

B&Bs near Athy

AURORA HOUSE B&B (20mins from Stradbally, 40mins from Ballykealey)

Kildare Road, Athy, Co. Kildare

Tel +353 5986 33103

http://www.bedandbreakfast-directory.co.uk/info.asp?id=26016

ARDREIGH LOCKHOUSE (20mins from Stradbally, 40mins from Ballykealey)

Self Catering with En-suite rooms

Mill Lane, Ardreigh, Athy, Co.Kildare

Tel +353 5986 40070 info@lockhousebnb.com

http://www.lockhousebnb.com/index.html

COURSETOWN COUNTRY HOUSE (15mins from Stradbally, 40mins from Ballykealey)

Stradbally Road, Athy, Co.Kildare

Tel +353 5986 31101

http://www.coursetown.com/

B&Bs near Portlaoise

OAKVILLE B&B (12mins from Stradbally, 60mins from Ballykealey)

Modern Detached Residence 500 yards from town centre

30-40 Euros pp, 35-45 Euros single occupancy

Mountrath Road, Portlaoise, Co. Laois

Tel/Fax +353 5786 61970

http://www.bedandbreakfastireland.net/laois_oakville.htm

IVYLEIGH HOUSE B&B (12mins from Stradbally, 60mins from Ballykealey)

Historic Georgian family home in Portlaoise Town Centre

Bank Place, Portlaoise, Co. Laois

Tel +353 5786 22081 info@ivyleigh.com

http://www.ivyleigh.com/

LAOIS COUNTY LODGE B&B (12mins from Stradbally, 60mins from Ballykealey)

Laois County Lodge is an elegant town house, set back from road with parking in forecourt.

Dublin Road, Portlaoise, Co Laois

Tel +353 5786 20472 colodge@hotmail.com

http://www.laoistourism.ie/searchdetail-3-63913.html

TULLAMOY HOUSE B&B (15mins from Stradbally, 45 mins from Ballykealey)

Tullamoy is a beautiful and historical stone built house set in peaceful surroundings in a very scenic area.

Tullamoy, Stradbally, Co. Laois

Tel +353 5986 27111 tullamoy@indigo.ie

Mobile +353 8637 87987

http://www.laoistourism.ie/searchdetail-3-63959.html

B&Bs near Stradbally

TALL TREES B&B (3mins from Stradbally, 45mins from Ballykealey)

Friendly, family run home, private parking, in quiet surroundings

2 double rooms, 1 double + 1 room, 1 twin room

35 Euros pp, 45 Euros single occupancy

Cork Road, Stradbally, Co. Laois

Tel/Fax +353 5786 25412 epcon@02.ie

http://www.bedandbreakfastireland.net/laois_talltrees.htm

COOLANOWLE HOUSE (16mins from Stradbally, 40mins from Ballykealey)

A haven of peace and tranquillity situated in the heart of the Countryside on a working organic farm

2 double rooms, 2 double + 1 rooms

Self catering apartments

Coolanowle, Ballickmoyler, Co. Laois

Tel/Fax +353 5986 25176 coolanowle@eircom.net

http://www.coolanowle.com/

Place name pronunciation

Laois “Leesh”

Portlaois “Portleesh”

Athy “Att-eye”

Timahoe “Tim-a-ho”

Carlow “Carlo”

Emo “Eemo” as in Finding Nemo

Maps

Places with yellow dots are the key places of note...

Online maps can be found here...

Regional:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=Carlow,+Ireland&ie=UTF8&ll=53.028,-6.60553&spn=0.731765,2.570801&z=9&om=1

Dublin:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=dublin,+ireland&ie=UTF8&ll=53.322671,-6.273193&spn=0.090846,0.32135&z=12&om=1

Stradbally:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=Stradbally,+Laois,+Ireland&ie=UTF8&ll=52.963529,-7.112274&spn=0.183216,0.6427&z=11&om=1

Portlaoise:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=Port+Laoise,+Laois,+Ireland&ie=UTF8&ll=53.030891,-7.291145&spn=0.045733,0.160675&z=13&om=1

Carlow and Ballon (Ballykealey):

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=Carlow,+Ireland&ie=UTF8&ll=52.808158,-6.835556&spn=0.183874,0.6427&z=11&om=1

Ballykealey Manor Accommodatiom

The hotel itself has 12 en-suite rooms (all doubles except one room) and just next to it are 15 self-contained lodges which each sleep 5 people (in two en-suite rooms)

The hotel rooms are 150 Euros per room (75 per person or 65 per person for 3 sharing where available), 90 Euros for single occupancy and 20 Euros for an extra child bed

The lodges 300 Euros per lodge (60 Euros per person for 5 sharing in two en-suite rooms) and have a kitchen, dining area and lounge

All rates include a full Irish breakfast

Travel cots are available on request. Check in is 4pm, check out by noon. No pets but we can arrange a kennel if required

Tel: +353 5991 59288 Fax: +353 5991 59297

ballykealeymanor@eircom.net http://www.ballykealeymanorhotel.com/

Currency convertor: http://www.xe.com (150 Euros = 113 GBP)

Ballykealey will book up quickly so if you’re keen to stay at Ballykealey you must book through us as soon as possible

There is another wedding at Ballykealey on the Thursday and also on the Saturday so if you do wish to stay there before or after the wedding, only the lodges will be available and you’ll need to book them before the other weddings do so. Also be aware that there will be a wedding going on each night

We're happy to help guests club together to book lodges

General wedding info (travel/accommodation info)

In order to help those of you who will be travelling to book your travel and accommodation in good time we’re sending this information out ahead of our invitations.

We strongly suggest making your bookings as soon as possible! This page and the next contain some important facts you’ll need to know so please read them carefully:

Location, location…

• Our wedding day is Friday 1^st August 2008 (we picked Friday so those who are traveling won’t have to travel back immediately the next day if they don’t want to)
• The wedding ceremony will be at 1pm in Angela’s home town (village) of Stradbally, Co. Laois (approx 1hr from Dublin by car)
• The wedding reception is at Ballykealey Manor, just outside the village of Ballon in Co. Carlow
• Ballykealey Manor is a further 50 minutes drive, south of Stradbally on the N80, approximately 10 minutes beyond Carlow city (which is by-passed by the N80)
• If traveling, you’ll need to arrive on Thursday 31^st July at the latest

Accommodation…

• Accommodation is available at Ballykealey Manor for the wedding night (12 hotel rooms and 15 self-contained lodges beside the hotel, each sleeping 5)
• Ballykealey will book up quickly so if you’re keen to stay at Ballykealey you must book through us as soon as possible
• There is another wedding at Ballykealey on the Thursday and also on the Saturday so if you do wish to stay there before or after the wedding, only the lodges will be available and you’ll need to book them before the other weddings do so. Also be aware that there will be a wedding going on each night
• We're happy to help guests club together to book lodges
• The rest of the accommodation listed here (B&B’s, Hotels, Self-Catering) is a short drive to Stradbally (ceremony) and Ballykealey (reception) and driving times to each have been provided
• Ballykealey can arrange babysitters
• Ballykealey do not allow pets, but we can recommend a kennel etc. if required

Short stopover or longer stay?...

• If you’re only planning on a quick visit, we suggest staying either at Ballykealey Manor or in any of the accommodation close to Ballykealey or Carlow
• If you plan to be around before or after the wedding then stay closer to Stradbally, where we’ll be based either side of the wedding
• If you don’t wish to stay at Ballykealey either side of the wedding then perhaps staying fairly close by is a better option
• If you plan to have a holiday before or after the wedding, note that weekly holiday rentals are Saturday to Saturday. We recommend Killarney as a good base for seeing the beautiful south west of Ireland

Either side of the wedding day…

• We’ll be around for a few days either side of the wedding (1 week in total)
• The Stradbally Steam Rally (http://www.irishsteam.ie/Steam_Rally/Rally_intro.htm) is on the Sunday and Monday (Irish Bank Holiday) after the wedding (now the second-biggest event in town, recently superceded by the Electric Picnic music festival), the Steam Rally is a great day out for families

Travel (by air)…

• If flying to Ireland, we suggest hiring cars at Dublin airport (those who know each other can club together to share cars, otherwise we can suggest other guests who might want to share car hire). Enterprise car rental are one of the cheapest.

• Easyjet, Ryanair, Aer Lingus, BMI, and Flybe offer direct cheap flights to Dublin from many UK airports but many services are only on certain days of the week
• Flights can be bought in advance from as little as 50p plus taxes so booking very early is advised to get these prices
• Some international flights call into Dublin either before or after their UK stop http://www.dublinairport.com/flight-information/destinations-and-airlines/

Travel (by sea)…

• Ferries Mid-week travel by ferry is cheaper than weekend days. Taking your car by ferry is still slightly cheaper than flights + car hire (unless you can share the car hire with other guests)

• Ferries to Dublin leave from Holyhead and Liverpool (Irish ferries offer the best departure times from Holyhead) http://www.directferries.co.uk/ferry_to_dublin.htm

• Ferries to Rosslare leave from Pembroke (Stena Lines) or Fishguard (Irish ferries). Fishguard offers the best departure times http://www.directferries.co.uk/rosslare_ferry.htm

• Ferries to Dun Laoghaire leave from Holyhead (Irish ferries) this route has good departure times and is cheaper and quicker than both of the above routes http://www.directferries.co.uk/dun_laoghaire_ferry.htm

• All of the above Irish ferry ports are equidistant to Stradbally, although the road from Dublin is the fastest. Dun Laoghaire allows you to miss out the Dublin traffic but still use the faster roads

Welcome to our Wedding blog!

Hi guys,

Welcome to our wedding blog. We'll be adding more posts in the future with all of the wedding information. The basics are in our "save the date" card below, which we emailed/posted back in August to those needing to travel to the wedding:

We'll be posting further accommodation and travel details soon.

J&A xx