| Hi Kevin,
I wouldn't bother with the B&B vouchers. I've never had a
problem getting a place.
You can get the birthdates of your grandparents by going to
the federal records and archives in Waltham and getting the
immigration papers. I assume you know the approximate year
of arrival. Even if you don't, a small search will uncover that.
After you get the birthdates you can then send that info to Dublin
(or bring yourself) and get their birth certificates. Researching
the ancestors has a cascade effect, i.e. every document you uncover
usually gives some info that you didn't have before (occupation,
people they lived with who may also be relatives, unknown relatives,
sponsors, etc...) It's fun.
Donegal is a great county. A bit wet perhaps, but one of the nicest.
I've stayed in Bundoran, Donegal town, and around Ballybofey. Glen
Colmcille is also very nice. Having your surname, you will have to
pay a obligatory and sacred visit to the home of Daniel O'Donnell
(and have tea and scones with him and his mommy). ;v)
Ballyshannon is also nice for a visit. The whole place is loaded
with Germans/French/Swedish during the summer. There's also a guy
in Sligo (ask around) who will rent you horses that drive around
Sligo, through Leitrim and up to Donegal. Makes for a nice trip
and the horses know their way, unlike the tourists.
For golf you should ask Dermot "Birdie-king" O'Sullivan (SIOG::
OSULLIVAN_D). But in any case on the west coast there are many
fine courses, Lahinch, Ballybunion and a few others such as
Oughterrard, Tuam, etc... There's even a new one going up
south of Galway (designed by Christie?) that's supposed to be
very good. Bring your clubs if you can. Actually, buy new
clubs, bring them and play with them, and then sell 'em. Clubs
and balls are very "dear" in Ireland. And mind yer ball on the
course, the little rug-rats dart out and steal them and then sell
them back to you on the next tee!
For tourist sites I would take in Achill Island, Dun Aeongus - the
fort on Inis Mor on the Aran Islands (psst it's the oldest structure
in all of europe!!! that will get everyone going), Galway city,
O'Connors in Doolin, Benbulben in Sligo, Cliffs of Moher, Ballyvaughan
memorial. And do the Clifden drive, and stop off for smoked salmon in
Killary harbor.
Warning, Ireland is a heck of a lot safer than just about any place
in the US, but don't leave gifts visible in the car, put them in the boot!
Trust me on that.
George
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| RE: .2 by TINCUP::AGUE
>Once you find an entry you can ask the office to provide you with a
>copy of the certificate of interest. I'll check the records at home to
>see if I can find more about name and address of this place.
Joyce House in Lombard Street. I think the birth, death and marriage
records start in 1860.
You should definitely start working backwards from what you can find in
the States. As George said, the National Archives branch in Waltham
may have naturalization papers which give an alleged birthdate, though
they often did not know themselves for certain.
You should also plan on visiting the National Library to look at
microfilm of parish registers for baptisms and marriages. Some
dioceses are restricted though and you need to get a letter of
permission from the parish priest or the Bishop.
Where are you situated?
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| What is a "mid-sized" car? They go by groups 1, 2, 3, 4, ... or A, B, C, D, ...
(where 1 ~= A, 2 ~= B, ...). I rent a group 4 car, a Nissan Primera, from
Hamill's. You could comfortably (if not spaciously) seat three adults
plus luggage in that vehicle.
For driving around for two weeks, unless you're on a really tight budget,
I would not get anything smaller than group 4 / group D. 3 / C might be
okay, but remember that even a "luxury" car in Ireland is barely
mid-sized by USA standards.
Dublin to Donegal, direct, would take you through part of Northern
Ireland (not a problem - some nice country there too) - check with your
car rental company for any needed insurance certificates (kind of like
renting a car in the US and driving in to Canada).
Make sure to see the Connemara National Park in County Galway, for a nice
presentation on the geological and cultural history of the region.
Someone else suggested seeing Dun Angus (sorry, not a chance of me
spelling it correctly in Irish :} ) on the Aran Islands - it is
impressive, but the Aran Islands cost you an entire day, and if the
weather isn't quite good, then the day will not be very enjoyable.
Clifden is a nice town, and the Sky Road leading out along a long and
very narrow peninsula from Clifden is a very pretty drive.
Galway City is fun, of course.
Then continuing south you get in to Clare and the Burren, which is
geologically very interesting - shattered limestone mountains, and,
at the right times of year (mostly late April to mid May?) a
huge profusion of flowers and plants. Through the end of summer it
will still have a variety of flora not to be found elsewhere in
Northern Europe until you go 1000 miles south, thanks to the odd
weather patterns of the North Atlantic Ocean.
Enjoy! Ireland is wonderful!
-Jay
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