How to get to Dundalk

Image via Wikipedia

HOW TO GET THERE

Dundalk town is situated approximately 50 miles north of Dublin in the Irish Republic and just 5 miles from the border with Northern Ireland. Fortunately, its approximately 50 miles from Belfast city in the North so there are a good few travel options. The Ballymascanlon Hotel where the wedding reception will take place is approximately 4 miles north/east of Dundalk town centre.

AEROPLANE

AIRPORT	DRIVING TIME BY CAR TO DUNDALK
Glasgow Prestwick to Dublin Ryanair	50 mins from Airport
Glasgow Int. to Dublin Aer Lingus	50 mins from Airport
Glasgow Prestwick to Belfast City Ryanair	60 mins from Airport
Glasgow Int. to Belfast City Flybe	60 mins from Airport
Glasgow Int. to Belfast City Int. (Aldergrove) Easyjet	70 mins from Airport

There are buses direct from Dublin Airport and trains from Dublin city centre both to Dundalk town. Although there are no direct buses from any of the Belfast airports there are both buses and trains from Belfast city centre to the centre of Dundalk.

If you intend to visit for just a few days then flying and hiring a car may be the most convenient and less expensive way of travelling. For example, four people travelling together could work out as little as £80.00 per person including car hire. It would be advisable to ensure the car hire deal includes all extras like collision waiver cost for taking the car over the border, extra drivers etc as we are all aware that a great sounding deal online can often turn into unexpected costs with items like these when you arrive at the Hire desk.

FERRY

ROUTE	DRIVING TIME FROM GLASGOW CITY CENTRE TO FERRY PORT	DRIVING TIME FROM FERRY PORT TO DUNDALK
Troon to Larne	40 mins	100 mins
Cairnryan to Larne	90 mins	100 mins
Stranraer to Belfast	100 mins	65 mins

All times are approximate and do not include for traffic, holidays etc.

Trains and buses are available from Glasgow to all Scottish ferry ports as well as trains from both Larne and Belfast city centre to Dundalk town. The train from Larne is not direct and changes at Belfast.

The cost of taking a car with four adults is approximately £315.00 for this time of year which works out at £79.00 per head. The costs of petrol and the time duration (approx 6 hours from Glasgow to Dundalk) should also be considered. However, the advantages are that there are no restrictions on luggage and security is not so time-consuming. Another useful tip is that although there is no need for passports when travelling by ferry, personal identification may be needed when arriving in Ireland.

Related articles by Zemanta

• "Aer Lingus has been planning to open a UK base for some time.."
• Aer Lingus cool on Ryanair offer
• Ryanair makes fresh Aer Lingus offer
• Shoppers Break For The Border

Ballymascanlon

Our Reception will be held in the Ballymascanlon House Hotel. This grand hotel is situated in the heart of Bellurgan, only 5 minutes from our family home in the Marsh Road.

McKay Family Home, Marsh Road Bellurgan

The Ballymascanlon is set in 130 acres of beautiful parkland, this impressive Victorian House forms the heart of this Hotel. Steeped in history, Ballymascanlonestate dates from 833 ad. when it was the seat of the Scanlons of Oriel, Co. Louth. This 'Special Place' built some 150 years, has been transformed to the modern standards of today.Family run with a pride and dedication, there is a genuine interest in ensuring every guest is made to feel at home in an informal and luxurious setting giving them a taste of an era gone by.

All your leisure needs are catered for with an 18-hole parkland Golf Course and superb Health Club where you can truly relax and unwind.

One of the many treasures to be found on the grounds is the 4,0 00 year old Proleek Stone, which never fails to amaze vis itors. Scholars and scientist alike are still puzzled as to how the ancient inhabitants manage to raise a forty-six ton c apstone on such seemly fragile supports.

Proleek Stone

This wealth of history combined with the panoramic view provided by the Hotel's gardens and parklands, the surrounding national forests and mountain ranges ensures that there is something for everyone at Ballymascanlon.

Fine food & superb wine
Lunch and evening meals are served with unobtrusive courtesy in the quiet comfort of our elegant dining rooms. Our menus incorporate the finest in classic cuisine, while our wine lists are extensive.

Spacious comfort & attentive room service
Our corporate facilities include six versatile meeting rooms, suitable for a wide variety of purposes. We will be happy to cater for all your requirements. Attentive Room Service is on hand 24 hours a day to ensure maximum comfort in our spacious and elegant bedrooms. We also have extensive car parking facilities for you convenience.

Information and picture's taken from http://www.ballymascanlon.com, http://www.ireland-guide.com, http://www.countylouth.com and http://www.enjoyebr.com

St Patrick's Cathedral Dundalk Co.Louth

Our Marriage will take place in St Patrick Cathedral at 1 o'clock in Dundalk town.

St Patrick's Cathedral is in Dundalk Co.Louth which is situated near the border between the Republic and Northern Ireland. This breathtaking Church is where I will be getting married in July 2009. Feel free to leave a comment and tell me what you think.

St Patrick's Cathedral, Dundalk, Co.Louth.

Designed by Thomas Duff on the model of King's College Chapel, Cambridge. As at Armagh Cathedral, Duff died before completion and the interior was completed by J.J. McCarthy. The later tower of 1903 was modelled on another English church, this time Gloucester Cathedral by G.C. Ashlin.

It was proposed to build the tower further down, half-way along the nave so as to conserve the grand Cambridge-like main façade, but the work involved in altering the church to accommodate it proved unfeasible.

J.J. McCarthy completed the interior after the death of Duff - in 1860 when work resumed after the Irish Famine. McCarthy was commissioned to design the high alter and reredos. He also designed a memorial to a Reverend Coyne which was sculpted by Thomas Kirk. G.C. Ashlin was responsible for the later Italian mosaics in the chancel as well as the design of the pulpet and various embellishments to the interior.

Directly across the road from St Patrick's is a fantastic wee pub called The Century Bar. This bar has lots of character and I've been told serves up a great pint of Guinness. A couple doors down is McGeough's bar and restaurant which does great grub. So if you have some time to spare before the 1 o'clock service, why not pop into one of these bars.

Images and information taken from http://ireland.archiseek.com/buildings_ireland/louth/dundalk/index.html

http://www.ireland-guide.com/establishment/quaglinos_at_the_century.3867.html

Dundalk - Co.Louth - Ireland

Image via Wikipedia
McKay & Leckie Wedding will take place in Dundalk, Co.Louth, Ireland on Wednesday 22nd July 2009 at 1pm.