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 Ballykissangel
 Avoca (Page 1)
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| Author | Topic: Avoca |
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Traveler unregistered |
posted 17-09-2004 22:21
 
I'll be traveling to Avoca from the U.S. this December. Can anyone give me any information on the town of Avoca? Will diehard Bally K fans be disappointed by the town? Can you stay at Fitzgerald's as a B&B? Are the interiors (church, Fitzgerald's, etc.) at all similar to what's on Bally K? Thanks for any insight you can give. IP: Logged |
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Robyn unregistered |
posted 18-09-2004 11:21
I went to Avoca on a day trip from Dublin. It really is quite a picturesque village and will be very familiar to a Ballyk fan. However, there are some differences....the interior of Fitzgerald's is completely different (the one Assumpta was in charge of was a set).....the town has Avoca Handweavers (very pricey but nice shop) and a smattering of touristy shops geared toward ballyk fans. I did not go into the church, but I did go into Kathleen's shop which looks the same inside and out. The garda station is in the spot it is on the show, but there are restaurants that won't be recognisable. The area is really quite lovely...be sure to go to the meeting of the waters....really nice. I was there in March, so the trees were still bare but it was still very nice. Very peaceful in the off season for the most part. I don't know if you can stay at Fitzgeralds....I doubt it. But there's loads of B&Bs around that area I'm sure. Hope this helps. IP: Logged |
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barb unregistered |
posted 18-09-2004 19:08
Traveler...no chance, I guess, you're looking for a stow-away! It was nice to read the message from the Avoca visitor too, but now I'm down in the dumps...jealous might be a better description. IP: Logged |
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Traveler unregistered |
posted 22-09-2004 04:26
Thanks for the help. I'll let you all know more when I come back from my vacation in Avoca. IP: Logged |
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Traveler unregistered |
posted 20-10-2004 18:03
I just booked my B&B in Avoca. Four days and three nights in "Bally K" before moving on to other parts of Ireland! I've got to admit--I think I'll be a little disappointed when Oonagh and Paul aren't there to greet me when I step inside Fitzgerald's for my first creamy pint of Guinness, but I won't let that get me down. I'll just finish my pint and head across the street to Kathleen's store and chat with her awhile. Slainte ! IP: Logged |
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Cathy Member |
posted 20-10-2004 20:25
Have a wonderful and safe trip, and allow me to join PghJo in saying, "I'M JEALOUS!" IP: Logged |
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Traveler unregistered |
posted 12-11-2004 08:48
I just saw Mrs. Bernie Ivers on the DVD of the first two seasons of "Bally K". She is the operator of the local bed and breakfast ( Cherrybrook House ) in Avoca. I will be meeting her in a few weeks. I can only hope that she puts me in the same room where "Orla" ( Victoria Smurfit ) stayed. There can be no doubt that "Orla" was every man's dream addition to the cast of "Ballykissangel". Victoria Smurfit's beauty and grace dwarfed that of the overrated Dervla Kirwin, and it was truly tragic that her ( Ms. Smurfit ) talent wasn't allowed to play off the brilliant performances of Robert Taylor ( Fr. Vincent Sheahan ) in Series Six. The two of them together would have ensured "Ballykissangel" another two or three seasons easily. IP: Logged |
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Traveler unregistered |
posted 15-12-2004 12:46
I recently got back from my holiday in Ireland and Avoca was more than I ever could have imagined. All the magic that is "Ballykissangel" came alive when I walked down Avoca's main street and had a creamy pint of Guinness in Fitzgerald's. It was an experience that I will treasure forever. IP: Logged |
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JulieB Member |
posted 15-12-2004 14:02
It was actually our son who insisted that we visit Avoca as long as we were in Dublin. He was twelve at the time, and he still treasures the picture I took of him hoisting a soft drink in salute inside of Fitzgerald's. He's fifteen, and he still has that picture on his web page! IP: Logged |
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Traveler unregistered |
posted 15-12-2004 21:25
I did hear a few of the locals give their explanation for the sudden cancellation of " Ballykissangel". It seems that mad cow disease was the culprit -- no kidding. The people I talked to in Avoca said that the restrictions placed on filming, because of mad cow disease, brought a premature end to our beloved program. Any one else hear of that theory? IP: Logged |
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JulieB Member |
posted 15-12-2004 22:51
Actually, it seems to have been a BBC decision. Here are some links on this site: http://www.world-productions.com/wp/content/shows/ballyk/info/press.csp IP: Logged |
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Rosco Member |
posted 16-12-2004 01:31
Traveler, What a great, early Christmas present to yourself. Sounds like you had a great time. I don't care what the reason is for canceling the show, I'm sorry it is no longer in production. Such a great show deserved a better conclusion. I hope one day soon they will have a reunion show and catch us up on our favorite characters. Until then, I'll just use my imagination. Sheila IP: Logged |
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Laura Member |
posted 16-12-2004 08:12
I'm a bit puzzled about how mad cow disease could be a factor. Foot and mouth I could understand, because people can physically carry the infection with them from place to place, which isn't the case with BSE. IP: Logged |
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Morris Member |
posted 16-12-2004 16:36
Traveler, I'm very envious. I would love to make a pilgrimage to Avoca. My fantasy is to stand on that bridge and look at the view. Sounds like you had a good trip. IP: Logged |
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Traveler unregistered |
posted 17-12-2004 14:08
Morris, someone with your intimate knowledge of everything "Bally K" would have the time of your life in that incredible village. It was all that I had hoped for and more. I can't tell you how many times that I simply walked from Brendan's school straight past the church, down through the town, taking a right turn at Hendley's and crossed the bridge over to the other side of that beautiful river. I made that walk back and forth, always thinking how lucky I was to be in "Bally K" and how lucky that we all were to have had this quality TV program to enjoy. The off-season fares are very affordable and the memories make it all the more worth it. I wouldn't be able to wait to hear your thoughts and emotions after your inevitable trip to Avoca. Find the time to make the trip. You, more than anyone, would take home a lifetime of memories. -- Merry Christmas, Morris. IP: Logged |
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Morris Member |
posted 18-12-2004 17:18
Yeah, like I said I'm very envious. Right bck at ya on the holiday wishes. IP: Logged |
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Traveler unregistered |
posted 24-12-2004 15:35
One last thing about Avoca -- The area was even more beautiful because of the Christmas decorations that were everywhere. I don't recall an episode of Bally K that had Christmas as its backdrop, probably because filming in winter would have been extremely unpleasent for the cast. However, I would encourage anyone who is interested to head to Avoca around Christmastime -- it's extra magical. Merry Christmas, folks. -- Traveler IP: Logged |
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Traveler unregistered |
posted 11-01-2005 00:56
I've already started making plans for my next trip to Avoca. With airfares as low as they are, you can't afford not to book the vacation. There are a few areas that need a more thourough going-over for my second trip to "Ballykissangel". -- Traveler IP: Logged |
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Morris Member |
posted 11-01-2005 00:58
I am truly jealous! IP: Logged |
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JulieB Member |
posted 11-01-2005 01:35
Oh, I'd love to go back, but I'm going to have to get busy and make some more money first! Freelance business is starting to pick up, though! IP: Logged |
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Traveler unregistered |
posted 11-01-2005 02:20
Morris, don't tell me that you are jealous of a poor, old "troll" like me? --Traveler P.S. Name-calling is such a grown-up way to have discourse with someone with whom we disasgree, don't you think? IP: Logged |
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Morris Member |
posted 11-01-2005 02:38
I AM jealous of you. I would love to stand on that bridge and just watch the water go by underneath. I know that the real Fitzgerald's is not like our Fitzgerald's, but I would like to see it nonetheless. IP: Logged |
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techiechick Member |
posted 11-01-2005 12:46
I would just like to point out that "troll" is a technical term, not a personal remark directed towards anyone. All it means is someone who intentionally disrupts an Internet community of some kind- e-mail list, discussion board etc. IP: Logged |
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Traveler unregistered |
posted 13-01-2005 19:58
A "technical" term, huh? So it carries with it no connotation as to whether it is a good thing or a bad thing? You may want to clarify that with some of the other forum members -- many of them seem to have quite an affinity for this catchy little term. I, personally, see it as a pejorative and a very childish way to try to marginalize points of view with which one doesn't agree. -- Traveler IP: Logged |
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Laura Member |
posted 13-01-2005 21:21
I have a photo of Brian sitting on one of the blue benches outside Fitzgerald's. We paid two visits to the town during our short stay in Ireland, and it was great. We'll definitely have to go back one day, there's really no excuse as we're only a hour's flight away, and flights to Dublin can be ridiculously cheap - a work colleague travelled for £5 out and £35 back (plus tax of course, but even so!) IP: Logged |
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barb65balto Member |
posted 27-01-2005 00:30
Very sorry I have been misspelling your name Traveler. However, please give us a bit of hush; pound sand; shut-up; stick-it-in-your -ear or whatever! On a scale of 1-10 you have an 25 on being a a pain in the ____ but I'm sure you won't notice this since you do not tune into topics you are not interested in. Touche. IP: Logged |
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Traveler unregistered |
posted 27-01-2005 12:10
Barb, you really shouldn't post after you've had your wine... IP: Logged |
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Quigley Member |
posted 28-01-2005 03:31
Avoca was a great place to visit (Summer '04). I only hope I get a chance to return and spend more than just an afternoon there. IP: Logged |
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Traveler unregistered |
posted 28-01-2005 14:40
It's really worth several days visit, Quigley. I was just there this past December and I'm headed back very soon. Getting to know some of the locals was the best part. Their stories of life in the town during filming were priceless. We closed Fitzgerald's every night we were there. There was something magical about standing outside Fitzgerald's, enjoying a smoke, a creamy pint of Guinness in my hand, watching the locals go about their business. I felt like the show had come alive in front of me. The air fare is cheap and the lodgings are reasonably priced. It's a trip not to be missed for anyone ( even a troll like me ) who loves Bally K. -- Traveler IP: Logged |
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aesop unregistered |
posted 28-01-2005 21:01
Hi Traveler, Are there good B&B's in Avoca or the surrounding area? How far is Avoca from Dublin (driving distance)? Is the food as good as the Guinness and the Bushmills in Avoca? aesop
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Traveler unregistered |
posted 30-01-2005 11:20
There are plenty of good B&B's in the Avoca area, Aesop. Getting out of Dublin was a hassle, and the ride down to Avoca took about 1 1/2 hours. There are also many nice things to see in the Avoca region. My advice is to break out the road map while sitting at the bar in Fitzgerald's. There is nothing so sweet as an Ireland roadmap stained with rings from one's Guinness pint glass. -- Traveler IP: Logged |
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Traveler unregistered |
posted 01-02-2005 19:26
Act quickly -- you can now fly from London to Dublin for just 3 Euro! Take a look at the Aer Lingus website. Bally K -- here I come! -- Traveler IP: Logged |
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aesop unregistered |
posted 01-02-2005 19:58
That's OK if you live in London but wouldn't anyone from North America be flying non-stop direct into Dublin or Shannon Airport? aesop
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Karenat unregistered |
posted 01-02-2005 20:14
Traveler, any chance of you posting your BallyK pics on line somewhere? Perhaps you can set up some webpages on angelfire? [It's free...and doesn't have those annoying popups....] IT would be interesting to see the town with Christmas decorations. And Laura, regards the 5 pounds out and 35 pounds back....HOW is it it's cheaper going there than getting back?! As far as I remember you're in England and that 40 pound round trip seems just about uneconomical to me to run! [But given it's only 40 pounds, what on EARTH is keeping you? Get a move on, girlfriend.] IP: Logged |
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Traveler unregistered |
posted 01-02-2005 21:20
I've got London in my plans as well, Aesop. -- Traveler IP: Logged |
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JulieB Member |
posted 01-02-2005 22:48
Why wouldn't someone from America want to go direct to Shannon or Dublin? That's okay if you don't plan to go to London or if you want to go to Ireland first and then London. We did some geneaology research in London on our last trip, so it made sense to spend a few days there and then go off to Ireland instead of hanging around London waiting several days for our records. There's no "right" itenerary; it just depends on what you want to do and how flexible you want to be on travel. The more flexible you can be, the more money you can save, BTW. IP: Logged |
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aesop unregistered |
posted 02-02-2005 00:13
Actually Traveler my preference would be Glasgow and then Dublin. I've always wanted to do a whisky tour. :-) aesop
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Traveler unregistered |
posted 02-02-2005 00:19
Tomorrow is promised to no one, Aesop. I'd book that trip today if I were you. --Traveler IP: Logged |
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aesop unregistered |
posted 02-02-2005 01:25
Good point Traveler but my 2 dogs must come before my desire to travel. They're both old and will soon be gone. aesop
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Traveler unregistered |
posted 02-02-2005 12:25
Fair enough... Hey you'd better get registered. The forum police are coming after you! -- Traveler IP: Logged |
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