Map of Carrick - click to enlarge

Our wedding reception hotel from across the river Shannon

Latest accomodation list

Hi,

Here is the latest accomodation list, click on the image to view it larger. Also for those who are flying, Stanstead-Knock flights have gone down again so it's worth checking prices regularly at the moment

E&J x

Flights and accomodation update!

Hope you have all had a lovely Christmas and are still finishing off the chocolates and relaxing. Warm wishes to you for a happy, healthy and fun filled 2007!

Just a quick update for those flying from the London area to the wedding. As some of you know there are no longer flights from Gatwick to Knock which was a bit disappointing. The alternatives are to fly from Stanstead or Luton with Ryan Air into Knock.

Flights go daily Luton-Knock at 9.40am arriving 11.05am, or Stanstead-Knock at 2.55pm arriving 4.20pm. Those flying from Luton would be able to fly out the morning of the wedding if they wish to but the Stanstead people would need to fly out the day before (or arrive for the speeches!)

You can fly from any airport to Dublin and make your way from there, also flights go from Birmingham and Manchester to Knock.

With your invites you will be asked if you would like return transport from the airport and there will also be transport arranged from Carrick to the church. This means that hiring a car for the weekend won't be necessary, unless of course you would like to.

Accomodation is getting a little booked in the B&Bs nearest the hotel so you may want to book if you haven't already. Some are currently closed for Christmas so perhaps a job for the new year. We also have rooms held for the Saturday night at the hotel and some for the Friday as well (there is another wedding on the Friday night hence it was getting a bit busy).

Hope this helps HAPPY NEW YEAR !!

Elaine & Jamie

So what has been happening?

Hello all,

Well I thought I would let you know how we are getting on with all the plans.
For those who need to be there, the wedding rehersal is booked for 7pm on Friday 27th April (the night before). It should take about an hour and then afterwards we would love everyone to join us for some last night drinks which will most likely be in the pub next door The Mayfly. I am sure we will be all excited and nervous and in need of a calmer or two!
I have got the dress it's lovely, purple with green spots - darn I wasn't supposed to tell you that, oh well.
The plans are all coming along with most things booked but still a few bits to go.
We have booked a band called Restless who played at my cousin Louise's wedding and had people on the floor all night, so bring some dancing shoes and the evening goes on until 2.30am.
I believe you can start booking flights from October and if anyone wants to book a house to stay in I have some details so let me know and I can pass them on.
Time is flying and it suddenly seems to be getting very near. We have started looking at rings and Jamie has booked the honeymoon which is still a secret from me so I am very curious but trying not to ask too many questions.
We hope you are all well and send you all our love.

Elaine and Jamie

Where & When

Welcome to our site. We hope it becomes a useful source of information for you.

We are getting married in Sligo, in the north west of Ireland.

The marriage ceremony will be in Ballinafad Church, County Sligo at 1pm on 28th April 2007.

From there a 15-20 minute drive on the N4 will bring you to the reception at The Landmark Hotel, Carrick on Shannon, County Leitrim.

Apart from staying in the hotel there are plenty of guesthouses and houses to rent in the area. Please email us for a list of these (elaineacarty@yahoo.co.uk) or see below.

If you are not driving over or hiring a car, we will be arranging return transport from Knock airport to Carrick-on-Shannon and also on the day of the wedding from Carrick-on-Shannon to the church and back again. We will check with you nearer the time if you would like to use this.

You can fly into Dublin airport and there is a regular train and bus service from Dublin to Carrick-on-Shannon and Sligo.

If you need any more help or information and it isn't on this site please let us know.

Love,

Jamie and Elaine

What to do in while you are in the west of Ireland

For those who have looked at a map, you may have noticed that Ballinafad is actually very near to the Roscommon and Leitrim borders, and about a 20 minute drive to the cities of Sligo and Carrick-on-Shannon

The main road to remember is the N4, which will take you from Dublin, through Carrick on Shannon (where the reception is), past Boyle which is the next town, and on to Ballinafad which is the village where the marriage ceremony will take place.

There are lots of different things to do in the area and I have put some links to give you an idea on the left of the site under 'Useful Links' - well I hope they are!

Starting with Sligo, the city itself has a river running through it making it very pretty. It has lots of shops, pubs, clubs and places to eat so is definitely worth a visit. You also drive past one of lads from Westlife's house; what more do you want?!

West of Sligo are 2 lovely beaches called Strandhill and Rosses Point which are lovely on a sunny day and have some nice walks.

At Strandhill you can go for a seaweed bath and/or massage.
I have had one and they are very relaxing and apparently good for you too!

Surfing is another possibility, or there is a links golf course at Strandhill, which can get a bit windy but has great views and you can hire clubs etc to save you bringing them over.

Various horse riding stables also offer guided rides in the surrounding area.

To the east of Sligo city, if you are a history/poetry fan you can visit Yeats grave and memorial, see http://www.countysligo.com/sligo_heritage_yeats.htm . This site also lists other historical things to do if that's your flavour. You will see Queen Maeve's grave mentioned, which is on top of Benbulben mountain. I've walked up to Queens Maeve's grave and it's not a hard walk and the views are well worth it.

There are plenty of lakes in Sligo all of which are nice to drive around and have good pubs to stop for a drink or some food at.

I can recommend the Moorings pub, Kilfaughna, Knockvicar - it's a ten minute drive round the lake from Ballinafad. Also The Bo and Arrow at Heapstown and the Rockview Hotel pub have been recommended although I haven't been to them.

Lough Arrow can be seen in the picture.

With all these lakes, as you can imagine fishing is also an option.

Going south, the nearest town to the church we are getting married in is Boyle, which is in County Roscommon.

This is a small but busy town and we have stayed at a nice B&B there called 'Cesh Corran' which is very central and right opposite Boyle Abbey.

Just outside Boyle is Lough Key Forest Park, which as the name would suggest centers around Lough Key itself and again is nice for walks and boat rides.

A short drive from Boyle is Carrick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim. This is where the reception is.

It's an expanding and sociable town with lots of B&Bs and guesthouse, some nice shops and plenty of lively pubs and a popular nightclub.

As the name would suggest it's on the river Shannon and you can hire boats for a trip down the river, or go on the cruise boat.

Again, there is a golf course which I believe offers club hire.

I'll probably add more as I think of it and maybe some others will too (you can comment this site so please do add suggestions)

I hope this is a help to those of you planning to take some extra time as a holiday, which I highly recommend you do as it's a lovely part of the country.

One of the main things to do though, is step down a gear or two, relax, eat and drink plenty and just enjoy the surroundings and craic.

Elaine xx

Orientation! a map of Sligo

You can see Ballinafad in the bottom right of Sligo.

Follow the N4 road south and you will come to Boyle, continue down to Carrick on Shannon..