The concept of 'A Rural Experience' is to ensure that both visitors and locals alike, have an opportunity to see some of the lesser known but still significantly important sites in and around the county of Kilkenny.
A Rural Experience was formed in April 2006 and the proprietor Amy Mc Donald organises guided tours on a daily basis from Kilkenny City to the lesser known sites in Co. Kilkenny and it's neighbouring counties. Amy was employed by the Office of Public Works as a tour guide in Jerpoint Abbey, Co. Kilkenny and Reginald's Tower, Waterford. Amy resides in Tullaherin, Co. Kilkenny and she is currently studying history at St. Kieran's College, Kilkenny as part the outreach campus of NUI Maynooth.
She discovered that visitors to Kilkenny, from the domestic and foreign markets, were familiar with the larger sites but they had difficulty accessing the more rural areas. She designed 3 day tours in 2006 which proved a huge success and since then has added a further 9 tours. Visitors and locals alike are given the opportunity to sit back and relax in comfortable and spacious coaches while allowing someone else organise a full day to suit their needs. These trips include historical, cultural and religious places of interest with lunch and that much needed retail therapy.
Amy feels strongly that it is very important that the lesser known hidden treasures in Ireland should be discovered and that everybody is made feel welcome and enjoy themselves.
Amy also organises Days at the Races, Theatre Trips and day tours to Knock.
Details of Tours are available from www.aruralexperience.com
A Rural Experience in conjunction with J.J. Kavanagh & Sons
will commence 2 specialised day trips commencing in March 2009
Co. Kilkenny: This trip will commence on Thursday 19th March and like tour A it will run every Thursday throughout the 2009 season.
1.15pm Depart Kilkenny (outside Kilkenny Castle)
Visit Woodstock Gardens, Inistioge
Afternoon tea and scones in the gardens
Retail therapy at Nicholas Mosse Pottery, Bennettsbridge.
Return to Kilkenny at approx 5.30pm
Price:€25 all inclusive
.
1. Co. Tipperary: This trip will commence on March 17th and run every Tuesday throughout the 2009 season. Through feedback from visitors to Kilkenny and hotels, I discovered that the Rock of Cashel was extremely difficult to visit by public transport, so it is important to run frequent tours to this important site.
10am Depart Kilkenny (outside Kilkenny Castle)
Visit The Rock of Cashel
Morning Coffee and scones
Retail therapy at The Dovehill Retail Outlet, Co. Tipperary
Return to Kilkenny at approx 4.30pm
Price:€30 all inclusive