Couple share details of an experience on Kilkenny bus that they'll never forget

An American couple recently had an anniversary to remember as they availed of the new Lingaun Valley Loop bus service that was recently launched in Kilkenny.

Tim Walsh and Ruth Tepper were married in Manhattan in 1995 and spent their honeymoon in Ireland. To celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary they made the long awaited return trip and Tim kindly supplied the lovely couple’s observations:

“Although this was my fourth trip to Ireland, this was Ruth’s second. On earlier trips, we’d visited the West; this was our first visit to the Kilkenny Tipperary region. We were excited to find such a welcome!

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“As senior travellers who don’t drive while abroad, we always miss some experiences available to motorists. Not so in Carrick and its surrounds! We were very pleased to ride about the gorgeous countryside, and to visit cultural relics of great beauty, both megalithic and historic. The bus would drop us near a site, and we’d take a pleasant walk to the site itself.

“We are both artists, so once at the passage tomb or the high crosses, we’d set up, draw, and take photos. We thus have some great visual artifacts to complement our Lingaun memories and our driver, was very friendly and helpful.

“The whole experience was restful and uplifting. I think people who travel by car would enjoy visiting the various sites with a knowledgeable person behind the wheel, giving them a chance to enjoy the rich history and charm of the Valley.

“Finally, I’d like to say this: my ancestors left the south of Ireland during very hard times a few generations back. The Lingaun Valley bus tour gave me a greater appreciation of what they left behind, and how difficult it was for them to leave. Thank you for making this experience available for us.”

Three weeks in, the Lingaun Valley Loop Bus service has opened up a new and old world experience to visitors from near and far and created memorable experiences for all those that have had the pleasure to meet them.

The early days have seen day-trippers from Dublin, Ennis and Kilkenny along with visitors of all nationalities including German, French, Dutch and American.

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With options to cover the whole route in 80 minutes, some innovative advance planning has seen many passengers disembark a couple of times to visit a historic site, have a meal, partake of the many walks or just to sit and soak up nature at the tranquil hidden rural gems before catching the next, second or third next bus to complete their journey.

Funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development in conjunction with Lingaun Valley Tourism, it runs five times a day with growing support from a welcoming volunteer based sales and support team in each community.

Among the many options on the hop on, hop off Loop Bus that commences in Tullahought with its viewing tower and Kilmacoliver Walk.

The next stop at Moloney’s Pub is for Kilkieran with its High Crosses, Holy Well and bullaun stones. 

The picturesque village of Kilsheelan with the Blueway Riverside walks provides a gateway to County Waterford, before its up to Kilcash with its Castle and the gateway for a hike on Slievenamon.

After Grangemockler of Michael Hogan fame and time for a coffee break the Killamery stop is close to the last local site of the High Crosses of Western Ossory and its famed Brooch before rising to the Windgap village stop at the Church that is adjacent to the Grotto, walks, Land League House, Playground, and Tea Rooms.

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Going on and back in time to the junction to Knockroe that is older than the pyramids and in parts more sophisticated than Newgrange, it’s then on to the enchantingly peaceful Slatequarries of international significance in its industrial prime before the second last stop at Ahenny’s Welsh style village close to the famed 1,100-year-old intricately carved High Crosses before it comes back across the provincial boundary to Tullahought.

Throughout the journey, through the rolling pastoral countryside and undulating hills, it passes through neat colourful villages providing amazing vistas looking onto the Golden Vale to Mount Leinster.

All are assisted with visitor guides of the Lingaun Valley, Tullahought, Windgap and Carrick on Suir.

For more see lingaunvalley.ie

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