Amy & Andrew
Amy & Andrew
On Sunday you will have the day to do whatever you'd like. Hopefully many of you will stay on property and enjoy all the comforts of the estate or take part in some of their many activities.
We have assigned all of your rooms so you can now book additional activities that you haven't already booked through me. You can email Lorrain Galvin:
lgalvin@ballyfin.com
FREE OPTIONS
History of House Tour
Tennis (Sign up for time)
Rowboats
Bicycles & Golf Carts
Bird Watching (w/binoculars)
Pool/Sauna/Hot Tub (8am-8pm)
FOR A FEE
(Sign up prior to the wedding weekend)
Horse Back Riding
Falconry
Coarse Fishing
Archery
Clay Pigeon Shooting
Air Rifle Target Shooting
Gaelic Games
Carriage Rides
Picnic in Location of Choice
Spa Treatments
Wine Tasting
Whiskey Tasting
However, if you feel like exploring the area and you have rented a car, or have a private driver, there are other locations within an hour drive that you can do on your own.
The Bicester Kildare Village shopping is the exception, and a private driver will pick you up to take you there. Please email or text me (Amy) directly for this.
Ballyfin Demesne Estate Activities
There are so many fun activities to do on Ballyfin's 600+ acre property. Some are free of charge and some have a fee. All are available to read about on their website (link below under "Experiences" "Estate Activities"). I recommend groups of people organizing a falconry lesson as that will make it much more affordable. I think up to 12 at a time can be included for the most affordable rate. Once we have designated everyone's rooms (not until March) you will be able to sign up for activities. At that point I will include an email address for you to do this.
Kildangan Stud Farm (Godolphin) (Book with Amy by 15th)
This needs to be booked through me no later than May 15.
This stud farm is usually closed on Sundays, but they will open for a special tour just for our guests. This was able to be arranged because of my friend Marce Olson (also a guest you will meet and can read about in the "Introduction" section.) She connected me with the group that does the Bicester shopping experience (also only allowed to us because of Marce)
It is €35 per person and includes a goodie bag. I will find out the cost for transportation and post here.
If you don't know about Goldolphin, they are one of the most highly rated thoroughbred breeding groups in the world. The recent winner of the Kentucky Derby is a Godolphin horse, bred on one of their Kentucky stud farms. So pretty coincidental timing.
And, on top of that, it is baby season!!!
Bicester Village (Book with Amy by 15th)
This needs to be booked through me no later than May 15.
It would be a 9:00am pickup at Ballyfin, and return by 1:30, just in time for lunch. Transportation and the experience itself is free and there is no minimum purchase. Whatever you do decide to buy will have a 50%-60% discount.
You will be taken to a private apartment/suite at the shopping location and have stylists available to go get things for you and bring them back for you to try on, all while you enjoy complimentary champagne and snacks.
Below is a list of all of the brands available for you. Start looking on-line ahead of time so when you get there you can just give you stylist/shopper a list and they'll go get the items and bring them back to you. Or you can just go with them to the stores themselves if you'd like.
Irish National Stud & Gardens
The Irish National Stud is open to tour the grounds.
Foaling season is from February through May, so you can just make it in time to see babies in the fields with their mothers.
There is also a beautiful botanical garden on the property.
Kilkenny Castle
The town of Kilkenny is about 1 hour from Ballyfin and has quite a few shops and restaurants. But most importantly it has Kilkenny castle, the family seat of the Butler family. My mother's great grandfather, Michael Butler, was born in Kilkenny in 1806. It was fun to visit the castle with her and imagine we are long lost relatives.
Tullamore D.E.W. Distillery Visitor Experience
Distillery tour operating times
Monday to Saturday:
11am, 12noon, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm
Sunday and Bank Holidays:
11am, 12noon, 2pm, 3pm