Rina Biswas & Matt Cassidy

Ireland

We hope you are excited for the events that we have planned! May 27th & 28th we will be staying in Dublin (in the St. Stephens Green-area) and shifting closer to the wedding venue in County Kildare on the afternoon of May 28th. We will have the Welcome Dinner in Straffan. The wedding venue is in Lyons Estate near a town called Celbridge which is an approximately 30 minute drive from the Dublin International Airport. We recommend hiring a car during the weekend for your convenience in getting around.

Event details are still being worked out so please check back often!

Update: We have organized transportation for the day!

We are working with a local coach company to organize travel to/from the Church & Reception Venue.

The Shuttles will be leaving 2 locations (K Club & Celbridge Manor Hotel) at 12:15pm. Please arrive by 12:00pm to allow plenty of time to be able to board and arrive to the church on-time. The Catholic ceremony will start promptly at 1:00pm.

Shuttles will also be available to drop you back off at your hotel (provided you are within 20min which I think everyone is) from Cliff at Lyons starting at 11:15pm.

Please feel free to reach out with any questions/concerns.

It's probably easiest to fly directly into Dublin.

A trick we have been told is to search for fares using "private browsing" so the websites can't track you and show you higher fares.

If you are coming only for the wedding, first of all, THANK YOU! There are plenty of direct flights available from New York to Dublin on Aer Lingus. Round trip economy fares can be found for $500-600 per person.

From the UK, there are multiple carriers. However, the most economical fares are on Ryan Air out of Standsted or Manchester which is around $60 per person round-trip.

We would recommend activating your international calling plans while in Ireland as the events are spread out and you may need it to get in touch with the bride/groom, call taxi services, hire an Uber, or keep in touch with folks back home! We found the cellular service to be very reliable in & around the areas we are having events.

For US-based guests, if AT&T is your mobile service provider, they have an excellent package for $10/day where you basically keep your existing mobile number, minutes and data plan, but are able to use your phone overseas like you would back home. You need to login or call customer service (+1 314 925 6925) to have this feature activated with your current plan - it is called the "International Day Pass."

Verizon provides a similar International travel plan for $10/day in Ireland.

If you are planning on renting a car in Ireland, please make sure you have a valid International Driver's Permit (IDP) before you go.

The US Department of State recommends going to either the American Automobile Association (AAA) or the National Auto Club (NAC) to obtain your IDP. Depending on wait times, you can usually have your IDP in hand within 30 minutes.

You must present two passport-size photographs and a valid US driver’s license. An IDP from AAA or NAC costs approximately $15 and can be paid by check, money order, or major credit card.

If you are not driving, or taking a taxi/UBER there are public transit options available from Dublin to Co. Kildare/Celbridge:

Bus

67 Bus - Departing every 2 hours from Merrion Square (Dublin City Center) - this goes to Celbridge town and takes about an hour, costing around €3.30 for a single. Timetable can be found here:

www.dublinbus.ie

This also goes to Lucan and Straffan.

Train

Closest train to Celbridge is Hazelhatch and Celbridge Railway station. It is then a 10 min drive (taxi ride from there) to Cliff at Lyons.

Dublin Heuston to Hazelhatch (for Celbridge) - €3.25 for a single - takes around 21 mins, departing every hour.

Dublin Connolley to Lexilip - Similar price to above - takes around 30mins, departing every hour.

No train stations for Straffan or Lexilip, so would suggest one of the above and then taxi from there.

Timetables can be found here: www.irishrail.ie

We figure that there are plenty of guides you can find on Dublin/Ireland, but you may be wondering what there is to do out by where we are getting married in Co. Kildare.

Celbridge is the closest big town near Lyons Estate. My bridesmaid Nichola put together a short guide if you are looking for places to check out over the weekend. Enjoy!

About Co. Kildare & Celbridge

Celbridge is steeped in history. It is the birthplace of Arthur Guinness and also housed the first Guinness brewery before it moved to Leixlip and finally to its eternal home, St. James' Gate in Dublin's Liberties. Celbridge is also home to one of the best and most magnificent examples of a Palladian mansion in Ireland. A very popular tourist destination, a visit to Castletown House is highly recommended.

Kildare is known as 'the thoroughbred county'. This is due, in no small way, to the fact that the county is home to the Irish National Stud (and Japanese Gardens) at the Curragh. Ireland is one of the most successful horse-breeding countries in the world and here you can tour the stud and observe the remarkable journey from conception to champion. Visitors can also go to the Horse Museum, where the sport of kings is brought to life. Also, and well worth a visit, is the Japanese gardens, which are said to be the best in Europe.

The heritage town of Celbridge is located in the thoroughbred county of Kildare and is only a short distance from Dublin's city center. The name Celbridge comes from the Irish words Cill Droicid meaning the church of the bridge.

Castletown House, Ireland’s finest Palladian country house is an imposing building established in the town in the year 1722 by Speaker William Connolly, who later went on to commission a school to be built in the town. The school is now Celbridge Manor Hotel and it is where they derive the name of their traditional Irish bar, The Schoolhouse!

Places of interest in Celbridge

1. Walking Trail

There is a walking trail which takes in most of the famous houses based in Celbridge. Here are the main ones that would be of great interest.

1A. Celbridge Abbey

Built in 1697 by Bartholomew Van Homrigh who served as Lord Mayor of Dublin. He lived here with his family. His eldest daughter took a shine to Dean Jonathan Swift who unfortunately did not feel the same and she was left broken hearted. A quiet spot that overlooks the weir was their romantic bower. This was destroyed during the construction of the Rockbridge in 1724 and the one you see today is the modern equivalent.

The Rockbridge is the oldest remaining bridge which spans the river Liffey. The views from here are beautiful.

1B. The Mill

Once a corn & tuck mill, it has proved to be a great source of employment. Over the years it has changed its uses from flour, flax & paper to a textile mill. It was once the largest mill in Ireland but now serves as a community center housing small businesses & recreational activities.

It also marks the spot where the was once a ford across the River Liffey. If you are lucky, when the river is low you can see one of the last remaining stepping stones of the ford from the nearby bridge.

1C. Birthplace of Arthur Guinness

Across the road from The Mill entrance is a plaque to commemorate the birth place of Arthur Guinness who was born in 1725. After setting up his own brewery in Leixlip he then moved to James's Street in Dublin in 1759 to take over the brewery. Arthur Guinness died in 1803 & is laid to rest in Ardclough which is close to Celbridge.

1D. Toll House

Just before the bridge you will see a white curved building which was the former Toll House. Travellers were charged here to cross the bridge.

1E. St Patrick's Church

Built in 1859, St Patrick's Church was originally a mass house, where mass could only be celebrated. Other such sacraments & ceremonies took place in people's houses. The foundations for the present church was laid in 1859.

1F. George Finey's House

Opposite St Patrick's church you will find the former house of the Guinness family who occupied it from 1752 to 1766. It is known as the George House, named after the agent to William Conolly who played a significant factor in the development of Celbridge's street-scape. There is also a tablet in the house that confirms between 1724 & 1728 the old Irish name of Kildrought had been changed to Celbridge.

1G. Kildrought House

Situated on Main Street you will see the oldest house in Celbridge which is known as Kildrought House. The house as built in 1719 by a Dublin upholsterer & tapestry maker Robert Baillie. From 1782 to 1814 the house was known as the Celbridge Academy. It later became a fever hospital, vicarage & a dispensary. It then reverted to a private residence.

2. Castletown House

Castletown is Ireland's largest and earliest Palladian style house. Built between 1722 and 1729 for William Conolly, Speaker of the Irish House of Commons and the wealthiest commoner in Ireland. Around 15 min walk from Celbridge town.

3. Abbeyfield Farm

If you're looking for something different then look no further that Abbeyfield Farm. Situated only a 10 minute drive from The Celbridge Manor Hotel it's a perfect venue for a group of you to get together to try your hand at adventurous activities such as: Archery, Air Rifle, Clay Pigeon Shooting, Horse Riding & much more....

4. Kildare Maze

Leinster’s largest hedge maze is a fabulous attraction located just outside Prosperous in the North Kildare countryside. Out in the fresh air, this is a great place for families to enjoy a day together. A 20 minute drive away.

5. Irish National Stud & Gardens

The Irish National Stud is a thoroughbred horse breeding facility in Tully, County Kildare, Ireland. Home of the most magnificent horses & glorious gardens. A 30 minute drive away.