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AESC Recreational Activities
66th Annual Meeting - 2024

 Updated 7/11/2024

Welcome to Ireland!

We welcome you to the Irish countryside and the American Eye Study Club 66th Annual Meeting at Kilkea Castle. 

Several group activities have been arranged for Club members and families.  At the same time, listed below are a number of options in the area around the Castle that you can pursue on your own or with smaller groups of members and families.  We are arranging to have a 16-seat mini-bus stationed at Kilkea to provide transportation for nearby activities if you do not have a car.  Transportation for the "ad hoc" groups using the mini-bus will be arranged on-site with a modest per-passenger fee.  

Additional registration fees for Club-sponsored events are necessary since there are extra costs associated.  See details below for all of our organized events.  The online registration form and a paper (PDF) form also appear below.  

Please be sure to sign up as soon as possible for the group activities since the "official" group activities have limited space.  Thank you, and have a great time!
 

Recreation Events Details and Registration

Online registration for recreational activities is now available.  Details and costs for each of the planned group recreational activities are listed below.  The online form will calculate the total amount due.  If you wish to pay with a check, please use the PDF (paper) form and send it in with your payment... otherwise, the online form will charge the recreation fee to a credit card.  If you have any questions or special requests, please contact the AESC administrative office....
   Phone - 847-680-1666
   Email - Rich@AmericanEyeStudyClub.org

Sign up for recreational activities.

PLEASE NOTE -- The "organized" group activities have been finalized (as of 7/21/24).  Although we will leave the form active, we are not able to guarantee further registrations for the official group activities, with the exception of the Monday morning kids activities.  Thanks for your understanding!

 

The button above takes you to the online form (credit card payments).  MEMBER LOG-IN is required.

If you wish to pay by check, use the paper (PDF) registration form, DOWNLOAD IT HERE.  (coming soon)

IF YOU NEED TO MAKE ANY CHANGES to the activities you've selected after submitting the form, please contact the AESC office as soon as possible. 

If you haven't yet submitted your general registration for the conference, REGISTER for Meeting HERE.

View the "overview program" in PDF format -- CLICK HERE 

Monday, July 29

Spouse Book Club

9:30 - 11:00 a.m.
Drawing Room, 2nd floor of the Castle

No charge for this event

Gather immediately after the Family Breakfast.  Get together with other Club spouses to renew old friendships and make new ones.  The selection for the 2024 Spouse Book Club is "The Pull of the Stars" by Emma Donoghue.  Plus, we'll have a special Kilkea Castle history talk.

From 11:15 am to 12:15 pm, book club attendees are invited to observe the sheepherding demonstration we have arranged for the kids of all ages.

Please register for this event so we can get a rough headcount...  but there's no charge.  

Fairies, Leprechauns and
Sheep Herding 

Geared for younger kids under age 12
9:30 - 12:15 p.m.

$30 per participant to cover the cost of supplies and the sheep herding

This supervised event is for kids of all ages, but primarily younger children. Gather at the family breakfast.  The group will have crafts to create items for a special castle fairy garden and leprechaun lures. At 11:15, everybody will gather on the castle green for the sheep herding demonstration..

Watch THIS VIDEO about the sheep herding demonstration.

Escape from the Castle Dungeon and Sheep Herding Demonstration
Teenager excursion ages 12 and older

10:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

 $50 per participant, includes both segments

Discover the Kilkea Castle Escape Rooms!  Immerse yourself in one of the four thrilling experiences: Two Dueling Dungeons, Knights Round Table, and Shackleton's Quest. Uncover mysteries, solve puzzles, and make history with friends and family. Are you ready to embark on the adventure of a lifetime?

Assuming you are able to escape from the dungeon, join the group on the castle green for a sheep herding demonstration at 11:15 a.m.

Watch THIS VIDEO about the sheep herding demonstration.

Irish National Stud and Gardens

For members and families . . .   
Depart Kilkea Castle by bus at 1:30 p.m.

$100 includes roundtrip transportation, entry fees and dinner 

 A visit to the Irish National Stud and Gardens is something to be remembered.  It is difficult to define what has made the Irish National Stud a birthplace of Champions. A place where 520 mares were welcomed to the covering barn and over 300 foals took their steps in the nursery.  Journey through the history of horse racing brought to life like never before. The Irish Racehorse Experience takes the visitor on a journey through the rich history and heritage of the Irish thoroughbred sector, from the world’s very first steeplechase in Cork to today’s commercial success story where Ireland and the Irish diaspora continue to lead the world in breeding, training and racing.

Finish the day with a relaxing visit to the Japanese Gardens before heading into dinner.

Tuesday - Thursday

Falconry -- A noble and ancient sport, falconry offers a unique and memorable experience. The majesty of Falcons, Owls and Hawks can be experienced amidst the backdrop of the historic Kilkea Castle. Learn about these amazing birds of prey in small groups of not more than 15 at various times on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.  Sign up with Kathy at the Club registration area in Baronial Hall.  There will be a nominal charge to help with the cost of the demonstrations.

Tuesday, July 30

AESC Tennis

$20 per player, including tennis balls and beverages.

The AESC tennis tournament will take place at the Kilkea courts in the shadow of the historic 12th Century castle.  Depending on the number of players, we may extend play to Thursday morning.  Tennis racquets are available to borrow at the Castle.

The reception/banquet is this evening.

Activities on your own

Check out the list (below) of places to explore on your own or in small groups in the area around Kilkea Castle.  We will have a mini-bus on-site to provide transportation for those who do not have a car.  There will be a small charge for use of the bus to help defray the cost.

Wednesday afternoon/evening, July 31

Excursion to Historic Dublin

Bus departs at about 1:15 p.m. with an early evening return and a later evening return. 

Roundtrip transportation and the box lunch is $60 per person

There will be additional charges for the activities in the city once we have firm numbers. .see details 

 

Dublin is a city that's as intimate as a village and as friendly as an Irish pub. The city's streets and alleys are filled with vibrant art and historic buildings, cafés, shopping and traditional "old man" pubs, as Dubliners call them. Walk the streets and you'll feel the energy of more than1,000 years of history.

  • The Club has chartered buses to transport the group to the city (a little more than an hour's drive).  Departure from Kilkea is set for about 1:15 p.m. and the transportation cost includes a box lunch.  We are planning two return times... one in the early evening that would be ideal for families with younger kids, and a later return for those who are staying for dinner or checking out a pub.
  • We are working with local operators to provide the most comprehensive city tour and excursions that our limited time allows.
  • Key attractions include: Guinness Storehouse, Jameson Distillery, Dublin Castle and the Book of Kells.
  • Plus, there are many activities of interest for families and kids.
  • On the Club activities registration form you'll pay for the transportation to Dublin and then indicate your first and second choices for additional activities (if any)
  • You'll also have free time to explore, shop, have dinner or visit Dublin's famous pubs.
Thursday, August 1

AESC Golf Outing
Kilkea Course

Start at 8:00 a.m.

Cost  is $100 and includes greens fee and a "buggy" 

 

Kilkea Castle offers an 18-hole par 70 championship parkland golf course, measuring 6200 metres. The Course was developed in this magnificent setting beneath the shadow of the 12th century Castle and allows the splendor of the Castle to be viewed from every fairway. The course construction uses the River Griese as a natural hazard flowing through the Castle grounds and estate. You will encounter the river at almost every hole. Two lakes have also been included into the design, adding to the overall challenge.

"Not Golf"  -- Irish Family Olympics

9:30 - 11:30 a.m.

We're organizing some fun games that families can enjoy on the grounds of the castle.  Details coming!

Other Independent Things To Do in the Area

Here are a few additional options if you're looking for something to do in the area around the Charleston area.  The Club will not be organizing excursions to any of these locations... but feel free to buddy up with other Club members if you wish and enjoy!

You will find sign-up sheets posted at the Club registration desk for "ad hoc" excursions that are being organized by Club members or families.

Note -- We have arranged for a 16-passenger mini-bus to be available at the Castle morning and afternoon from Tuesday through Thursday.  The cost of this vehicle will be covered by those who use it, so there will be a nominal charge for each round-trip.  Book usage with Kathy at the Club registration desk in Baronial Hall. 

  • Powerscourt Estate House & Gardens -- This world-renowned Iris garden is a must for garden lovers
  • Russborough House -- A stunning mansion with extraordinary art and beautiful grounds with a maze, playground for 2-12 year-olds, and lots of walking trails and gardens.
  • Glendalough -- A National Treasure, this valley is now a national park where St. Kevin started Monastic City in the 6th Century.  Walk from the fascinating ruins on lower lake to upper lake on easy trails.  Cute village... free!
  • Mt. Usher Gardens -- One of only 3 Irish gardens with a top rating from the UK’s The Good Gardens Guide, Mount Usher is not simply one of Ireland’s greatest gardens, but it’s a world-class example of a so-called Robinsonian garden, with its relaxed informality and natural layout..
  • Kilkenny -- A charming medieval city known for music, art, pubs, eateries and Kilkenny Castle.  For a different perspective, you can paddle River Nore through the city.
  • Rock of Cashel -- An historic site with fairly extant buildings from 1100 onward.  Plan 2-3 hours for this attractoin.

 

 

Last Updated on Monday, July 22, 2024 08:04 AM