Philwhiskeydrinker
Well-Known Member
Nice pics Andy (you tight miserable thing 
)
)
Old man looks for shamrocks.
- Thread starter outrunner
- Start date
Thanks for posting. Great pictures. Visited quite a few times and this thread makes me want to go back again. Get used to the narrow roads, they are everywhere, but they take you to some wonderfull locations. The harbours allways facinate me.
As you travel down the west coast, consider crossing the pass over the Dingle peninsular and stop off to ride the sands of Inch beach on the south side of the peninsula. You can pretend to be a Dakar rider there
Keep the pictures coming.
As you travel down the west coast, consider crossing the pass over the Dingle peninsular and stop off to ride the sands of Inch beach on the south side of the peninsula. You can pretend to be a Dakar rider there
Keep the pictures coming.
Lowflyer
Well-Known Member
Very nice Andy,
Looking forward to my trip over there in September, only my timetable will not be as leisurely as your's owing to my lack of holiday leave
Nevertheless,looks cracking scenery --- a bit like up here
oh, that Bushmills is rank :vomit-1:, almost as bad as Talisker
Looking forward to my trip over there in September, only my timetable will not be as leisurely as your's owing to my lack of holiday leave
Nevertheless,looks cracking scenery --- a bit like up here
oh, that Bushmills is rank :vomit-1:, almost as bad as Talisker
Raymo
Active Member
great report Andy..
hope you got better weather than Skye.. mental wind and rain was doing it in luxury too, well camper van....
that bad I took a trip to the Talisker distillery John..
free dram..
still shite ,
was going to Orkney .. long story best with a dram
there is a frugal theme going on
hope you got better weather than Skye.. mental wind and rain was doing it in luxury too, well camper van....
that bad I took a trip to the Talisker distillery John..
free dram..
still shite
, was going to Orkney .. long story best with a dram
there is a frugal theme going on
outrunner
Well-Known Member
Day 3
Not much sleep last night as the rain and wind started up around 6PM. It was really horrendous, so much so that I slept with my clothes on just in case I had to vacate the tent as I was convinced the wind would destroy the whole lot. In the morning the rain had stopped but the wind was still blowing hard. Got packed up and started the journey to Magilligan point to catch the ferry to Greencastle, saving myself a trip down to Londonderry, or so I thought. When I got there it was too windy for the ferry to cross so I had to make the journey down to Derry. The wind was still howling and I can tell you I was shitting myself going over the Foyle bridge as I was being blown right across my lane from one side to the other.
No pics on the way down as there is not much to look at and once over the Foyle bridge you are at the start of The Wild Atlantic Way although there is not anything of great interest until you get up to Greencastle and start to climb over the hills.
Looking down in to where the ferry should have crossed at Greencastle
From Greencastle over the hills there is all kinds of swervery, narrow single track with no room for error as the wind was trying it's best to have me cutting the verges. Starting to drop down to the coast there are some nice hairpins, but watch the gravel on them.
Mossy Glen, at least that is what was on the stone signpost I stopped at.
Then into Kinnego Bay.
A steep road in and out, with 2 hairpins on the way.
Next stop along the way was Culdaff sands, even although it was howling there was still a life guard on duty hiding in the blue container.
I had to stop and put on the waterproofs before I got to Malin head as it was pissing down (and still bloody windy)
The wind and rain up there was unbeleivable, a few brave souls turned up, but no one stayed long, incuding me.
As it was such a crap day I did not stop to take many pictures, but I did stop here at Raghtin More, a steep twisty pass over the hills towards Buncrana.
That was enough for me and I scarpered down to a nice B&B just outside Letterkenny, 174 miles in less than nice conditions, obviously too wet for shamrocks
PS Just a thought, perhaps a Mod should move this to the Ride reports and pictures thread?
Andy.
Not much sleep last night as the rain and wind started up around 6PM. It was really horrendous, so much so that I slept with my clothes on just in case I had to vacate the tent as I was convinced the wind would destroy the whole lot. In the morning the rain had stopped but the wind was still blowing hard. Got packed up and started the journey to Magilligan point to catch the ferry to Greencastle, saving myself a trip down to Londonderry, or so I thought. When I got there it was too windy for the ferry to cross so I had to make the journey down to Derry. The wind was still howling and I can tell you I was shitting myself going over the Foyle bridge as I was being blown right across my lane from one side to the other.
No pics on the way down as there is not much to look at and once over the Foyle bridge you are at the start of The Wild Atlantic Way although there is not anything of great interest until you get up to Greencastle and start to climb over the hills.
Looking down in to where the ferry should have crossed at Greencastle
From Greencastle over the hills there is all kinds of swervery, narrow single track with no room for error as the wind was trying it's best to have me cutting the verges. Starting to drop down to the coast there are some nice hairpins, but watch the gravel on them.
Mossy Glen, at least that is what was on the stone signpost I stopped at.
Then into Kinnego Bay.
A steep road in and out, with 2 hairpins on the way.
Next stop along the way was Culdaff sands, even although it was howling there was still a life guard on duty hiding in the blue container.
I had to stop and put on the waterproofs before I got to Malin head as it was pissing down (and still bloody windy)
The wind and rain up there was unbeleivable, a few brave souls turned up, but no one stayed long, incuding me.
As it was such a crap day I did not stop to take many pictures, but I did stop here at Raghtin More, a steep twisty pass over the hills towards Buncrana.
That was enough for me and I scarpered down to a nice B&B just outside Letterkenny, 174 miles in less than nice conditions, obviously too wet for shamrocks
PS Just a thought, perhaps a Mod should move this to the Ride reports and pictures thread?
Andy.
outrunner said:
moved as requested Andy
loving the report so far, keep it coming
outrunner
Well-Known Member
Day 4
After eating a huge Irish breakfast at the B&B I got packed up and headed up the coast towards Portsalon.
Moving along now to Fanad Head and a picture of the lighthouse.
Surfer dudes at Downings.
Next was a wee run around the Atlantic Drive on the Rossguill Peninsula, a very nice place indeed.
Was it something I said? The empiest cafe I have been in all week, mind you when a village has a name like Magheraroarty then who wants to ask for directions. The food was good though.
Not too sure where this is, as I seemed to have taken a wrong turning. It may have been Carrickfinn Strand, but then again..................
Returning to the plan I stopped here for a fag and took these pics.
The run over the Glengesh Pass near Ardara was quite something what with hairpins and meeting motorhomes and nervous drivers.
Got chatting to a coach driver here at Glen head, he told me he does this run every day and stops for the punters to take pictures.
I then ended up here, I will let you do the translation, they are the highest sea cliffs in Europe I was told. Go by the name of Sleive league in English.
Time for another stop to rest my weary arse at Killybegs harbour.
Leaving Killybegs I had only driven a few miles when the sky got dark and it started to spit with rain so I headed to the First B&B that came in to view and settled for the night.
View from the bedrom window.
Well, that was today's travels, hope you enjoyed the pics as much as I enjoyed running around doing 198 miles taking them.
Andy.
After eating a huge Irish breakfast at the B&B I got packed up and headed up the coast towards Portsalon.
Moving along now to Fanad Head and a picture of the lighthouse.
Surfer dudes at Downings.
Next was a wee run around the Atlantic Drive on the Rossguill Peninsula, a very nice place indeed.
Was it something I said? The empiest cafe I have been in all week, mind you when a village has a name like Magheraroarty then who wants to ask for directions. The food was good though.
Not too sure where this is, as I seemed to have taken a wrong turning. It may have been Carrickfinn Strand, but then again..................
Returning to the plan I stopped here for a fag and took these pics.
The run over the Glengesh Pass near Ardara was quite something what with hairpins and meeting motorhomes and nervous drivers.
Got chatting to a coach driver here at Glen head, he told me he does this run every day and stops for the punters to take pictures.
I then ended up here, I will let you do the translation, they are the highest sea cliffs in Europe I was told. Go by the name of Sleive league in English.
Time for another stop to rest my weary arse at Killybegs harbour.
Leaving Killybegs I had only driven a few miles when the sky got dark and it started to spit with rain so I headed to the First B&B that came in to view and settled for the night.
View from the bedrom window.
Well, that was today's travels, hope you enjoyed the pics as much as I enjoyed running around doing 198 miles taking them.
Andy.
austin
Well-Known Member
Nice RR Andy. Keep it coming.
We did virtually the same route in 2009 (I think). It pissed down when we were there too. We liked killibegs too and Westport is nice town to visit. There's a hostel in a converted church which is where we stayed. Homemade bread and jam for breakfast and a walk into town. Can't remember the charge but it wasn't bad and cheaper than a B&B.
Sent from my iPhone with a smile
We did virtually the same route in 2009 (I think). It pissed down when we were there too. We liked killibegs too and Westport is nice town to visit. There's a hostel in a converted church which is where we stayed. Homemade bread and jam for breakfast and a walk into town. Can't remember the charge but it wasn't bad and cheaper than a B&B.
Sent from my iPhone with a smile
outrunner said:The run over the Glengesh Pass near Ardara was quite something what with hairpins and meeting motorhomes and nervous drivers.
Got chatting to a coach driver here at Glen head, he told me he does this run every day and stops for the punters to take pictures.
Andy.
Wow! Someone's done a good job on Glengesh Pass, the last time we were up there the road was full of pot-holes and awash with gravel. Made it a very interesting ride up.
I'll have to see if I have a photo of what the road used to look like.It's a shame that there was low cloud up at Slieve League (Sliabh Liag) as they are some seriously impressive cliffs. Great views from the top if you care to do a little walking.
outrunner
Well-Known Member
Day 5.
After a wild night with wind and rain I awoke this morning to be greeted with a nice dry day. Having eaten yet anther great Irish breakfast I went a few miles from the B&b along to St Johns Point.
The road got quite interesting and got a bit worse after this photo.
Struggling my way back out I continued along the route south most of which was on main roads so I took in a few viewpoints to ward off the boredom.
Mountcharles pier.
A couple of views from Tullan strand near Bundoran.
This is a house belonging to the Mountbatten family called Malachmore.
I stopped here in Drumcliffe to have a look.
St Columbus church.
Where this man is buried.
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If you don't know who he was then you must be some kind of phillistine.
Some mountains behind the town, well, if you come from Scotland they are just hills.
This is Rosses point.
And Lacken strand.
Moving on to Downpatrick head.
It was then I discovered the bike had developed a slight water leak, so I stopped at the first B&B I came to to see if I could fix it. Bloody BMW, it seems the radiator hoses are just the right length and no more and one of them had moved somehow ( perhaps it is all the jarring on these rough Irish roads) anyhoo, it only took about 10 mins to fix with the help of a pair of pliers borrowed from the man at the B&B, don't you just hate those daft clips that need a special tool ( or a pair of pliers) to open.
That's it for another day weather dry 181 miles and a nice sunset outside the bedroom window just a bit up the road from Ballycastle, the one in the south not to be confused with Ballycastle in Northern Ireland.
Andy.
After a wild night with wind and rain I awoke this morning to be greeted with a nice dry day. Having eaten yet anther great Irish breakfast I went a few miles from the B&b along to St Johns Point.
The road got quite interesting and got a bit worse after this photo.
Struggling my way back out I continued along the route south most of which was on main roads so I took in a few viewpoints to ward off the boredom.
Mountcharles pier.
A couple of views from Tullan strand near Bundoran.
This is a house belonging to the Mountbatten family called Malachmore.
I stopped here in Drumcliffe to have a look.
St Columbus church.
Where this man is buried.
If you don't know who he was then you must be some kind of phillistine.
Some mountains behind the town, well, if you come from Scotland they are just hills.
This is Rosses point.
And Lacken strand.
Moving on to Downpatrick head.
It was then I discovered the bike had developed a slight water leak, so I stopped at the first B&B I came to to see if I could fix it. Bloody BMW, it seems the radiator hoses are just the right length and no more and one of them had moved somehow ( perhaps it is all the jarring on these rough Irish roads) anyhoo, it only took about 10 mins to fix with the help of a pair of pliers borrowed from the man at the B&B, don't you just hate those daft clips that need a special tool ( or a pair of pliers) to open.
That's it for another day weather dry 181 miles and a nice sunset outside the bedroom window just a bit up the road from Ballycastle, the one in the south not to be confused with Ballycastle in Northern Ireland.
Andy.
outrunner
Well-Known Member
Day 6.
Left Ballycastle and stopped for a couple of pics and then had to waterproof up as it had started to rain, what a surprise.
A bit further up the road is a cliff viewpoint opposite a neothilic site, but it was closed up, must have been too early for them.
Moving in what was not very nice weather I took a couple of shots of misty hills on the way to Bangor Erris where I stopped for coffe and a scone. By the time I left the sun had come out, but the road south was a bit boring. Seeing a sign for Doona castle I turned off the drive miles along a little road to be faced with this.
Some castle, the shed is more attractive. Apparently some Spanish galleons sunk in the bay beyond the castle.
Back on the road I headed to Achill Island.
Kildavnet castle.
Some really nice scenery on Achill but the wind was something else.
After finding my way off the island I settled for the night in Murrisk just outside Westport and called Tony (Lutin) to arrange a meet for the morning. Todays mileage was 202, and no, no shamrocks yet.
Andy.
Left Ballycastle and stopped for a couple of pics and then had to waterproof up as it had started to rain, what a surprise.
A bit further up the road is a cliff viewpoint opposite a neothilic site, but it was closed up, must have been too early for them.
Moving in what was not very nice weather I took a couple of shots of misty hills on the way to Bangor Erris where I stopped for coffe and a scone. By the time I left the sun had come out, but the road south was a bit boring. Seeing a sign for Doona castle I turned off the drive miles along a little road to be faced with this.
Some castle, the shed is more attractive. Apparently some Spanish galleons sunk in the bay beyond the castle.
Back on the road I headed to Achill Island.
Kildavnet castle.
Some really nice scenery on Achill but the wind was something else.
After finding my way off the island I settled for the night in Murrisk just outside Westport and called Tony (Lutin) to arrange a meet for the morning. Todays mileage was 202, and no, no shamrocks yet.
Andy.
outrunner
Well-Known Member
Day 7.
Today dawned with a very slight drizzle which cleared up in 15 minutes after I started my journey down through the
Dhulough pass to meet Tony in Leenane
.
Pictures from the pass.
Memorial cross at the roadside.
Also a stone telling you when the road was built.
In no time at all I arrived in Leenane to find Tony waiting in the car park. After coffee and yet another scone with jam and cream we set off with Tony leading the way to take in the Sky loop road.
The man himself.
There are certainly some nice views on this route.
Having done gthe loop we then dropped in to Clifden for fuel and yet more coffee, tea, scones etc then Tony took me on a nice run over the hills and in to Galway.
I have no idea of the names and places, best ask Tony. Total mileage today was 161 in pretty good weather.
Andy.
Today dawned with a very slight drizzle which cleared up in 15 minutes after I started my journey down through the
Dhulough pass to meet Tony in Leenane
.
Pictures from the pass.
Memorial cross at the roadside.
Also a stone telling you when the road was built.
In no time at all I arrived in Leenane to find Tony waiting in the car park. After coffee and yet another scone with jam and cream we set off with Tony leading the way to take in the Sky loop road.
The man himself.
There are certainly some nice views on this route.
Having done gthe loop we then dropped in to Clifden for fuel and yet more coffee, tea, scones etc then Tony took me on a nice run over the hills and in to Galway.
I have no idea of the names and places, best ask Tony. Total mileage today was 161 in pretty good weather.
Andy.
Steve T
Well-Known Member
Andy,
Your scaring me, the amount of time it's taking you to "get south"!!!
You've taken 7 days to get to Galway - getting to Galway was going to be at the end of day 2 for me!!!!
Methinks I need to review my intinary
Thanks for taking the time to fire up the photo's and write up after all of your dawdling days in the saddle
Steve T
Your scaring me, the amount of time it's taking you to "get south"!!!
You've taken 7 days to get to Galway - getting to Galway was going to be at the end of day 2 for me!!!!
Methinks I need to review my intinary
Thanks for taking the time to fire up the photo's and write up after all of your dawdling days in the saddle
Steve T
After leaving Clifden, and sticking to the Wild Atlantic Way, we made our way towards Ballyconeely past the Connemara bog that is famous as being the landing site (nose down in the bog) of Alcock and Brown's Vickers Vimy bomber after the first non-stop trans-atlantic flight and for the site of Marconi's transmitting station for the first trans-atlantic radio transmission.
The road leads you a small, and heavily tourist-ed, village called Roundstone. Made famous in the spy thriller "The Mackintosh Man" (both book and film). An interesting, but quite nerdy note, is that the car chase that starts around Roundstone suddenly becomes a car chase around the Burren, in County Clare, the other side of Galway Bay.
From Rounstone, we continued on following the coast to Carna which, if it's famous for anything, is famous for the fishery research station - and not much else as far as I'm aware.
Further on and we come past Rossaveal, where the ferries to the three Arran Islands depart. Rather than strictly follow the Wild Atlantic Way along the R336 into Galway - it's not very interesting and mostly 50 and 60 KPH anyway, we turned off up into the hills, on the L1311, towards Oughterard on the shores of (upper) Lough Corrib. This Is, or rather was, a nice wee bog road but the southern half has been destroyed by logging trucks, as it appears that someone has decided to clear fell the forestry. Never mind, the northern half of the road's not bad - as the forestry trucks can't use it. I think Andy has a photo of the view from the top down towards Oughterard and Lough Corrib.
So, from Oughterard the road, the N59, runs through Moycullen and shortly afterwards we turn off, before we get to Galway proper, to get home.
More, as they say, tomorrow.
The road leads you a small, and heavily tourist-ed, village called Roundstone. Made famous in the spy thriller "The Mackintosh Man" (both book and film). An interesting, but quite nerdy note, is that the car chase that starts around Roundstone suddenly becomes a car chase around the Burren, in County Clare, the other side of Galway Bay.
From Rounstone, we continued on following the coast to Carna which, if it's famous for anything, is famous for the fishery research station - and not much else as far as I'm aware.
Further on and we come past Rossaveal, where the ferries to the three Arran Islands depart. Rather than strictly follow the Wild Atlantic Way along the R336 into Galway - it's not very interesting and mostly 50 and 60 KPH anyway, we turned off up into the hills, on the L1311, towards Oughterard on the shores of (upper) Lough Corrib. This Is, or rather was, a nice wee bog road but the southern half has been destroyed by logging trucks, as it appears that someone has decided to clear fell the forestry. Never mind, the northern half of the road's not bad - as the forestry trucks can't use it. I think Andy has a photo of the view from the top down towards Oughterard and Lough Corrib.
So, from Oughterard the road, the N59, runs through Moycullen and shortly afterwards we turn off, before we get to Galway proper, to get home.
More, as they say, tomorrow.
outrunner
Well-Known Member
Steve T said:Andy,
Your scaring me, the amount of time it's taking you to "get south"!!!
Yes, but I did spend 3 days up in the north end. Anyhoo, it only takes a wee while to go places on the motorway/main roads as opposed to jiggling all around the coast as I have been doing.
Andy.
outrunner
Well-Known Member
Day 8.
Firstly I would like to say a big thank you to Tony and his wife Rachel for letting me stay with them last night, it was much appreciated as was the use of Tony's box of spanners to adjust the chain on the bike, well done those nice folks.
Tony escorted me out through Galway to Kinvarra, at least I think that's the place. Here we had coffee and a scone, there seems to be a scone fad developing in my life, said our farewells and I set off on my quest.
The road took me across the Burren which I am assured is one of the largest limestone landscapes in Europe.
It seems to go on forever, more from Black Head viewpoint.
Moving on you come to Doolin and Doonegore castle on the hill.
This is the cliffs of Moher taken from just outside Doolin and is the only one I got as when I reached the viewpoint on top it was chock full with coaches and cars,so I gave it a miss.
Instead of stopping I drove along the loop head road where not many people were about to get these pictures, you are bound to be getting fed up with cliffs by now, but do not fear, I have more.
Loop Head lighthouse.
The rest of the journey down was pretty dull, most of the places were just beaches so I kept going to the Shannon ferry.
Off the ferry after a few miles I saw this castle.
From there it was an easy run intil I found somewhere to stay in Spa looking across the bay to the Dingle peninsula, my next destination. Today's mileage was an easy 214 in good weather.
Oops, nearly forgot to tell you, I did find Shamrocks and here is the pic to prove it.
Andy.
Firstly I would like to say a big thank you to Tony and his wife Rachel for letting me stay with them last night, it was much appreciated as was the use of Tony's box of spanners to adjust the chain on the bike, well done those nice folks.
Tony escorted me out through Galway to Kinvarra, at least I think that's the place. Here we had coffee and a scone, there seems to be a scone fad developing in my life, said our farewells and I set off on my quest.
The road took me across the Burren which I am assured is one of the largest limestone landscapes in Europe.
It seems to go on forever, more from Black Head viewpoint.
Moving on you come to Doolin and Doonegore castle on the hill.
This is the cliffs of Moher taken from just outside Doolin and is the only one I got as when I reached the viewpoint on top it was chock full with coaches and cars,so I gave it a miss.
Instead of stopping I drove along the loop head road where not many people were about to get these pictures, you are bound to be getting fed up with cliffs by now, but do not fear, I have more.
Loop Head lighthouse.
The rest of the journey down was pretty dull, most of the places were just beaches so I kept going to the Shannon ferry.
Off the ferry after a few miles I saw this castle.
From there it was an easy run intil I found somewhere to stay in Spa looking across the bay to the Dingle peninsula, my next destination. Today's mileage was an easy 214 in good weather.
Oops, nearly forgot to tell you, I did find Shamrocks and here is the pic to prove it.
Andy.
Thanks for the kind words, Andy. 
There's a photo of us preparing to leave, but it's on Rachel's camera. I'll put it up later when she gets back from work.
Here we go -
On leaving our place I took Andy back onto the Wild Atlantic Way (R336) - it's only half a mile by road (nearer on foot). The route then goes along Salthill sea front and heads into Galway city centre. Andy has been following the "Wild Atlantic Way" road signs but the problem is that they lead you into the city centre but don't show you how to get out again. However, the route is clearly defined on the web site. Typical eh?
Anyway, as I say, I took Andy along Salthill seafront and into Galway city proper, around by the docks and out on the old Dublin Road (R338). We by-passed Oranmore, as they are digging up the high street (much to the locals' annoyance), and onto the main Galway to Limerick road (N18).
The Wild Atlantic Way route turns off the N18 at Kilcolgan and onto the N67. A short run of only about 10 miles sees us in Kinvara. After the obligatory cup of tea/coffee and a scone, Andy was on his way to continue his adventure.
I must say that bimbling along showing Andy the way does wonders for the fuel consumption as I managed 62.6 mpg after filling up in Clifden. That's the highest I've ever managed.
Just for info - it's less than 3 hours from Donegal town to Galway city by the main road. However, the Wild Atlantic Way (tired of typing that now ) is rather fractal - if you see what I mean.
Edit: Andy, two of your photos are showing up. It can't be that I'm in them as the other one shows up ok. Oh hang on - in that photo I still have my helmet on.
There's a photo of us preparing to leave, but it's on Rachel's camera. I'll put it up later when she gets back from work.
Here we go -
On leaving our place I took Andy back onto the Wild Atlantic Way (R336) - it's only half a mile by road (nearer on foot). The route then goes along Salthill sea front and heads into Galway city centre. Andy has been following the "Wild Atlantic Way" road signs but the problem is that they lead you into the city centre but don't show you how to get out again. However, the route is clearly defined on the web site. Typical eh?
Anyway, as I say, I took Andy along Salthill seafront and into Galway city proper, around by the docks and out on the old Dublin Road (R338). We by-passed Oranmore, as they are digging up the high street (much to the locals' annoyance), and onto the main Galway to Limerick road (N18).
The Wild Atlantic Way route turns off the N18 at Kilcolgan and onto the N67. A short run of only about 10 miles sees us in Kinvara. After the obligatory cup of tea/coffee and a scone, Andy was on his way to continue his adventure.
I must say that bimbling along showing Andy the way does wonders for the fuel consumption as I managed 62.6 mpg after filling up in Clifden. That's the highest I've ever managed.
Just for info - it's less than 3 hours from Donegal town to Galway city by the main road. However, the Wild Atlantic Way (tired of typing that now
) is rather fractal - if you see what I mean.Edit: Andy, two of your photos are showing up. It can't be that I'm in them as the other one shows up ok. Oh hang on - in that photo I still have my helmet on.
