Holiday in Ireland

[s111dpc]

First time posting on this forum so hi to all you folks in Ireland.

I am currently considering a driving holiday in Ireland next year in the Elise with the wife and friends in their Elise. Did a similar thing last year in Scotland taking in the highlands and staying in some nice Inns and hotels en route.

I am looking to tour around for about a week, but I have never been to your fair isle before and am looking for some advice...

> When is the best time of year to visit (global warming notwithstanding!!)
> Can anyone suggest a route which would take in good roads and lovely countryside / shorelines.
> Is there a good "pub guide" or some such that has B&B's in it?
> Anything else I should be aware of or look out for?

Any suggestions much appeciated

Dave

[Ireland]

s111dpc said:

First time posting on this forum so hi to all you folks in Ireland.

I am currently considering a driving holiday in Ireland next year in the Elise with the wife and friends in their Elise. Did a similar thing last year in Scotland taking in the highlands and staying in some nice Inns and hotels en route.

I am looking to tour around for about a week, but I have never been to your fair isle before and am looking for some advice...

> When is the best time of year to visit (global warming notwithstanding!!)
> Can anyone suggest a route which would take in good roads and lovely countryside / shorelines.
> Is there a good "pub guide" or some such that has B&B's in it?
> Anything else I should be aware of or look out for?

Any suggestions much appeciated

Dave

Hello.

The best time for an Elise would probably be between March and September as you should be able to get around with the roof down (unless it's weather like we've got right now ..... wet).

I live in-land so I'm not the best one to suggest routes but, as a member of the Irish forum www.octane.ie , I've been on some nice spins to various parts of the country.

Have a look on there for some of our previous meets and the pictures will tell you a bit about the various areas.

As for the pub guide, there probably is but I'm sure one of the others on here will help you with that.

I had an Elise a couple of years ago and found most of the roads here were ok for it, with the really small minor roads which resulted in some very slow driving but, as these are well off the most-travelled routes, you should be fine.

Oh yes, petrol is currently cheaper over here than in the UK so you will have that in your favour as well.

Enjoy !!!

[AonFocalEile]

As Ireland says you will get more suggestions on Octane as more people are about.

I drove the Elise 15,000 miles until I got rid of it a few weeks ago so you should be fine in an Elise.

The route depend on where you want to go.

The Causeway Costal route starts in Larne (above Belfast) and runs up to the Giants Causeway. Very nice coastal roads. This can then link in with a trip around the coast of North Donegal and then down though the mountains to take you to the south of Donegal. Should take about 2 relaxed days.

I also like the Wicklow mountains outside Dublin for driving.

[F_M-R2]

Plenty of nice drivinbg over here!

Agree with AFE on Wicklow mountains, Donegal and Causeway. If you throw Kerry and Clare into the mix for some mountain and coast driving you have all four corners of the country covered.

You could ferry across to Dublin, Go through Wicklow mountains to wexford. Plenty to do there, food drink etc. From wexford to Cork/Kerry. Kerry to Galway through Clare along the coast. Galway to Donegal. Donegal to Antrim.

Theres 5 days driving. Thats allowing a few hours driving every day and obviously some time to see the areas. You could do alot quicker or could stretch it out a bit more even if you wanted and take in the midlands.

[F_M-R2]

http://www.ireland.ie/ and http://www.tourismireland.com/

should have pub/accomodation info and maps etc on them!

[Ballcock]

Can I suggest www.authenticireland.com ?

I'll be honest about this and say it's my brothers site , buy I think it might be suited to your needs. At least it'll give you some info if that's all you're after.


Also ,if your thoughts are towards a day trip within say 30 miles of Dublin , I can pm you the route that the Porsche club uses , lots of nice windy roads with very little in the way of traffic ....

[Kinky]

Dublin --> Galway --> Dingle --> Cork -->Dublin.

A day in each and a cracking drive. And if you do the Galway/Dingle part of it - get the Killimer/Talibert ferry - saves a [dullish] 2 hour drive via Limerick.

K

[s111dpc]

Thanks folks, looks like some great suggestions here.

[Jay Ayegees]

Or if you want to avoid expensive Euroland and poor driving & roads then try:-

Belfast - North Antrim Coast - Portstewart - Donegal - Fermanagh Lakes - Derry - Glenshane Pass - Newcastle - Mournes - Carlingford Lough - Belfast.

You wouldn't be disappointed or ripped off by the 'Diddle - e - Dee' brigade.

Jay

[Hag]

s111dpc said:

Thanks folks, looks like some great suggestions here.

Sned me an E-mail through my profile, I have a very good route from Dublin south and around the south coast, back up the west coast and back to Dublin planned out.


You're welcome to it. As Ireland already mentioned, we're members of www.octane.ie  and if we have dates we could arrange a joined up hoon

[lydchim]

Hag said:

Send me an E-mail through my profile, I have a very good route ........

Hag - YHM

We're hoping to be on the Holyhead ferry on Monday, no plans as to where to go etc, so any routes welcome!! We're bringing the TVR chimaera and will be over til Sunday. Just got to find somewhere to watch the England V France semi on Saturday night!

[OscarT]

Why spoil your holiday?

[Ianeire]

Exactly, we have the perfect route for you on Saturday! Hag will do the honors!

[lydchim]

Ferry booked, sailing from Liverpool at 2200 tomorrow!
Been on the "Rutland Rumble" today so we know the Tiv's up for a decent hoon. Can't Wait!!!!!

[Hag]

lydchim said:

Ferry booked, sailing from Liverpool at 2200 tomorrow!
Been on the "Rutland Rumble" today so we know the Tiv's up for a decent hoon. Can't Wait!!!!!

Beccy, YHM

[lydchim]

Thank you

[Hag]

lydchim said:

Thank you

YHM again

[patmahe]

I'd suggest the west of Ireland, particularly the n59 from Westport to Galway, spectacular scenery, and dont be afraid to head off this road for a bit as there are several little gems on the way around.

From Westport head for Louisbourg and after louisbourg head for lennane after that nurburgring style road you'll be on the N59 which will take you Galway through some lovely countryside.

If you have time head further south towards Dingle and Killarney, try to travel from Galway to Dingle/Killarney late in the evening as this route can be congested during the day.

Hope this helps a little,

Any questions PM me

[lydchim]

Many thanks for all your info it really does help.

If you see a dark red TVR Chimaera (M YUM) - give us a wave!!

Beccy & Mark

[lydchim]

ha ha ha ha , think we like the road from Waterford to Cork. Shame it was raining, think it would of been far more interesting in the dry! Anyway done the ring of Beara & Ring of Kerry today. Kilarney is interesting. On way to Galway tomorrow.