South of Ireland Driving Tour
Discussion
I promised I would put some details of the trip we just completed so I thought best to put it in it's own thread.
We have just returned from 11 nights touring around the South of Ireland in my 997.2 C4s PDK Cab.
We travelled over on the Friday from Fishguard. I always tend to take Stena going over as it gets in slightly earlier. My Mum owns a house in County Wexford, so for the first couple of nights we stayed there just to see some friends etc before heading off on our trip.
From there we were headed to Galway. I wanted to drive up through the Wicklow Mountains because I love this area. There is a fantastic BBQ place called Bubba's BBQ (open at weekends) in Laragh just outside Glendalough so we started there. Highly recommended!
We headed up across the mountains via the Sally Gap on the R115. It's a lovely bit of road and the scenery is fantastic.
The other recommendation I'd have for this area is heading back down the R759 to get a view of Lough Tay which is an amazing sight, but that was the wrong direction for us this time so we didn't do that.
From there we drove on to Galway City for 2 nights.
We have just returned from 11 nights touring around the South of Ireland in my 997.2 C4s PDK Cab.
We travelled over on the Friday from Fishguard. I always tend to take Stena going over as it gets in slightly earlier. My Mum owns a house in County Wexford, so for the first couple of nights we stayed there just to see some friends etc before heading off on our trip.
From there we were headed to Galway. I wanted to drive up through the Wicklow Mountains because I love this area. There is a fantastic BBQ place called Bubba's BBQ (open at weekends) in Laragh just outside Glendalough so we started there. Highly recommended!
We headed up across the mountains via the Sally Gap on the R115. It's a lovely bit of road and the scenery is fantastic.
The other recommendation I'd have for this area is heading back down the R759 to get a view of Lough Tay which is an amazing sight, but that was the wrong direction for us this time so we didn't do that.
From there we drove on to Galway City for 2 nights.
The next day we spent the morning in Galway city, but the afternoon was a bit drizzly so we thought we'd go for a drive.
I'd read about Killary Fjord as a place worth going to, so we decided to do the circular road around Lough Corrib with a diversion at the top to Killary Fjord. Supposedly Ireland's only true fjord.
We had a quick stop at the Ross Errilly Friary on the way around the lough.
The views over Lough Corrib were fantastic.
Once you get around to Maum you can take the R336 up to Leenaun. It's smooth, has wide sweeping bends, it's fantastic! The fjord was pretty amazing when you get there, but we didn't stay long as we wanted to get back to Galway for dinner. The road though put a big grin on my face.
R336 back towards Galway.
I'd read about Killary Fjord as a place worth going to, so we decided to do the circular road around Lough Corrib with a diversion at the top to Killary Fjord. Supposedly Ireland's only true fjord.
We had a quick stop at the Ross Errilly Friary on the way around the lough.
The views over Lough Corrib were fantastic.
Once you get around to Maum you can take the R336 up to Leenaun. It's smooth, has wide sweeping bends, it's fantastic! The fjord was pretty amazing when you get there, but we didn't stay long as we wanted to get back to Galway for dinner. The road though put a big grin on my face.
R336 back towards Galway.
Next day we were staying in Limerick for the night. Plan was to head down via a certain religious property that I was more excited about than I should have been!
We then headed towards the Cliffs of Moher. Not wanting to pay the 12 euros each [yes, per person] to use the visitor centre car park, I had read about another place you could access the cliffs for 5 euros per car. It's called Cliffs of Moher Liscannor Walk Parking, where a nice lady lets you park on her farm and it's only a 10 minute walk up to the Southern end of the cliffs. From there you can do the entire 5km walk along the cliffs up to the visitor centre if you wish to, which is then free [they only charge for the car park], but we chose not to.
Lahinch is near hear which has a massive surfing beach and does some nice fish and chips if you fancy some food.
We staying in the Savoy in the centre of Limerick. I can't say this strongly enough, avoid Limerick. The city centre is a complete s
thole full of beggars trying to fund their drug habits. Apparently none of them are homeless, they all have council houses, they just want your money to buy drugs. In a 20 minute walk to find a restaurant we were accosted at least 6 or 7 times. When we got back one of our Irish friends decided to tell me when she was young she wasnt allowed in Limerick city, or Stab City as it used to be known!!
We then headed towards the Cliffs of Moher. Not wanting to pay the 12 euros each [yes, per person] to use the visitor centre car park, I had read about another place you could access the cliffs for 5 euros per car. It's called Cliffs of Moher Liscannor Walk Parking, where a nice lady lets you park on her farm and it's only a 10 minute walk up to the Southern end of the cliffs. From there you can do the entire 5km walk along the cliffs up to the visitor centre if you wish to, which is then free [they only charge for the car park], but we chose not to.
Lahinch is near hear which has a massive surfing beach and does some nice fish and chips if you fancy some food.
We staying in the Savoy in the centre of Limerick. I can't say this strongly enough, avoid Limerick. The city centre is a complete s
thole full of beggars trying to fund their drug habits. Apparently none of them are homeless, they all have council houses, they just want your money to buy drugs. In a 20 minute walk to find a restaurant we were accosted at least 6 or 7 times. When we got back one of our Irish friends decided to tell me when she was young she wasnt allowed in Limerick city, or Stab City as it used to be known!!Edited by ThunderSpook on Tuesday 30th July 19:29
From Limerick we headed on to the Dingle peninsula. The weather wasn't fantastic, which might have meant I didn't really see what all the fuss was about.
We got as far as Coumeenole Beach, which is apparently the most Westerly point of Europe that you can easily drive to.
As you can see the weather was a bit grim.
We spent some time in Dingle for some lunch, before heading up over the Connor Pass. Supposedly this is Ireland's highest mountain pass, not that we could tell.
Picture from the top
Unbelievably, this picture was taken only a few minutes later as we came down the other side.
We stayed in Tralee for the night in a hotel called the Manor West hotel, which was absolutely lovely. Their executive rooms were fantastic.
Maybe Dingle would have been nicer on a nicer day, but I didn't get the appeal to be honest.
We got as far as Coumeenole Beach, which is apparently the most Westerly point of Europe that you can easily drive to.
As you can see the weather was a bit grim.
We spent some time in Dingle for some lunch, before heading up over the Connor Pass. Supposedly this is Ireland's highest mountain pass, not that we could tell.
Picture from the top
Unbelievably, this picture was taken only a few minutes later as we came down the other side.
We stayed in Tralee for the night in a hotel called the Manor West hotel, which was absolutely lovely. Their executive rooms were fantastic.
Maybe Dingle would have been nicer on a nicer day, but I didn't get the appeal to be honest.
Now for one of the bits we were looking forward to, the Ring of Kerry. We did it in an anti-clockwise direction. The Ring of Kerry is nice, but I highly recommend the Skellig Ring, which is an extra bit right at the end of the Ring of Kerry. Scenery is incredible!
On the Skellig Ring you have the Kerry Cliffs, which personally I found much more impressive than the Cliffs of Moher.
These are then some of the roads around the Skellig Ring
We were staying in Glencar for the night which is at the foot of Carrauntoohil, which meant going up through the Ballaghbeama Gap. I know I've said we've seen some amazing scenery already, but wow this is stunning. If you're in the area, drive this road! Yes it's slow, yes it's narrow, but it's quiet and just wow.
Glencar is in the middle of the Kerry International Dark Sky Reserve, so the night sky is great. It's a long way West so it took forever to actually get dark, this picture was taken at 00:50 in the morning! But this was taken with my phone, so you can imagine what it really looks like.
On the Skellig Ring you have the Kerry Cliffs, which personally I found much more impressive than the Cliffs of Moher.
These are then some of the roads around the Skellig Ring
We were staying in Glencar for the night which is at the foot of Carrauntoohil, which meant going up through the Ballaghbeama Gap. I know I've said we've seen some amazing scenery already, but wow this is stunning. If you're in the area, drive this road! Yes it's slow, yes it's narrow, but it's quiet and just wow.
Glencar is in the middle of the Kerry International Dark Sky Reserve, so the night sky is great. It's a long way West so it took forever to actually get dark, this picture was taken at 00:50 in the morning! But this was taken with my phone, so you can imagine what it really looks like.
Edited by ThunderSpook on Tuesday 30th July 19:42
Next day started with a drive past Carrauntoohil, Ireland's highest mountain. You can just see it hiding in the cloud at the back there.
From there we headed for the famous Gap of Dunloe. This has apparently been taken over by a group of people known as Jaunty's. They are basically a bunch of Irish traveller types who run horse and carts up through the Gap. They have erected an illegal sign saying the Gap is restricted to locals only during the day, and they will physically stand in the road to stop you driving up there. They even tried to get shirty with me when I wanted to turn around instead of going in to their car park and parking up. We left, I wouldn't recommend it. I wasn't going to pay people who treated me like that. If you do the Ballaghbeama Gap then you won't be missing out by not doing the Gap of Dunloe.
Instead we headed down towards the Beara peninsula. We decided not to do the whole peninsula as there are only so many peninsula's you can do, but we did divert half way down it to do a road called the Healey Pass.
The scenery on the way up was simply stunning.
This was probably my favourite photo that I took which is of the Healy Pass Waterfall.
Then, you get to the top. I'm not kidding, I nearly wet myself at this point!!
Best. Road. Ever!!
We were due to be going on a sunset boat tour around the Fastnet rock, but this got cancelled due to strong winds, so we decided to take a drive down to Mizen Head instead. This is Ireland's most Southerly point and was used as a communication post for transatlantic shipping. The location was interesting, the scenery was rugged and the ice cream was probably the best I've had in all of Ireland!
The weather was clear enough to see Fastnet from the shore, which was nice. Shame we didn't get to go but it is the Atlantic so you can't guarantee anything.
We were staying the night in Skibbereen, which it turns out is where the Irish rowers that nobody understands come from. They have a population of 2903 people, and 4 of them are in the Olympics this year.
Turns out Friday night was an Olympics themed street party, Irish style! It was a bit nuts
Pictured is the javelin competition, using French baguettes because, ya know, France etc.
From there we headed for the famous Gap of Dunloe. This has apparently been taken over by a group of people known as Jaunty's. They are basically a bunch of Irish traveller types who run horse and carts up through the Gap. They have erected an illegal sign saying the Gap is restricted to locals only during the day, and they will physically stand in the road to stop you driving up there. They even tried to get shirty with me when I wanted to turn around instead of going in to their car park and parking up. We left, I wouldn't recommend it. I wasn't going to pay people who treated me like that. If you do the Ballaghbeama Gap then you won't be missing out by not doing the Gap of Dunloe.
Instead we headed down towards the Beara peninsula. We decided not to do the whole peninsula as there are only so many peninsula's you can do, but we did divert half way down it to do a road called the Healey Pass.
The scenery on the way up was simply stunning.
This was probably my favourite photo that I took which is of the Healy Pass Waterfall.
Then, you get to the top. I'm not kidding, I nearly wet myself at this point!!
Best. Road. Ever!!
We were due to be going on a sunset boat tour around the Fastnet rock, but this got cancelled due to strong winds, so we decided to take a drive down to Mizen Head instead. This is Ireland's most Southerly point and was used as a communication post for transatlantic shipping. The location was interesting, the scenery was rugged and the ice cream was probably the best I've had in all of Ireland!
The weather was clear enough to see Fastnet from the shore, which was nice. Shame we didn't get to go but it is the Atlantic so you can't guarantee anything.
We were staying the night in Skibbereen, which it turns out is where the Irish rowers that nobody understands come from. They have a population of 2903 people, and 4 of them are in the Olympics this year.
Turns out Friday night was an Olympics themed street party, Irish style! It was a bit nuts
Pictured is the javelin competition, using French baguettes because, ya know, France etc.
We spent the next day having a slightly more relaxed drive up the coastal roads of Southern Cork. A number of the things we'd planned for today we already did yesterday due to the cancelled boat trip, which meant we could take a bit more time.
The scenery was less dramatic, but very pretty.
We then found we had enough time to bring forward our Blarney Castle visit so we spent the afternoon there. Piece of advice, the queues to go up the Castle were over 2 hours long, however if you leave it until around 16:30 then the queue is only about 30 mins.
We stayed for the night in a B&B in Blarney called Foxhollow house, which was lovely. The lady who runs it was desperate to get pics of my car in front of her house so she could show all her friends.
The scenery was less dramatic, but very pretty.
We then found we had enough time to bring forward our Blarney Castle visit so we spent the afternoon there. Piece of advice, the queues to go up the Castle were over 2 hours long, however if you leave it until around 16:30 then the queue is only about 30 mins.
We stayed for the night in a B&B in Blarney called Foxhollow house, which was lovely. The lady who runs it was desperate to get pics of my car in front of her house so she could show all her friends.
Our final day of touring took us along Waterford's Copper Coast Drive. Lots of small villages and sandy beaches. The perfect way to slowly bring you back to the real world. The Atlantic Coast is truly stunning, but very other worldly. Waterford feels much more like what I'm used to and is very like Wexford.
We eventually got back to our house in Wexford on the Sunday night ready for an early morning on Monday (yesterday) to get the ferry back home.
We always take the Irish Ferries route back to Pembroke, mainly because it leaves around an hour later in the morning. You still have to get up early, but an 08:45 ferry seems much more pleasant than an 07:45 ferry.
Finally got home yesterday evening to Hampshire. 1,784 miles in total, and we managed to get the roof down every single day for at least part of the day.
The last 2 days were mid 20's which is warm for Ireland, so I've now gone and bought a hat because sunburn on your head isn't fun
And that was it
We eventually got back to our house in Wexford on the Sunday night ready for an early morning on Monday (yesterday) to get the ferry back home.
We always take the Irish Ferries route back to Pembroke, mainly because it leaves around an hour later in the morning. You still have to get up early, but an 08:45 ferry seems much more pleasant than an 07:45 ferry.
Finally got home yesterday evening to Hampshire. 1,784 miles in total, and we managed to get the roof down every single day for at least part of the day.
The last 2 days were mid 20's which is warm for Ireland, so I've now gone and bought a hat because sunburn on your head isn't fun
And that was it
Ahhh.. it's nice to see home on an English forum ( from wexford but live near the copper coast ) trip looked like fun. Yes we all tend to stay away from limerick it's not recommended 😅 you've done probably the best of the country so can't add more really. I'm sure you've been down the hook etc the house looks very like it's down that way
Jaybmw said:
Ahhh.. it's nice to see home on an English forum ( from wexford but live near the copper coast ) trip looked like fun. Yes we all tend to stay away from limerick it's not recommended ?? you've done probably the best of the country so can't add more really. I'm sure you've been down the hook etc the house looks very like it's down that way
We’re just outside Gorey in the North of Wexford, but yes I’ve been down to the Hook a couple of times.I’ve not been over to the West coast since I was too young to remember it, so it was all new to me really. We tend to stay localish when we’re over there.
Thanks for this Thunderspook. Will have a good read later. We are going for a week in late September and have this plan from Belfast then back from galway via roundstone and dogs bay.
I have a friend in NI thats helping give us some tips.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/MyyNJy11ehZwhes6A
I have a friend in NI thats helping give us some tips.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/MyyNJy11ehZwhes6A
Excellent read and very helpful. We are doing the northern part of the west coast as we start in Belfast then are going to Sligo, down the coast and ending up in Galway for a night before heading back to Belfast.
Where did you stay in Galway can I ask , would you recommend it?
We have booked the so far the hotel in Leenaun but are considering others along the way.
Any recommendations on the route from google I posted would be helpful.
Really looking forward to this. Its a 50th prezzie from Mrs Interstellar so I get to choose for once what we do!
Where did you stay in Galway can I ask , would you recommend it?
We have booked the so far the hotel in Leenaun but are considering others along the way.
Any recommendations on the route from google I posted would be helpful.
Really looking forward to this. Its a 50th prezzie from Mrs Interstellar so I get to choose for once what we do!
Edited by interstellar on Wednesday 31st July 21:53
If you can do the road from Leenaun down to Maum and back it’s worth it. It’s only about 20 mins each way but it’s a lovely road.
We stayed in the Nox hotel. It’s just outside the city centre, about half an hour walk if you wanted to walk it, but it was nice enough for a reasonable price.
Not sure how long you’re in Galway, but if you’re looking for somewhere different to eat then I can highly recommend Khow Thai. It’s on a really dodgy looking industrial estate, but the food was lovely.
We stayed in the Nox hotel. It’s just outside the city centre, about half an hour walk if you wanted to walk it, but it was nice enough for a reasonable price.
Not sure how long you’re in Galway, but if you’re looking for somewhere different to eat then I can highly recommend Khow Thai. It’s on a really dodgy looking industrial estate, but the food was lovely.
Guyr said:
Great photos, thanks for sharing.
Total agree about Limerick, we drove there about 20 years ago when staying at Dromoland Castle and it was one of the worst towns we had ever visited in the UK/Ireland, I had just assumed it would be a nice place based off the name.
That was my assumption. It sounds like it should be a nice cheerful place with lots of ladies from Nantucket.Total agree about Limerick, we drove there about 20 years ago when staying at Dromoland Castle and it was one of the worst towns we had ever visited in the UK/Ireland, I had just assumed it would be a nice place based off the name.
Guyr said:
Great photos, thanks for sharing.
Total agree about Limerick, we drove there about 20 years ago when staying at Dromoland Castle and it was one of the worst towns we had ever visited in the UK/Ireland, I had just assumed it would be a nice place based off the name.
My family all live about 45 mins from Limerick.Total agree about Limerick, we drove there about 20 years ago when staying at Dromoland Castle and it was one of the worst towns we had ever visited in the UK/Ireland, I had just assumed it would be a nice place based off the name.
They don’t visit Limerick. Ever.
Cousin is a paramedic that covers Limerick. He’s kept very busy and some of his stories are frightening. I love Ireland and visit often due to family but Limerick is a firm no.
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