Ireland and the wild atlantic way (CIR)
Let's go! Our first day of many in search of the best coastal roads, enchanted castles, sheep and impressive mountain landscapes. It's a slow start out of Dublin in what for some of us is still unfamiliar left-hand traffic. On Sunday, fortunately, not much traffic. The weather was also suitable and we had a wonderful start into the Irish hinterland. Tears of emotion ran with one or the other at the approach to Trim Castle. The weight of centuries of history can sometimes blow you away. Now it caught us, unfortunately, nevertheless. A rain shower delayed our departure, but an hour later we could dry ourselves in a very iconic Inn. The best mushroom soup in all of Ireland! In the afternoon we crossed the Northern Irish border along the spectacular coastal road with great color spectacles. But we didn't want to arrive too late in Belfast and quickly moved on. We arrived on time with little traffic in the Northern Irish capital and enjoyed a local drink or two to celebrate this first successful day of the tour.
After escaping the city traffic of Belfast, we always headed north along the coast. The narrow street hugs the Atlantic, simply fantastic. A pleasure to drive along the much narrower Torr Road through the indescribably impressive coastal landscape of the "Antrim Coast". A coffee stop later we reach "the giants causeway" but quickly decide to leave this place soon due to the enormous tourist masses. After this hustle and bustle, we treat ourselves to a quiet and tasty lunch to strengthen ourselves for the afternoon leg to the hotel. Through Londonderry to Letterkenny we reach our lonely and beautifully situated hotel on the "Magheramore", the Irish Sea, in the evening and enjoy a cool boot beer.
We continue to one of the northernmost points of Ireland. Sun, cloud, rain. Everything is there. But also insane views and color spectacles. Until noon it went on like this on the roller coaster of the Wild Atlantic Way. Even small breakdowns should not rob us of the fun. Slieve League offered us as a highlight of the day a lot of beauty and some moments of peace and quiet. With a dreamlike evening sun, we headed west and around the Gulf of Donegal.
Today continued south on the Wild atlantic highway. First we stopped at Downpatricks head, a very prominent partly collapsed headland. We spent our first coffee stop in a museum of an excavation site with traces of settlers over 6000 years old. At lunchtime, something special awaited us in every respect, such as a sumptuous EDELWEISS picnic right on the water. We reached the hotel at 5:45 p.m. after an adventurous day of driving through breathtaking landscapes and started the evening with a refreshing boot beer.
On time we started on this wonderful day from Galway towards the southwest. We were a slightly smaller group, as a few decided to explore the city. The weather cooperated and we set off for the first highlight of the day. Kylemore Abbey. Wide gardens invite for a walk. Then we continued at a fast pace and with rising temperatures. A small photo stop on the ring of the Sky Road and then a small snack in Clifden. In the afternoon we really got into the flow and reeled off one curve after the other. Nevertheless, we did not want to get home too late, because there is still a lot to discover in Galway. In the evening we went to the oldest pub in town with great musicians.
With cloudy but dry weather in Ireland, we left Galway and always headed south along the Wild atlantic way towards Killarney. Our first photo stop at Black head made us pause in amazement in a barren and barren, almost surreal stone landscape. Arriving at the highlight of the day, the Cliffs of Moher, we took our time to enjoy the up to 150m high, steep cliffs in peace. After an invigorating lunch we headed towards Killarney to end the evening in the noble and magnificent Lake View Hotel.
Ring of kerry A dream of a coastal road awaited us today with happily changing, humid Irish weather. At the beginning we crossed the breathtaking Gap of Dunloe valley and a little later down the Passat road again along the Ring of kerry along the Wild atlantic way. White beaches, rough, windswept seas and a fantastically winding coastal road put a smile on our faces. After a delicious lunch we continued along a rugged and narrow valley until we later made a short coffee stop for pancakes with strawberries in the "Erdbeerfeld" cafe. After we left the hustle and bustle of Killarney behind us, let the evening end in the great Lake view hotel. Just great!
We could hardly wait for today. It was finally going through the wildest part of Ireland, the Ring of Kerry and Gap of Dunloe. A few decided to stay at the hotel and so we were able to ride with two tour guides, which made it much more comfortable for guests. Narrow roads led us into this breathtaking landscape. We stopped countless times for photos. Of course, there were the obligatory rain showers, but they didn't bother us anymore. Along the coast we even got a few rays of sunshine and with palm trees along the way we felt catapulted directly to the Mediterranean Sea. The afternoon held the Black Valley ready and we all agreed: what a unique natural spectacle. This rounded off the day and exhausted and full of impressions we reached our hotel on time, where a sauna and various cold drinks were waiting for us.
Today we left the wild atlantic way and cruised very relaxed on good and winding roads through the Irish hinterland. We reached our highlight of the day, Blarney Castle, in the early afternoon with pleasant temperatures and even some sunshine. Some of us climbed the steps all the way up to the fabled and bewitched Blarney Stone. It is said that whoever kisses him gains the gift of gab. During the afternoon we continued to the north-east, short stop at the viewpoint "the vee" a distinctive, V-shaped valley, until we finally reached our hotel in Waterford, directly on the river Suir.
Our last day should also have a lot in store. Above all, we were treated to beautiful weather. Light cruising brought us quickly to one of the oldest abbeys, where we could linger a little and breathe very old history. Then it went through relaxed country roads to Glendalough. A very old village with countless gravestones. A crazy place. Shortly after, Jochen welcomed us with a wonderful picnic by the water. Completely in flow it went for the now on the 10th day very experienced riders through really breathtaking plateaus down to Dublin. And no one got lost in the city traffic. A miracle. An excellent dinner should bring our great Ireland adventure to an end.