Ireland & The Wild Atlantic Way CIR2501
It was an early start for Scott and Uwe today. Both choose to have a little peek into the hustle and bustle of busy Dublin. We started off with the Guinness Storehouse, with Guinness being a big part of Dublin's identity for over 260 years! Arthur Guinness signed a 9000 years lease in 1759, which was a commitment to the city and it's community. The brewery encompasses nearly a whole suburb and the views from atop are amazing. Did we mention the complimentary beer you can enjoy at the same time. From here we had a look at Christ Chruch Cathedral, an impressive stone building, that can trace its origins all the way back to the viking settlers. Of course we paid our respects to Tom & Jerry, two longstanding residents of these old halls. We couldn't have visited Dubiln without strawling over to Molly Mellone and touching her statue for good luck. A tradition that is similar to throwing coins in the Trevi Fountain in Rome or rubbing parts of the bridge monkey statue in Heidelberg. Dublin was full of visitors and local, enjoying a day out, going for a stroll or relaxing in one of the many eateries and Pubs along the street. Most enjoyable, were the lush flower displays that can be seen on the fronts of shops and other establishments. In the afternoon it was time to head back and to join the others for our official welcome briefing and the most exciting part the handover of the motorcycles! From that buzz we went to dinner and listened to the first tour stories many of our group could already share, as most have already been to multible of our rides. This was also the time Uwe got his anniversary shirt and he was able to remember each individual tour and some of it's highlights. What an enjoyable first evening. We are looking forward to more of that.
First day of our Irish road trip. After an filling breakfast in the hotel, we all gathered outside for our daily briefing. We had a quick run through of the route and an repeated reminder that we have to mindful of the left hand driving, which is a new experience to some. Our route out of town took us first along the shoreline of the southside of town before we used a little bit of ring road to find our was to the countryside. The first stop was Trim Castle, well known for its appearance in the movie Braveheart. Some combined it with a coffee stop while others went for a little wonder and stretched their legs. From here we went north towards Kells on narrow roads in lush green surroundings. The same town the famous Book of Kells got its name from. However, what was remarkable is the courtesy of the Irish drivers. Many times slower vehicles would let us pass and when some riders took a wrong turn at an intersection, a local driver stopped them to make them aware and directed them towards the group. Our lunch stop was quiet a special one, not only was the food very delicious Fitzpatrick's Bar, is a true gem. The outside is a sea of flowers this time of the year with old memorabilia dotted around. And this continues inside. At lunch we marvelled at the displays and tried to guess the purpose of many of the objects covering every free space imagenable! With full belly we tackled the last stretch on our journey today and also the ride into Belfast another big hub on the island. It was a little challenge, burt everyone lived up to it and a great group awareness was already showing. Nevertheless, we all welcomed the view of Michaela awaiting uns at the parking entrance. At the hotel we joined Tamara & Karl's tradition of "Beer in Gear" and swapped the stories of the day.
Today, our second day on the motorcycle starts with a difficult decision for Karl ;-) . But he found the right choice. We leave Belfast on the fastest way to get north. The Antrim Coast is one of the most spectacular coasts in the world. And we discover it on the our bikes. After our first coffee stop in a small sleepy village, we continue towards the famous Gaint´s Causeway, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986. 40,000 basalt columns, 60 million years old, must be admired. What a fantastic view. But it continues along the coast, on small and windy roads. Unfortunately, we do not see Torr Head, because it lays hidden behind some mystical clouds. You could stop every few meters, because the view is so breathtaking. Our current accommodation is a small castle from the 1600 century. The way there is lined with meadows and forests, horses accompany us on the way. Destination reached, the group enjoys the well-deserved drink of choice in the beautiful romantic garden.
Stunning blue skies awaited us on our start of a long riding day along the northwestern coast of Ireland, which also marks the starting point of the famous 'Wild Atlantic Way'. We left a little earlier than usual due to the anticipated riding distance and we were rewarded with a breathtaking coastal scenery only gently touched by the light morning sun. It was truly magical and we all arrived in Horn Head in high spirits. We took a long moment to take it all in before we had to keep going to our first coffee stop in the sleepy fishing village of Dunfanaghy. From here we went all along the beautiful coast of county Donegal through quaint little seaside towns, enjoying the sun and slight breeze in our faces. Scott did enjoy the ride so much that he went for a little detour through the backcountry before Franzi caught up with him, a little adventure with in the adventure. Today's lunch turned out to be a little surprise, a picnic on top of the Glengesh Pass with scenic views, tasty treats and a charming host all inclusive. Only a short stretch down the road we stopped at Sliabh Liag a well known lookout point over the Atlantic sea. We got the VIP treatment as the rangers allowed the bikes to park all the way up at the viewing point while the cars had to park at the bottom and people could either walk or take a shuttle service up the cliffs. This busy stop had not only captivating views but also a little ice cream stand and souvenir shop. Surprisingly, everybody withstood that temptation. The afternoon took us then south to Ballina, with the roads getting bigger and therefore a little bit more traffic. However, that was a good exercise to practice our overtaking skills as a group. After a last short stop at a roadside restaurant to relax the brains and stretch the bodies, we tackled the last stretch of our journey and were happy to see Michaela at the hotel awaiting us. Scott shouted the first rounds of drinks and we had a good chat about everyone's individual experiences.
Today a fantastic day of driving on the Wild Atlantic Way awaits us! And it gets wild. At the beginning, the weather is a bit wet. But in sunshine, everyone can ride. Our first stop is a real highlight: Downpatrick Head. According to legend, St. Patrick built one of his first churches here. Equally spectacular is the blowhole. Please don't fall in to it! The climb was definitely worth it. A short distance further we stop at the Ceide Fields. We treat ourselves to a coffee and some history in the museum. The Céide Fields (Irish Achaidh Chéide) are one of the largest Neolithic field systems in the world and are located on the northwest coast of Ireland in County Mayo.Here, too, the view of the cliffs is breathtaking. Here we are now at the northernmost point of our journey. It continues through a landscape that leaves you speechless. Wide open meadows, hills and without a soul. We have no idea what awaits us after our lunch break, but what follows puts a grin on every motorcyclist's face: the smallest roads with smooth asphalt, only interrupted by perfect curves. The Doo Lough Pass is all ours alone. After this fast-paced ride We get closer to our destination – Galway, where we will stay for two nights.
Our first rest day, but not for all David, Scott and Uwe decided to go for a ride on the coastline of county Galway. Out of the city we rode in wide open country, only interrupted by some wind turbines spinning slowly, appearing like gentle giants in the distance. The road was actually quiet bumpy evenso the tarmac was smooth. The explanation came later, after we past some farmers harvesting peat. The surrounding hills are full of it which causes the ground to move and shift and turns a perfect road into a little rollercoaster ride. First coffee stop, was in Costelloe. We enjoyed our drinks under blue skies and overlooking the bay. Afterwards, we were heading shortly north and David had decided to leave us at the next intersection to head back and to spend the rest of the day with Mary exploring Galway. So, Uwe, Scott and Franzi continued westwards towards Clifden. Along the coast, through small fishing villages and past some single dwellings facing the wild Atlantic. Clifden is a busy little market town, well connected with Gallway and popular amongst day trippers. We found a comfy spot outside a fish restaurant and enjoyed a light lunch there, watching the world go by. After the rest we followed the so called sky road outside of town to a stunning view point across the bay. We couldn't go by without shooting a lot of pictures of the vibrant green hills rolling into the blue of the ocean. Our last highlight of the day, Kylemore Abbey, was only a short distance away and we joined into the hussle and bussle of this famous Benedictine monastery. What an impressive building it is. With a little more time at hand we could have visited the beautiful gardens, but as the afternoon was pressing on we decided to head back to Gallway, which would give Scott and Uwe the chance to go for a stroll in town before dinner. We wonder what the others were up to today....
After a fantastic day of rest, we leave Galway heading south. Today, one highlight follows the next. But let's start one at a time. We're still on the Wild Atlantic Way. The breathtaking coastline makes us dream. We stop at the small Dunguaire Castle, dating back to 1520. The swans on the water make the whole thing seem almost kitsch. Then we continue to the famous Cliffs of Moher. Cliffs up to 214 meters high rise out of the Atlantic. O'Brien's Tower was built as a watchtower in 1835. It's home almost exclusively to birds, according to one count, 30,000 birds of 29 species. We leave this place to reach our lunch spot on time for our reservation. Our guests don't know where the increasingly narrow roads will lead us. But when they spotted the Edelweiss van, it became clear to them: Today is picnic day. This is always a highlight that delights our customers, and they love it. After this delicious lunch, conjured up by Franzi, we continue on. To reach our ferry by motorcycle. That's always a special adventure. And the River Shannon has dolphins waiting for us, who quickly say hello. Now our luggage for the day is full of experiences, and we reach our hotel in Killarney, which is located right on the lakeshore. Tomorrow we'll continue our journey through fascinating scenery.
Rest day? Or maybe a lie-in? Some people are taking a nice ride on their e-bikes, others are taking a lovely walk around the lake, and most are following the call of the "Ring of Kerry." Number 1 in the "11 Things to Do in Ireland Before You Die." So, let's saddle up the steel horses and have fun! We leave Killarney and turn onto the narrowest roads in Ireland. They're called goat paths. But we meet horse-drawn carriages. What a dance up the Gap of Dunloe! When cars meet, they have to reverse out of the way. And that was just the beginning; there was much more to come. Then we hit the "Ring of Kerry" road. It's considered one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in Europe. We have to stop often because so many beautiful motifs are offered to us. In the age of digital cameras, that shouldn't be a problem. We slalom around the clouds, because they don't catch us. One last stop at Ladies View, and then we've completed the fantastic 220 km. We end the evening at the hotel, while others head to the nearby town center to check out the pubs. See you tomorrow, then we'll continue.
Today, we are leaving the Wild Atlantic Way behind and heading eastwards towards Waterford. The morning was dominated by gentle backcountry roads interrupted only by the occasional a-roads. Our first stop was Blarney Castle first mentioned in the 13th century but with today's ruins dating back to the 15th century. Carlos had visited the castle the day before on his own and was happy to give his very personal tour of the gardens and showing the millennial old yew trees, he was fascinated by. Interesting was also the selection of plants in the poisson garden and the horse carriages in the stables cafe. Nobody dared to kiss the stone Blarney Stone, but to our defence the queues were long and the hygiene aspect questionable. From here we went to the city of Cork on more country roads and turned north towards Lismore. The countryside was lush and green as you would imagine it, featuring many farms, sheep herds and meadows. Our lunch spot couldn't have been more authentic, we stopped at a local pub in a little roadside village and the lady in charge was just a gem. Food was simple, but good and the stone floor in the public house were worn throughout the years. All in all a cozy experience, while in the meantime outside a thunderstorm was passing through. Just in time for our departure, the sun came out again and we wiggled our way through the Vee and enjoyed a short stop at the viewpoint over the valley. Now we only had a short stretch left, we bought some time and had a last little coffee stop before we went into Waterford for a late check-in of 4:00pm. We had plenty of time before dinner, so a small group went straight for the bar and others enjoyed a stroll on the waterfront.
Today is unfortunately our last day. How quickly time flies! But it will be a fantastic day, I promise you. We're driving to the counties of Wicklow and Wexford in southeastern Ireland. Small roads and stunning scenery await us. In the small town of Thomastown, we visit Jerpoint Abbey, an impressive ruin dating back to 1180. After a coffee in Bunclody, we take small mountain roads. The "Valley of the Two Lakes" has been attracting visitors for thousands of years. This spectacular landscape and the historic buildings make our cameras glow. And now comes something no one expected: The Wicklow Mountains National Park. A winding, narrow mountain road, wildly integrated into the landscape, gives us a big grin. What fun. This day is one of the most beautiful last days of driving, if not the most beautiful. Yes, that was Ireland. Full of surprises. The biggest: We had ten days of sunshine. With heavy hearts, we say goodbye and thank you for this amazing trip, new friends, and unforgettable memories. We'll see you again, somewhere in this world. Your girl-power team Franzi and Michaela