Ireland and the wild Atlantic Way CIR2602
A small group of early arrivals took the chance today to explore Dublin before our official welcome briefing at the hotel! We met right after breakfast and hopped on the DART train, which brought us quickly straight into the beating heart of Ireland's capital. Our first stop was the historic General Post Office (GPO), where the famous 1916 Easter Rising began, before crossing the iconic Ha'penny Bridge into the colorful Temple Bar district. After a cozy coffee break, we walked over to admire Christ Church Cathedral and St. Patrick's Cathedral. Since it was Sunday, official services were underway, so interior visits weren't possible—but we didn't give up! Following a scenic stroll and a great lunch break, we reached Trinity College to learn about the famous ancient Book of Kells. With the briefing hour drawing near, there was just enough time left for one last non-negotiable Irish ritual: enjoying an original pint inside The Temple Bar before heading back to the hotel to meet the rest of the group!
Today marked the first stage of our tour, taking us from Dublin to Belfast. The first riding day is always a special one. It’s a chance for everyone to get comfortable with their motorcycles, settle into a relaxed rhythm, and start coming together as a group. That’s why we deliberately took things easy, enjoying the ride without any pressure or tight schedule. With Irish history as the theme of the day, our first major stop was the impressive Trim Castle. As the largest Norman castle in Ireland, it offers a fascinating glimpse into the country’s rich and often turbulent past. Standing within its ancient walls, it’s easy to see how deeply history is woven into Ireland’s landscapes. After visiting the castle, we stopped for coffee at Monto’s in Trim. Then we continued on to Fitzpatrick’s Restaurant for lunch. This incredibly cozy restaurant could easily pass for a museum. It’s unbelievable how much has been collected here over the years. Later in the day, we crossed the border into Northern Ireland and made our way to Belfast. Few cities reflect the island’s complex history as vividly as the Northern Irish capital. The blend of historic landmarks, modern city life, and visible reminders of the past made for a memorable end to our first day on the road. It was exactly the kind of start I hope for with every new group: relaxed, enjoyable, and full of great first impressions. Everyone settled in well, gained confidence on their bikes, and was able to enjoy the journey from the very first mile—a perfect beginning to the adventure ahead.
We departed Belfast under a very dark sky after a night of rain, but despite the threatening clouds, we enjoyed a completely dry ride and even caught glimpses of the sun breaking through from time to time. We rode along the dramatic northern coastline of Northern Ireland for most of the day, making our first stop at the picturesque Carnlough Harbour (also famous as a filming location for Game of Thrones) for a quick coffee, followed by a scenic stop at Torr Head to take in the breathtaking coastal cliffs. The undisputed highlight of the day was the world-famous Giant's Causeway, which we reached shortly afterwards. After parking the bikes and grabbing a quick lunch, we walked down to marvel at this incredible natural wonder: thousands of perfectly interlocking hexagonal basalt columns that look almost too precise to be natural. Back on the road, we passed through Portrush and Portstewart, riding along part of the famous North West 200 road-racing circuit, one of the most prestigious real-road races in the world alongside the Isle of Man TT. An absolute thrill for motorcycle enthusiasts like us! Shortly after passing Londonderry, we officially crossed back into the Republic of Ireland. There is no physical border control or landmark marking the crossing—the only indication that you've crossed the border is that the road signs immediately switch back to kilometres per hour (km/h) rather than miles per hour.
This morning, we left the beautiful Castle Grove Country House in Letterkenny and set off on another unforgettable ride along the famous Wild Atlantic Way towards Ballina. With almost 350 kilometres ahead of us, we knew it would be a long day. Unfortunately, the weather wasn't on our side, and rain stayed with us for much of the journey. Our first photo stop was at the stunning Horn Head, where the rugged beauty of Ireland's coastline shone through despite the wet conditions and the strong wind. After our lunch break, we reached the highlight of the day: the spectacular Slieve League Cliffs. Rising almost 600 m above the Atlantic Ocean, these dramatic sea cliffs are among the most breathtaking natural landmarks in Ireland and well worth the ride. From there, we continued south along the winding roads of the Wild Atlantic Way before arriving in Ballina in the evening. It had been a long and rainy day on the bike, but the incredible scenery made every kilometer worthwhile. We were all happy to reach our hotel and relax after another memorable day on the road.
Another incredible day on two wheels along Ireland’s breathtaking west coast! Our first stop was at the dramatic headland of Downpatrick Head, where we paused to admire the majestic sea stack and the sheer force of the Atlantic waves crashing against the cliffs. Shortly after, we pulled into the charming coastal village of Ballycastle for a well-deserved coffee break before continuing down the winding roads. As we rode further along the coast, we found the perfect spot near Wild Nephin National Park to take a break and enjoy an open-air picnic surrounded by pristine nature. Back in the saddle, we couldn't resist a quick photo stop to capture the iconic, sharp peak of Croagh Patrick looming in the distance. After a final refueling stop in the picturesque village of Cong to get the bikes ready for the last leg, we pushed on to Galway. We arrived with plenty of time to stretch our legs and wander through the bustling heart of the city, soaking in the lively atmosphere, colorful storefronts, and street music of the famous Latin Quarter.
Today was our first rest day, and Galway offered plenty to discover. The lively Latin Quarter, the historic Spanish Arch, and Galway Cathedral are just some of the city's highlights, while the colourful streets, traditional pubs, and strong Irish atmosphere make Galway a great place to simply wander around and soak it all in. Of course, a rest day doesn't necessarily mean a day without motorcycles. Five riders and two tour guides decided to take advantage of the opportunity and headed out towards the Wild Atlantic Way and the spectacular Sky Road, enjoying some fantastic riding and scenery along the coast. In the afternoon, we made a short detour to the impressive Kylemore Abbey before turning back towards Galway. By the end of the day, we were all back at the hotel – some after a relaxed day in the city, others after another memorable ride along Ireland's west coast. Now the bikes are parked, the evening is still young, and we're all curious to see what Galway has in store for us tonight. Let’s see what the evening will bring!
We left Galway on a perfect morning, quickly finding ourselves back on the winding ribbons of the Wild Atlantic Way. Beautiful, narrow, and curvy roads led us straight to the cute coastal town of Ballyvaughan, where we pulled over for a relaxing coffee break. Shortly after, we hit one of the most spectacular stretches of coastline in the country—known in Gaelic as Bóthar na hAillte. It proved to be the ultimate prelude to the majestic Cliffs of Moher, which we reached just a bit further down the road. Rising over 200 meters vertically out of the Atlantic, these dramatic cliffs are easily one of the most impressive natural sights in Ireland, and judging by the lively crowds, clearly one of the most visited too! Back on our bikes, we continued pushing south towards the estuary of the Shannon River, Ireland's longest river. Right before boarding the ferry to cross to the south shore, we treated ourselves to a fantastic surprise: a scenic picnic right on the water's edge. Once across the river, the ride delivered even more breathtaking scenery and twisted roads before finally bringing us to Killarney, the vibrant hub of southwestern tourism. Settling in on the shores of the lake for a two-night stay, we couldn't have asked for a more stunning location to end the day.
A rest day always brings plenty of options, but as true motorcycle enthusiasts, we decided to hit the road... of course! We kicked off our ride by tackling the legendary Gap of Dunloe with its narrow twisty (and spectacular) road, before merging onto the famous Ring of Kerry. Known as one of the most breathtaking coastal drives in Europe, this mountainous peninsula draws more travelers than almost anywhere else in Ireland. Since it was a Sunday, we were braced for heavy traffic and tourist crowds, but luck was on our side. The roads were remarkably clear of tour buses, allowing us to enjoy the curves, soak up the stunning ocean and mountain vistas, and enjoy a truly incredible ride. Enjoy the pictures from today's adventure!