Month: July 2018

Last full day in Ireland so make the most of it.

Halted at Donaghadee which is famous for its lighthouse and golf course. It’s got a small harbour with just a few boats laid up.

From here up to Bangor which is a small holiday town for Belfast. The houses between the two towns are just about the best I’ve seen in Ireland. Magic. Bangor has a large marina. Nice place.

Through Belfast but did not stop. Straight to Whitehead to visit my cousin to see how she plus husband are getting on. I’d tried to get on a tour of the Gobbins but could not get on. Too busy. Next time.

From here went straight to my final game site, the one I started at. Carnfunnock.

Well boys and girls that’s it for another trip. Anglesey in September. Enjoy.

Tom K

Woke up to sunshine. Back to summer!!!!!!

Set of north to Dundalk and then on to a small peninsular SE towards Cooley Head and up to Warrenpoint. Then round the Mourne mountains to Kilkeel to stop at the harbour. There were an incredible number of fishing boats in the port. How they get anyway with that is anybody’s guess.

Went through Newcastle to have a look at the beach and Royal County Down golf club.  On up the A2 to Downpatrick and eventually the Ards peninsular at Newtownards. After stopping at Portaferry found a decent campsite at Ballywater right on the beach.

god day bad day. It rained. Only a drizzle in the morning but heavier during the afternoon.

Relatively early start into Bray passing where the fire had been yesterday. All gone now. Bray is an old Victorian town south of Dublinthat has seen the best of time.

On up to Dublin where i stopped at a fishing village called Dalkey and there were fishermen getting ready to set out.

Through Dublin in a flash!!!!!! No stopping here. Stopped at Malahide which is a suburb of north Dublin and very posh it is too. It’s got a Grand Hotel right on the seafront.

Continued up the coast roads looking for a place to stop for the night. Nothing came to hand until I came to Blackrock south of Dundalk,, right near the border.

Stopped raining at 3pm

Bastille Day. Pity the World Cup final was not today.

First stop was Arklow which has a nice long harbour into an estuary. There used to be a castle on a headland overlooking the harbour but it’s nearly all gone now. All except a couple of cannons.

On up to Wicklow but did not stop too long here. Continued up the coast road to Greystones which is a holiday town south of Dublin. Good harbour and nice beach. Bray Head north of the town was ablaze with a gourse fire. There were helicopters trying to extinguish it but with very little success. Half way through the day the wind changed which added more problems.

Left Tramore early at 8am and headed up to Waterford. It’s an old Viking settlement beside the river. The Main Street is parallel to the river. Only small but nice enough.

From there moved up to New Rose to visit the embarkation museum with an old sailing ship.

Then over to Wexford on the east coast. Nice harbour.

Moved up the coast on the side roads looking for a campsite. Reached Gorey without success. On to Arklow   Where I managed to find a site on a farm. Nice site.

Had a shower!!!!!! Hooooooooray.

Woke up this morning to the arrival of a P and O cruise ship coming into dock. Day out in Cork. Left before the docking was complete.

Headed east along the N25 and took the turning for Shanagarry  and on to Youghal. Did not stop but followed the Copper trail up to Dungarvan. Nothing much there. Decided to spend the night st Tramore. This is s holiday town south of Waterford. Busy place with a long beach. Fun fair for the kids.

Quiet day.

Woke early this morning to find two canoeists loading up their canoes getting ready for the off. They are doing the coast on water. And you think I’m mad!!!!!

First stop was the Old Head of Kinsale but not that spectacular and the into Kinsale. Parked up as told on The waterside on the Cork side of town and walked in near enough 9am. Called into the tourist office to see if there was a similar train on the east coast. There is not but picked up a handy tourist book.

Had a good walk round the town which is comprised of narrow streets with restaurants and bars evert 10 yards. This must be one busy place during the food festival. Over a cup of tea decided to head up to Cork and in particular from my new book picked out a place called Cobh.

nearing Cork I decided not to go in as it looked too big but went west along the N25 towards Middleton turning off at the Cobh sign. Then hit chemical plants, and power stations. I didn’t order this at all. What am I doing here but carried on to Cobh which as it happened turned out not to be bad at all.

found an overnight parking place overlooking Cork harbour and the old naval warehouses. I doubt if anybody has ever heard of Cobh but it’s rather famous. It was the embarkation harbour for Irish emigrants leaving to NY Ellis island. Also the last pick up port for The titanic on its maiden voyage. So the small town has a couple of museums etc and also the largest church you have ever seen.

ill stay here tonight and have a think what’s the best plan forward. Not the N25.

Up early and baked some chocolate croissants for breakfast. Cup of coffee. Excellent!!!!!!!!

Left Ballydehob around 8am with the ntention of reaching Kinsale by the end of the day. Did he make it. Headed towards Skibbereen and then followed the Atlantic way through Baltimore and ended up in Castletownshend  which had the strangest thing I’ve seen whilst in Ireland. Tight in the middle of the road we’re a group of trees surrounded by a three feet wall like a roundabout. To get by you had to drive on the pavement. Crazy.

stopped off to see the Drombeg stone circle.

On along windy roads mostly single track  to an abbey at Templesgue. Stopped to have a look at the water birds.

Following the coast road made for Courtmacsherry bay where I decided to stop and watch the surfers for the night. Kinsale tomorrow.

Early start from Kenmare down the N71 and over the Cala mountain range to Bantry. Some excellent views out over the mountains.

Bantry is a lovely place with a small harbour shops and cafes. The centre is well kept with flower beds and baskets all over the place.

From Bantry headed west following Bantry bay to Sheeps Head. The car park here is about three Km from the lighthouse at the end of the peninsular. Beware is a very narrow track and lots of ups and downs but the view at the endis worth all the effort. Bring water with you!!!!!!

Back towards Dorris and a sharp right following Dunmorus Bay. Lots of interesting coves and Alters from prehistoric days. Eventually stopped for the night at Ballydehob right on the harbour.

Stayed overnight on the pier at Kenmare. Nice place.

Because I got involved with the cycle race round the ring I made an early start to try and complete it today. Headed up the N71 to Killarney to pick up the start of the Ring. Then towards Kilorglin and onto the ring proper. On down the N70 to Cahrisveen and on the Skelligs ring which was more rugged and baron. By far the best place on the ring.

From there made a move back to Kenmare and to do some shopping. Although the Ring of Kerry was interesting there is no way that it’s as great as it’s reputation.