First Trip to Ireland - recommendations appreciated

[Jersey87]

Afternoon all

As the title suggests I'm off to the Emerald Isle for the first time in a few weeks and apart from riding the Ring of Kerry and the Dingle Peninsular I have no other plans. :dry:

I'm landing in Rosslare solo on a F800GS (avec camping gear)on a Wednesday evening and leaving from there the following Wednesday morning.

Can anyone suggest must visit/ride places or give me any dos/don'ts for the Republic? (thumbs)

The bike is shod with front TKC80 and rear K60 Scout so rough roads/big bike friendly green lanes are also feasible.

Cheers
Jersey

[Moorso]

Hi Jersey
Firstly...welcome! Ha ha!

Secondly, there are literally a multitude of options for you. My personal advice is to head west from Rosslare - there are numerous places of interest to stop along the way; most well signposted by brown (heritage site) signs.

I would initially hug the coast to places like Kinsale and Clonakilty. This route will then take you nicely towards Kenmare and you're then on the Ring of Kerry route.

We recently stayed at Mannix Point campsite (Cahersiveen) on the Ring of Kerry that i'd highly recommend. From there you can head northwards on the Wild Atlantic Way, all of which have numerous views and places to see. Maybe a route like the one below?

I can also send you satnav coordinates for places that might be of interest as well as campsites / hostels such as Doolin (McCann's pub is a must if you stay there!)

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[sprintster]

+1 for Mannix Point Campsite. (thumbs)

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[Jersey87]

Thanks Moorso, that's the sort of route I was eyeing up. (thumbs)

Looking through a Rough Guides book Dingle and Doolin were highly recommended so that's a couple of nights ticked off.

Usually play it by ear when traveling in Europe with regards places to stay but any recommendations would be handy - camping and non-camping options with parking. I'm not averse to rain but if there's a good choice of somewhere dry nearby it'd be welcome

What sort of time frame would you suggest for that sort of route? I'm happy to ride all day but small roads and lots of stops for photos and coffee (and ice cream and chips and cake...) are likely going to drop the mileage a bit. :whistle:

Cheers
Jersey

[Flintlock]

Hello Jersey,

If you click on Index, then scroll down to regions and click on Ireland-there is several pages of info/ride reports etc, might be of use to you.

Enjoy your trip (thumbs)

[Moorso]

Hi Jersey

Well, a few friends and I are just back from a similar type trip, but we came down from Belfast to Kilkenny, to Cashel, then Kilarney, Kenmare, The Ring of Kerry, Wild Atlantic Way to Doolin, Galway, Carrick-On-Shannon, and we took a full week over it!

I guess the golden rule is that Google's map directions is ever optimistic in its time estimations!!

I can maybe have a go at designing a draft route plan for you - how long are you over here for?

[Jersey87]

I'll be over for 7 nights/6 days so will probably be aiming to cover a similar distance to your route I'd hazard. (thumbs)

Someone at work suggested going as far up the West Coast as Sligo. Of course it'll all depend on how slowly I cover the distance - don't really want to find myself needing to blast along dual carriageways to get back to the ferry in time!

[mawse]

Try and get over to Achill Island - great camping and spot on roads

A little further north, but sooooo chilled. If you are camping head to the site north of the island, great site and pub close by and nothing else so take snacks and supplies in with you

[Heff]

Will you be coming North as there are some cracking roads here :woohoo:

Always keen to meet other ABRs over coffee and show the sights (thumbs)

[Jersey87]

Mawse - Achill Island now added to the list (thumbs)

Heff - As I'm making it up as I go I may well do, depending on time. Where abouts are you?