Ireland & The Ring of Kerry

The black art of moving from A to B on foreign soil
paulw1882
Posts: 35
Joined: Thu May 08, 2014 10:56 am

Ireland & The Ring of Kerry

Post by paulw1882 »

Afternoon All

For the long easter weekend (Thursday to Monday) me and the other half are popping over to Ireland (never been before)

Current plan is as follows:

Thur = London to Holyhead (via Snowdonia)
Fri = Holyhead to Kilarney (via Ferry to Dublin)
Sat = Kilarney to Kilarney (Ring of Kerry)
Sun = Kilarney to Wexford
Mon = Wexford to London (via Rosslare, Fishguard and the Brecon Beacons

If anyone has got any tips on great roads, things to see , tips etc would be greatly appreciated !

Cheers

Paul
User avatar
Boggs
Posts: 1268
Joined: Thu Jan 26, 2012 5:37 am
Location: County Durham
Has thanked: 108 times
Been thanked: 102 times

Re: Ireland & The Ring of Kerry

Post by Boggs »

I don't know what television package you have but theirs an excellent series with Simon Reeve exploring Ireland,he does a full loop in 2 episodes,im sure they'll be something in there for you,i downloaded it on Sky's demand service.

(thumbs)
steve_h80
Posts: 381
Joined: Sun Jul 05, 2015 5:01 pm

Re: Ireland & The Ring of Kerry

Post by steve_h80 »

If you're doing the ring have a look along the middle from waterville to glencar, lots of pretty little backroads and bugger all traffic.
outrunner
Posts: 400
Joined: Tue Jun 14, 2011 4:43 pm

Re: Ireland & The Ring of Kerry

Post by outrunner »

A couple of years ago when I did the WWW I did not think much of the Ring of Kerry so I turned off and went around the Skellig Ring, great views and nothing in the way of traffic.


Andy.
Grumpy auld man.
User avatar
92kk k100lt 193214
Posts: 2327
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2013 10:32 pm
Location: Ireland Cork
Has thanked: 51 times
Been thanked: 151 times

Re: Ireland & The Ring of Kerry

Post by 92kk k100lt 193214 »

What are your ferry travel times?

SteveH advice about the middle is excellent, in fact in the right weather it is stunning.

How about Dingle Peninsula on Saturday....? go clockwise, Inch Beach [coffee/eat there], on to Ventry [Chuck Krugers], Slea Head Drive, Conor Pass eventually back to Killarney.

Sunday get up early and take in Ring of Kerry, but consider anti clockwise, eventually brings you back to Kenmare, then to Ballyvourney [The Mills is a good place to eat], Macroom, Cork, N25 east to Rosslare. Killarney to Cork is about an hour, Cork to Rosslare is 125 miles about 2 1/2 hours. Plenty of places to stop at.

I have all this on my doorstep and love the Dingle Peninsula and if weather was right it would be my preference over the Ring of Kerry but I have never had a good eating experience in Dingle itself and would probably recommend a fish and chips on the harbour. Inch or Krugers would be different.

Another option coming from Killarney is to go to Kenmare and head west on the Beara Peninsula to Lauragh and go over the Healy Pass which brings you down into Adrigole and then east to Glengarriffe. Even though its a bit touristy its absolutely lovely and a good place for coffee/lunch. From there travel east to a place called Ballylickey then east along the valley to Inchigeelagh and Macroom and on to Cork. Nice bike roads.
1992 K100LT June 2010 110,000 miles
1984 K100RT July 2013 36,000 miles, 90,000
1983 K100RS Nov 2018 29,000 miles, 36,400 miles
1996 K1100LT Oct 2020 37,990 miles
1984 K100 Sprint March 2023 58,000 miles
Sanqhar
Posts: 367
Joined: Wed Dec 02, 2015 5:21 pm
Has thanked: 13 times
Been thanked: 98 times

Re: Ireland & The Ring of Kerry

Post by Sanqhar »

Don't forget the Ring of Beara.
Many roads are not up to UK standards, if you think signpost kilometers as being miles then you will get your journey times about right.
Tom
... and today was a good day in the life of...
User avatar
92kk k100lt 193214
Posts: 2327
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2013 10:32 pm
Location: Ireland Cork
Has thanked: 51 times
Been thanked: 151 times

Re: Ireland & The Ring of Kerry

Post by 92kk k100lt 193214 »

I use an average of 30mph for these trips. Don't plan on anything faster, too many nice places to stop and take photos.
1992 K100LT June 2010 110,000 miles
1984 K100RT July 2013 36,000 miles, 90,000
1983 K100RS Nov 2018 29,000 miles, 36,400 miles
1996 K1100LT Oct 2020 37,990 miles
1984 K100 Sprint March 2023 58,000 miles
Moorso
Posts: 929
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2013 11:04 am
Location: Belfast
Has thanked: 14 times
Been thanked: 23 times

Re: Ireland & The Ring of Kerry

Post by Moorso »

Having done the Ring of Kerry and Wild Atlantic Way last year, I would second that and also advise taking your time....there's plenty to stop and see (both man-made and natural). Through the mountains towards the coast and southern end of the Ring of Kerry is breath-taking...enjoy it and stop off at some of the lesser known 'cahers' rather than the more touristy ones...if you do that you'll have them to yourself (like we did).
YouTube: MoorsoP
Twitter: @MoorsoP
Web: www.alternate-road.blogspot.co.uk/

Author of: 'Valhalla and the Fjörd'
Editing my 2nd book: 'Hibernia; Journals from a Motorcycle'
Columnist for the Ulster Grand Prix
paulw1882
Posts: 35
Joined: Thu May 08, 2014 10:56 am

Re: Ireland & The Ring of Kerry

Post by paulw1882 »

Thanks for all the great advice, much appreciated !

Final question - I've heard that getting out of Dublin can be a nightmare so any tips greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Paul
User avatar
92kk k100lt 193214
Posts: 2327
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2013 10:32 pm
Location: Ireland Cork
Has thanked: 51 times
Been thanked: 151 times

Re: Ireland & The Ring of Kerry

Post by 92kk k100lt 193214 »

Depending on time of arrival best bet is head north on the M1/Port Tunnel to the M50, all signposted from the ferry then head west until you find the exit for the M8 which takes you to Limerick/Cork/Kerry if you are going to south west. M8 takes you around Limerick and signposted to Killarney.

Tunnel is tolled, low rate is for going against peak traffic and at weekends. Arrive on a morning/lunchtime arrival and its low rate and a nice ride south west.
.
The tunnel is tolled but so worth it.

Now unfortunately the M50 bears remarkable similarities to the M2 in London during rush hour 6-10am and 4-8pm but its still the best way to go. Seasoned biker advice is use the outside lane and only cross to your exit lane as you near your junction.

DO NOT try to use a sat nav getting from the ferry, follow signs for Port tunnel/M1/Belfast/Airport, then on to M50 and follow the M50 to get to your exit.

You can get to Killarney on M8 to Limerick or also go M8 on to M7 on to Mitchelstown or Fermoy then exit motorway to Mallow/Rathmore/Killarney and its a nicer route but non motorway.

On M7 a reasonable services at Junction 14 Monasterevin, then on M8 at Junction 3, Junction 8 Cashel, Junction 14 Fermoy.

On M7 going around Limerick Adare is well worth a stop.

Pubs and off licences in Ireland close on 2 days in the year. Christmas Day and..................Good Friday. You have been warned.
1992 K100LT June 2010 110,000 miles
1984 K100RT July 2013 36,000 miles, 90,000
1983 K100RS Nov 2018 29,000 miles, 36,400 miles
1996 K1100LT Oct 2020 37,990 miles
1984 K100 Sprint March 2023 58,000 miles
Post Reply

Return to “TRAVEL”