My Run Roon Ireland

Hi Peeps, just been for a wee jaunt around the Emerald Isle for 4 days, thought I'd share my adventure, folks seemed to appreciate my last Scatland Run Roon.


Catching the 7:30 ferry out of Stranraer, meant a 5:30 start from home and a damp drizzly ride to the ferry, not much fun but the bakery in Stranraer is open from about 6:00 so we always grab a great sausage sarnie before boarding.

Strapped down in the bowels of the ferry, with all the HGV's.

Day 1 was spent riding the Northern Ireland coast road around to Portrush and then down to Derry. Before meandering o the Southern Irish roads north !!!! Seems weird to head north into Southern Ireland!!!. Stopped in a wee place called Carrickgart for the night, great wee B&B.

The gun is at Downings, not far from Carrickgart, before going for something to eat at the 'Singing Pub', nice wee place in the middle of nowhere, but jam packed, guess I'm not the only one who uses trip advisor !!! 240 miles, weather mostly wet, bit pissed off with the rain by this stage.



DAY 2 was then spent riding south along the Wild Atlantic Way. A signposted route along Irelands Atlantic coast, didn't do every road, it really does take you along the coast, so we skipped some bits but mostly stayed on the WAW. Road would have been a belter if it was dry.

Stopped off for a wee bit of Irelands finest. Never drink Guiness at home, but it's much nicer on tap in Ireland, think they just send the dregs over here !!!! Not many pictures, because it was raining most of the day, was ready to turn for home at lunchtime. Another 240 mile day.

DAY 3 was a lot better weather wise, actually got to enjoy riding and stopping off at some nice places. Rode from Belmullet down through Galway and then onto Mullingar. This was the best day, weather turned nice and the roads were great. Still followed the WAW to Galway before heading up the motorway. Filtering through Galway City was fun, thank god I have a nice set of loud pipes and an air horn !!!


Ashleigh falls, north of Galway.


This is the bridge where the photo below was taken, John Wayne in The Quiet Man. Bet he's well chuffed to have had his photo taken in the same place as me




This was a great diner we found in Athlone after our blast up the motorway. Mostly chosen cos I could park the bike right out front and keep an eye on it, with all the gear. Another 240 miles.

DAY 4. Started well, weather was actually dry and the N52 from Mullingar to Ardee is a belter. If you do Ireland, sqeeze it in, great on a cruiser.

This was a lovely little beach we found on the south coast, the sole highlight of that coast. Think the road was the Mourne coast road, you'll definitely mourn the decision to come along it. Crap for bikes and the surface was atrocious, truly the worst I have ever encountered.

On Strangford Ferry, wee open ferries are always nice, unless stuck next to a stinking tractor and diesel tank.

Day 4 was another 240 miles including the run home from the ferry, home for 11:00.

So all told, close on 1000 miles in 4 days, the wife with 2 slipped disks, lots of rain - but still had a great time. Missus wanted to get back on the bike the day after !!! So can't be that bad. Bit of a struggle for her getting on the bike, but once on she was OK for 50~60 mile stints.

 

Well used to the rain, but does get you down a bit, especially when the roads your on are good and you just want to get on and enjoy. Road surfaces in Ireland are generally quite poor, so that and wet and Metz marathon tyres, not a great combo.

A tiger 800 or 1200 and a set of decent wet tyres like Angel GT's, would have been spot on!!!

Been looking at 800's since I got back (to replace KTM, not the cruiser).

 

Once the ferry is booked and the baby-sitters arranged, you don't have much choice.

Rather be on the bike in the rain, than sat at home wishing you'd gone