​The Ultimate Irish Road Trip 

Around Ireland in 8 days--
From Belfast back to Belfast
Another one of our famous roadtrips.We have not travelled a lot in Southern Ireland but we have seen a bit of the North. Beautiful island. May want to watch the short film of our highlights.  

This trip we had Lorna, Geebs,Alan and myself. 
Day 1 We left from Clydebank/Glasgow just before tea.
We were meeting Alan in Northern Ireland.
We had Fish and Chips on the Ferry.Bit choppy half way across.Great wee drive to Portrush. 
We were staying at Prospect House. Arrived so late.
So nothing open. Time for bed 

Day 2 Portrush to Sligo.
​After a lovely walk along Port Rush Beach,we headed straight to the world famous Giants Causeway. Amazing site.Sad to say too many people.
Geebs headed to trace his family roots.
We passed by Londonderry on route to the border.
<<<<<<GiantsCauseway  

Day3  Sligo to Galway
On the road again.​Leave Sligo  and take road to Ballina. Then out to a small village called Mulrany.
Here we had lunch in Doherty`s bar.
After some hearty food we travel to a village called Gob on the The Ultimate Irish Road Trip. Then on to Achill island. Drove round on circle road taking in Knockmore Hill then the lovely own of Westport across country by way of Ballinrobe into Galway. We stayed at Dun Aoibhinn B&B . Went to town Quay Bar restaurant then in Kingshead (oldest pub in Galway 1400ad). 2 singers (guitar duo).great night. 

Day4 Galway to Portmagee

Went the coast road Blackhead Bay then down towards the famous "Cliffs of Moher". Long drive round Liscannor Bay then Malbay round Spanish Point and heading for Killimer to get ferry across to Tarbert via Money Point Sound. Stopping at Horseshoe Bar for soup and beer in Listowel.  South to Tralee then through Castlemaine taking in the west part of the "Ring of Kerry" to town of Portmagee. We stayed at "John Morgans" house.   Town has 2 pubs. We ate at the Bridge Bar. There was also the Fisherman's Bar.

Day5 Portmagee  Full day 

Portmagee to Dingle town and back.  We went round the west "Ring of Kerry" via Castlemaine moving to Inch Strand Beach where some of the film "Ryans Daughter" was filmed.  We travelled along the N86 straight into Dingle. We had lunch in Paulas Hotel. Had a short stroll around town looking at the "Stars on the Pavements" famous people who were filmed in Dingle. We set off over the Connor Pass where at the top should've been able to look down to Dingle Bay on one side and Bradon Bay on the other  -  not today, mist and millions of killer midgies. We enjoyed the drive over the pass.  Headed back stopping at Ashes Bar for drinks then drove back to Portmagee for dinner.
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Portmagee front

Day6 Portmagee to Kilkenny

Set along coast road hoping the mist would clear so we could see the Skellings but to no avail. Stopped at Waterville to see cliffs then through Sneem a lovely little town.  Stopped further on at the beach at Castle Cove into O'Connell's Cove pub for tea and muffins. Weather scorching. After long drive we arrived at Kilkenny. We stayed in Rafter Dempseys. We ate in Playright Pub for traditional boiled bacon, potatoes and cabbage.  We went on to Lanigans Bar. Lorna got her wish with Irish Dancing (River Dance) and Irish Folk music.

Day7 Kilkenny to Wexford 

Great breakfast where Alan had 6 slices of Black Pudding now time to head to Hook Head Lighthouse and beautiful views as we reached the point. We had an enjoyable walk in the sunshine. We visited "Bastardstown" strange name for a few cottages. We re now headed for Wexford, our next base. We stayed at Jim McGees Pub where we met 3 nice ladies from Minneapolis. Another good night had by all.​

Day 8 Wexford to Dunore 

Headed along coast road towards Arklow stopping at a nice town called Courtown.  Stopped next at Wicklow Head for views out to the Irish Sea. We headed up the coast to the town of Bray. Visited O'Tooles Harbour Bar. Great old pub with lots of original items from the past. It was voted the "Best Bar in the World" by Lonely Planet. There is a Moosehead donated by actor Peter O'Toole as he once drank in there.  Got lost in town of Lucan but eventually arrived at Dalys Inn, Dunore. We'd a great meal and few beers in hotel.

O'Tooles bar

Day 9 Dunore to Home 

We all had a great breakfast. Got packed up and drove to nearby town of Drogheda to drop Alan off. He was catching a bus to take him to Dublin to get his flight home to Germany. We headed to the lovely wee town of Carrickfergus. Had lunch before setting off to the port to catch our ferry home.

Belfast Harbour

Courtown

Traffic Jam Ireland

​Day 1 Clydebank to Portrush 0-146 miles
Day 2 Portrush to Sligo 146- 374 miles
Day 3 Sligo to Galway  374 -500 miles
Day 4 Galway to Portmagee  500--674 miles
Day 5 Portmagee to Dingle and back  674--810 miles
Day 6  Portmagee to Kilkenny 810--1030 miles
Day 7 Kilkenny to Wexford  1030 miles--1130 miles 
Day 8 Wexford to Danore 1130-- 1280 miles
​Day 9 Danore to home [via Carrickfergus] 1280--1512 miles
Total 1512 miles Well done Geebs.
​Great driving mainly on Ireland`s minor roads
​<<<<<<The Ultimate Irish Road Trip

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