The Boys Hit Ireland

As winter becomes visible on the horizon, Ivan, Derrick, Eddy, Mark and Stan thought they would hedge their bets and get on the road bikes and head for the more unlikely Autumn destination of Southern Ireland.

With three KTM990 Adventure R's, a KTM 690Enduro R and a Suzuki Bandit 1250, the gang got underway on the Wednesday after hooking up in South Wales on the Tuesday evening.

First stop after fuelling was Fishguard in Wales for the 14.30 ferry to the Co. Wexford port of Rosslare. With a constant eye on the weather the first day passed by uneventful with glorious sunshine and dry roads to enjoy the winding Welsh roads to the coast. A late ferry into Rosslare meant a short stint in the dark to Faithlegge Lodge after crossing the estuary at Passage East on the sole chain ferry from Wexford to Co. Waterford.

A few drinks and everyone was off to bed ready for the first full day of riding from Faithlegge to Inchydoney near Clonakilty, south of Cork.

The morning set the perfect scene with the sun shining and across the morning due laid on the lodge's golf course. We set off heading for Tramore on the coast road, which based itself around endless corners enhanced with the outstanding sea views. A short stop for a cup of tea at a local car park spot near Annestown gave us the first chance to hook up with the local population prior to having an excellent ride continuing along the coast to Dungarvan, Youghal and onto the next estuary crossing on the chain ferry at Passage West, allowing the group to pass south of Cork City and onto some spectacular roads along the inlets of south Cork through Kinsale, which was the perfect stop for Irish fish and chips by the Atlantic Ocean.

A short winding ride and we arrived at the spectacular Inchydoney Island where everyone couldn't resist a walk along the beach even if Eddy and Ivan were tempted to hold hands.

A god night's rest and everyone was raring to go first thing and the group set off to Clonakilty for the first brief stop before heading to the awesome Atlantic coast and the villages of Ballyduff, Skibereen and Bantry. We pushed on north to Kenmare, Kilarney and Tralee before finishing off some fantastic scenery at the ferry across the Shannon River at Tarbert. The longest day of the trip was coming to an end with some rain showers in the distance for the first time since we started. Galway loomed in the distance but with the many corners up ahead, it wouldmstill take a couple fo hours to get to Galway and the only rain we encountered on the whole trip, even though it was fairly light.

Jury's Inn played host to the group for the night and with boasting one ifnthe best nights out in Ireland a few of us hit the street outside to savour the fun and most of all the local Guiness and live music.

A slow start the next morning but the group was is in good form for experiencing yet more fantastic roads, this time in Connamara. With the sun splitting the skies and a tank full of fuel, we could not be happier as we hit some beautiful roads on the way to Cliften near the Connamara National Park. The roads were non-stop corner after corner all the way to Westport where I think everyone's breath was taken away when sitting outside the Towers restaurant at the end if the bay with the sun shining down on us.

Departing Westport for Mullingar, we hit a straight road for the first time in 4 days, although still plenty of time for excitement getting air off the sharp rises. Even the Pikies offered us a cup of tea near Longford.

Arriving in Mullingar for our last nigh in Ireland started on a rocky road to ruin with the rugby playing the main event across the nation with the Heinekin Cup matches heavily involving Irish sides.

A 2am finish after a few Guiness, Magners, bottles of red and 16 Irish coffees put the trip in perspective for for the hour ride the next morning to Dun Loaghaire port. We were thankful of the motorway so we didn't have to think and sort our lives out for the journey home the other side.
A short two hour trip and the gang set off from Holyhead to Bangor where after a quick fuel stop we started the eventual split with Eddy heading back to the East Midlands while thte rest headed south through Wales. Derrick took his turn near Bala and after some further amazing roads through Snowdonia, Ivan, Stan and Mark stopped in Builth Wells for some extra warm clothing before Mark headed for home through Llandovery and Ivan/Stan headed out of Wales via Abergavenny onto Bath and into Dorset.

Everyone back safe and sound, an awesome trip with some great like-minded individuals on wonderful roads looked after by amazing people.

For those that head to Spain, France and other far of fields, spare a thought for a little place not so far away with roads that will compete without the Alps, NO SPEED CAMERAS and in 5 days we seen 1 police man and 1 traffic warden, who for a change were not interested in us even if we were in double
yellow lines.

Thanks for the trip:

Derrick
Stan
Eddy
Ivan
Mark