Thursday 6th Aug.
We set off on our hol’s to Ireland, we arranged to meet in Holmfirth at lunch-time, to wander over to Birkenhead, as we were not due to board till 8pm, with a 10pm departure, we had plenty of time, we went via Manchester thro’ to a café stop near Lostock, then decided to go up to the New Brighton seafront, to kill time before arriving at Birkenhead.
We travelled with Norfolk Line overnight to Dublin, with a three course meal, cabin, then a breakfast, we had 7 nights B&B with a voucher for each nights stay with a double room en-suite, you are provided with a book containing a vast amount of guest house all over Ireland, we planned our trip afore we set off and had our digs booked in advance, a couple of them we had stayed in previously. The cost was £354 pp (worth every penny or Euro) the company is Leisure Breaks, based in Chesterfield, highly recommend them !!!

Friday 7th Aug.
We disembarked at about 6am in Dublin, probably the best time to get through Dublin, then onto the M4 heading for Galway City. The M4 is a new motorway, and is also a Toll Road (unbeknown to us) eventually getting the N6 thro’ Athlone Ballinasloe… Loughrea and Galway City, That was the fast bit, to get over to the West to soak up the fantastic Connemara landscape. Once thro’ Galway we were on the coast road following the ‘R’ roads all the way round to the N59 which takes you round the Connemara National Park along to Aasleagh then on the R335 thro’ the Connemara Mountains.
We had an amusing incident riding thro’ this bit….we came across a local shepherd who had just unloaded a flock of sheep in the road, the sheep had nowhere to go only straight up the road in front of us,  the shepherd just shouted “be jesus just go round them” as there were ditches both sides of the road, the poor things were a bit concerned at having three Pans with headlights on them and eventually after trotting up the road with us following (not too close) they suddenly made a dive for the safety of the moorland. We then came to Westport, but it was getting on in time and we had to get to our first guest house around tea time, this was in Castlebar Co Mayo.
As usual the house was spotless, and the welcome was very warm, as the house was a fair walk out of town the landlord kindly ran us in for our evening meal, he ran the girls in then came back for us, typical Irish hospitality. After the meal we were going to walk back but I’m afraid I chickened out and Babs’ and I got a taxi, as I was the oldest on the trip, I used that as an excuse he he

Saturday 8th Aug.
We set off for a days touring Co Mayo we went along the R311 onto the N59 along the coast to Mulrany then went along the R319 to the Achill Island, I decided as we went along to pick out a tiny little road signposted the Atlantic Ring, very nice scenery, unfortunately I took a wrong turn at a “T” junction, after about three hundred yards going uphill with a “lot” of grass in the middle of the road we came across a farm gate he he with a lot of gravel on the road (oh no) anyway we got turned round and then we decide to abort the Atlantic tour and went back down to the N59.
Up along the coast to Bangor Erris then along the R313 and onto the Belmullet Peninsula…..right to the very tip which ended in a tiny harbour, after a break we set off back along the peninsula and took the R314 along the north coast of Co Mayo,(brilliant bike road) we stopped in Ballycastle to discuss a possible fuel shortage as we weren’t sure where the next station was going to be, panic over, we found there was one in Killala only about 7km away. After filling up we were off down the N26 heading for Castlebar and our second nights b&b

Sunday 9th Aug.
We set off after the usual brilliant Full Irish
Breakfast, heading for our third nights stay on the Dingle Peninsula. We had a long day in front of us today taking the N84 heading south towards Galway City. We called in at a tiny village called Cong, some of you older end will remember the film “The Quiet Man” starring John Wayne & Maureen O’Hara well it was filmed in the area. (at least the outside shots were).
Had a café break before setting off again heading south….Once thro’ the area round Galway City, at Kilcolgan we got onto the N67 along thro’ the Burren (Think this should be Barren) as the landscape is very rocky.
We then took the R477 along round Black Head …..Doolin then onto the Cliffs of Moher with a site-seeing stop a must. From here it was clock watching time as we had to get across the Shannon Ferry at Killmer (perfect timing as we arrived we just rode straight on then they closed the gates behind us and we were off). Then down to Tralee and along the north coast of Dingle to Castlegregory and an evening meal. Arriving at our second b&b The Beenoskee early evening, two of us had stayed before and so knew to expect a really warm welcome, and Mary & Michael didn’t let us down. Quick change and the home made cake and coffee was dished out, this was the only down side to the trip, as I had had two pieces of cake, Mary announced she had made it with “Guiness”… as I am teatotal the rest of the group found it quite funny.

Monday 10th Aug.
We decided to explore Dingle today going over the Connor Pass and down to Dingle Town unfortunately the weather wasn’t too good today and so the view from the top of the pass was almost Nil….. After fuelling up in Dingle we went along the coast road clockwise, with some breathtaking scenery back in Dingle we went along the N86 then the R561 heading for The Ring Of Kerry …….Joining the N70 at Castlemaine we headed down the Ring, on approaching a small town called Killogrin, we came upon a lot of traffic, very slow moving, lots of vehicles parked both sides of the road, a lot of which were horse-boxes, the Garda were in attendance, it was in fact as we found out later The Puck Fair (correct spelling), it is a three day event and the town is absolutely packed. We eventually got thro’ it and we were on our way again along the Ring. We dropped off taking a road down to the Valencia Island Ferry, just a pub and the ferry, unfortunately the staff in the pub didn’t seem too keen on bikers, and so it was decided to get back up onto the Ring and continue on to Waterville.
We had lunch in Waterville, before moving on around the Ring around to Molls Leep where we diverted to go down along a valley with one tiny road, which went on for a lot longer than I remembered. Eventually rising up and over and down along The Gap of Dunloe, what a ride that is, one of the interesting things about the pass is the amount of Horse S**t on the road as it is a tourist attraction from the northern end where the Irish Jaunty Carts run up and down, you are not allowed in a motorised vehicle from the north end,
After a short stop we set off back to Beenoskee……..Big mistake on my part here, I took a wrong turn and ended up going back thro’ the Puck Fair, from the other end. Times rolling on now and in my anguish to get us back I decided to go over the Caherconree Mountain from Aughits Bridge to Camp that was an experience the light was fading and the cloud was low, it was like riding in fog with a light drizzle. Bit of relief when we got back down the other side, and on to Beenoskee.

Tuesday 11th Aug.
As the weather had not been good going over the Connor Pass the day before, we decided to go over again and head on down to our next b&b in Goleen West Cork, we went down thro’ Killarney Town and joined the part of the Ring of Kerry we had missed the previous day, this part is great as you are riding for the best part thro’ a wooded area alongside one of The Lakes of Killarney. We stopped at the Ladies View which has spectacular views over the lakes and mountains.
We then rode on heading for Kenmare and then onto the Beara Peninsula. We were doing great heading for Dursey Island at the West end……made another wrong turning which took us on a real ride over a tiny road which was very up and down and twisty, great ride but it took us a bit out time-wise as we were looking forward to getting to Goleen, so we decided to head back along the south coast to Glengarriff, then thro’ Bantry (quick toilet stop for the ladies) We gents never seem to have a problem finding toilets do we ?
Onward then down the R591 to Goleen and the very picturesque little village with a fantastic b&b called The Heron’s Cove, a fish restaurant/b&b very nice and clean good food and its at the side of a natural harbour, there just happens to be a Heron in residence (hence the name) very relaxing night, apart from me kicking the wall at the side of the bed at 3am, thought I’d broke it at first, but being a man we put pain to one side (don’t we guy’s) he he !!

Wednesday 12th Aug.
Full Irish once again for breakfast, then back on the bikes for another great ride, rode back up to the N71 heading East thro’ Skibbereen ….Clontakilty then the R600 Along the coast to Kinsale, had a walk round, then back on the bikes, and off to Crosshaven via Carrigaline up at the back of Crosshaven is the entry to Cobh (pronounced Cove) harbour, where the Titanic went thro’ on it’s fateful journey all those years ago.
We then went round to Cobh via the Passage West ferry, to have a look at where she actually took her passengers on from the quayside. Then up to the N25 heading for our next (and last) b&b in Grange just off the N25, had a little problem finding this one, but was it worth finding (Yup) we were booked in here for two nights Teresa our host arranged for a taxi to ferry us to a local eating house along the N25 he had to do two trips obviously as there were six of us, the food was excellent and an added bonus was it was Paul’s birthday the following day and Sharon went and paid for the lot, for which we were very grateful. Then we had the same trip back with the same taxi taking two trips

Thursday 14th Aug.
Babs’ & I decided we would have a chill out day, no biking today !!! so we were given instructions of how to get to the nearest sea-side resort Ardmore, by our lovely landlady Teresa, it was a beautiful day, and we set off with Babs in a silly pair of what look like ballet shoes, must have walked the best part of 10 miles, along a great little road that would have been a joy on the bike, but with a solid white line most of the way and no pavement, we had to step on the grass verge and turn sideways to the odd cars that came past, all the drivers give a wave, all part of the Irish hospitality….
We eventually arrived on the beach in Ardmore, very busy with families out for the day picnicking etc By this time Babs’ ankle was giving her some grief, so we limped her over to the waters edge for her to stand in the cold water for a bit of relief (it worked) after a while we wondered up the main street looking for refreshments, we sat outside a café for a while talking to a local, then saw a chippie so we went down the prom, sat and ate the fish & chips in the glorious sunshine, had to have a pudding then of course, so at the top of main street, we purchased two Large 99s, then rather than walk back the 10miles (not an option) we phoned the taxi driver we had used the previous night to take us back. Alan & Jeanette..Paul & Sharon had been out on the bikes around Waterford, they were late getting back, so we had a little chill out time in the lounge, but I didn’t last long as my bed was calling.

Friday 15th Aug.
The long ride back up to Dublin today, we said our farewells to Teresa and headed out onto the N25 Eastward…after a short stop in Dungarvon, we then cut onto the coast road to Tramore….”P” stop, then back up to the N25 and thro’ Waterford onto New Ross, I then missed a turn so took the next one and sort of used the old compass in my head to get us along the coast to Wexford…Eventually finding a place to park on the front, first time we had to pay parking charges 1.40 euro’s per bike per hour…had lunch outside a nice restaurant in the Town, then back on the bikes for the last leg.
Out of Wexford we took the R742 along the coast, thro’ Blackwater and up to Gorey. Short leg stretch here, then back on the bikes and on the N11 up to Arklow, it now being mid-afternoon Friday as we approached the town I made a right fo-pah, missed the turn for Avoca, and went straight down into the town, at this time very busy, I stopped and asked a local the way to Avoca, be-jesus your goin’ the wrong way say’s he, so we had to go further down, turn round and head back up the busy street, once on the right road we were heading up into the Wicklow Mountains, there are a few options to take going thro’ so I asked another local in Laragh, and he set us up for a really nice ride over the top of the mountain.
The weather on the top unfortunately changed, and we stopped to don our wet gear, then we were heading down towards Dublin
This is the bit I don’t like on our hol’s in Ireland as it means we are leaving this wonderful country. I always feel as I make my way along the North Bank of the River Liffey to the ferry, I wish we were on the other side heading back out to start again.
We were early at the terminal, but eventually we boarded, quick change then down for the three course Dinner, didn’t want to show myself up so I only had Two puddings he he (can’t resist apple crumble), sat in the lounge as the boat was setting off then off to bed for an early call in the morning (4.30am) for a breakfast afore leaving the ferry in Birkenhead, straight thro’ the Wallesy Tunnel, thro’ Liverpool (very quiet) onto the M62, and home…..Bab’s was in bed within 10 mins of walking thro’ the door, to finish her nights beauty sleep he he

As I retire in Jan’ one of the first things I would like to do is go back again, so stand by Liesure Breaks Barbie & Ken are coming back.