Ireland for two - May 2019
Trip to Ireland - May 2019
After my daughter's Higher Exams we took some time to travel to Ireland. This was the first time we had used Daisy with one person sleeping in the overhead space and the other on the bed made up from the table area. It worked very well - not over-crowded and we slept fine.
Day 1 - Home to Maybole
I am not sure of there is much of a village here - it is a dot on the map about 7km east of Turnberry on Scotland's east coast. But where is a lovely and secluded campsite called the Walled Garden. Very peaceful, with walks along the wooded riverbank and, usefully for us, not too far from the ferry port.
Day 2 - Maybole to Belfast
The ferry from Cairnryan departs at 11am. So we left the campsite at 9am and expected to be far too early. But the road to the coast was closed and we had to take a back road detour. But we made it in time to join the ferry with a lot of motorbikes. On the ferry we decided to stay at Loughshore campsite to the north of Belfast, then we could go around the Titanic expo in the morning. Loughshore itself is more of an RV park than a true campsite, although it was inexpensive, clean and the location is good. But there is no attendant on site and it is quite small.
Day 3 - Belfast and Beyond
The Titanic exhibition is brilliant. I had no idea it sank (-:. Here is a photo of the museum which is a great piece of architecture:
We hunted around Belfast for some screws to retain the viewer on W's camera without any success, then drove to O'Hallorans camping in Galway. On route is was a bit wet, so we stuck to the motorway and munched the miles. O'Halloran's is a great site - there are palm trees, the town centre is 20 mins by bus or 50 mins on foot waling along the seashore and there are a few places to eat and drink in the neighbourhood.
Day 4 and 5 - Galway
What's not to love about Galway? Vibrant, friendly - and it didn't rain at all!
Day 6 Down the Coast to Doonbeg
The coastal cliffs are pretty famous here - we got some great views and stayed by the seaside at the Strand Camping in Doonbeg.
Day 7 - Loop head and Tralee
Chris at Strand said we should drive around the peninsular and cross the Shannon by ferry - which we did.
Tralee is a sweet little town with a campsite on the edge. W bought a bumblebee dress.
Day 8 - The South Pole and Scary Michael
I have known the story of Tom Crean for years, and a big part of my motivation for this trip was to visit his pub. Tom was on both Scott and Shakleton's expeditions before retiring to open this pub. Outside was a job advert:
Like Tom, we pushed South. But only as far as Portmagee, a fishing village with a boat trip to Skellig Michael - a rocky island used by monks as a hermitage. It was a brilliant trip - seabirds and views on the way out, the two Skellig islands themselves and dolphins on the way back.
That night we stayed at Camping Kerry on Valentia Island and ate in the nearby hotel.
Day 9 - Valentia Island to Skiberreen
We needed to make progress towards the ferry port at Rosslare because W wanted to be in London for the weekend. The towns we passed through were all really inviting - seemed a lot better off than the high streets of many UK towns which are charity shops and "to let" signs.
Day 10 - Skibbereen to Rosslare
We enjoyed the model railway.
There are a few campsites near Rosslare but we found a few that were full. Stayed at the IOAC site which is targeted at Scouts but was almost empty when we were there.
Day 11 - Rosslare - Ferry - Carmarthen
Left early and caught the ferry to Fishguard then drove on to Carmarthen. Traffic around Carmarthen was heavy. We stayed at the quirky Fairie Thyme Campsite which was friendly and pleasant.
Day 12 - Hit a Snag
And the jack was too tall to fit under Daisy with the tyre in this state AND the wheel brace was the wrong size. RAC to the rescue. Fortunately the spare tyre was just about road legal and served to get me home.
Once on the road I dropped W at the railway and drove to Halesowen and the Cuckoo Corner campsite. I didn't find this place friendly or well-equipped, but it was late and I was tired.
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