Wild Atlantic Way.

[MerBrook]

Myself and Mrs.Merbrook returned on Sunday evening from doing some of the Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland. This was inspired by Attilio’s proposed trip from a couple of years ago, which due to COVID had to be cancelled.

This was our first trip over the water to the Emerald Isle and what a great place it is. We thoroughly enjoyed the journey, the fantastic weather, the scenery and the roads.

The roads were mainly excellent, the N and R designated roads in particular were great but the L roads were mainly rough, pothole strewn tarmac tracks.

The roads all had very little traffic on them, very few camper vans thankfully. whether that’s the case in summer I would doubt.

I didn’t see any fixed cameras along the route but the radar detector notified us of an awful lot of mobile camera sites along our route. Also saw an unmarked red Nissan quashqui pulling some one up just outside of Bantry on Friday morning.

I was surprised at the distances and more importantly the time taken to cover those distances which was my fault I guess and we could have done with a couple of more days to allow for more stops and sightseeing but we had certain time constraints that didn’t make that possible. It didn’t though detract from a great trip.

Our route took us on Thursday from Rosslare - Cork - Clonakilty(pickup the W.A.W. here) - Skibbereen via back roads then to Mizen Head around the Sheeps head and onto Bantry.
Friday’s route. Bantry - the ring of Beara(thought this was better than the ring of Kerry) - the ring of Kerry -onto Dingle - Stradbally -Tralee - Ballybunion.
Saturday. Ballybunion - Tarbert - Limerick - kilrush - loophead - Kilkee - Spanish point - Cliffs of Moher - Doolin - Ballyvaughan.
Sunday. Ballyvaughan - Dublin.

Glandore Harbour.


Barley Cove Beach.



Unknown Location








Overlooking Dingle Bay From Kells


Inch Beach

 

[buzyg]

Looks idilic. 8)

 

[MerBrook]

Looks idilic. 8)

It's certainly a beautiful part of the world. Hopefully will get back there one day to carry on from where we left off.

 

[Chippie]

Looks like you had a great time, it’s certainly one I’d love to do one year.

 

[plenty]

Very nice. Looking to do the whole route soon, starting at Rosslare and ending at Larne (or vice versa). The only slight issue is the unpredictable weather.

 

[MerBrook]

Very nice. Looking to do the whole route soon, starting at Rosslare and ending at Larne (or vice versa). The only slight issue is the unpredictable weather.

Hi Plenty, whichever way round you start you will enjoy it. We started at Rosslare and we were extremely lucky with the weather.
Just allow plenty of time for stops.

 

[Calps]

Glandore Harbour.

Great photos MerBrook, great to hear you both had such a good time.

I can only assume you were stopped at the Glandore Inn or Hayes bar for the Glandore Harbour photo. It's a beautiful part of the country. If memory serves correct, the house in the top right of the pic has been used as a wedding venue - and it is quite the venue with those surroundings!

You've summed up the road conditions here quite accurately. L (which stands for Local) are usually the bottom tier of the road hierarchy, and leave a lot to be desired, especially in a Z4. You'll find loads of them meandering around that part of Cork and Kerry, but they can be easily avoided (once you know what you're trying to avoid). Fixed cameras are a rarity here, mobile units are the most commonly deployed, and even then, not overly common.

I hope as part of the ring of Beara (which I'd also agree edges the Ring of Kerry - unless you also include the Skellig Loop onto it) that you also took in the Healy Pass? I don't see any photos of it, so possibly not, but definitely worth including if you return again. It's a great driving road, a (very) mini Stelvio perhaps...

I think Attilio was/is keen to resurrect his idea of a grand tour along the WAW (for which I may be assisting). If you're happy to share details, either here, or via IM, I'd be interested to get your thoughts on the following:

- How did you find planning the route?
- Would you change aspects if going again?
- You mentioned it'd be ideal having had more time - would you have extended the route or just spent more time on the same route?
- What accommodation did you use?
- Was the accommodation expensive/cheap/value for money?

 

[Calps]

Also disappointed that I missed an opportunity to see an Alpina in the flesh. Pretty certain there are none registered here!

 

[Mr Tidy]

Some great photos there.

Looks like another place to add to the list!

 

[craig3.2]

Glandore Harbour.

Great photos MerBrook, great to hear you both had such a good time.

I can only assume you were stopped at the Glandore Inn or Hayes bar for the Glandore Harbour photo. It's a beautiful part of the country. If memory serves correct, the house in the top right of the pic has been used as a wedding venue - and it is quite the venue with those surroundings!

You've summed up the road conditions here quite accurately. L (which stands for Local) are usually the bottom tier of the road hierarchy, and leave a lot to be desired, especially in a Z4. You'll find loads of them meandering around that part of Cork and Kerry, but they can be easily avoided (once you know what you're trying to avoid). Fixed cameras are a rarity here, mobile units are the most commonly deployed, and even then, not overly common.

I hope as part of the ring of Beara (which I'd also agree edges the Ring of Kerry - unless you also include the Skellig Loop onto it) that you also took in the Healy Pass? I don't see any photos of it, so possibly not, but definitely worth including if you return again. It's a great driving road, a (very) mini Stelvio perhaps...

I think Attilio was/is keen to resurrect his idea of a grand tour along the WAW (for which I may be assisting). If you're happy to share details, either here, or via IM,

Yes,Calls, I am pretty sure Attillio is still looking at doing the WAW run in the future,but ,as you're probably aware of,he's got personal reasons for not being able to do it this year as planned..... hopefully in the future he goes ahead with it,along with yourself.
Hopefully Merbrook can join then too, whenever it may be,or Dave1971 in his newly acquired Alpina.

 

[Calps]

Indeed, hopefully so. The community Z can be quite small here, so always welcome an opportunity to meet some fellow owners. All are welcome, there's no shortage of roads, sheep, shamrocks, Guinness, and craic to go around.

And, just for good measure, here's a picture of the aforementioned Healy Pass....

 

[craig3.2]

Indeed, hopefully so. The community Z can be quite small here, so always welcome an opportunity to meet some fellow owners. All are welcome, there's no shortage of roads, sheep, shamrocks, Guinness, and craic to go around.

And, just for good measure, here's a picture of the aforementioned Healy Pass....
Healy-Pass-Sunrise.jpg

on

Wow,that looks twisty and fun,if a bit marrow,and undulating,lol.
Cool looking road