IRELAND

Tour of the Irish Coast

Outline-Between 1974 and 1996 we completed a tour of the coast of England, Scotland and Wales. This took 117 days and was intially started with day trips, extending to long weekends and eventually holidays of up to 2 weeks. The basic principle was to drive round the coast, staying at places for as long as we were interested and moving on when ready.
Starting in April 2007, we decided to do the same thing around the coast of Ireland, starting in Dunlaoghaire, the destination of the Holyhead ferry and moving north or south as we chose for each trip.
First trip-Easter 2007, Dunlaoghaire to Tramore, 5 days
Interesting 40 feet deep see bathing area where bathers were taking their daily nude dip in the freezing water
Beautiful coastal walk from Bray to Greystones, with return on the Dart railway.
Worthwhile detour inland to see Powerscourt Gardens and waterfall.
A good climb up Sugar Loaf Moutain for amazing, all round, views over Dublin, the coast and the Wicklow Mountains.
Wicklow is an interesting town with typical Irish shops and pubs.
The thatched village of Kilmore was more reminiscant of Wiltshire than South East Ireland.

Second trip-Easter 2008, Tramore to Durrus, 6 days
Stayed over at Waterford on the way down which is well worth half a day.
Ardmore round tower and cathedral go back to the 5th century. Two famous Ogham stones can be seen here.
Had to make a detour to the Jameson's Distillery at Midleton and watch Manchester United beet Liverpool 3 - 0.
The Cobh is an Island in the bay of Cork, reached by ferry. Famous for the emigration point for over 6million Irish people, as well as the departure of the Titanic.
Lough Hyne is the only inland salt water lake in Europe. There were three people taking a dip but we decided not to bother
Driving along the south west coast, there are good views of 100 islands and the Fastnet Rock, out to sea.
The lighthouse at Mizen Head is the most South Westerly Point in Ireland but today it was shut.

Third trip-Easter 2009, north from Dunlaoghaire to Ardglass, via Dublin Bay, 5 days
Interesting journey around Dublin Bay. Surprisingly quiet with the Royal Dublin and Sutton golf courses on Bull Island.
An interesting 8 mile walk around the Howth peninsula gives good views over the bay as ferries and ships sail into Dublin port. There are a number of Martello Towers, some of which have been converted into houses.
Moving up the coast,through Malahide we stayed at Skerries where there is a windmill museum and good views of the Islands.
A short detour inland to the Newgrange neolithic chamber, over 5000 years old.
Further up the coast is Carlingford, a pretty town but busy with young trippers from Northern Ireland.
Into Northern Ireland and a walk round the Mountains of Mourne at Rostrevor
Last stop on this trip was at Downpatrick, famous for the grave of St. Patrick.
View towards Bray Head Powerscourt Gardens

Typical Irish pub in Wicklow Kilmore thatched village

Ardmore round tower and cathedral The Cobh

Lough Hyne View to Fastnet Rock

View over to Howth with Martello Tower Malahide Castle

5 sail windmill at Skerries Museum 40 ton Cloughmore stone at Rostrevor

Tour of the Irish Coast
Outline-Between 1974 and 1996 we completed a tour of the coast of England, Scotland and Wales. This took 117 days and was intially started with day trips, extending to long weekends and eventually holidays of up to 2 weeks. The basic principle was to drive round the coast, staying at places for as long as we were interested and moving on when ready. Starting in April 2007, we decided to do the same thing around the coast of Ireland, starting in Dunlaoghaire, the destination of the Holyhead ferry and moving north or south as we chose for each trip. First trip-Easter 2007, Dunlaoghaire to Tramore, 5 days Interesting 40 feet deep see bathing area where bathers were taking their daily nude dip in the freezing water Beautiful coastal walk from Bray to Greystones, with return on the Dart railway. Worthwhile detour inland to see Powerscourt Gardens and waterfall. A good climb up Sugar Loaf Moutain for amazing, all round, views over Dublin, the coast and the Wicklow Mountains. Wicklow is an interesting town with typical Irish shops and pubs. The thatched village of Kilmore was more reminiscant of Wiltshire than South East Ireland. Second trip-Easter 2008, Tramore to Durrus, 6 days Stayed over at Waterford on the way down which is well worth half a day. Ardmore round tower and cathedral go back to the 5th century. Two famous Ogham stones can be seen here. Had to make a detour to the Jameson's Distillery at Midleton and watch Manchester United beet Liverpool 3 - 0. The Cobh is an Island in the bay of Cork, reached by ferry. Famous for the emigration point for over 6million Irish people, as well as the departure of the Titanic. Lough Hyne is the only inland salt water lake in Europe. There were three people taking a dip but we decided not to bother Driving along the south west coast, there are good views of 100 islands and the Fastnet Rock, out to sea. The lighthouse at Mizen Head is the most South Westerly Point in Ireland but today it was shut. Third trip-Easter 2009, north from Dunlaoghaire to Ardglass, via Dublin Bay, 5 days Interesting journey around Dublin Bay. Surprisingly quiet with the Royal Dublin and Sutton golf courses on Bull Island. An interesting 8 mile walk around the Howth peninsula gives good views over the bay as ferries and ships sail into Dublin port. There are a number of Martello Towers, some of which have been converted into houses. Moving up the coast,through Malahide we stayed at Skerries where there is a windmill museum and good views of the Islands. A short detour inland to the Newgrange neolithic chamber, over 5000 years old. Further up the coast is Carlingford, a pretty town but busy with young trippers from Northern Ireland. Into Northern Ireland and a walk round the Mountains of Mourne at Rostrevor Last stop on this trip was at Downpatrick, famous for the grave of St. Patrick.