Ive been lacking in trips the past 2 years and seem to find endless reasons to not get up and go. Last weekend was to be different and it was time to get some photo rally points done in the west of Ireland.
The west of Ireland is epic and a place that needs to be seen, particularly the road (N59) north of Leenane through the Connemara mountains-do yourself a favour and go find it.
Day1:
Shut off from work at 1pm and was already packed from the night before and took a 2 hour drive from my home in Wexford to the midlands of Ireland to a campsite on Lough Ree (Bailey Bay). The drive up was a wee bit boring and I couldn't turn off from work, I was a grumpy whore to be honest and couldn't find my mojo for the trip. The camp grounds were clean and basic however sat on the shores of the Lough with some beautiful views.
Day2:
Packed and driving for 8.15, the north side of the Lough is beautiful. Good clean roads with lots of bends and I started to pick up the first off the photo rally points. Now the plan was to tip into Sligo and head to Achill Island, Achill is a place of mystery and Irish tales of folklore. Its an epic place with hidden gems everywhere. The big items like Keem Bay are must see but there are amazing places the general tourists doesn't always get to. Let me know if you ever want some info, I tend to go once a year.
Day3:
Today was to be epic, on the road before 9am head for the N59, folks this is in my opinion one of the most godly roads in the world and brings you through Connemara. Its still very much set in the old way with the Irish language spoken and good Irish friendliness as I was just about to see. Doing 80kph across the mountains I seen 2 ladies and 2 kids on the side of the road. With no phone signal in 28 degree heat and miles away from the nearest town I stopped to see were they ok. She got a puncture with no spare tyre . While I got to work plugging the tyre for her, a few locals drove past and stopped to see the commotion. Sure enough they knew a man who knew a man who would get her a tyre even on a Sunday! After awhile she was on her way, a little tearful but she was so thankful to have the help.
On I went loving life and the twists that this beautiful part of Ireland has to offer.
I was heading to Loop Head, not a place im very familiar with but I tried a camp site right down on the peninsula and scored a gem of a find. The owner Niall was a great laugh, super friendly and at €12 it was a bargain. Its more geared for long term mobile homes but he has some fields for tents.
Day 4 was a 4 hour ride home with some rally point for good measure. All in it was 1115km with 7 points along the way, it felt good to stretch the bike legs again and get my mojo back. Now to plan a sneaky trip for next week
The west of Ireland is epic and a place that needs to be seen, particularly the road (N59) north of Leenane through the Connemara mountains-do yourself a favour and go find it.
Day1:
Shut off from work at 1pm and was already packed from the night before and took a 2 hour drive from my home in Wexford to the midlands of Ireland to a campsite on Lough Ree (Bailey Bay). The drive up was a wee bit boring and I couldn't turn off from work, I was a grumpy whore to be honest and couldn't find my mojo for the trip. The camp grounds were clean and basic however sat on the shores of the Lough with some beautiful views.
Day2:
Packed and driving for 8.15, the north side of the Lough is beautiful. Good clean roads with lots of bends and I started to pick up the first off the photo rally points. Now the plan was to tip into Sligo and head to Achill Island, Achill is a place of mystery and Irish tales of folklore. Its an epic place with hidden gems everywhere. The big items like Keem Bay are must see but there are amazing places the general tourists doesn't always get to. Let me know if you ever want some info, I tend to go once a year.
Day3:
Today was to be epic, on the road before 9am head for the N59, folks this is in my opinion one of the most godly roads in the world and brings you through Connemara. Its still very much set in the old way with the Irish language spoken and good Irish friendliness as I was just about to see. Doing 80kph across the mountains I seen 2 ladies and 2 kids on the side of the road. With no phone signal in 28 degree heat and miles away from the nearest town I stopped to see were they ok. She got a puncture with no spare tyre . While I got to work plugging the tyre for her, a few locals drove past and stopped to see the commotion. Sure enough they knew a man who knew a man who would get her a tyre even on a Sunday! After awhile she was on her way, a little tearful but she was so thankful to have the help.
On I went loving life and the twists that this beautiful part of Ireland has to offer.
I was heading to Loop Head, not a place im very familiar with but I tried a camp site right down on the peninsula and scored a gem of a find. The owner Niall was a great laugh, super friendly and at €12 it was a bargain. Its more geared for long term mobile homes but he has some fields for tents.
Day 4 was a 4 hour ride home with some rally point for good measure. All in it was 1115km with 7 points along the way, it felt good to stretch the bike legs again and get my mojo back. Now to plan a sneaky trip for next week