Ireland in September

[Sneldog]

Hi All,

I am in the early stages of planning a trip with Mrs S to Ireland in September and would appreciate local knowledge on roads, places things to see that I am missing. Nothing is booked yet so lots of room to changed am thinking of a night in O’Connells in Galway as a change I might make anyway. Plus the Gearhasslagh Road to Killarney after Molls Gap.

Anyway, here is where I am at. Can those in the know give me some pointers on what I need to add or change please? Much appreciated.

8-Day Ireland Motorbike Tour Itinerary

Start/End: Dublin
Focus: Great roads, epic scenery, historic and cultural stops, cosy pubs, and minimal motorway.

Day 1: Dublin → Wicklow Mountains → Sligo
Distance: ~210 km (4–5 hrs)
Key Roads: R117, R759 (Sally Gap), R756 (Wicklow Gap), R747, R418, R402, R294
Waypoints: Dublin Port, Enniskerry, Sally Gap, Wicklow Gap, Baltinglass, Tullamore (bypass), Boyle, Sligo
Lunch Stop: The Wicklow Heather (Laragh)
Pub/Hotel: The Glasshouse Hotel (Sligo), Hargadon Bros

Day 2: Sligo → Glencar → Donegal
Distance: ~170 km (3–4 hrs)
Key Roads: R286, L3402, N15, R263, R230, R261, R262
Waypoints: Sligo, Glencar Waterfall, Bundoran, Killybegs (optional), Ardara, Donegal
Lunch Stop: Nancy’s Bar (Ardara)
Pub/Hotel: Abbey Hotel (Donegal), The Reel Inn

Day 3: Donegal → Inishowen Loop (via Inch Island)
Distance: ~180 km (scenic all-day ride)
Key Roads: R238, R244, R242, Inch Island Causeway
Waypoints: Letterkenny, Inch Island, Grianán of Aileach, Mamore Gap, Malin Head, Carndonagh, Derry outskirts, Donegal
Lunch Stop: The Boathouse Café (Dunree); picnic on Inch Island if sunny
Pub/Hotel: McGrory’s Hotel & Pub (Culdaff)

Day 4: Donegal → Glenveagh → Westport
Distance: ~240 km (5–6 hrs)
Key Roads: R251, N56, R312, R317, N59
Waypoints: Glenveagh National Park, Falcarragh, Gweedore, Dungloe, Ballina, Newport, Westport
Lunch Stop: The Beehive Café (Achill Island)
Pub/Hotel: Wyatt Hotel, Matt Molloy’s Pub (Westport)

Day 5: Westport → Connemara → Dingle
Distance: ~260 km (full day ride)
Key Roads: N59, R341, N67, ferry Tarbert–Killimer, R551
Waypoints: Leenane, Clifden, Roundstone, Kinvara, Kilrush, Tarbert, Listowel, Dingle
Lunch Stop: O’Dowd’s Seafood Bar (Roundstone)
Pub/Hotel: Dingle Benners Hotel, Dick Mack’s Pub

Day 6: Dingle → Slea Head → Healy Pass → Kenmare
Distance: ~200 km (scenic focus)
Key Roads: R559, N86, N70, R574 (Healy Pass), N71
Waypoints: Slea Head Drive, Inch Beach, Killorglin, Healy Pass, Glengarriff, Bantry, Moll’s Gap, Kenmare
Lunch Stop: Flory Batt’s (Kenmare) OR crab sandwich in Bantry town square
Pub/Hotel: Brook Lane Hotel, Crowley’s Bar (Kenmare)

Day 7: Kenmare → Cashel → Wicklow
Distance: ~260 km (scenic cross-country)
Key Roads: R569, R582, R577, R513, R639, R693, R756
Waypoints: Macroom, Mallow, Rock of Cashel, Kilkenny, Hollywood, Glendalough
Lunch Stop: Cafe Hans (Cashel)
Pub/Hotel: Tudor Lodge B&B (Glendalough), The Wicklow Heather

Day 8: Wicklow → Sally Gap → Dublin
Distance: ~90–100 km (easy final ride)
Key Roads: R756, R759, R755, N11
Waypoints: Glendalough, Sally Gap, Roundwood, Dublin Port
Lunch Stop: Avoca Café (Kilmacanogue)
Pub/Hotel: The Porterhouse (Bray), return to Dublin Port

 

[Aidan1150]

The Glasshouse Hotel in Sligo is a nice spot to stay. The town centre is small and friendly. Make sure you get a pint in Connollys bar, traditional pub and whiskey bar of the year in 2024.

That QR code will take you to their website. I'm told the Guinness is very good there but I don't drink it at all. They do have a very good selection of whiskies though.

 

[Aidan1150]

I would question going to Sligo first then up into Donegal, then back through Sligo again. I'd be looking at heading for Cavan, Enniskillen, Kesh, Pettigo and over the mountain to Laghey and Donegal town. You can do the Sligo stuff on the way south.

In Killybegs check out the Killybegs Seafood Shack. It's on the harbour, Irelands biggest fishing port and the menu changes daily depending on what is landed that morning. I think they have a facebook page but I don't use facebook.

I don't see much point in doing Sally Gap twice, on day 1 and again on day 8, but that's only my opinion but it is a cracking ride.

The Gleniff Horseshoe just north of Sligo is also worth a look on your way south towards Mayo.

On your way out of Dingle stop in the village of Anascaul homeplace of legendary Antarctic explorer Tom Crean who accompanied both Scott and Shackelton to the continent. You can enjoy a beer in his pub, the South Pole Inn.

I'm (supposed to be) working now, but I'll be back with more as it occurs to me. In the meanwhile Google is your friend for any of the above.

HTH

 

[DaddyPaddy]

Tom Crean's South Pole Inn, Annascaul Dingle!! Unsung hero of the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration!!

 

[Sneldog]

I would question going to Sligo first then up into Donegal, then back through Sligo again. I'd be looking at heading for Cavan, Enniskillen, Kesh, Pettigo and over the mountain to Laghey and Donegal town. You can do the Sligo stuff on the way south.

In Killybegs check out the Killybegs Seafood Shack. It's on the harbour, Irelands biggest fishing port and the menu changes daily depending on what is landed that morning. I think they have a facebook page but I don't use facebook.

I don't see much point in doing Sally Gap twice, on day 1 and again on day 8, but that's only my opinion but it is a cracking ride.

The Gleniff Horseshoe just north of Sligo is also worth a look on your way south towards Mayo.

On your way out of Dingle stop in the village of Anascaul homeplace of legendary Antarctic explorer Tom Crean who accompanied both Scott and Shackelton to the continent. You can enjoy a beer in his pub, the South Pole Inn.

I'm (supposed to be) working now, but I'll be back with more as it occurs to me. In the meanwhile Google is your friend for any of the above.

HTH

My paper map arrives tomorrow So I’m bound to change things when I get it. Really appreciate the suggestions though.

 

[Flintlock]

Another recommendation for the Gleniff Horseshoe. Below is a recording of an ABR rideout a few years ago, started & finished at Battlebridge Campsite (highly recommended)
I think he provides a link of the route to download

 

[SBD]

Tom Crean's South Pole Inn, Annascaul Dingle!! Unsung hero of the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration!!

damn! missed that last year!

 

[Mzokk]

Another recommendation for the Gleniff Horseshoe. Below is a recording of an ABR rideout a few years ago, started & finished at Battlebridge Campsite (highly recommended)
I think he provides a link of the route to download

After Gleniff Horseshoe there is a nice run up past Eagle rock Just into Co. Leitrim similar monument valley type scenery to Gleniff (though obviously on a smaller scale.

 

[Mzokk]

I would question going to Sligo first then up into Donegal, then back through Sligo again. I'd be looking at heading for Cavan, Enniskillen, Kesh, Pettigo and over the mountain to Laghey and Donegal town. You can do the Sligo stuff on the way south.

In Killybegs check out the Killybegs Seafood Shack. It's on the harbour, Irelands biggest fishing port and the menu changes daily depending on what is landed that morning. I think they have a facebook page but I don't use facebook.

I don't see much point in doing Sally Gap twice, on day 1 and again on day 8, but that's only my opinion but it is a cracking ride.

The Gleniff Horseshoe just north of Sligo is also worth a look on your way south towards Mayo.

On your way out of Dingle stop in the village of Anascaul homeplace of legendary Antarctic explorer Tom Crean who accompanied both Scott and Shackelton to the continent. You can enjoy a beer in his pub, the South Pole Inn.

I'm (supposed to be) working now, but I'll be back with more as it occurs to me. In the meanwhile Google is your friend for any of the above.

HTH

If you are going up through Pettigo St Patrick's Purgatory, Lough Derg is worth a detour to see the Monastery built in the middle of the lake. Its a bit like an Irish Lake bled.

​

 

[BillWright]

I’ve just finished planning a clockwise circular tour of Ireland, stating at Rosslare & finishing in Dublin.

If you want to PM your email address, I’ll send it to you, it may help.

 

[Jockser]

I would question going to Sligo first then up into Donegal, then back through Sligo again.

Correct. Similarly, I question the sense in doing Wicklow twice. The time saved would be better used on the west coast

In Killybegs check out the Killybegs Seafood Shack

https://www.instagram.com/killybegseafoodshack/?hl=en (don't do FB either
Well worth a detour even if you're planning on passing Killybegs
No longer on the pier but in a little yard just off the Main Street. Google says it's temporarily closed but that could just be a winter thing, check around Easter.

You don't say if you're coming on the bike or in the car but either way be careful about overly ambitious mileages. A lot of the (non-national) roads are quite small & not conducive to riding fast. In addition a lot of our local rural (L) roads have recently been downgraded to 60kph from 80. Keep an eye on signage rather than what the sat nav says as most seem to be still showing the old limit. Generally a calculation based on an average speed of 60kph / 35mph will work well for planning the day.
More detail here - https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2025/0207/1495220-speed-limits-explainer/

 

[DaddyPaddy]

damn! missed that last year!

Me too, but in 2019!!

 

[JJH]

Wicklow heather is a top notch eatery. Sometimes there’s a q. JJH

 

[landmarkjohn]

This ride in north west Co Clare is very scenic.

 

[Hatcho]

Despite being a Wicklow man myself, I would also advise heading directly for Sligo on Day 1. If you try to take in Wicklow Gap etc. on the same day you'll roll into Sligo pretty tired after what will have been a long day in the saddle. Plus, your itinerary has you back in Wicklow at a later date anyways.

To escape Dublin I would recommend first heading to Maynooth on the M4. Just a short stint on the motorway, then from Maynooth head for Kilcock, Summerhill, Trim, Athboy and Kells. Some decent tarmac along the way and plenty of spots to stop for a break/quick bite to eat.

Head towards Killashandra and follow the R208 towards Ballinamore and Drumshanbo. You'll really like this bit - the tarmac is smooth and twisty as it undulates along the lakeside. From memory Bellz Café in Drumshanbo isn't half bad, and you can park the bike outside the Garda (police) station across the road. Take the R280 north towards Dromahair with Lough Allen on your RHS. The R288 and R286 will bring you around Lough Gill for a nice approach into Sligo. Then pints it is!

 

[Jockser]

If you go to Drumshanbo I'd suggest keeping Lough Allen on your LHS & taking the R207 as far as Dowra, turn left over the bridge onto the R200 until you rejoin the R280 at Drumkeeran. The R200 is a cracking road, one of my favourites, up over the hills with virtually no traffic & a good surface. Watch out for the sheep though ! There's a couple of viewpoints after you leave Dowra, the first one being the most scenic

 

[Hairnet600]

+1 for bellz

 

[John Armstrong]

You might get some ideas here, and some cracking vidoes! http://www.roadtrooper.com/the-wild-atlantic-way-for-bikers-overview/

 

[Hatcho]

If you go to Drumshanbo I'd suggest keeping Lough Allen on your LHS & taking the R207 as far as Dowra, turn left over the bridge onto the R200 until you rejoin the R280 at Drumkeeran. The R200 is a cracking road, one of my favourites, up over the hills with virtually no traffic & a good surface. Watch out for the sheep though ! There's a couple of viewpoints after you leave Dowra, the first one being the most scenic

Jaysus Jochen, now he'll have to go up both sides of Lough Allen. He'll never get to Sligo! Only kidding of course, that route you suggest sounds lovely and not to be missed.

 

[Sneldog]

Thanks Gents. A revised day 1 from Dublin to Sligo is now drafted.

Maynooth, Trim, Athaboy, Oldcastle, Ballinagh, Drumlea, Drumshanbo, Dowra, Killarga then Sligo via the R286. Does this sound good?

Overnight in Sligo then see if I can condense Donegal into Day 2. Plan would be to swing by Mrs S's grandmothers stomping ground then end in Westport? Does this sound viable?