JB & Ikkje do the WAW - June 25

[JohnnyBoxer]

A plan was hatched & dates agreed to do a week in June
We met up at Penrith last Friday to catch the Cairnryan 11.30 am sailing on Stena
Made the boat early so had time to stop off at Newton Stewart for early ‘elevensies’ at Bridge end cafe
Bikes strapped down and we’re off, settling to to the Stena Plus cabin for the 2.5 hour crossing
Off at 2pm and Mark had planned a cracking route, south of the Sperrins (and avoiding the recent hotspots), into the Clougher valley & Enniskillen
First night was just into the Republic at Glenfarne - Clancy’s guest house (cheers @Micky )
A good night ensued with the locals at McHugh’s pub, opposite - celebrating 150 years of trading from the premises as a pub

 

[Doc]

Have a good one Johnny.

 

[ikkje]

And no much rain so far!

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

So, day 2 started dry and bright - but forecast was going to be wet as we travelled west through Leitrim/Roscommon towards Mayo and Westport and our destination was Connemara

After a cracking ‘Glenfarne Fryup’ at Clancy’s we set off and apart one or two sharp showers, our morning’s ride was mainly dry, thankfully

We stopped for lunch at the ever delightful Westport which was bustling with locals and tourists on a Saturday
Weather was warm & dry enough to dine outside at one of my favourite cafes there - plus a bonus of parking our bikes unhindered on the pavement outside




After lunch we travelled toward ms Louisburgh and past Ireland’s holy mountain Croagh Patrick and down the Doolough Pass (a new one for Mark) towards Leenaun

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Doolough Pass was lovely, as ever

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

At Leenaun we pause for afternoon tea and shared a scone at the craft centre, overlooking Killary Fjord and generally watched the world go by
Lovely !

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

No room at the fabulous Leenane hotel, sadly

So we were staying in Letterfrack tonight and we took in a short coastal hop, via Renvyle to get there

Beaches are stunning on Connemara

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

At Lettefrack the cottage wasn’t up to much at all
Tired, shabby and NOT chic
We won’t be staying at Lettefrack farm cottages again (sorry Mark)
At least we could walk to the village for groceries and book a table at Seafarer pub, to dine later which served excellent fare

Fish was amazing

Ice creams for pudding at the grocery store to make sure we were truly filled up

A Brunch for me …….a Magnum for Mark

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Yesterday the dry forecast turned out to be incorrect and it had rained/was raining at breakfast - so we didn’t start too early and got off about 9.45am, past Kylemore abbey and onto Ma’am Cross for fuel
Roads were quiet for a Sunday am and quickly covered the dampened roads to Galway, by which time it had dried up and all was well with the world

Quick coffee stop at beautiful Kinvarra harbour

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Mark had planned a cracking tour of the Burren (an area new to me) and roads were generally quiet ….until we got to Cliffs of Moher (we didn’t bother !) and Lahinch

 

[Posh Pete]

Grand! More food and drink pics please! Great for a pre brekkie appetite!

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

On the Burren & Lahinch areas, we found no decent cafes and we were flagging until we found this gem at Kilrush at 2.30-3pm

The Jellyfish cafe at the harbour and what a find it was !!
All food homemade - fresh and delicious

I had the Goats cheese tart and Mark had the fish taco’s

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Last night we stayed at a beautiful air B&B cottage at Fenit, near Tralee (thanks Mark)

It overlooks Tralee Bay and the Dingle Peninsula - Slieve Mish mountain

Bikes on patio



Pub 5 mins walk and Sunday night was BBQ night in the evening sunshine

Bliss



To be continued….

 

[Gavla04GS]

Good report lads, thanks for taking the time to keep us updated and a Top-Tip idea for a place to visit...

 

[Jockser]

Welcome back JB
It looks like you picked the right week for your visit, the high is back & with it the nice weather

 

[craigholt]

View attachment 419450

Bike looks sooooo good

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Welcome back JB
It looks like you picked the right week for your visit, the high is back & with it the nice weather

Stunning today on Dingle peninsula
There’s some great wee roads & passes
Very entertaining, Jochen

 

[Jockser]

There’s some great wee roads & passes
Very entertaining, Jochen

Oh, I know Johnny

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Today was Dingle and all its charms
We first rode Brandon and up to the point & then coffee at the pub - with cracking homemade cakes & sausage rolls for elevensies



Then up Connor pass - what a gem & deceiving

….and onto the Slea drive to view the Skelligs

The flute player had a tame seagull who would hop to his tune


Finished off in Dingle and found a great wee cafe up a backstreet

 

[Old Codger]

Enjoy JB I’m getting Ireland withdrawal symptoms watching your report. Safe travels !