Route Advice Bantry to Rosslare

[Baz]

Good afternoon

We are having a couple of nights in Southern Ireland in early May. I have plotted a route from Rosslare to Bantry which follows the southern coast as much as possible to Bantry. We then have a day to explore that area ( Ring of Kerry etc) before heading back. Is there coast route the best option for the return or is there an alternate that anyone could recommend.

Thanks

Baz

 

[electric_monk]

Stay off the main road and stick as close to the coast as possible.

 

[JJH]

To be honest I don't think you are allowing enough time for exploring. Yes just to ride the routs but not explore. JJH

 

[Baz]

Appreciate that its only a short time, however Mrs B can only get 5 days off.

It is supposed to be a taster being as we haven't been to Ireland before. If we like it we'll spend a bit longer next time.

 

[JJH]

Whare are you staying on the second night? I would suggest (as you heading that general direction after ring of Kerry) that you head towards Limerick and then for the return do a kind of lap around the Southern Midlands. There are many towns and villages whatever route you take. The historic city of Kilkenny is a great place to stop. There are so many possibilities. JJH

 

[Two wheels good]

If West Cork and Kerry is your destination then I say don't dawdle too much (or at all!) with scenic detours along the way because however lovely the coastal scenery en-route is it will not match the spectacular scenery down west.

Rosslare to Cork. Allow 2.5 hours
Main route N25 is tedious, often busy, lots of single carraigeway and solid white lines.
Even so, I say, take the main route press on and cover the miles.
Possible scenic coastal detour. Between Tramore to Dungarvan. "Copper Coast". But it's a short stretch of scenery for a longish detour
Lunch stop: Youghal, home of one Walter Raleigh.
Keep 1Euro handy for toll near Waterford

Cork to Bantry. Allow 2 hours for direct route.
Scenic coastal route all the way from Kinsale to Skibbereen and Ballydehob but could take 5 hours or more I'd guess.
I suggest delaying any coastal detours until Clonakilty or later i.e further west. Smaller detour involved as coast is nearby. Any number of little detours you can take.

If you arrive early, drop the bags in the hotel and enjoy a short run out the Sheeps'Head peninsula to Kilcrohane and back via Ahakista and Durrus and you will already feel the trip worth it. Assuming the clouds aren't at ground level of course!

Ride Mag has a few Kerry routes in this month's edition. At the back of the Portuguese Routes supplement.
GPS files here: http://www.ride.co.uk/tour2016/

 

[Baz]

Great , thanks for the info.

Baz

 

[Jockser]

I'd have to agree with TWG - get as far west as possible as quickly as possible and have your adventure in West Cork & Kerry
There's a few bits between Rosslare & Cork, i.e. Mahon Falls, The Vee, but nothing that compares with the scenery & roads further west.
Enjoy it & do let us know how you got on

 

[gerry b]

I would head direct to Bantry from Rosslare, 3.5 hrs, visit the Mizen head lighthouse, sheep's head, next if nice weather, tour the Beara peninsula taking in Healy Pass, Dursey Cable car, Allihies village, then do your ring of kerry and back to Rosslare.

 

[airhead_eire]

I would head direct to Bantry from Rosslare, 3.5 hrs, visit the Mizen head lighthouse, sheep's head, next if nice weather, tour the Beara peninsula taking in Healy Pass, Dursey Cable car, Allihies village, then do your ring of kerry and back to Rosslare.

+1 for this route. You could also take the road from Glengarriff to Kenmare (Caha Pass) if you have time and Priest's Leap. The Ballaghbeama Pass/Gap on the Ring of Kerry penninsula is well worth doing too.

 

[Baz]

Thanks again for the responses. Just hoping for decent weather so I can try all the suggestions.
Baz

 

[Damien]

I was down at Sheeps head today, stunning location. Do the goats path from one side of the peninsula to the other, not to be missed.

I did the Healy pass yesterday, another great route, as is Priests Leap.

There are lovely pubs and restaurants in Bantry, well worth a night stop.
Unfortunately I am here in the car this time and not the bike, but a great break anyway.

 

[B Murr]

+1 for Gerry b . Re sheeps head, if you have an hour or so to spare go for a walk to three castles head by dunmanus bay. Read up about the cocaine smugglers that overloaded their boat and sank in the bay and while there look at the slope where one of them was washed ashore half dead, makes it more interesting to think of things like that. While out at three castles you will get a flavor of what it was like to live away from civilization, nice cafe for a light lunch on way back through the fields. While heading by Ahakista stop by the air India memorial which commemorated the lives lost in 1985 when an air India jetliner was blown up over the ocean off the coast there.

Could suggest lots more but it's a whistle stop tour and I'm sure you will come back for a more leisurely trip another time.

 

[sword]

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php/417619-Route-Advice-Bantry-to-Rosslare

Have a read of the book by the late Pete Mc Carthy called "Mc Carthy's Bar. That might give you a few ideas and a few laughs.