WHARFEDALE TAKE ON THE WILD ATLANTIC WAY APRIL 2023
This visit follows on from last years Northern Ireland Trip, this time there were 6 cars, 12 people.
We sailed from Holyhead on Sunday 23rd April, as it was an early morning 9am sailing we stayed over Saturday night at the Premier Inn Holyhead.
The crossing was calm and uneventful, and we landed at 12.15. The plan was to head straight over to Galway, with maybe a couple of stops on the way. The guidebooks had said Killbeggan and Athlone were worth a stop. As it turned out Killbeggan was good for the Distillery, which was worth the stop, in spite of the restrictions caused by driving.
Athlone looked like it would be good, but it was very busy, and raining, so we decided to carry on.
We arrived in Galway at Teatime, for a 2 night stay in The Ardilaun hotel, very nice place. The following day nobody felt much like driving so we walked into the City, and around some of its sights. Some of us then took the open top bus tour, and others took the little road train, both are a good way to get an overview of a place.
Views of Galway, river, Cathedral, harbour area
The second night we ate out in the City, we ended up split up in two eateries, we then came together later on for the live music in one of the pubs. A great night, If you were stopping a further night then there are some good drives to the West, and North West of Galway.
From Galway our next stop was a 2 night stay in Killarney. From Galway we headed around the coast through Burren with a stop at the Hazel Mountain Artisan Chocolate Shop. A great little spot with a nice café as well. From there we headed past Doolin aiming for the Cliffs Of Moher, however due to a navigational error some of us missed the turn. Mike and Kate got to it but gave it up due to the parking charges and a long walk to the cliffs. It wasn’t a great miss, as there equally stunning views more accessible further r on the route.
At the Hazel Mountain Chocolate Shop and Cafe
The above pictures are heading around the Burren Peninsula, and starting down the West coast.
There are a couple of route options to Killarney, one is to head inland via Limerick, the other is more coast, with a short inland bit to get the 20 minute ferry crossing at Kilmer, to cross the Shannon, landing at Tarbert, this is the route we took, then head down through Tralee, to Killarney, and our hotel The Old Weir Lodge, and what a great place with very helpful staff.
Boarding the 20 minute ferry crossing at Kilmer
Killarney was probably the best place on the trip, a great vibrant town, with plenty to see and do, just not enough time. The 2 great drives from here are the Dingle Peninsula and the Ring of Kerry. We managed a drive out to the town of Dingle on the Peninsula. and a small part of the Ring Of Kerry as we left Killarney.
There are lakes around Killarney with some good places to visit, Cathedral, Killarney House and grounds, Muckcross House and Gardens, which Mike & Kate visited. There also Horse and Carriages, called Jauntys, they are a bit like a taxi service, and will take you on rides into the countryside, and around the town.
Run out to Dingle, on the Dingle Peninsula, including Inch Beach, a vast expanse of sand.
We ate out both nights, in 2 great places, and on the second night found a great pub with some fantastic live music. That was a late one for some of us.
From Killarney it was onto Cork. The first part of the route was through the Killarney National Park, which is part of The Ring of Kerry, which was just stunning, down through Kenmare, Bantry, round through Clonakilty, Kinsale and up to Cork. Kinsale looked a very nice place, and we would have stopped, but this was the day when the weather let us down for a few hours, with mist and persistent drizzle.
Heading out through Killarney National Park
We had one night in Cork at The Kingsley Hotel, very nice, but a bit corporate as John Roberts put it. We know what you mean John. Most of us caught the bus into Cork. Mike & Kate walked in on the river side path, and said it was a very pleasant walk. I think we had higher hopes for the city, but it was generally a disappointment. The English Market is very good and worth a visit, but after that we struggled, even the Tourist Information Office couldn’t inspire us.
River Lee at the back of our hotel in Cork
The English Market in Cork.
From Cork we headed for our final destination Waterford. There are 2 route options, inland via Lismore and the more coastal route. The group split here, some went inland the others went coastal, through Youghal, Dungarven, dropping to the coast at Bunmahon, onto to Tramore and up to Waterford.
The coast from Bunmahon was just stunning, with plenty of viewing opportunities.
An unusual Clock Tower at Youghal.
Annestown Beach
Lime Kiln at Annestown Beach. This stretch of coast is known as The Copper Coast.