Exploring Ireland – Dingle

It was wonderful to be on the wonderful Wild Atlantic Way as I rode south from the Connamarra to Dingle. The twisty roads, quirky sights, and heritage references.

At Kilmer, the car ferry crosses the Shannon River, and it wasn’t long before the Atlantic mist started to roll in.

Connor Pass is one of the great drives of Ireland offering stunning views. But this was not the day!

It was into a damp Dingle I rode after slowly riding down from the clouds over Connor Pass.

But after unpacking the bike it was time for an Irish Red Ale and some good craic ant the pubs.

Music starts in the pubs around 6pm flows through to midnight. The musicians move from pub to pub mixing and matching with each other, playing all variations of Irish Music.

The next day, the rain stopped…

I started the day with a walk along the Dingle Bay out to the Lighthouse and its views out to the Atlantic.

Then a ride up to Connor Pass to see the view and what a view!

There is a waterfall just below the top of the pass.

Climbing up the cliff, there is Lake Pedlar an old glacial lake.

That night at the pub, I was lucky enough to hear the angelic tones of the Harp of Erin, the Irish Harp.

What a way to end my stay in Dingle!

Exploring Ireland – the Connamarra

On.my 2018 trip.along the Wild Atlantic Way of Ireland’s West Coast. I didn’t see the Connamarra due to the persistent rain.

This time, I struck it lucky. The weather gods smiled on me.

The Connemara was an impenetrable part of Ireland, the soggy peat bogs, mountains, and wild coast meat it remained largely undisturbed. For many there, Gaelic is the first language, and traditional practices like cutting peat for fires still persist.

These days, beautiful beaches, deep fjords and beautiful beaches attract many visitors.

The little quays giving shelter for small fishing boats, many just open boats give the impression of older times.

As did the cut peat bogs and laughing donkeys.

The Connamarra National Park is a place favoured by walkers for its remnant forest.

The villages are quaint.

As was the little hostel I stayed in.

Exploring Ireland- Wiclow

After Tipperary, my next stop was Glendalough, to me a very spiritual place in Ireland with the ruins of the old 6AD monastery.

A true piece of national heritage set in the Wiclow Mountains.

The route to Glendalough took me through Hollywood and over the misty passes, and the heath covered moores of the Wiclow Mountains.

Arriving at the Glendalough Hostel.

I have been to Glendalough on all my trips to Ireland and do feel a special power at the old monastery site.

In the past, though, I has only passed through this time I spent a few days to.explore the Wiclow Mountains …

The lake…

The waterways…

The forests…

And, local pubs serving delicious Irish Red Ale.

Exploring Ireland- Tipperary

Those of you who may have followed my blog over the years may remember that back in 2021, I travelled to the Old Fremantle Gaol in search of the story of my Great Grandfather who was transported to Australia as punishment for stealing during the Irish Famine.

The Nenagh Gaol, in Tipperary was completed in the 1830’s and was where my Great grandfather was incarcerated prior to transportation to Australia.

Amazingly, the Genealogical Centre is in the old gaol offices!

Having confirmed that this was the place of my ancestors, it was time to explore.

This is my third trip to Ireland, and this was a chance to visit some special places.

Cahir Castle is one of the historic tourist attractions in County Tipperary. But my B&B host had suggested the “Swiss Cottage” was a more interesting place to visit.

The Swiss Cottage is a wonderful example of a “cottage orne“. A place where the rich played at being ordinary peasants.

Around the cottage and the 2.5km. riverside walk from Cahir Castle, there are lovely trees and community facilities.

But my favourite tree was the 1000 year old Yew Tree standing by the cottage.

From Nenagh, there is a beautiful road that runs along Lough Derg to Ballina/Killaloe, where the Shanon River starts.

Killaloe is the birthplace of Ireland’s great great High King Brian Boru. King Brian in around 1000AD drove the Vikings out of Ireland and united all the then Irish Kingdoms.

A stone church stands on the site of an wooden church of Brian Boru. His story lives on in the stone church.

But the most beautiful aspect in the church were the patchwork quilts that told the tale of High King Brian Boru.

I felt this very Irish. Both proud and humble at the same time.

The fast way from Split to London

It was late September, and with my adventure in the Balkans complete, I bordered the overnight ferry from Split to Ancona.

From Ancona, it was an easy ride across Italy to Civitavechia, the Port of Rome to catch the ferry to Barcelona.

A restful way to travel and 14,000 km touring.

The village of Civitavechia is a little way from the port, but it is a nice place for a bit of sightseeing while waiting for the ferry.

There is a certain chaos at Italian ferry ports. There are no electronic tickets, and the ticket office always seems to be placed a long way from the ferry dock with a myriad of one way unmarked lanes to be negotiated between the two.

But the Italian ferries are relatively inexpensive, and it was a restful 20 hour crossing from Rome to Barcelona.

From Barcelona, I took a route across the Pyrenees through Andorra. Agh the beautiful Pyrenees.

I stopped for the night at Ax les Termes in the Midi Pyrenees. A beautiful hot spring village. With public hot foot baths.

My next destination was to Cahors and its famous bridge. Travelling along the tree lined back roads, past the Midi Canal, rivers, and beautiful villages.

Cohors is a vibrant city. To complement the famous bridge.

My last stop in Europe for this trip was the port city of St Malo, with its old walled town right on the Atlantic Ocean

Of course I had to join in for a swim!!!

For lovers of the maritime world the port at St Malo is a treasure.

The overnight ferry had me soon back in England and my sister’s house in London.

Before boarding the flight back to Australia, I caught up with a mate for lunch in the Cottswalds. A beautiful part of England and reputedly an inspiration for the writing of ‘The Hobbit’ and the ‘Lord of the Rings’.

It’s February in Australia as I reminisce about last year. There are some adventures to be had here at home, but my mind keeps back to a sign at Civitavechia.

I’ve been to Spain (Spagna). Ive been to Greece (Grecia), Sardinia (Sargegna), and Sicily (Sicilia): but I haven’t been to Tunisia.

I think I’d better fix that this year!