Motorcycle in Ireland County Kerry, County Cork & Mizen Head
Previously I wrote about heading for Mulranny in County Mayo and then about having a fabulous day around Achill Island.
In this third and final post of this tripm after leaving Mary’s I head for an overnight stay in the town of Killarney then the following day an overnight in Clonakilty in County Cork. Last but not least on my final day I make pretty direct route for the Port of Dublin.
After Mary’s and the roads of County Mayo my next nights stay was at the Castle Lodge in Killarney.
Heading for Killarney
I made a decent route down to Killarney and headed out via the colourful town of Westport (a place I must return to someday with Pat) then on towards Leenaun and Moycullan in the general direction of Galway.
After Galway it was a case of sort of heading to the left and on towards Doolin on the coast, inland to Lahinch then Ennis and Kilrush for the short ferry crossing to Tarbert.
I had done this ferry crossing before, maybe a half dozen time or so – the most recent being with Pat last year when we were heading down to Kenmare in the car for a week and after spending time in Larne and Donegal.
After the short ferry crossing from Kilrush in County Clare to Tarbert in County Kerry it was only 50 miles or so down to Killarney and to my accomodation at the Castle Lodge.
Picture set one
Overnight in Killarney
Killarney is located on the shores of Lough Leane in the southwest of Ireland. It’s actually in County Kerry and if your biking or driving and doing the famous Ring of Kerry (a significant part of the Wild Atlantic Way) then you’re probably going to go through or near Killarney
I had booked a room at the Castle Lodge Guesthouse and I’d certainly be happy to stay there again.
It was easy to find, ideally located for walking to the main streets in the town (a few minutes walk) and the reception and service I received was super friendly and really good. My room was a good size, quiet and with a comfortable bed – what more could I have wanted? Bike parking seemed safe enough and I had no concerns about leaving it on the car park at the front near the reception area.
Would you stay again?
In a single word yes. It’s certainly a place I would stay at again if travelling in the area.
Killarney itself seemed decent as well- busy, cosmopolitan and vibrant and it was a joy to walk around and make the most of the fabulous early summer weather.
I had a good wander around the town, took some pictures and had a beer before enjoying a glass a wine and pizza eaten al fresco in the late afternoon sunshine.
Foolishly I had forgotten to pack a hat (I normally always put ine in) and the sun was so intense that I had no option really other than to look around and buy one, a task that was soon completed.
Something to be aware of
What I didn’t know until I got there was that the following week it was the annual Killarney Bike Fest. Apparently it’s been run as an annual event for about 15 years or so and is a pretty big do.
There’s plenty of info on the web about it but it’s a useful reminder that if you are travelling in Ireland (or probably anywhere else) it’s maybe worth checking if there’s anything going on that might impact you.
Whilst I wouldn’t have minded being there for that, I certainly would have wanted to be biking round the Ring of Beara the previous weekend when I gather there were more than 4,000 cyclists on the road – another reminder to check in advance!
Picture gallery – Killarney and a new hat
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On the road to Clonakilty
My last overnight stay on this short trip was in a place called Clonakilty.
Had I gone direct from the Castle Lodge I could have been there in around 90 minutes … but of course I had no plans to go direct.
I headed for Kenmare, then Lauragh and then the Healy Pass. There was absolutely no way at all that I was going to miss the Healy Pass given it was within striking distance. I’ve been over the pass on each occasion I have been in Ireland on my bike (and on some occasions have done the pass each way a couple of times). If you’re over that way on a bike or in a car then you really should check it out, you wont be disappointed.
I headed out through the national park, and eventually onto and through the centre of Kenmare and onto a wonderfully empty Healy Pass.
Kenmare is a pretty town that is well worth visiting – my wife and I rented a house there for a week last September (check this link out) and I had stayed there a year previously on a bike trip (see this link) so I felt no need to stop and see the town on this occasion.
Check out the picture gallery below and the pictures of the Healy Pass – I think it speaks for itself.
Picture gallery – a national park and the Healy Pass
Clicking on any of the images below should allow you to scroll or click through the picture gallery.Mizen Head and other roads
Down to Mizen Head
After the Healy Pass I headed on towards the pretty town of Bantry, then Kilcrohane, Golleen, Crookhaven and Mizen Head.
Mizen Head is actually regarded as the most southerly point of mainland Ireland and is at the end of the Mizen Peninsula.
I really could write a lot about the roads in that part of County Cork and the route and scenery down to Mizen Head … but check out the picture gallery below and make your own mind up and just commit to going if you can. I really don’t think you would be at all dissapointed.
At Mizen Head there is a foot bridge that crosses to a visitor centre – I’d really fancied the visit and crossing the bridge but decided I would save that pleasure for when Pat and I are there together (hopefully later this year)
Road to Mizen Head picture gallery
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Clonakilty and home
By the time I arrived in Clonakilty I had done around 160 miles or so having taken in Skibbereen and Baltimore – but I know there is still plenty of County Cork I would like to see.
Although I was feeling reasonably tired I had enjoyed another very decent day on a motorbike in Ireland and I was pretty content with life how this trip had gone.
In Clonakilty I stayed at a place called O’Donovans Hotel which was centrally located and easy enough to find and with decent parking for the bike.
I cant really add too much about Clonakilty as it really was just a stopover for me and although I had a short walk around the town I ate and drank in the hotel so don’t have a great deal to add about the town.
Clonakilty picture gallery
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Home time
After a decent nights sleep and a good breakfast I loaded the bike up and made a pretty direct route from Clonakilty to the Port of Dublin – a trip of about 200 miles. I had no problems on the journey and arrived in good time for the afternoon ferry to Holyhead in Anglesey.
The Stenna line crossing was smooth and uneventful as was the 120 or so mile journey home to Manchester.
Less than 12 hours after leaving O’Donnels I was home at the end of another really decent road trip.
I think I may be back there soon.
Last picture gallery
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