We had planned a busy day, as today seemed the best bet for the weather. First on the agenda was The North Connemara Sky Road.
Coastal Views From Sky Road Stop
It is a loop famous for it’s incredible views over the islands, mountains and coastlines of Connemara. The Sky Road wasn’t far from our camp site and we decided to begin in a clockwise direction. We stopped at the viewing point and were not disappointed. The wind may have been howling, but the sun was out and the views were truly spectacular.
Feeling refreshed after our journey yesterday, we wrapped up warm and headed off on the 2 km walk to Doolin Pier. Hopefully we would be able to take in some views of the Aran Islands or even a ferry trip.
We passed through Doolin village, which was very popular with tourists and tour coaches and continued past the local pitch and putt, which would have been a certain challenge in the wind conditions until reaching the pier.
Doolin Pier
It wasn’t the most picturesque place and today was definitely not a day to be taking a ferry. Well, not me, I’m not very good on the calmest of days on the water. It was disappointing as the ferry companies also operate trips to view the Cliffs of Moher.
Doolin Ferry Tranquility
After watching some much hardier sailors depart for the Cliffs of Moher, we walked back to our campsite, watching the boat bobbing up and down in the Atlantic. (My decision not to take to the water had been the right one). Unlike me, who was watching the boat, Ray happened to spot a notice and couldn’t help wondering how Paddy had calculated the fine??
Hey Paddy, what will we make the fine now?
We were considering making the 7 km coastal walk to the Cliffs of Moher and the visitor centre in the afternoon, but the weather had taken a turn for the worse, and it wasn’t looking a very inviting idea.
There is a Hop on, Hop off coastal walk shuttle bus service which operates along the Cliffs of Moher coastal walk, linking the villages of Doolin and Liscannor, which means parking the car is not a problem, and well worth considering during peak times.
Later that afternoon, the weather had still not improved, so we went for a drive on R478 along the coast, hoping to stop at the Cliffs of Moher to view this natural attraction, which is free to view. Unfortunately the only car park at the visitor centre was heaving and we had no option but to continue down to Liscannor and on wards to Lahinch. The links golf club of Lahinch ran right along the road and looked fantastic! It should be – the green fees are € 190!
The Slea Head drive is a circular route, forming part of The Wild Atlantic Way, starting and ending in Dingle. (Dingle being a small port town on the southwest of the peninsula). We travelled southwest out of Tralee towards the village of Camp, taking the Caherconree scenic route, through the Slieve Mish Mountains.
Slieve Mish Mountain Road
This narrow link road took us from the north side of the Dingle Peninsula to the south side, allowing us to take in even more spectacular scenery.
On many of of our drives we have noticed beautiful Fuchsia and Montbretia plants, gracing many of the country lanes, adding a lovely splash of colour.
Roadside Flowers
On reaching the southern side of the peninsula we headed towards Inch. We parked our car on the beach at Inch, which wasn’t a problem, as the beach stretched for miles!
Inch Beach
After braving the wind for a while, we headed to the beach cafe for coffee and cake. If you love surfing this is the beach for you! Off again to Dingle, through Ventry and at last we could see Slea Head. Unfortunately the car park was heaving so we drove on to Dunquin pier, in the hope of catching the ferry to Blasket islands.
Blasket Island Information
Just our luck, the ferry wasn’t operating on a Monday. Not to be disheartened we made the trek down the winding steep path to the pier. Once at the bottom, we were greeted by huge cliffs and a view to Blasket islands.
Blasket Islands View
Coming back up the hill was a struggle. It was so incredibly steep! At last we made it back to the safety of the car. We continued on the Slea Head Drive taking in many of the villages on the north of the peninsula, before finally making our way back to Dingle.
Finally Ray’s highlight of the day had arrived – The Conor Pass. It is the highest mountain pass in Ireland, crossing the Brandon mountains. The road is over 4 miles long and rises to 1500 ft as it winds it’s way to the pass. By the time we reached the car park at the pass though, the fog had moved in and we were unable to take advantage of the stunning views. On a clear day, you can see Loop Head in Clare, Galway’s Aran Islands and the beaches at Castlegregory. The road then carries on down towards Brandon Bay, past cliffs, lakes and a waterfall.
Conor Pass
Back on the road to Tralee and home for the night. The weather had picked up and a BBQ was the order of the day. To top it all a beautiful sunset completed the day. (Just before the rains arrived, again!)
Woke to what the weatherman had predicted – the sun! Today was the day to make the trip to Mizen Head, and take in Bantry Bay on the way back. A 4 ½ hour round trip by car, 135 kms each way. We set off early to make the most of the sun.
Our route took us back through Sneem and Kenmare and onto the N71 towards Glengarriff and the Beara Peninsula. The views were spectacular as we drove up into the moutains and back down through the Glengarriff Woods Nature Reserve and sea level. There were many places to stop the car and admire the scenery. From Bantry Bay we took the R591, a regional road, south west to the village of Durrus. Durrus is the gateway to the Sheep’s Head Peninsula. Then we continued onto Barleycove and finally the scenic, rugged road to Mizen Head.
It was a brilliant day to visit Mizen Head. Blazing sun and not many visitors. The Mizen Head Signal Station is located at the most south westerly point of the Kilmore Peninsula, high above the cliffs and the Atlantic Ocean.
After passing through the visitors information centre we headed along a path towards the iconic arched bridge and the Signal Station.
Mizen Head Bridge
Mizen Head Bridge
The signal station provides information about the lives and work of the Irish Lights Keepers, Ireland’s first radio beacon and Marconi’s attempts to establish cross Atlantic radio communications.
After several photo opportunities, we headed back towards the visitor centre, along the paths and up 99 punishing steps!
To give ourselves even more cardio exercise we ventured down the winding path to view the sea arch. (Time to sit and ponder before heading back up!)
Mizen Head Sea Arch
After a spot of lunch we made our way back to Bantry Bay to visit Bantry House and Gardens. We had always wanted to pay a visit, since seeing Graham Norton being interviewed here. We timed it perfectly for tea and cake on the veranda of the house.
It seems that everywhere we have been in Ireland, everyone is fastidious about keeping their gardens neat and tidy. Here too, the gardeners were busy cutting the lawns and tending the plants
Bantry House & Garden
Back home and we enjoyed a well deserved bbq Irish steak dinner with a glass of red! A quick face time home and the day was complete.
Today we didn’t want to venture too far, as the weather was not looking promising and we knew we would have to take down the awning before the rains arrived, so we headed off to Ballincollig.
We had discovered there was a regional park, with a number of walking trails in and around the park, which had was once been home to a gunpowder mills complex from the 18th century.
We made good use of a few of them, taking in the River Lee, Inniscarra Bridge and many of the defunct buildings.
Next on our plan was to follow the River Lee back to the Inniscarra Dam and Taiscumar Reservoir. The dam is an impressive structure. It was built in 1953 and reaches a height of 45 metres, and is 247 metres wide.
Having looked around the dam and reservoir, we headed back to the caravan after a nice day visiting the Ballincollig area.
In the evening we walked to a local restaurant, Stoneview, to celebrate our 1st wedding anniversary, albeit a day late. (The restaurant isn’t open on Tuesdays). I enjoyed fresh turbot and Ray the rib-eye, washed down with a ‘cheeky’ bottle of Portuguese white. The restaurant had lovely views and a great spot to watch the sun go down.
Stoneview Restaurant
A Diary Of Our Caravan Tour Around Europe
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