Southern Ireland

Southern Ireland

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ohidunno

Original Poster:

506 posts

285 months

Thursday 17th April 2003
quotequote all
The girlfriend and I are planning to take the Chimaera for a tour of Southern Ireland. My main concerns are:

Will my car ground on the ferry ? (Fishguard - Rosslare, Stenna fast ferry)

What sort of condition are the roads, someone has said they are dreadful. I don't mind 'a bit rough' but don't much like the sound of dreadful.

BTW our planned itinerary is
Night1 Wexford
2 Cove
3 + 4 Kinsale
5 Kenmare
6 + 7 Dingle
8 Lahinch
9 Gallway
10 Garrick on Shannon

What do you think? Does anyone have any recommendations to stay or hosteleries to visit

the preacher

257 posts

272 months

Thursday 17th April 2003
quotequote all
I've been going to Ireland for the last 10 years but not in my TVR. Over the last 4 years the roads are much improved. I know you and your car will have a great time. By the way,the ramps on & off the ferry or the Sea cat, you will not have any problems with. Happy motoring.

NORMAN

PS. Let me know how you get on

jmorgan

36,010 posts

297 months

Thursday 17th April 2003
quotequote all
I was over a few years ago with a sprinter so take this from that stand point. I would watch out for sudden dips causing grounding. Other wise, wish I was back there.

ohidunno

Original Poster:

506 posts

285 months

Tuesday 22nd April 2003
quotequote all
Thankyou chaps, sounds like we are going to have fun.
Such a shame that Guinness sampling and TVR driving are mutually exclusive

kinky

39,869 posts

282 months

Tuesday 22nd April 2003
quotequote all
The roads are very much improved over the last few years thanks to european funding.

Kinky's top tip #1 is for when you go from Dingle (my favourite place in the world) to Lahinch. There's 2 ways 2 go - the quick way and the slow way ....

The slow way (but may be more fun in the Tiv) is to drive around the coastline (via Limerick). However - the quick way is via a tiny ferry (20 mins journey) which cuts out about a 2 hour drive. The ferry runs from Tarbert to Killimer. You'll see it on the map. I'd recommend this as it will give you more time at the Cliffs of Moher (seriously recommended).

And Kinky's Top Tip #2 ... in Dingle there's a TOP restaurant called Lord Bakers. I would seriously strongly recommend it. It's a tad expensive but worth every single penny. It's right in the centre of the village.

And beware of the roads out of Dingle - whilst it might not look far on the map - it takes ages.

And finally (for you to chuckle at) ... when you get off the ferry at Killimer you'll see a big cream/brown sign for "McElwees Caves - 2 miles this way" ..... then about 30 miles later you'll see another sign "McElwees Caves - 3 miles that way" ... and then another 20 odd miles later another sign "McElwees Caves - 1 mile this way". I never quite figured that one out !

Enjoy yourself - you'll have a good time.

K (not at all envious - really ... ok - a little)

P.S. - Cove is spelt "Cobh" but pronounced "Cove". I think you'll be hard pushed to spend 2 days there - Cork (15 miles up the road is a better bet).

brioss

507 posts

271 months

Friday 2nd May 2003
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My mother was from (Cove)Cobh. I go there a couple of times a year. I normally stay at the Bella Vista its cheap really nice rooms and a big hairy fry up in the morning. Some roads are a bit ropey.
It might be worth taking the bridge over to the cobh rather than the ferry I a managed to ground my passat last time.
Enjoy your trip it will be great.
www.bellavistahotel.ie/

>> Edited by brioss on Friday 2nd May 19:31

ohidunno

Original Poster:

506 posts

285 months

Tuesday 6th May 2003
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Thanks Brian, BTW what is an Irish breakfast? ?

Don

28,378 posts

297 months

Tuesday 6th May 2003
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OhIDunno:

We took our Chimaera around Southern Ireland a couple of years ago. Spent two weeks there...and it was absolutely GREAT!

The people are friendly. The food can be *great*! Your car will be decidedly uncommon and you can expect it to attract a reasonable amount of attention. The proportion of "nice" attention versus the other sort was very, very high too - which was nice.

I'd recommend the "Ring Of Kerry" as a drive. Also: I'd allow PLENTY of time to get anywhere - after all you'll be on holiday - so what's the rush.

The roads were for the most part DIRE with pockets of truly EXCELLENT tarmac - obviously from European funding. However - the we didn't find anything that the Chimaera suspension couldn't handle.

TVR Highlight of our tour was stopping at a garage after I'd thought I'd grounded the car. Daewoo place. I 'd just stopped to fill it with petrol and take a quick look under the car...The mechanics all RUSHED out to take a look. Then asked if the "might take a look at the engine" - "jeez would you look at da size of dat" etc etc. Lovely lads.

You'll have a great time...DO IT!

ohidunno

Original Poster:

506 posts

285 months

Tuesday 6th May 2003
quotequote all
Cheers Don,
Oh we are definately going - the ferry is booked.
Actually seeing as we are going to buy a little tent for Pistonfest we might try one or two nights camping.

The big question remains though what is an Irish breakfast???

JonRB

77,289 posts

285 months

Tuesday 6th May 2003
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ohidunno said:The big question remains though what is an Irish breakfast???
(guessing) A pint or two if of Guiness?

Don

28,378 posts

297 months

Wednesday 7th May 2003
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ohidunno said:
The big question remains though what is an Irish breakfast???



As I recall it was much like a full English breakfast. With the option of other interesting things fried...like white pudding for instance.

Surely an Irish PHer can add some more detail?

BTW: If you are ever tempted by Welsh breakfast. There are two interpretations - one is an English breakfast. The other one.....urggh! Although I live in England I'm a Welshman by birth and rugby loyalties and I wouldn't eat it....

Irish breakfast was safe

>> Edited by Don on Wednesday 7th May 08:08

Kinky

39,869 posts

282 months

Sunday 11th May 2003
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Irish breakfast ..... depends where you go ...

but typically same as an Engligh one except there's twice as much, and there's white and black pudding (and no mushrooms).

K

ohidunno

Original Poster:

506 posts

285 months

Thursday 4th September 2003
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ohidunno said:
The girlfriend and I are planning to take the Chimaera for a tour of Southern Ireland.


OK, how is this for bad luck. All set to go Saturday afternoon, ferry and accomodation all booked etc. Play football Tuesday night, and whilst doing my stint in goal. I stop a shot travelling at warp speed and break my wrist. Its going to be in plaster for a month at least.
Everyone says 'oh well, never mind, Lorraine (gf) can drive' ......they just don't get it.....but I'm sure you all understand.