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17-04-2006, 04:23 PM

4 brilliant days in Ireland only spoilt by one minor incident, which I'll come to in a minute!

Had a mad blast from Leicester to Holyhead as we were a bit late leaving on Wednesday morning. Got the ferry to Dublin and got lost within 5 minutes of leaving the port.

In the end there was only 4 of us, 2 jap things, the mille and Beelzebub.

Oldcastle, where we stayed on the first night is a little town north west of Dublin and we stayed here: http://www.irelandbreaks.co.uk/leisu...heFincourt.htm

Very relaxing and the Guinness is perfect. The Irish atmosphere was completed by the impromptu band that slowly turned up to fill the bar with singing and music.

Day 2 and we headed to Galway. Not a lot to say about this night except I can't remember it very well. I do know that we stayed in Barnacles on Quay Street http://www.barnacles.ie/ and right opposite is a club that had a very late licence and a top band on.

Day 3 we rode down to Cork (we stayed in Jury's Inn cos the bar was open) but it was a bit of a non event as it was good friday and everything was shut. Doh! Never mind, we managed to kiss the Blarney Stone, although I'd recommend not going there with full armoured jacket etc. as you won't fit up the (136) stairs if you're as big as me!

Next day we had 150 miles of mainly National roads to get back to Dublin, although some of these are pretty good to ride. Into Dublin, and we stayed at the Dublin International Hostel http://www.anoige.ie/directory/dublin
Basic accom (with secure parking) but as we were there to party, not stare at the walls of the room, it didn't matter. After something to eat, we went into a club called Fitzsimons which is in the Temple Bar area near the river. Had a great night right up to the point where I fell off a stool and, as it later transpired, broke my arm! As you can imagine, I was a little bit annoyed and in a great deal of pain, so I drank plenty of JD to numb the pain, got a sling put on by an ambulance parked outside and carried on the nights partying. Next morning, I realized that I couldn't ride so a call or 20 to Carole Nash and recovery was arranged to get me home to Leicester. Unfortunately, it couldn't arrive in time for the 11.10 ferry so the others left as they already had arrangements made for later in the day (But it did mean I was able to watch some of the 90th Anniversary Easter Uprising Parade in Dublin). I have to make a couple of thank you's, firstly to Martin McDonald of The Motorcycle Recovery Service in Dublin (Tel: 086 833 0705) who was really helpful in getting me back to Dun Laoghaire (Dun Leery) ferry port. Secondly to the Gathering Motorcycle Club from Holyhead (http://thegatheringclub.org//index.html) who got my bike on board the Sea Cat, lashed it down and then rode it off the other end, got it on the recovery truck and waited with me to make sure I got away OK.

Ireland has some amazing roads (when they don't have crashed oil tankers on their side on blind bends) and the hospitality from everyone is amazing!

I can only say if you've not been before, go, and enjoy quiet roads and spectacular scenery.

Phil

17-04-2006, 04:23 PM	#3
Bodybag Guest Posts: n/a	I'm back in almost one piece!! 4 brilliant days in Ireland only spoilt by one minor incident, which I'll come to in a minute! Had a mad blast from Leicester to Holyhead as we were a bit late leaving on Wednesday morning. Got the ferry to Dublin and got lost within 5 minutes of leaving the port. In the end there was only 4 of us, 2 jap things, the mille and Beelzebub. Oldcastle, where we stayed on the first night is a little town north west of Dublin and we stayed here: http://www.irelandbreaks.co.uk/leisu...heFincourt.htm Very relaxing and the Guinness is perfect. The Irish atmosphere was completed by the impromptu band that slowly turned up to fill the bar with singing and music. Day 2 and we headed to Galway. Not a lot to say about this night except I can't remember it very well. I do know that we stayed in Barnacles on Quay Street http://www.barnacles.ie/ and right opposite is a club that had a very late licence and a top band on. Day 3 we rode down to Cork (we stayed in Jury's Inn cos the bar was open) but it was a bit of a non event as it was good friday and everything was shut. Doh! Never mind, we managed to kiss the Blarney Stone, although I'd recommend not going there with full armoured jacket etc. as you won't fit up the (136) stairs if you're as big as me! Next day we had 150 miles of mainly National roads to get back to Dublin, although some of these are pretty good to ride. Into Dublin, and we stayed at the Dublin International Hostel http://www.anoige.ie/directory/dublin Basic accom (with secure parking) but as we were there to party, not stare at the walls of the room, it didn't matter. After something to eat, we went into a club called Fitzsimons which is in the Temple Bar area near the river. Had a great night right up to the point where I fell off a stool and, as it later transpired, broke my arm! As you can imagine, I was a little bit annoyed and in a great deal of pain, so I drank plenty of JD to numb the pain, got a sling put on by an ambulance parked outside and carried on the nights partying. Next morning, I realized that I couldn't ride so a call or 20 to Carole Nash and recovery was arranged to get me home to Leicester. Unfortunately, it couldn't arrive in time for the 11.10 ferry so the others left as they already had arrangements made for later in the day (But it did mean I was able to watch some of the 90th Anniversary Easter Uprising Parade in Dublin). I have to make a couple of thank you's, firstly to Martin McDonald of The Motorcycle Recovery Service in Dublin (Tel: 086 833 0705) who was really helpful in getting me back to Dun Laoghaire (Dun Leery) ferry port. Secondly to the Gathering Motorcycle Club from Holyhead (http://thegatheringclub.org//index.html) who got my bike on board the Sea Cat, lashed it down and then rode it off the other end, got it on the recovery truck and waited with me to make sure I got away OK. Ireland has some amazing roads (when they don't have crashed oil tankers on their side on blind bends) and the hospitality from everyone is amazing! I can only say if you've not been before, go, and enjoy quiet roads and spectacular scenery. Phil Last edited by Bodybag; 17-04-2006 at 04:33 PM..