ExplorA8tion Ireland! 5th - 15/16th June 2016

[tonupkid]

All outward on the same booking makes sense. Speaking for myself, return will probably be better via Holyhead, which seems a logical option for anyone else heading home north of the Midlands

[HPsauce]

Not sure what we will do after leaving Ireland, so Larne to Cairnryan looks to be the most flexible for us.
We can then head home (South) or into Scotland.

The adventurous route would be Ballycastle to Campbelltown!

[tintin]

Originally Posted by tonupkid

All outward on the same booking makes sense. Speaking for myself, return will probably be better via Holyhead, which seems a logical option for anyone else heading home north of the Midlands

+1

[HPsauce]

OK, we have just had an "emergency board meeting" over a couple of glasses of wine and some particularly fine Greek Kalamata Olives, and....

The "management" opinion is that we will drive back down the East coast of Ireland (because we haven't done that before) and get the ferry back from Rosslare to Fishguard/Pembroke or whatever the reverse of the outbound journey is.

So, some questions for those with more knowledge than me:
1. How many cars/people are committed to this trip? (SWMBO was asking)
2. Is anyone else thinking of going back on the ferry to South Wales?
3. What's a reasonable number of overnight stopovers from North to South - I was thinking just one, but maybe two are needed depending on ferry times etc.?
4. And what areas/places would be good to stay on that trip ?

We need to get home fairly quickly so won't make the journey to the ferry a slow sightseeing trip, just hopefully a pleasant drive with the odd diversion.

[Architex_mA8tey]

Currently planning on going are -

1. Architex Ma8tey. Crossing Pembroke to rosslare return same
2. Sean (Steamship). No crossings needed
3. CtL & Angela. Crossing Pembroke to rosslare return same
4. TinTin. Crossing Pembroke to rosslare return via Holyhead
5. HP Sauce & Mrs Sauce. Crossing Pembroke to rosslare return same
6. TonUpKid & Mrs Kid. Crossing Pembroke to rosslare return Holyhead
7. Jimmy Johansson (From Sweden!). TBC
8. VACANT SPACE FOR 1 CAR - TBC

We will limit this to 8 cars as we have to plan for stops and b&b's etc so unless anyone drops out then that will be the only opportunity to opt in. 8 cars is plenty to try and manage etc

Each of the 8 will shortly be given a full itinerary and be asked to commit to a deposit of about £50 which will cover the cost of us making up some packs of information (wild Atlantic way book, tourist maps etc) and providing a proper walkie talkie to each car/owner so that we can all communicate with each other and be able to both run those off the car power supply and also charge them up at night on a desk stand etc.

Mike and myself are planning to both head down the east coast back to rosslare from the Giants causeway. This is do-able in 2 days and we were discussing stopping at Dublin for one night (seems rude lot to!) then possibly go south to rosslare via the Wicklow mountains which is very scenic. If that works then we would be looking at the Wild Atlantic Way trip through to Giants Causeway taking 10 days so Monday 6th June through to Weds 15th of June so then either stopping the night between the Giants causeway and Belfast and doing the drive south in 2 more days stopping in between in Dublin (my preference) or zooming straight to Dublin from GC which I think would be unlikely to work. So assuming that then it's staying weds night before Belfast and then Thursday night in Dublin and getting a ferry back in the Friday 17th June to Pembroke also by taking 2 nights to get down it gives us more time to enjoy any stops en-route (Guinness brewery etc. Ahem ahem!).

[HPsauce]

That all sounds entirely plausible, though having "done" Dublin fairly recently (and I've been there A LOT for work) we'll probably stop somewhere out in the country.
Back to Blighty on Friday 17th works for us.

[HPsauce]

Originally Posted by HPsauce

we'll probably stop somewhere out in the country.

Though if someone can recommend a Michelin-starred hotel and restaurant anywhere in the Dublin area, we'll go for that!

We have a birthday to celebrate, technically just after we get back but if there's an opportunity in Ireland we'll try to grab it!
(Not mine, that's in April and my Michelin-starred 9-course treat is already booked)

[carmel120]

Hi I would like to meet up for a few days if possible when your around n.ireland.

cheers trev

[Architex_mA8tey]

Originally Posted by carmel120

Hi I would like to meet up for a few days if possible when your around n.ireland.

cheers trev

Hi trev - sure thing, pm me with your contact details and we can keep you in the loop on where we will be and when on the journey

[Architex_mA8tey]

Ok all it looks like at the moment we are all likely to be going on via Fishguard to Rosslare and then back via Dublin to Holyhead, mainly due to both timings of sailings and the fact that there are many more from Dublin than from Rosslare, and the Rosslare times are unhelpful at best.

Mike and myself have been checking out times of sailings and costs and Mike will PM a spreadsheet of that information to those that are confirmed as going, and we will all try to then book and confirm as soon as possible to get best rates and make sure that we all travel together.

Can I ask if anyone else is wanting to join us after the annual meet on this trip?
It will run from the Sunday 5th Jun through to Thursday 16th inclusive and we are limiting the trip to 8 cars maximum for purposes of planning and trying to ensure all keep together on the journey in a manageable way. We currently have 6 cars committed to going so can accept 2 more cars on the journey if anyone else would like to come along. Please can you let me know on here as we will take people on a first come first served basis but we do need you to fully commit to going if you say that you want to.

It should be the best trip you'll ever have done in your 8 - what could be better than driving the beautiful Wild Atlantic Way with a group of other 8's and partaking in some proper Irish craic both food and drink wise and visiting some of the most amazing locations in Ireland!!