A Wet Wild Atlantic Way

[70sThrowback]

So I debated about writing this up as it isn't strictly DDK vehicles, but every one seems to like a road trip review, so feels only fair I should contribute. As always if this is not of interest I apologise.

The background to this trip, I've just got my 912E back after its second partial rebuild following a spring / bent valve issue. I'd done a couple of smaller trips, but I am planning on taking it to the Alps in June and needed to get 1000 miles of the clock running in. So this seemed the perfect excuse to take it rather than the Boxster. Only time would tell if it was brave or stupid. We would be a group of 10 cars and 16 people travelling from Yorkshire to tackle the Wild Atlantic Way.

The vehicles were varied,with mine being the oldest. We also had entries from the 80's with a 944 Turbo and a 928s2. Then 996's 997, 981's and a 991. So a real mix


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[70sThrowback]

After meeting at the Premier Inn the night before, which as always got more heavy on the drinks than planned, we awoke reasonably early for breakfast and to get to Holyhead for 9am in order to catch our ferry. Everyone had filled up the evening before, so at least we all had full tanks of 98RON e5, which is not available in Ireland.




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[70sThrowback]

The ferry itself was "plain sailing", we sailed with Stena and all booked the premium lounge which was worth the extra £20 each.





On landing in Dublin Port, we hit the motorways to get to Galway, and once outside of Dublin there was little to no traffic, with the only stops being the pay toll booths.




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[70sThrowback]

Our hotel in Galway for the next 2 nights was the Harbour Inn, I was a little apprehensive over the parking as we couldn't reserve and I knew it was a small car park. However all 10 cars got parked up no problem at all.



The next 36 hours was a haze of Guinness and food, its a great part place!





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[neilbardsley]

Enjoy. Hopefully the weather will be grand

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[Bootsy]

Excellent, you're in your car so it's most relevant!

[Dean.s]

Sounds like a great trip. My partner is from the south area, Cork and Limerick. I've long wanted to take her back and tour up the western side.

[theorangeperil]

Looking forward to reading this. It’s on my list to do.

[70sThrowback]

Galway to Dingle…

Our tour of the Wild Atlantic Way (WAW) started in earnest, and as always is the way in Ireland's west coast. Our next few days forecast was rain all day every day to varying degrees.



Topping up at the Texaco, remember your octane additive / stabiliser, we set off to find the coastal road, with our first stop being the Cliffs of Moher. Windswept and wet, we got out of our cars with the hundreds of other (mainly American) tourists to walk through an over the top cash cow of a visitor centre before grabbing our obligatory photos. It had been 25 years since my last visit here and at that point it was just a small car park and no fee. How times change.




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[70sThrowback]

Pressing on we headed to the Tarbett ferry to cross the Shannon, where we would stop for lunch. Disappointingly the cafe had closed and there were only 5 sandwiches in the fridge. That did not divide too well into 16 people, so we made the best we could and laughed about it. The ferry itself was an efficient set up and we were on the other side of the Shannon estuary in the hour.




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[70sThrowback]

Skirting around Tralee, we headed to our first interesting road of the day, the Conor Pass. There were a couple of drivers on there that shouldn't be allowed out in a car, probably tourists in hire cars as its single track with passing places. On reaching the top we got out for photos and were quite nearly blown away as it was blowing a gale up there.




Soon retreating to the cars, we got in front of any traffic and had a great run to the Dingle Skellig Hotel, when disaster struck. Idling in the car park whilst staff removed cones from our reserved parking, I heard a horrible metal screech and then plumes of white smoke. One of our group in a mint 996 c4s had suffered an engine failure with coolant running out of the exhaust. He was with Classicline and with Neil's woes I warned about costs etc... luckily he also had a flex account and the car was collected for repatriation within 3 hours. Though it is still not home yet.




The hotel itself was really good, great food, live music in the bar and definitely worth checking out.


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[Gary71]

Proper road trip

Keep the write up coming!

[majordad]

Our Irish weather is amazing- last week we had 25+ degrees.

A good number of DDKers live in Ireland , me and Clive fir one.

Enjoy the trip.

[jwhillracer]

A good number of DDKers live in Ireland , me and Clive fir one.

Is that not two Dave??

JW

[70sThrowback]

Dingle to Kinsale……..

After a good night and a hearty breakfast all 16 people, but now in 9 cars left on the next leg to Kinsale.

Today’s route was mainly the Ring of Kerry, which thankfully saw much less traffic, so we were able to pick up the pace. Though the weather was still somewhat inclement. We more or less followed the Ring of Kerry with our first stop at Goldens of Kells for a brew and break from the persistent rain.





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