FolkMog Irish Tour by Eileen Cook
Thursday 18th May dawned a sunny morning in Norfolk as we set out on our
journey to Swansea but as we approached Wales the forecast proved correct
and the wind and rain gave us some idea of the weather we would have on the
overnight crossing to Cork. The seven cars booked on the trip duly arrived
at the port terminal and greetings took place, and we agreed a Morgan trip
would involve a certain amount of endurance. We sailed at 9pm and there were
many ups and downs, creaks and groans during the night and that was just
the vessel, for there was a gale force 8 gusting to 9 and only a few lucky
folk survived the voyage without feeling queasy! We arrived four hours late
into Cork but, in true Morgan spirits everyone soon recovered and enjoyed
the first day of driving on Irish roads.
The theme for the tour was for everyone to visit wherever they wished and
we would all meet in the evenings. We had to curtail our plans for the first
day but some people drove via the Lee Valley to Bantry and the Beara Peninsula
and even traversed the Healey Pass, although visibility was poor as rain
had set in again later in the day. We arrived at our hotel in Killarney late
in the afternoon and soon settled in, joining up in the bar before dinner.
This hotel was rather large and we had to negotiate with the staff to accommodate
us on one table as there were many large coach parties dominating the dining
room. We did eventually get our own table by the third day!
Saturday's forecast was good so it was hoods down and off for a trip around
the Ring of Kerry, one of the most scenic routes in Ireland, and it did not
disappoint us. We kept meeting at various beauty spots the first one being
Kells, which had a jetty in the bay and we persuaded an Australian lady to
take a photo of us avoiding the breaking waves.
We then took the small ferry across to Valencia Island and stopped for lunch
at the Skellig Experience, a visitors' centre explaining the history of the
area.
Later some people drove around the Skellig Ring; the Cooks decided to go over the Gap of Dunloe which was quite a challenge with the route not well marked, as the Walkerleys also found out the next day. However, after much second gear driving and many hairpin bends the summit was reached and the gap to descend opened up. On reaching Kate Kearney's Cottage at the end of the descent Maurice was pleased to see the jaunting carts and ponies just as he remembered from his previous visit 45 years ago.
Sunday's forecast was dire and we awoke to rain as it can only rain in Ireland.
However a trip to a motor museum was organised and a few of us went out to Kilgarvin and eventually found it down a real country lane. The owners, Mr & Mrs Mitchell and Sons, had opened up especially for us and were pleased to show us their collection which had started as a hobby and continued to grow. The many interesting cars included Rolls Royce, Armstrong Siddeley, Adler (a 1935 German car) Ford 10, Morris 8, Rover 14 etc. Mr Mitchell continued to work in a garage and had restored some of the vehicles. He was very Irish and his two sons seemed to be in the business as well. His wife opened the museum and served coffee for us and told the ladies where to shop in the next town, Kenmare
The afternoon was spent at the local historic grand house in the Killarney National Park, Muckross House, where there were many interesting things to do. A Victorian Mansion, it is one of Ireland's leading stately homes. There are also 3 reconstructed traditional working farms and cottages based on the 1930s. Heather and David toured this area quite late in the afternoon and Heather was invited to milk a cow which, much to the farmer's surprise, she achieved very successfully! They also took a ride in a jaunting car up to Torc Falls, despite the heavy rain.
The next day we moved on to Ballyvaughn and most of us followed
the scenic route planned for that day, which included the Dingle Peninsula
where some cars continued past Dingle and found the ruin of a seventh century
church which was the highlight of their day.
The route also took us over the Connor Pass again with spectacular views. We continued on through Tralee and took a ferry across the Shannon on a windy but sunny day. On arriving at our next hotel we were greeted by a warm fire in the lobby and felt this hotel had better vibes. We all enjoyed a large meal at one table and lots of talk ensued. Later in the bar we were entertained to live Irish music.
The next day most people visited the local area which covered
the Burren National Park which is a limestone paved area with a profusion
of wild flowers as well as forts, tombstones and interesting geological features.
Several people visited the Cliffs of Moher which rise to
a spectacular 700ft and were alive with nesting sea birds. However Maurice
likes to drive his car on the open road so off we went out of Munster to.
the Connemara region north of Galway and drove at some speed around the almost
deserted roads. The area was very similar to Sutherland in Scotland with
loughs (tarns) around the coastal area rising to the mountains which included
12 peaks. There was also a very good route called the Sky Drive around a
peninsula north of Clifden.
On returning we found we would be dining in a
private room off a landing as, yet again, a large coach party had arrived.
However, we were well looked after and had a splendid meal. Simon presented
us with a donation from the group who had appreciated our efforts in arranging
the tour. We were extremely grateful and pleased that everyone had enjoyed
the trip. So many thanks to Simon and Cathlyn Davidson, David and Heather
Kennett, Roy and Marion May, Alan and Diana Biddlecombe, Paul and Jan Dunningham
and Tony and Clare Walkerley. In Limerick the next day we endeavoured to
spend some of the donation and bought a print called 'The End of the Glen'
by James Craig from the National Gallery of Ireland collection