Its Sunday May 29th and I find myself in the town of Nenagh in County Tipperary Ireland. In the last 3 -4 days I have continued my progress along the Wild Atlantic Way from my last stop in Kilarney. I headed up the next day to Tralee, first traversing the coastal roads along the Dingle Peninsula.

The roads along the Dingle Peninsula have been the highlight so far of my trip.
When I envisioned riding the WAW these are the kinds of roads and scenery that I was expecting. Long stretches of curvy roads hugging the mountainsides with a view of the ocean all around me.

Some photos below taken along route R559 on way to Slea Head west of town of Dingle







Near Slea Head which is the most western point on the Dingle Peninsula is an archaeological site that preserves the remains of an ancient Neolithic site containing stone Ringforts and Beehive structures that have existed there for over 4000 years. The site was last occupied back in 1200 AD. The stones are layered in a downward and outward manner, so as to funnel rain water away from the interior.






Some of the earliest Christians are from Dingle region of Ireland[/caption]


Some more scenes from ride around Dingle Peninsula[/caption]



Sheep they are everywhere in Ireland. They seemed to be allowed to roam around free and go where they want to graze. The painted markings I am told, identify which farmer owns them and also the sheep get marked when an ewe has been serviced by a ram.



I stayed overnight in a small hotel in town of Tralee. Its a rather unremarkable town, I did not even bother to take any photos of the place. The only reason that I choose to stop in Tralee was because it was the only community of any size nearest the Dingle Peninsula.

The one thing I will remember about Tralee is my re-introduction to Guinness . The truth be told I am not much of a fancier for s. Those times when I might of had a pint or two of Guinness to celebrate St. Patrick's and my Irish heritage, I remember the as being harsh and bitter and tasting like leprechaun piss. I am not sure if its a urban myth but they say that Guinness doesn't travel very well and a Guinness served at a bar in North America is just not the same as one served in a Irish pub in Ireland. Its also been a long held belief that Guinness purposely keeps the good stock at home and exports their inferior product to the rest of the world.

All I know now, is that after a long day of riding the motorcycle, there is nothing better than sitting down in a genuine Irish pub, eating good pub food with a pint of Guinness to wash it down.


Nectar of the Gods

From Tralee I kept heading north to Galway, again continuing along the Wild Atlantic Way. I was planning a staying overnight in Galway, but accommodations in town seemed to be on the expensive side, even for the cheaper B&B so I elected to stay instead in the nearby community of Craughwell, which is just east of Galway. I was not find the roads in this part of Ireland too interesting, the landscape was not as dramatic as what I had been experiencing over the last 4 - 5 days.

Took ferry boat between Tabert and Kilrush. I got charged 9 euros for the 20 minute ferry boat ride across the Shannon river.



Picture of my B&B in Craughwell County Galway. I have been really impressed with the quality of the B&B over here. For what I would pay to stay at a flea infested, bed-bug ridden motel in US or Canada, you can stay at a comfortable room at one of these B&B in Ireland. Plus you usually get a full Irish breakfast and free WIFI.


Doonard Manor in Craughwell Ireland

After my disappointing ride up from Tralee to Galway I decided to change my plans and discontinue following the route of the Wild Atlantic Way, instead after talking to another guest and fellow motorcyclist who was staying at my B&B I headed eastward for Lough Derg. Lough is the Irish word for Loc. Lough Derg is known as the Lakelands area of Ireland and is the second largest lake in the republic of Ireland. I was told that there were a set of roads that circled around the lake and that it would make for a good ride. As spectacular as the coastal roads have been, I was ready for a change-up.

Video from my ride around Lough Derg




After my ride around Lough Derg I stay in town of Nenagh which is the largest town in County Tipperary. It a pleasant little town.




My B&B in Nenagh The Willowbrook



Cool looking wall mural in town. Nenagh is know for its music festivals


Centre of town in Nenagh


Bars.. they are everywhere in Ireland





Nenagh is known for Castle Nenagh. In background circular Keep




Another Irish bar


Main street in Nenagh


Main street in town of Nenagh

Looking out the window of my room at my B&B in Nenagh. Everyone in Ireland seems to be mad into gardening. Walk down any street in any Irish village and everyone seems to have miniature botanical garden growing in their front yard.