I am looking to do a shortish trip to southern Ireland with SHMBO on the back. I am looking for a good reasonable priced hotel to use as a base to then do daily tours from, 50 /60 Mile round trips.

Am looking for good roads, good food and typical good Irish hospitality.

Any recommendations please.

If you are near this place http://www.ireland-guide.com/establi...rant.3118.html
it is not far from the Erne lakelands area right on the border, it does the best food I have experienced ANYWHERE.

Hey! Planning the same with my wife. A week in the Cork area, a few days in Ulster then across to IofMan for the Manx, returning to England via Heysham and spending a few days around the Dales - Hawes in particular.

Never been to Ireland but my late father was from Dublin so I'm really looking forward to this trip. I'll be watching this thread with interest.

Only downside seems to be all these ferry single fares; nearly as much as a return.

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For tone in't fens, going to North, the Bushmills Inn is a very comfy hotel. Great location near Portrush/Portstewart/NW200 circuit. Good for the coast road -A2, Ballymoney (Joey Dunlop's bar, memorial garden etc). You'll just see bike after bike around here. From Belfast take the M2/M5/A2 to Carrickfergus and stay on the A2 as it follows the coast. Brilliant road. Stop in any of the carparks with a chip wagon and no doubt there will be a groups of bikers there as well.

Another good run is around the Mourne mountains and to Newcastle.

If you need to know any details PM me

At the moment the sun is shining the water is sparkling on the lough and sea, the gorse is in bloom so the air is smelling sweet and I'm stuck in the office

http://www.bushmillsinn.com/about.asp?p=2

Lil

Richard and Trish Wilson who originally started the Bushmills Inn are keen bikers, and now run Harmony Hill House near Ballymoney
http://www.harmonyhill.net/hello.htm
Like the Bushmills Inn - very popular and needs to be booked well in advance.

I'm sorry cant recommend any hotels/guest houses as I've never stayed in any in the south. but there is an abundance of them and the people are very friendly so shouldnt be a problem

If you like scenery, then I would go to Killarney, its absolutely beautiful there, mountain roads, lakes, the Gap of Dunloe, there's the famous Ring of Kerry. Lots to see in relatively short distance

The Galway area heading out to Clifden equally nice, you have the Cliffs of Moher that are spectacular. ( Do a Google on them)
And relativley close to Connemara

In fact you cant go far wrong down the West side of Ireland

On the East side you have the Wicklow mountains, not so far down from Dublin an equally beautiful area.
But by and large I have always stuck to the West side, there just seems more over there.

Up North but still in the South of Ireland, that'll confuse ya, Donegal is worth a visit, but its more hit and miss with the weather. When the weather is good its a beautiful area but when it rains its really miserable as it often does.

Then in to the North itself you have the North Cost run, from Larne round to Portrush, and the places mentioned in the above posts.

Bottom Line go to the West side of ireland.

Hi Silverstripes, Which ferry port are you planning on using? Rosslare or Cork. Both will give you access to the south of the country. I'm in Limerick myself and it's well placed for heading to Clare eg:The Burren,Cliffs of Moher,
Kerry or Killarney is about 50 mins away as is Cork. We have loads of beautiful scenery, don't know about the good roads
The Southcourt Hotel (part of the Lynch Group) is just on the outskirts of town and well placed to give access to the above mentioned places.

Get back to me if have any particular questions and I'll try and help.

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Cheers Paul.

I'm extremely grateful for the handy hints mikeg15, Tigerlilly & Itchy; and I'm sorry for hijacking your thread Silverstripes. Do let me know how you got on, as you're going before me. Best of luck

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Tone

No problem dont worry as we are both seeking the same information.

Thanks guys for all Your replies, it does help with the planning. In terms of Ferry I was thinking about the Fishguard to Rosslare as this is closer to home.

As for the time being I will continue to gather info and then post when I know 100% what I am doing.


Thanks again guys for the tips

Regards
Silverstripes

I go with all the above posts, definitely the east of Northern Ireland from Larne upwards is beautiful especially around Torr Head (North). The roads are sometimes under construction (Whats new) and you can be left with three inches of loose chippings, but apart from that, there are some amazing roads both North and South of Ireland.

Bit ironic, but most bikers from Ireland go to the mainland to ride and yet we have some brilliant areas here.

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