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The AA best drives : Ireland PDF

214 Pages·2006·101.96 MB·English
by  Poole
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20 ··~-[21 Dunlan'i:ghy Londonderry / Derry 20 Letterkennyl 24 20 60km 20 -{ll --- ~ + - 16 Oma.g,h , Ballyshannon., .,Kesh J Manorhamlton Ennis illen 18 I .... Belcoo" ' ~ n 117 ~ I +- Boyl;,- Carrick-on 16 I 2-.2_.;.J..-1---1 +- -+- 11 .,Casdebar ~-Shanno!!,._ 19 fCasderea ~ongford ., Leenaun Roscomion 18, liu am R E P U B L Athlone --+ 0 ., Pordaoise t -f->La~hinch- - Roscreae 111 2 -r R ii L A N D ffs Ennis Nenagh Bunratty e .-+I 0-- -< Limerick Kilkenny I:I Tipperary 4 '·:~I ~ N-::· Jl-f> j .,4 rrick t,Caher ot,-Suir l 5 Campf> Waterford 6 An o"!gean ~ nch +-t (Dingle) Killarn:f Dungarvan~ f Cahersiveen 8 4 Youghal., 9 Macroom Cork Kenmare Ardgroom., t 7 Adrigole t,· Bantry 5 ~D~rrus Cl'i\'akilty 6 Skibbereenf > 8 9 m Best Drives Ireland List of Tours MUNSTER 6 - 65 Tour 1 Clare 8- 13 Tour 2 River Shannon Rambles 14 - 19 Tour 3 Ancient Castles & Lake Odyssey 20 - 25 Tour 4 Beehive Huts & Coastal Splendours 26 - 33 Tour 5 Killarney & the Ring of Kerry 34 - 39 Tour 6 Kenmare & the Seara Peninsula 40 - 44 Tour 7 Island City, Magic Stone 45 - 49 Tour 8 Cork's Coastal Villages 50 - 53 Tour 9 Unspoiled Peninsulas 54 - 59 Tour 10 Rock of Cashel 60 - 65 LEINSTER 66 - 97 Tour 11 Monastic Ruins & the Midlands 68 - 73 Tour 12 The Boyne Valley 74 - 78 Tour 13 Dublin & Wicklow 79 - 83 Tour 14 Witches, Castles & Horses 84 - 91 Tour 15 By Hook or by Crooke 92 - 97 CONNACHT 98 - 121 Tour 16 Sligo & Yeats Country 100 - 105 Tour 17 Boyle & the Lake Country 106 - 109 Tour 18 Achill Island & County Mayo 11 O - 115 Tour 19 Region of Stony Beauty 116 - 121 ULSTER 122 - 157 Tour 20 Seascapes & Mountain Passes 124 - 128 Tour 21 The Causeway Coast 129 - 135 Tour 22 Strangford Lough 136 - 140 Tour 23 Fermanagh Lakeland 141 - 145 Tour 24 The Heart of Ulster 146 - 151 Tour 25 Mourne Country 152 - 157 ·Them Best o·rives .· ·. _ Ireland www..theAA.com Written by Susan Poole and Lyn Gallagher Published by AA Publishing, a trading name of Automobile Association Developments Limited, whose registered office is Fanum House, BasingV iew, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG2 I 4EA. Registered number I 878835. ISBN-I 0: 0-7495-4430-9 ISBN-I 3: 978-0-7495-4430-0 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means - electronic, photocopying, recording or otherwise - unless the permission of the publish ers has been obtained beforehand.This book may not be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise disposed of by way of trade in any fonm of binding or cover other than that in which it is published, without the prior consent of the publisher. The contents of this publication are believed correct at the time of printing. Nevertheless, AA Publishing accept no responsibility for errors, omissions or changes in details given in this guide, or for the consequences of readers' reliance on this information.This does not affect your statutory rights. Assessments of the attractions and so forth are based upon the author's own experience and contain subjective opinions that may not reflect the publishers' opinion or a reader's own experience. We have tried to ensure accuracy. but things do change, so please let us know if you have any comments or correc tions. A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. Colour separation: Daylight Colour Art, Singapore Printed and bound by G. Canale & C. S.P.A,Torino, Italy Find out more about AA Publishing and the wide range of travel publications and services the AA provides by visiting our website at www.theAA.com First published 1992 • Revised second edition published in this format 1998 Revised third edition 2000 Reprinted June 200 I Reprinted 2004. Information verified and updated Reprinted February 2005 Reprinted 2006. Information verified and updated © Automobile Association Developments Limited 1992, 1998, 2000, 2004, 2006 Maps © Automobile Association Developments Limited 1992, 1998, 2000, 2006 ~ • This product includes mapping \;~ based upon data licensed from ::::::.:.::.::::.:::' Ordnnance Survey of Northern Ireland ® reproduced by permis sion of the Chief Executive of her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright 2005. Penmit No. 50087 Republic of Ireland mapping based on Ordnance Survey Ireland. Permit No. MPOOO I 05 © Ordnance Survey Ireland and Government of Ireland Opposite: South Cross detail, Kells Cover credits:AA WORLD TRAVEL LIBRARY/J Blandford f/cover. b/cover (top);AA WORLD TRAVEL LIBRARY/ S McBride b/cover (centre top);AA WORLD TRAVEL LIBRARY/C Coe b/cover (centre bottom);AA WORLD TRAVEL LIBRARY/( Hill b/cover (bottom) I A02490 Atlas Index J Kilmeage 204 B2 M N Portaferry 199 F3 Kilmeedy 203 D2 Portarlington Johnstown 203 F2 Macroom 203 D4 Naas 204 B2 Kilmichael 202 C4 204A3 Julianstown 204 C I Maghera 199 D2 Naul 204 C2 Kilmore Quay Portavogie 199 F3 Magherafelt Navan 204 Bl K 204 BS 199 D3 Neale 200 C3 Portlaoise 204 A3 Kilnaleck 198 CS Portmarnock Maguiresbridge Nenagh 203 EI Kanturk 203 D3 Kilrea 199 E2 204C2 198C4 Newbliss 199 D4 Keadew 198 B4 Kilrush 202 C2 Portroe 20 I DS Malainn Mh6ir Newbridge 204 B2 Keady 199 D4 Kiltamagh 200 C2 Portrush 199 D I (Malin More) New Buildings Keel 200 B2 Kiltealy 204 B4 Portstewart 199 D I I98A3 198C2 Keenagh 20 I E3 Kiltegan 204 B3 Portumna 20 I D4 Malin More (Malainn Newcasde 199 F4 Kells 199 E2 Kingscourt 199 DS Poulgorm Bridge Mh6ir) I98A3 Newcastle West Kells 204 Bl Kinlough 198 B3 202C4 Malin 199 DI 202 C2 Kenmare 202 C4 Kinnegad 204 B2 Mallow 203 D3 Newmarket Kesh 198 C3 Kinnitty 20 I E4 R Manorhamilton 203 D3 Kilbeggan 20 I F3 Kinsale 203 D4 198 B4 Newmarket on Randalstown 199 E3 Kilberry 204 B I Kinvarra 200 C4 Markethill 199 E4 Fergus 203 D2 Raphoe 198 C2 Kilcock 204 B2 Kircubbin 199 F3 Maynooth 204 B2 Newport 200 B2 Rasharkin 199 E2 Kilcolgan 200 C4 Knock 200 C2 Middletown Newport 203 E2 Rathangan 204 B2 Kilconnell 201 D3 Knockcroghery 199D4 New Ross 204 B4 Rathcoole 204 B2 Kilcoole 204 C3 201 E3 Midleton 203 E4 Newry 199 E4 Rathcormack Kilcormac 20 I E4 Knocklofty 203 E3 Millford 198 C2 Newtownabbey 203 E3 Kilcullen 204 B3 Millstreet 202 C3 199 F3 Rathdowney Kilcurry 199 E4 L Milltown 202 B3 Newtownards 203 F2 Kildare 204 B3 Lehinch 200 C4 Milltown Malbay 199 F3 Rathdrum 204 C3 Kildavin 204 B4 Laragh 204 C3 200 cs Newtown butler Rathfriland 199 E4 Kildorrery 203 D3 Larne 199 F2 Mitchelstown 198C4 Rathkeale 203 D2 Kilfenora 200 C4 Lauragh 202 B4 203 E3 Newtown Forbes Rathmelton Kilgarvan 202 C4 Leap 202 CS Moate 201 E3 201 E2 198 C2 Kilkee 202 C2 Leenaun 200 B3 Mohill 201 E2 Newtownhamilton Rathmolyon Kilkeel 199 E4 Leitrim 20 I E2 Monaghan 199 D4 199 E4 204 B2 Kilkelly 20 I D2 Leixlip 204 B2 Monasterevin Newtownmountken Rathmore 202 C3 Kilkenny 204 A4 Lemybrien 203 F3 204 B3 nedy 204 C3 Rathmullan Kilkieran (Cill Letterfrack 200 B3 Moneygall 203 EI Newtownstewart I98C2 Chiarain) 200 B3 Letterkenny Moneymore 198C3 Rathnew 204 C3 Kill 203 F4 198C2 199 D3 Nobber 199 DS Rathowen 20 I E3 Killadysert 202 C2 Lifford 198 C2 Monivea 20 I D3 Rathvilly 204 B3 Killala 200 Cl Limavady 199 D2 Mooncoin 204 AS 0 Ratoath 204 C2 Killaloe 203 D2 Limerick 203 D2 Moorfields 199 E2 Ringaskiddy Killarney 202 C3 Oilgate 204 B4 Lisbellaw 198 C4 Mount Bellew 203 E4 Killashandra 20 I F2 Oldcasde 199 DS Lisburn 199 E3 201 D3 Ringville (An Rinn) Killashee 20 I E3 Omagh 198C3 Liscannor 200 C4 Mount Charles 203 F4 Killeigh 20 I F4 Oola 203 E2 Killenaule 203 F2 Liscarroll 203 D3 198 B3 Oranmore 200 C4 Rockcorry 199 D4 Killimer 202 C2 Lisdoonvarna Mountmellick Oughterard Roosky 20 I E2 200C4 204A3 Rosapenna 198 CI Killimor 20 I D4 200 C3 Lismore 203 E3 Mountrath 20 I E4 Rosbercon 204 B4 Killorglin 202 B3 Ovens 203 D4 Lisnaskea 198 C4 Mountshannon Roscommon Killough 199 F4 Killucan 204A2 Lisryan 20 I E3 201 D4 p 201 D3 Listowel 202 C2 Moville 199 DI Roscrea 20 I E4 Killybegs 198 B3 Loghill 202 C2 Moy 199 D3 Pallas Grean (New) Ross Carbery Killyleagh 199 F3 Londonderry/Derry Moynalty 199 DS 203 E2 202CS Kilmacanoge 198C2 Moyvore 20 I E3 Parknasilla 202 B4 Rosses Point 204C3 Longford 20 I E3 Muckross 202 C3 Partry 200 C2 198 B3 Kilmacrenan Loughbrickland Muff 199 D2 Passage East 204 BS Rosslare 204 CS 198C2 199 E4 Muine Bheag Passage West Rosslare Harbour Kilmacthomas Loughglinn (Bagenalstown) 203 D4 204CS 203 F3 201 D2 204 B4 Patrickswell Rosslea. 199 D4 Kilmaganny 204 A4 Loughrea 20 I D4 Mullinavat 204 A4 203 D2 Rostrevor 199 E4 Kilmaine 200 C3 Louisburgh Mullingar 204A2 Pettigo 198 C3 Roundstone Kilmallock 203 D3 200 B2 Mulrany 200 B2 Plumbridge 199 D2 200 B3 Kilmanagh 203 F2 Lurgan I 99 E3 Myshall 204 B4 Pomeroy I 99 D 3 Roundwood 204 C3 Kilmeadan 204 AS Lusk 204 C2 Portadown 199 E3 Rush 204 C2 g Atlas Index s Skull 202 CS T Tralee 202 B3 Watergrasshill Saintfield 199 F3 Slane 204 Bl Taghmon 204 BS Tr amore 204 AS 203 E4 Sallins 204 B2 Sligo 198 B4 Tallaght 204 C2 Trim 204 B2 Waterville 202 B4 Scarriff 20 I D4 Smithborough Tallow 203 E3 Tuam200C3 Westport 200 B2 Scartaglin 202 C3 199 D4 Tandragee 199 E4 Tuamgraney 20 I DS Wexford 204 BS Scramoge 20 I E2 Sneem 202 B4 Tang 201 E3 Tulla201 D5 Whitegate 203 E4 Seskinore 199 D3 Spiddle (An Spideal) Tarbert 202 C2 Tullamore 20 I E4 Whitehead 199 F3 Shanagolden 200 C4 Templemore 203 E2 Tullow 204 B3 Wicklow 204 C3 202C2 Stewartstown Templetouhy Tulsk201 D2 Wooden bridge Shannon 203 D2 199 D3 203 F2 Turlough 200 C2 204C3 Shannonbridge Stonyford 204 A4 Termonfeckin Tyrrellspass 204 A2 Woodford 20 I D4 Sh2e0r1c oEc4k I 99 D4 SSttrraadbbaanlely 129084 C B23 Th2o0m4aCsIto wn u y SShhiilnlerloangeh 2200 4I EB44 SSttrraanddohnilel 119988 CB44 Th2u0r4leAs 42 03 E2 Urlingford 203 F2 Youghal 203 E4 Shrule 200 C3 Strangford 199 F4 Timahoe 204 A3 V Silvermines 203 E2 Stranorlar 198 C2 Timoleague 203 D4 Sion Mills 198 C2 Summerhill Tinahely 204 B3 Virginia 199 D5 Sixmilebridge 204 B2 Tipperary 203 E2 w 203 D2 Swanlinbar 198 C4 Tobercurry 198A4 Skerries 204 C2 Swatragh 199 D2 Tobermore 199 D2 Warrenpoint Skibbereen Swinford 200 C2 Toomyvara 203 E2 199 E4 202CS Swords 204 C2 Toormore 202 BS Waterford 204 AS ~- m CONTENTS ROUTE MAP OF IRELAND inside front and back covers ABOUT THIS BOOK 4 - 5 MUNSTER 6 - 65 Tour I Clare 8 - 13 Tour 2 River Shannon Rambles 14 - 19 Tour 3 Ancient Castles & Lake Odyssey 20 - 25 Tour 4 Beehive Huts & Coastal Splendours 26 - 33 Tour 5 Killarney & the Ring of Kerry 34 - 39 Tour 6 Kenmare & the Beara Peninsula 40 - 44 Tour 7 Island City. Magic Stone 45 - 49 Tour 8 Cork's Coastal Villages 50-53 · Tour 9 Unspoiled Peninsulas 54 - 59 Tour IO Rock of Cashel 60 - 65 LEINSTER 66 - 97 Tour I I Monastic Ruins & the Midlands 68 - 73 Tour 12 The Boyne Valley 74 - 78 Tour 13 Dublin & Wicklow 79 - 83 Tour 14 Witches, Castles & Horses 84 - 91 Tour 15 By Hook or by Crooke 92 - 97 CONNACHT 98 - 121 Tour 16 Sligo & Yeats Country I 00 - I 05 Tour 17 Boyle & the Lake Country I 06 - I 09 Tour 18 Achill Island & County Mayo I IO - I 15 Tour 19 Region of Stony Beauty I 16 - 121 ULSTER 122 - 157 Tour 20 Seascapes & Mountain Passes 124 - 128 Tour 21 The Causeway Coast 129 - 135 Tour 22 Strangford Lough 136 - 140 Tour 23 Fermanagh Lakeland 141 - 145 Tour 24 The Heart of Ulster 146 - 151 Tour 25 Mourne Country 152 - 157 MOTORING IN IRELAND 158 - 159 ACCOMMODATION AND RESTAURANTS 160- 179. FESTIVALS AND EVENTS 180 - 184 PRACTICAL INFORMATION 185 - 192 INDEX AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 193 - 196 ATLAS 197-208 ABOUT THIS BOOK T his book is not only a practical guide for the independent traveller, but is also invaluable for those who would like to know more about the country. It is divided into four regions, each containing between four and ten tours.The tours start and finish in the towns and cities which we consider to be the best centres for exploration. Each tour has details of the most interesting places to visit en route. Highlighted panels dotted throughout each tour cater for special interests and requirements and cover a range of categories - for those whose interest is in history, wildlife or walking, and those who have children. There are also panels which highlight scenic stretches of road along the route and which give details of special events, crafts and customs. The route directions are accompanied by an easy-to-use map at the beginning of each tour along with a simple chart showing how far it is from one town to the next in miles and kilometres.These can help you to decide where to take a break and stop overnight, for example. (All distances quoted are approximate.) Before setting off it is advisable to check with the tourist information centre (a ddresses are given after the symbol [I] at the end of town entries) at the start of thetour,for recommendations on whereto break your journey and for additional information on what to see and do, and when best to visit. 9am-S.30pm; Sat 9am-lpm. tions of 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 and Tour Information The General Post Office in coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5, See pages 185-92 for O'Connell Street, Dublin, is 10, 20 and SO pence, plus £ 1 and addresses, telephone numbers open Mon-Sat, 8am-8pm and £2. Large companies and busi and opening times of the 10am-6.30pm on Sun and bank nesses around the border will attractions mentioned in the holidays. Post boxes are green; often accept either. tours, including telephone Republic of Ireland stamps numbers ofototJKi§I: 9ffi<=es, ·•··· must be used. Customs Regulations Hotels an<l:lt~st~u~~lts: In Northern Ireland, stan Standard EU customs regula dard opening times are Mon-Fri tions apply when travelling See pages t~O.-:t9'fbr'~ii~j.' 9am-S.30pm, and Sac between the Republic or of recommeifded fiotefaaiio 9am-12.30pm. Throughout Northern Ireland and another restauran~}.qr~~~!fot;; Northern Ireland sub post EU country, and if crossing the eac;:h~ouit; :•· offices also close one ocher after border between the rwo. noon each week. Post boxes are Travellers may import or export red; British stamps must be goods for their personal use, up used. co certain limits depending on Business Hours whether the goods were bought Banks: there are many bureaux Credit Cards in ordinary shops (tax paid) or de change in Ireland, but banks Throughout Ireland American duty-free shops. are the best place co change Express, Visa and MasterCard, money. Opening hours vary, but are widely accepted, though Electricity most are open 10am-4pm, with not by some smaller restaurants 220 voles AC (50 cycles) is stan some extended hours, including and independent traders. dard. Sockets for small appli limited Sat morning opening, in Personal cheques can be ances are the three-pin flat or Northern Ireland. Foreign cashed using a Eurocheque two-pin round wall types. exchange counters in the main card. A few bed and breakfast airports give good rates: Belfast establishments may expect to Embassies and Consulates International, 5-8pm, may vary; be paid in cash. Embassies in the Republic: Dublin, open Mon-Fri 5.30am- Australia: Fitzwilcon House, 9pm, Sat 5.30am-midnight, Sun Currency Wilton Terrace, Dublin 2 (tel: 5.30am-10pm; Shannon, open The currency of the Republic of (01) 664 5300); Canada: 65 Sc daily 6am-9.30pm; Cork, open Ireland is the euro, divided into Stephen's Green, Dublin 2 (tel: Mon-Fri 6.45am-8pm, Sac I 00 cents, with notes in denomi (01) 417 4101); UK: 29 lvlerrion 9am-5pm, Sun 9am-8pm. nations of 5, 10, 20, 50, I 00, 200 Road, Dublin 4 (eel: (01) 205 There is also a wide nerwork of and 500 and coins in denomina 3700); US: 42 Elgin Road, automatic cash points where you tions of I, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 Dublin 4 (eel: (01) 668 8777). can use credit and bank cards. cents, plus 1 and 2 euros. Consular offices for Pose offices: in the Republic, Northern Ireland uses the N orchern Ireland: Australia standard post office opening pound sterling, divided into 100 High Commission, Australia times are generally Mon-Fri pence, with notes in denomina- House, The Strand, London ■ ABOUT THIS BOOK WC2B 4LA (tel: 020 7379 4334 ); Canada: Honorary Consul, Unit 3, Ormeau Business Park, 8 Cromac Avenue, Belfast BT7 2JA (tel: 028 9127 2060); New Zealand: Honorary Consul, Ballance 118A, Lisburn Road, Glenavy, Crumlin, BT29 4NY (eel: 028 9264 8098); US: US Consul General, Danesforc House, 223 Scranmillis Road, Belfast BT9 SGR (tel: 028 9038 6100). Emergency Telephone Numbers In both the Republic and Northern Ireland, dial 999 for police, fire or ambulance. Entry Regulations When planning your trip co Ireland, remember that the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland (which is pare 1st Monday in August (R) Traditional pub music session of the UK) may have different Lase Monday in August (NI) passport and visa requirements. Lase Monday in October (R) blue and cream ones in the For chis reason, you should 25 December - Christmas Day Republic, and red boxes in check before you leave your 26 December - Sc Stephen's Northern Ireland. Phones using home country. Day (Boxing Day) cards (bought at newsagents) are widelv available. Health Route Directions There are no special health Throughout the book the Time requirements or regulations for following abbreviations are used Boch the Republic of Ireland visitors co the Republic or for roads: and Northern Ireland follow Northern Ireland. le is best co M - motorways GM1~ or GMT plus 1 hour from cake ouc medical insurance, Northern Ireland only: late March to lace October. though EU visitors are covered A - main roads by a reciprocal agreement. B - local roads Tourist Offices British visitors should contact Republic of Ireland only: Republic of Ireland Tourist the pose office for an EHIC N - national primary/secondary Board (Bord Failce): Suffolk (European Health Insurance roads Street, Dublin 2 (eel: (OJ) 605 Card) form, which replaces form R - regional roads. 7700). Elli. orchern Ireland Tourist Board: Telephones Sc Anne's Court, 59 North Motoring To call a number in Ireland, first Street, Belfast, BT! INB (eel: For information on all aspects of dial the Internacional access 028 9023 1221 ). motoring in Ireland, including code: Australia 001 I; Canada Tourism Ireland now has joint accidents, breakdowns and 01 I; New Zealand 00; UK (for tourist offices abroad, which speed limits, see pages 158-59. the Republic only) 00. Then dial include: 353 for the Republic or 44 for Australia: Sch Level, 36 Public Holiday Northern Ireland, and then the Carrington Street, Sydney, NSW (R) Republic only full number (omitting the first 2000 (eel: (02) 9299 6177). (NI) Northern Ireland only zero of the area code). Canada: 2 Bloor Street West, 1 January-New Year's Day For international calls out of Suite 1501, Toronto, Ontario 17 March - St Pa crick's Day Ireland dial 00, then the country i\il4W 3E2 (eel: (416) 925 6368) Good Friday & Easter Monday code: Australia 61; Canada I; UK: 103 Wigmore Street, 1st Monday in May - May Day ew Zealand 64; UK 44; US 1. London WI U 1Q S (eel: 08000 Lase Monday in May (NI) Then dial the full number omit 397000). !st Monday in June (R) ting the first zero. US: 345 Park Avenue, New 12-13 July - Orangemen's Day Glass and metal call boxes York, NY 10154 (eel: 800 223 (NI) have largely replaced the old 6470).

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