There has been significant interest in the Tour of the South of Ireland through Scenic Car Tours. So we have committed to go ahead. The company have arranged a number of similar events for other clubs. The itinerary is to catch the ferry from Hollyhead on 14th May at 14:10 arriving in Dublin at 17:25 ready for the drive down to Ashdown Park Hotel in Gorey, a town on the East side of Ireland just North of Waterford. This is a very scenic drive and we should arrive just after 7:00pm ready for dinner which has been arranged for that night. We will be staying there for a total of 3 nights giving a chance to explore the area which includes Wells House, Johnstown Castle and Waterford which has a great museum and of course tours of the Crystal works. If people are interested, I will see if we can arrange something of an event with the team at Wells House. The idea is to offer suggestions but not be proscriptive.
On 17th we will drive along the South Coast road, which is a good A road, to Cork and stay at the Kingsley hotel which fronts on to the original Cork Motor Race Circuit for 4 nights. We have dinner booked for the first and last nights. The circuit, where a Grand Prix race was held in 1938, was a road circuit of some 9.6km where average speeds of 93 – 96 mph were the norm and the same roads can still bn driven today. In the area is the Titanic Experience at Cobh, the last place the ship docked on its famous voyage, Cobh Cathedral designed by Pugin and Foto Park, an amazing wildlife park. Further afield are Kinsale, the ‘Gourmet Capital of Ireland’, Baltimore with it newly restored Castle, Garinish Island with its wonderful gardens made possible by the Gulf stream and of course Blarney Castle. We will be returning via Dublin on 21 May. There will be rally plate for each car and a road book with maps covering places of interest.
The cost is £1499 each for 2 sharing and £2198 for singles. For those seeking to use other ferry routes do speak to Scenic, one member has already been able to vary the ferry route through them. However, where people book their own ferries or live in Ireland there is a £350 discount per booking. Scenic is ABTOT registered so the event is projected financially. You do not have to come in a Bristol, though this is to be encouraged, this is about doing things together as much as anything. You can book on line or by telephone on 01732 879153 quoting IRE-BODA.
Please get your booking in promptly as we need to confirm the hotel and ferry bookings to secure the price. All the details can be found on the BODA website under the events tab.
PS.
It is now just 6 weeks until the Irish trip and there are only a few slots left. For those thinking off coming now is the final chance to book a slot. All the information about the trip is given above and you can book on line or by telephone on 01732 879153 quoting IRE-BODA. It looks to be a great trip with much to see and do, including the Titanic Experience and for those in need to the gift of the gab a chance to kiss the Blarney Stone. For those who have not crossed the water recently, the roads are good, they put our potholed stock to shame, and motorways outside of Dublin are virtually empty. If you have been considering coming now is the time to take the leap and get your booking in.
Mike Hallissey, mikehallissey@icloud.com
