Healey on Tim Healy Pass – 2011 tour
This glorious fifteen night tour combines driving some of the most scenic and picturesque parts of Southern Ireland along with visits to numerous attractions on route.
All Country Lane Tours are designed to be a holiday with your car, allowing plenty of time to explore places of interest along the way. I’ve toured Ireland in classic cars for the last twenty-five years and the 5th Eire Odyssey draws on that substantial experience, with the route and every hotel personally checked.
Hotels are of good quality, and of course, all rooms are ensuite.
The total mileage in Ireland is less than 900, so you can see there is no strict schedule to stick to. You can stop when and where you want, and the simple, easy-to-follow, and detailed road book enables stress-free navigation, especially as a large portion of the route is on quiet back roads.
There are several options for the ferry. Those living in the south may prefer to cross Fishguard - Rosslare, whilst those from the north Holyhead - Dublin, or possibly Cairnryan - Belfast. Of course, you can always mix your options!
The basic itinerary is as follows:
June 28th (Friday). Waterford. People arriving via Rosslare have only a short distance (45 miles) to the hotel. Those traveling from Dublin will have about 110 miles, with the option of a slight detour to the village of Avoca (setting for the TV series Ballykissangel) on route.
Our hotel is the Waterford Marina, right on the River Suir estuary and on the edge of the city centre.
Dinner will be 8pm.
Overnight Waterford. Mileage 110 / 45
June 29th (Saturday). Waterford and surrounding area. The Waterford Crystal factory has reopened at a new site and first stop will be a guided tour to see demonstrations of glass blowing and cutting. We then continue on an exploration of the local area, taking in a short ferry crossing of Waterford Bay at Passage East, an amazing time-warp car collection (somewhat dilapidated), the wreck of a steam-powered ship that looks like a mini Titanic, the John F. Kennedy Memorial Arboretum, and the Dunbrody Famine Ship and exhibition at New Ross. Overnight Waterford. Mileage 53
June 30th (Sunday). Waterford. A free day to chill out and explore this vibrant city. Some of the live music in the backstreet bars is amazing!
On my first visit in 1981 cows were still being herded down the main street to board ships in the dock. Sadly times have moved on a little! Overnight Waterford. Mileage 0
July 1st (Monday). Waterford to Cork via Cobh. We’ll be taking in a private car collection and the Titanic Exhibition in Cobh (formerly Queenstown) on the way to Cork.
Cobh was the last port of call for the Titanic on its ill-fated maiden voyage in 1912 and the White Star Line offices are still on the seafront in the town. Survivors from the Lusitania were also brought ashore here.
We're staying two nights at the River Lee Hotel. Dinner 7.30pm.
Overnight Cork. Mileage 76
July 2nd (Tuesday). We take a short trip to Blarney Castle and Gardens - the brave can kiss the stone! In the afternoon there will be a guided tour by bus of Cork city. Overnight Cork. Mileage 12
Overnight Cork
July 3rd (Wednesday). Cork to Killarney via the coastal village of Glengariff, the amazing Tim Healy Pass, a section of the Ring of Kerry and a visit to Kilgarvan Motor Museum. Spectacular scenery and views of the Atlantic. Dinner 7.30pm. Overnight Killarney. Mileage 124
July 4th (Thursday). Killarney. A free day to wander around this bustling little town or perhaps take a pony trap ride to the lake. You might even be tempted to take a trip along the Dingle Peninsula, the wild setting for the film Ryan’s Daughter. The choice is yours! Overnight Killarney.Mileage 0
July 5th (Friday) Killarney to Limerick via Foynes. The route through to Foynes is particularly pretty, and you'll find the Flying Boat Museum fascinating and it's where Irish coffee was invented! The museum has just had an extensive revamp and numerous new exhibits. Dinner 7.30pm. Overnight Limerick. Mileage 120
July 6th (Saturday). Limerick to Bunratty Folk Museum. Time to wander around the folk museum and park, and also perhaps the craft centre shop. I’m hoping we’ll be able to get permission to park the cars in the restored high street as on a previous occasion for a photo shoot. Lunch will be in the famous Durty Nelly’s pub! Dinner 7.30pm. Overnight Limerick. Mileage 16
July 7th (Sunday). Limerick to Westport via Cliffs of Moher and Galway Bay. A slightly longer mileage today taking in the spectacular Cliffs of Moher and Galway Bay as well as some great driving roads. The pretty small town gives you an opportunity to soak up the atmosphere. Dinner 7.30pm. Overnight Westport. Mileage 186
July 8th (Monday). Westport to Sligo. More scenic sensory overload as we head west into rural Mayo, a chance to see the farms and small villages away from the usual tourist trail. Dinner 7.30pm. Overnight Sligo. Mileage 103
July 9th (Tuesday). Sligo to Athlone. A scenic run following the River Shannon through Leitrim and Lanesborough. Out hotel is right on the Shannon and there will be a cruise on the river before dinner at 7.30pm. Overnight Athlone. Mileage 85
July 10th (Wednesday). Athloneto Dublin. Arriving in plenty of time to walk into the city during the afternoon. We are staying at the superb 4-star Gresham Hotel in O’Connell Street, right in the heart of the city and just a short walk from the main shopping area (sorry guys)! Overnight Dublin. Mileage 77
July 11th (Thursday). Guided tour of the city with visits to various attractions including Jamesons Distillery and the Guinness Factory Museum. Overnight Dublin. Mileage 0
July 12th (Friday). Free day. Final dinner at Gresham. Overnight Dublin. Mileage 0
July 13th (Saturday). Dublin Port / Rosslare. Those taking the Dublin-Holyhead ferry depart after an early breakfast to travel the short distance to the port. People catching the Rosslare-Fishguard ferries set off down South. Most will be catching the ferry on Sunday morning and there are plenty of reasonably priced hotels and guesthouses to choose from in the vicinity of Rosslare Port.
Eire Odyssey 2024 Route in blue
The total mileage on the tour is less than 900 and there's plenty of time to view the scenery and take in the sights. Stopping in small villages for a coffee or a sandwich enables you to absorb some of the endearing facets of Irish culture and everywhere you go you are sure of a warm welcome.
I've deliberately not included dinner every night so that you can explore the towns and not be constrained by fixed times.
I checked the route out when I was over earlier in the year and I'm back out in February to do the detailed road book and make certain all attractions and venues are arranged.
Country Lane Tours was there first and this is on your route out from Waterford. When I saw it first over forty years ago it was still floating in the bay. Steam engine still in place apparently but I suspect beyond restoration!
All photographs taken on previous Country Lane Tours to Eire and on the route you will take.
For full details and entry form email your postal address to countrylanetours@gmail.com or call Ian on 01824 790280.