Republic of Ireland: Driving and thoughts about Ireland

Driving outside Dublin is easy. Everything is clearly marked. The route, road and the attraction, historical or geographical will be marked clearly and we didn't get lost not even once. Of course at the airport I bought a book of map of the Irish Island (North Ireland included), with some info on places of attraction and the car's GPS somewhat helped.

While on the ferry

But from our trip, main attraction was clearly marked and here and there, you must've seen the wave shape among the attraction with a light blue background along the route we took. There's one in the picture below and this one was on scenic route R559 also known as the Slea Head Drive or Slí Cheann Sléibhe which Google translate as Mountain Head Drive. 

Thus, we introduce you to the amazing Wild Atlantic Way!

The Wild Atlantic Way

The emerald island is blessed with no less that 2500km of coastline which they brand it as the Wild Atlantic Way or WAW or the wave like shape like the one on the post of the above picture. 

There are a lot of attractions along the strip. You can hike, cycle, drive or take a caravan to enjoy the coast. Along the way, you will see a simple structure like the one above (that one in Kerry Cliffs), in Skellig Ring.

You can visit the site from here . There's a wealth of info for you to plan for your trip. They clearly marked each region and the specialty of each area. 

Ring of Kerry

From the website too, I discovered about the Ring of Kerry. Since it's circular, we could be staying the same hotel and explore the environs of the area. From the moment we saw the Rock of Cashel sign by the Motorway and again before approaching the site, we knew getting around Ring of Kerry  and everywhere else would be easy, and it was.

Ease of driving was evident when most of the driving was done by madam herself. She clocked more mileage than me. Of course I was the navigator cum photographer at the same time. I took lots of photos of the road, signboard etc. and a year on, I still remember the trip. Good memory? Long gone... sometimes I don't even recall what I had for breakfast yesterday! Put it visually, ahhh it comes back crisp and clear.

Skellig Ring

This was by chance...a pure luck. From the map I purchased at the airport, I saw a smaller route branched out from Ring of Kerry...and they have a name for it! Skellig Ring. 

SO we took the route and was rewarded with the Kerry Cliffs, it was a 1000ft vertical cliff... the chocolate factory and Ballinskellig castle. Not bad. In fact there were more, ruins and historical places but we were pressed for time. 

The rest of the trip...

Navigating along the island was easy. All roads are easily recognisable both on the map and GPS. Motorway (M), Regional (R) and Local (L) were marked on the directional sign by the road. Speed is in kilometres per hour, drives on the left just like in Malaysia and UK and also on the sign, another language is also used which is Gaelic which is the Irish language. There's also the Scottish Gaelic which was brought over by the Irish. 

On the matter of fuel, petrol or in Nigeria some call it PMS! PMS for Premium Motor Spirit which is petrol (British English) or Gasoline (American English), which is fully self service. I don't recall the time we caravanning thru South Europe region because all was done by Saiful Nang or Syibli Fakih. But worth mentioning that in Ireland we fill the tank first and pay later. Paid by cash and I did asked the attendant at the counter, if I fill in X amount and pay Y amount... (pay less)...she said "we trust you pay the right amount, sir". I doubt will get far before the Police stop me for underpaying at the pump, that will certainly cut the trip really short. 

There's also toll...but we encounter once and it was 2.90Euro and just look at the method of payment...There's also the M50 toll, which is similar to the one you find in Singapore but for rental cars like ours, I reckon the company pays for it (paid by the company).  

credit card, cash (note or coins)?

Driver wise, they are polite, ever helpful and appreciates you when you allow them to overtake you on a single carriageway. Lorry drivers flash the emergency light twice when you give way to them as they enter the motorway. Which reminds me of the video that went viral about the polite Japanese drivers in YouTube. I said it here as I find it during our journey or maybe we were just lucky. 

At the end of the trip, I have to say I was impressed by the Irish aside from the weather (it rained everyday...) that I would come to visit again and maybe set up a farm and rear sheep.... its the one that goes 'baaa'...

 If only I can get some gold from the Leprechaun.