Classic Car Road Trip - Ireland 2017

Ireland 2017: A road trip from the Netherlands to Ireland in a 43 year old classic Mini, a 1974 Mini Authi. During our road trip, we visited several World Heritage Monuments and other interesting monuments in England, Wales, Ireland and Northern Ireland. We started our road trip in the Netherlands, drove through Belgium to Dunkirk in France. We crossed the English Channel by the Dunkirk to Dover ferry. In one day, we drove from Dover to Wales. We visited Bodnant Garden and the castles of the English King Edward I in Wales. After spending a few days in Wales, we crossed the Irish Sea by ferry from Holyhead on Anglesey to Dublin in Ireland. In Dublin started and ended our road trip through Ireland and Northern Ireland. We visited these countries several times before, but this was the first time in a classic Mini. Some of the highlights on our road trip through Ireland are driving the Slea Head Drive around the Dingle Peninsula, the Burren, the Cliffs of Moher and driving to Malin Head along the Wild Atlantic Way. In Northern Ireland we visited the Bogside district of Derry, also known as Londonderry. We drove along the Causeway Coastal Route from Derry to the Giant's Causeway. Our last stop in Ireland was the ruin of Monasterboice, a monastic settlement in the Boyne Valley. After our road trip through Ireland and Northern Ireland, we took the ferry from Dublin to Holyhead in Wales. We spent a week in Wales and England, visiting several monuments, such as the former Dinorwic Slate Quarry, now the Welsh National Slate Museum, and the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct in Wales. In England we visited Coventry, the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew in London and the Chatham Historic Dockyard. Canterbury was the last stop on this classic car road trip. We took the Dover to Dunkerque ferry and after reaching France we drove back to the Netherlands. After more than three weeks and more than 7000 km on the road we arrived home safely.

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Ireland 2017 - A Classic Car Road Trip from the Netherlands to Ireland in a classic Mini: Our own Mini Authi in the car queue for the ferry, ready for...

A Classic Car Road Trip from the Netherlands to Ireland in a classic Mini: Our own Mini Authi in the car queue for the ferry, ready for boarding. We crossed the Channel by the Dunkirk to Dover ferry. On our road trip to Ireland, we spent several days in England and North-Wales to visit interesting historic gardens and UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

A Classic Car Road Trip from the Netherlands to Ireland in a classic Mini: Our own Mini Authi in the car queue for the ferry, ready for boarding. We crossed the Channel by the Dunkirk to Dover ferry. On our road trip to Ireland, we spent several days in England and North-Wales to visit interesting historic gardens and UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
A road trip to Ireland in a classic Mini: We visited Conwy Castle, one of the castles of the English King Edward I in North Wales. Conwy Castle was built in 1283-1289. The Conwy town walls join the walls of Conwy Castle and are completely intact. On the left the Conwy Suspension Bridge, one of the first road suspension bridges in the world, designed by Thomas Telford in 1826.
Bodnant Garden is famous for its Laburnum Arch, the curved walk is about 55 metres long. Late May to early June, the yellow flowers are in full bloom. The garden is among the finest gardens in Britain. Bodnant Garden was founded in 1874 and developed by five generations of one family. The garden is situated at Tal-y-Cafn near Colwyn Bay in Wales, overlooking Conwy Valley.
Classic Car Road Trip: Our own Mini Authi in front of the ruin of Harlech Castle. The castle was built in 1283-1289 on top of a rock close to the Irish Sea. The main gate house is one of the most impressive parts of the castle. Harlech was part of the Iron Ring of Castles, a chain of castles and fortifications in Wales built by King Edward I of England to subdue the Welsh.
A Classic Car Road Trip from the Netherlands to Ireland in Mini Authi: On our way to the ferry, the Menai Suspension Bridge in the background, the bridge over the Menai Strait between the Island of Anglesey and mainland Wales. The Menai Suspension Bridge was designed by Thomas Telford. Its completion in 1826 reduced the journey time from London to Holyhead by 9 hours.
A Classic Car Road Trip from the Netherlands to Ireland: Together with our own Mini Authi we crossed the Irish Sea aboard the ferry from Holyhead in Anglesey to Dublin in Ireland. Many other classic Minis and their owners were also on board the ferry on their way to the IMM at Westport. In Dublin started our road trip through Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Our Mini Authi in front of the Knock Shrine. On our way from Dublin to the west coast of Ireland, we stayed in Knock for one night. In 1879, fifteen people of all ages witnessed the apparition of the Virgin Mary on the south gable of the parish church, due to this apparition, Knock became a major Catholic pilgrimage destination in Ireland. There are five churches in the shrine grounds.
Classic Car Road Trip Ireland: Driving the Wild Atlantic Way in our own classic Mini, the section along the coast of Achill Island and Clew Bay in County Mayo. During a storm in 1588, the defeated Spanish Armada shipwrecked on the west coast of Ireland. Several ships sank at the mouth of Clew Bay. The Spanish Armada Viewing Point offers amazing views across Clew Bay.
Classic Car Road Trip Ierland: Our own lavender blue coloured Mini Authi, Croagh Patrick in the background, a 764 metres high mountain, overlooking the town of Westport and Clew Bay with its 365 islands. Croagh Patrick, which we already climbed in 2010, is a renowned landmark and an important pilgrimage destination in Ireland. The tradition of pilgrimage to the top of Croagh Patrick dates back to 441 AD.
Classis-Car-Road-Trip Ireland: Driving in our own Mini Authi on Achill Island, the roads are lined by imposing wild rhododendrons, a common wild shrub on Achill Island. In late springtime, the rhododendrons are in full bloom. Achill Island is one of the most remote and scenic areas in the west of Ireland. Achill Island is located close to Westport where the IMM 2017 was held.
Classic Car Road Trip Ireland: The ruin of the 15th century Murrisk Abbey is situated at the foot of Croagh Patrick. Murrisk Abbey was built on the site of a previous church founded by St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. The grounds around the abbey are still used as a graveyard by the residents of the village of Murrisk. Murrisk is situated on the southern shore of Clew Bay.
Classic Car Road Trip Ireland: A shepherd with a herd of sheep walking in front of the Mini Authi on the road near Westport, a small town in County Mayo on the west coast of Ireland. Westport is situated at the southeast corner of Clew Bay, an inlet of the Atlantic Ocean. The small town of Westport was built in the 1780s for the employees of the nearby Westport House.
The International Mini Meeting (IMM) 2017 at Westport, our own classic Mini inside a large Corgi box in front of Westport House. The IMM 2017 was organised by the Irish MINI Owners Club. From all over Europe, over 2000 Classic Minis and New Minis and their owners had gathered on the grounds of Westport House, an 18th century historic estate on the west coast of Ireland.
Classic Car Road Trip Ireland: The Poulnabrone Dolmen in the Burren. The Poulnabrone is one of the most iconic archaeological monuments of Ireland. After the Cliffs of Moher, it is the most visited monument in the Burren. The dolmen is a portal tomb, it was in use between 3800 BC and 3200 BC.
Classic Car Road Trip Ireland: In the Mini Authi, we drove to the ruins of Corcomroe Cistercian Abbey, situated in the unique limestone landscape of the Burren on the west coast of Ireland. The abbey was built in the early 16th century. After the Dissolution of the Monasteries by King Henry VIII of England in 1539 Corcomroe Cistercian Abbey began to decline.
Classic Car Road Trip: The Cliffs of Moher seen from Hag's Head. The Cliffs of Moher are situated at the southwestern edge of the Burren, on the west coast of Ireland. The Cliffs of Moher stretch for 14 km along the Atlantic Ocean, they rise 214 metres above sea level at their highest point at Knockardakin. The scenic Cliffs of Moher hold the largest mainland colony of puffins in Ireland.
Classic Car Road Trip Ireland: The ruins of Min Aird Castle on the south coast of the Dingle Peninsula in Ireland. Min Aird Castle is a 16th century tower house, located on the shores of Kilmurry Bay. We spent a whole day driving around the Dingle Peninsula. We made several trips to Ireland, but this was our first Ireland road trip in a classic car, our own 1974 Mini Authi.
Classic Car Road Trip Ireland: Dingle is a small harbour town in Ireland, situated on the Dingle Peninsula. Dingle is one of the largest Irish-speaking towns in Ireland, the Irish language is also known as Irish Gaelic. The Conor Pass runs from the town of Dingle towards Brandon Bay on the north side of the Dingle Peninsula, the pass leads along Peddler's Lake and the Conor Pass waterfall. The Conor Pass is the highest mountain pass in Ireland.
Driving along Slea Head Drive around the Dingle Peninsula in our own 1974 Mini Authi, passing the iconic white cross on Slea Head, the cross is surrounded by statues depicting the crucifixion. The Slea Head Drive is a circular route around the Dingle Peninsula, beginning and ending in the fishing village of Dingle on the south coast of the Dingle Peninsula. The Slea Head Drive is a part of the Wild Atlantic Way and is considered one of the most scenic routes in Ireland.
Classic Car Road Trip through Ireland in a Mini Authi: The Slea Head Viewing Point on the Dingle Peninsula offers amazing views of the Blasket Islands, Coumeenoole Beach and Dunmore Head, the westernmost point of mainland Ireland. The Dingle Peninsula is famous for its breathtaking wild coastline, rugged Cliffs, majestic mountains and pittoresque towns and villages.
Classic Car Road Trip Ireland: One of the most renowned monuments on the Dingle Peninsula is the Gallarus Oratory. The Gallarus Oratory is made entirely from local stone, without the use of mortar. The oratoryt probably was built in the 7th or 8th century, although some scholars date it to the 11th century. The oratory is the best preserved early Christian church in Ireland.
Classic Car Road Trip Ireland: Our own Mini Authi in front of a row of traditional thatched roofed cottages in the village of Adare in County Limerick. The cottages are situated at the entrance to Adare Manor. The tiny cottages were built between 1835 and 1870 for the workers constructing Adare Manor. A thatched cottage is one of the iconic symbols of Ireland. Adare is considered the prettiest and most scenic village in Ireland.
Classic Car Road Trip Ireland: The High Cross at Carndonagh, also known as the Donagh Cross or High Cross of St. Patrick. The High Cross is situated in the town of Carndonagh, on the way to Malin Head on the Inishowen Peninsula. The Carndonagh High Cross is one of the earliest High Crosses in Ireland, probably dating back to the 7th century. Carndonagh was one of the centres of the early church in Donegal, the most northerly county of Ireland.
Classic Car Road Trip Ireland: Malin Head is the northernmost point of mainland Ireland. Malin Head is also known as Banba's Crown, named after the Celtic mythological goddess Banba. The lookout tower on Malin Head was built in 1805 by the British during the Napoleonic Wars. The tower was also used during WWI and WWII. Malin Head is the official starting point of the Wild Atlantic Way. We drove several sections of this scenic route in our own classic Mini.
Classic Car Road Trip: In our own Mini Authi, we passed the Free Derry Corner in the Bogside district of Derry (Londonderry) in Northern Ireland. The twelve huge murals on the gable end of houses in Rossville Street were painted by the so-called Bogside Artists. The murals are known as the People's Gallery and commemorate key events during The Troubles (the violent conflict in Northern Ireland from 1968-1998), such as the Battle of Bogside and Bloody Sunday.
Classic Car Road Trip Ireland: Our own Mini Authi at the Giant's Causeway. The fascinating and unique landscape of the Giant's Causeway is rising out of the sea on the north coast of Northern Ireland near the village of Bushmills. The Giant's Causeway consists of about 40.000 interlocking hexagonal basalt columns of varying heights, the result of a volcanic eruption some 60 million years ago. The lava cooled rapidly, it contracted and cracked to form mainly hexagonal columns.
Classic Car Road Trip Ireland: Our own Mini Authi and several other classic Minis waiting in line at the ferry terminal in the Port of Dublin, ready to board the ship. After our road trip through Ireland and Northern Ireland, we crossed the Irish Sea by ferry from Dublin to Holyhead on the Island of Anglesey in North Wales. It took more than three hour to cross the Irish Sea.
Classic Car Road Trip: On our way home from Ireland to the Netherlands, we spent a week in Wales and England. We visited Llanfairpwllgwyngyllogogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, this Welsh village has the longest place name in Europe, the inhabitants prefer to call their town Llanfairpwll. The tiny village is located on the Island of Anglesey in Wales, not far from the Menai Suspension Bridge. The most popular attraction of this Welsh village is the name plate with the full name of the village.
Classic Car Road Trip: Several narrowboats moored in the Trevor Basin on the Llangollen Canal near the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. We parked our own classic Mini in a car park close to the Trevor Basin for a walk along the towpath of the Llangollen Canal to the famous Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, it is also possible to follow the towpath across the span of the aqueduct, with the narrowboats on the canal right next to you. The aqueduct was designed by the Thomas Telford.
Classic Car Road Trip Ireland: Our own classic Mini next to the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct in Wales. The aqueduct was designed by the Scottish civil engineer Thomas Telford. The aqueduct towers 38 meters above the River Dee and carries the Llangollen Canal across the River Dee. It took ten years to build the aqueduct, it was completed in 1805. The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is the longest and highest cast-iron aqueduct in Great Britain.
Classic Car Road Trip: Our own classis Mini in front of Fort Amherst in Chatham, at Medway in Kent. The fort was built to defend the Dockyard Chatham after the Raid on the Medway in 1676, the successful attack by the Dutch Fleet under the command of admiral Michiel de Ruyter. The Dutch Fleet sailed up the River Medway, destroyed all the English battleships at the Dockyard Chatham, captured and towed away the Royal Charles, flagship of the English Fleet. The stern piece of the Royal Charles is now on display in the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Classic Car Road Trip: In the Mini Authi, we drove to Canterbury, a historic town in the southeast of England, the last stop of our road trip to Ireland. After a visit to Canterbury and its cathedral, we took the ferry from Dover to Dunkerque in France and crossed the English Channel in about two hours. After three weeks and more than 7000 km on the road, we completed our road trip and returned safely to our home in the Netherlands.