Archive for the ‘Ireland’ Category
Thursday, July 22nd, 2010 by paul
I lived in London for many years in the 90s. During that time I travelled frequently to France on the overnight routes from Southampton to Cherbourg or Portsmouth to Caen. I travelled less frequently on the Swansea to Cork route because I mainly flew like everyone else with the advent of lower flight costs.
The reason I used the ferry to France was because my destination in Normandy was not easily accessible by plane and because I stayed in self catering accommodation and brought bicycles and golf clubs and the occasional canoe with me. I always enjoyed the journey itself it seemed very civilised and as a frequent traveller there was a certain comfort to the routine; the pint in the bar, the musical entertainment, the Sunday afternoon table quiz on the return journey, the cinema, the meal.
Life moved on and life changed and there were no more regular ferry trips. I moved back to Cork and discovered the ferry link was no more. They say you never miss something until its gone and suddenly there were many reasons why I would have wanted to use the ferry. Cheap and hassle free air travel became a little less so each year. My friend with the fear of flying was more reluctant to drive all the way to the furthest reaches of West Wales and down from Wexford to visit me. The convenience was gone.
Since Fastnet Line has re-started the Cork to Swansea route I have been on the ship many times for work and those memories come flooding back to me. What a civilised way to travel in an increasingly less civilised world. Good food, a bit of relaxation, space and comfort, a decent pint the chance to stare out of the window aimlessly and do a bit of thinking. Good things. Comforting things. Things that should remain.
Posted in Cork Swansea Ferry, Fastnet Line, Ferry to Ireland, Ireland, Swansea, Wales, ferry to england, ferry to wales | No Comments »
Thursday, February 18th, 2010 by Fastnet Line
The Dingle peninsula is the most westerly part of Ireland with its inhabitants surviving on subsistence farming and fishing for centuries. But for at least a century now it has been recognised as an area of outstanding natural beauty brought to an international audience by Sir David Lean’s 1970 two time Oscar winner Ryan’s Daughter. There is something breathtaking in the conjunction of land, sea and sky and there is a quality of light here quite unlike anywhere else. The town of Dingle is the place to be as it is the centre of tourism on the peninsula and manages to provide all that is needed for the intrepid traveller with a smile and a polite enquiry as to how you are enjoying your time there.
Tags: Ireland, Kerry, Tourism
Posted in Ireland, Kerry | 1 Comment »
Thursday, February 18th, 2010 by Fastnet Line
Killarney is known the world over for its magnificent scenery with a truly unforgettable mixture of mountain and lake preserved in a National Park which is a national treasure. Killarney has a year long programme of events and in some ways is the Irish equivalent of the “city that never sleeps” with something to do every day as it constantly reinvents itself year after year. There are a myriad of activities here for young and old, singles and families, with accommodation from hostels, to self-catering to hotels and with food and drink and music to hand at almost every turn.
Tags: Cork Swansea Ferry, Ireland, Kerry
Posted in Ireland, Kerry | No Comments »
Thursday, February 18th, 2010 by Fastnet Line
The Iveragh Peninsula is known the world over as the “Ring of Kerry” a driving experience or day trip for the uninitiated; but this large area encompassing Ireland’s highest mountains, lakes, moorland and spectacular coastline is a destination worth investigating at a more leisurely pace. The towns and villages that lasso the peninsula each have a unique character from Killorglin with its unique annual festival which crowns a goat as King for three days (10th -12th August 2010), to the magnificent beaches of Glenbeigh, to Cahirciveen, Waterville, Caherdaniel and Sneem. The visitor is well catered for with places to eat and stay in comfort at all points along the way.
Tags: Ireland, Kerry, Tourism
Posted in Ireland, Kerry | 1 Comment »
Thursday, February 18th, 2010 by Fastnet Line
Kenmare reached by the spectacular Caha Pass road from Glengarriff is the first major town in County Kerry as you cross over the county boundary. Before arriving in Kenmare you pass through the hamlet of Bonane with its impressive Heritage Park giving a real insight into the archaeology of an area which has been inhabited for thousands of years. There is a wealth of information here and the park is open all year round.
Kenmare itself on the river estuary which bears its name is a town dating from 1670 and is a charming destination which has been loved by generations of visitors. It is surrounded on all sides by areas of outstanding natural beauty and the bay contains a multitude of aquatic wildlife including sea birds of all types, seal colonies and otters all to be seen from the highly recommended “Seafari” cruise around the bay. In common with so many towns there are a multitude of places to eat in Kenmare with the finest local produce available to suit all pockets. Outdoor activities of all types abound from the usual hill walking, golf, fishing, cycling to more organised sailing and kayaking and outdoor pursuits at the Star Outdoors Adventure centre.
Tags: Ireland, Kerry, Tourism
Posted in Ireland, Kerry | No Comments »
Thursday, February 18th, 2010 by Fastnet Line
Lying to the north and west of Cork city encompassing towns such as Mallow, Fermoy and Millstreet the Blackwater Valley tourism area taking its name from the world famous anglers paradise that is the Blackwater river, is a diverse area of commercial towns and rolling countryside amongst the most fertile in this region of Ireland. There is equine heritage here in abundance with the original steeplechase being a horse race first run from Buttevant church to St. Leger Church in the village of Doneraile in 1752. As well as fishing, golf, hillwalking and cycling the area has an abundance of natural beauty and Millstreet Country Park encompasses this beauty with an educational program, archaeological sites, managed wetlands and planned gardens not to mention a number of water features and a replica of a famous Belgian fountain the Mont Des Arts opened in 2009.
Tags: Cork, Cork Swansea Ferry, Ireland, North Cork
Posted in Cork, Ireland, North Cork | No Comments »
Thursday, February 18th, 2010 by Fastnet Line
The ancient garrison town of Macroom in the heart of the Lee Valley is both the hub and gateway to a fascinating region which contains spectacular scenery and rural Gaelic speaking communities which are living breathing organisms of an ancient culture not preserved, but thriving. The town serves as the main commercial centre for a network of villages in its hinterland but is a worthwhile base for exploring at a more leisurely pace the surrounding countryside. Nearby Gougane Barra (the retreat of St. Finbarr) is one of Ireland’s gems with a lake surrounded by imposing forested hills giving great walking trails and unforgettable views. Further west along the N22 is Ballyvourney a Gaeltacht (Irish speaking) area and last village on the road before County Kerry. The area boasts outstanding natural beauty and walking and cycling trails as well as Ireland’s only toy soldier factory and visitor centre.
Tags: Cork, Fastnet Line, Ireland, North Cork, Tourism
Posted in Ireland, North Cork | No Comments »
Thursday, February 18th, 2010 by Fastnet Line
Dunmanway is a planned town dating from the 17th Century and famous for being the birthplace of Sam Maguire who gave his name to the All-Ireland Football trophy competed for each year by the teams of the 32 counties of the island of Ireland. Activities of all sorts can be attempted from here with walking and cycling particularly well catered for. The annual horse fair and races in August each year is an ancient tradition dating back hundreds of years. The little village of Drimoleague just 14 kilometres ( 8 miles) down the road was an important railway junction up until the 1960s and in recent years the old railway yard has become the trailhead for a network of signposted walking trails taking the walker up into the hills surrounding the village and along ancient river paths with enough variety and levels of exertion to suit all abilities.
Tags: Ireland, Tourism, West Cork
Posted in Cork, Ireland, West Cork | No Comments »
Thursday, February 18th, 2010 by Fastnet Line
Castletownbere is the main town on the Beara Peninsula, a working fishing port and focus of commercial activity of this region. It caters well for the traveller in search of sustenance or a place to stay and time spent in this area is rewarded by unforgettable memories. The ancient landscape bears the signs of human settlement from the earliest times and there is something elemental in the interaction of landscape, light, ocean and mountain. Once again the outdoors beckons at every turn, with fishing, hillwalking, cycling and sightseeing being key activities. The old copper mines at Allihies have a fascinating story to tell dating back thousands of years and the museum there is well worth a visit. The first sight of the village itself from a distance is one never forgotten and on a sunny day the nearby beach is a hive of activity for young and old alike.
Tags: Cork, Fastnet Line, Ireland, Tourism, West Cork
Posted in Ireland, West Cork | No Comments »
Thursday, February 18th, 2010 by Fastnet Line
The town takes its name from the Gaelic An Gleann Garbh (the wild or rugged valley) and the visitor is left in no doubt as to why. This village is centred on a beautiful harbour studded with rock tree covered islands backed by bare rocky hills giving it a magnificent setting even by any standard. Everywhere you look there are scenes just begging to be photographed or just simply contemplated as well as walks and forest paths which yield their natural rewards at every turn of the trail. Garnish Island is worth a visit being just minutes by boat from the harbour but all around are samples of flora and fauna that make this area a naturalists paradise. The visitor is well catered for with a variety of places to stay, to eat and drink which is why Glengarriff has been a firm favourite for generations of visitors.
Tags: Cork, Ferry from Cork to Swansea, Tourism, West Cork
Posted in Cork, Ireland, West Cork | No Comments »
