CHAPTER 4: DREAM OF KERRY
This time, a weather cliché is awaiting me next to a typical Irish breakfast. Grey, foggy and wet-cold. Unfortunately, these weather conditions prevent me and many other tourists from seeing the famous “Cliffs of Moher”.
So, I’m headed further south, always following the signposts on the Wild Atlantic Way and hoping for better weather. Luckily, my wish is heard faster than expected and this allows me to enjoy a majestic view of the cliff formations on the west coast of Ireland.
After riding around the bay of Limerick, my route leads me via Tralee to the town of Killkarney, where I’m able to find a camping ground for three overnight stays outside of Limerick to plan further day trips from there. What a coincidence, my camping neighbours show a similar taste in travel apparel and equipment.
After the usual morning schedule, the first day tour starts from base camp to the northeast. While riding along the coastline of Kerry, I am still aware of the rich variety of the Irish landscape.
Touch of North German and Frisian charm, marked by the lighthouses, waving reed bushes alternate with imprinting rock formations, lush green hilly landscapes and the rough deep blue ocean, and a sensational curvy asphalt strip leading right through the middle of it. So far, I only knew a similar kind of scenery from the Southern French Alps, which are continuously loved by connoisseurs and experts. There as well I could have, no, I actually cried and laughed out of joy. This area certainly is a must for every motorcyclist touring the island of Ireland.
With this internalised moment of happiness, the next day I’m already on my last section on the Wild Atlantic Way. Starting at the wonderful Kerry National Park, riding on my mean white machine from Bavaria over the south coast, I cross the villages of Bantry, Church Cross, Bandon and I’m enjoying each one of the last remaining kilometres of the 2500 kilometres of the world’s longest coastal road on my way to Cork. From there, I reach base camp on a relatively direct way back.
The next day, I set myself the next destination: a day trip to Dublin, the capital of Ireland. But more of this in another chapter…
