Achill Island

[Simon]

Decided to head to Achill for 2 days staying in B&Bs but when i mentioned it to Phoneix it changed to a 3 day camping trip. Great!

We met in Lisburn on Wednesday and had to wait on my brother for a change! Phoneix and i were there for the site, and my brother Phil and another friend Paul on his Triumph Tiger. ChrisHXS joined us on Achill from Kerry direction.

Here's us just about to leave my parents house



This is us setting up camp in Achill



This was Chris's first time camping i think and a dry run for taking his son out camping on the bike. As with all decent camping trips every day was started with a good fry. Phoenix was our resident cook, and even had a think for his fairy liquid!



Phoenix and the washing up! (the big pansy he is )



The weather was great but a bit cold during the nights. The only on-site facilities was one running tap as the campsite was offically closed!

We spent the Thursday just riding around the Island taking pictures and relaxing. There is a large hill with a mast on it which you can ride up to. We got up and then there is a 1/2 mile hike to the top of the hill with brilliant views. Phoenix and I decided to ride up to the top but gave up after about 1/4 of the way. On the way back i got stuck in the mud and left a rather large trench! As Phoenix shows with his size 14 in it!



We all then walked up, but on getting back down to the bikes Phoenix realised that he had left his gloves at the top and had to run all the way back up again. Oh how we laughed!

Views from the top:











We spent the rest of Thursday looking for the deserted village on the island. After asking several people including the local Garde, we found it. As far as we know it was deserted during the potato famine all those years ago. The trail up to it proved rather great fun so here are some pics of us playing on it.











We decided to leave early on the Friday and it was Phoenix's wife's birthday and he didn't want to be too late home. We got up early and had a fry as usual but still managed to leave by 8:30! It was hard to leave though as the morning proved lovely if a bit cold.

Some early monring shots.







Chris and my brother got some pictures too and they might be added later.

This was the best trip i've been on so far on any bike. It was made it by the people on it. We spent both evenings in a lovely local pub with a local session on the wednesday night. Rather a lot of drink was consummed by all on the Wednesday night and it did take Chris a while to decide that his breakfast was going to stay down. Phoenix even managed to shower us all with a mouthful of cider as a result of one funny comment! Thanks mate!

[McVicar]

Fantastic. In my opinion that's what bikings all about.

[lootch67]

Loverly! Now all I need to do is find out where this island is. Hope it's not too far from where I live.

[Simon]

Loverly! Now all I need to do is find out where this island is. Hope it's not too far from where I live.

This is were it is. Its well worth a visit, but give us a shout if you do venture this way.

http://makeashorterlink.com/?Z62C3280D

[Maverick]

Loverly! Now all I need to do is find out where this island is. Hope it's not too far from where I live.

It is on the west of Ireland and really stunning, was there last year on our Ireland weekend trip. The island is very quiet and some stunning views. My digital camera card packed up on the trip but still got some film I need to scan in that I took there.

[McVicar]

Yippee!! I'll only be 100 miles from there in July when I spend a week based just outside Athlone.

[Chad]

amazing shots simon thanks for sharing it with us

[Carport]

Nice pics chaps

[piguglyshandydrinker]

WOW, superb stuff guy's.

I really must get over there sometime.

Phil

[ChrisH]

It was great to meet you all.... brilliant few days, really enjoyed it
Got a few pics, but with the dial-up speed we have it may take a while to post them, got some good panoramas. Here's the sun rising before we set off for home....

ps never ate so many sausages in such a short period of time