Short tour of Ireland
Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2026 9:00 pm
Thought I would put together a short post and a few photos on my first ever touring trip.
I left home with a 250 mile trip from south of Manc to Cairnryan. The weather forecast was really good for the whole trip.
Steady run up the M6 with a quick detour via Kendal and a bit of the A6, just to break up the motorway. Stopped at Gretna for a bite to eat then onto the boat. Nice smooth crossing and no issues with getting on and off the boat.
I arrived home to Belfast on the Saturday night and stayed with friends. On the Sunday I took a run up around the Mournes via Hilltown/Kilkeel. Was a great feeling finally riding a proper bike back home.
Set off early on Monday, destination Letterkenny. Started up the Antrim coast stopping off a few times to take it in. Very quiet roads on a Monday. few spots of rain but thankfully didn't come to anything and brightened up as the day went on.
F83A2805edit by Colin, on Flickr
F83A2810edit by Colin, on Flickr
Arrived in Letterkenny around 4pm and got the bike locked up and had a dander about. Bit of dinner and an early night. Set off nice and early and headed to Dunfanaghy. Lovely roads as the mountains come into view, Muckish and Errigal standing tall. Swung a left at Falcarragh along the R256 then left again along the R251 towards Gweedore.
F83A2822edit by Colin, on Flickr
F83A2830edit by Colin, on Flickr
F83A2831edit by Colin, on Flickr
Then heading south from here, destination Killybegs. Some of the roads at this point have been fantastic. Long sweeping bends, some tighter hairpins, and the surface mostly perfect.
Arrived in Killybegs for a break, then hopped onto Donegal for some lunch. Didn't stop much from here as I had planned to see family later that day. As usual, tight for time.
Stayed with my friends again and then took the boat back on the Wednesday morning to Cairnryan. It was a long slog at times heading home down the M6, but made it with 1166 miles done.
The bike was fantastic, other than the keyless issue which was later discovered to be user error. It eats up the miles, handles great, is pretty economical, and I've finally found the right type of bike I think.
So, when in the next one? Hopefully another one before the end of summer.
I left home with a 250 mile trip from south of Manc to Cairnryan. The weather forecast was really good for the whole trip.
Steady run up the M6 with a quick detour via Kendal and a bit of the A6, just to break up the motorway. Stopped at Gretna for a bite to eat then onto the boat. Nice smooth crossing and no issues with getting on and off the boat.
I arrived home to Belfast on the Saturday night and stayed with friends. On the Sunday I took a run up around the Mournes via Hilltown/Kilkeel. Was a great feeling finally riding a proper bike back home.
Set off early on Monday, destination Letterkenny. Started up the Antrim coast stopping off a few times to take it in. Very quiet roads on a Monday. few spots of rain but thankfully didn't come to anything and brightened up as the day went on.
F83A2805edit by Colin, on FlickrF83A2810edit by Colin, on FlickrArrived in Letterkenny around 4pm and got the bike locked up and had a dander about. Bit of dinner and an early night. Set off nice and early and headed to Dunfanaghy. Lovely roads as the mountains come into view, Muckish and Errigal standing tall. Swung a left at Falcarragh along the R256 then left again along the R251 towards Gweedore.
F83A2822edit by Colin, on FlickrF83A2830edit by Colin, on FlickrF83A2831edit by Colin, on FlickrThen heading south from here, destination Killybegs. Some of the roads at this point have been fantastic. Long sweeping bends, some tighter hairpins, and the surface mostly perfect.
Arrived in Killybegs for a break, then hopped onto Donegal for some lunch. Didn't stop much from here as I had planned to see family later that day. As usual, tight for time.
Stayed with my friends again and then took the boat back on the Wednesday morning to Cairnryan. It was a long slog at times heading home down the M6, but made it with 1166 miles done.
The bike was fantastic, other than the keyless issue which was later discovered to be user error. It eats up the miles, handles great, is pretty economical, and I've finally found the right type of bike I think.
So, when in the next one? Hopefully another one before the end of summer.
