September 8th - 10th - BTBC "Ireland Hop" The plan is to meet up on the docks and catch the 8.55am ferry from Holyhead to DunLoaghaire (just outside Dublin) on Sat 8th Sept then ride over to wild Achill Island on the Atlantic Coast for an overnight stop. Sunday run along the wee roads to Derry/Londonderry for a night out to remember (secure parking in hotel basement). Monday morning its down Belfast for the lunchtime ferry to Stranraer in Scotland (arrives there 14.30) and then on to complete the loop. This trip will cover all countries of British Isles as well as all 4 provinces of Ireland (Ulster, Munster, Connaught and Leinster) – all in 3 days.
To book your place on The Ireland Hop Tour 2007, hit this link, then print off a booking form. Send this along with your remittance to the usual address.
Who's going to date!?
1/ Paul Clarke - BMW R1200GSA, 2/ John Bruce - BMW
R1150GS, 3/ Bill Gavins - XT660Z, 4/ Andrew Ellis - VARA, 5/ Les Goodwin
- BMW R1150GS, 6/ Steve Cogdell - BMW R1200GS, 7/ Alex
Penrose - TDM850, 8/ Paul Chatfield - Rally Raid Caponord, 9/ Lee Jenkins -
BMW R1200 Supermoto, 10/ Stephen Blackwell - Triumph, 11/ Dave Powell - Dommy,
12/ Dave Barker - BMW GS1200
Sorry that's it folks!!
Details.....
We will gather on the docks in Holyhead no later than 08.00 on Saturday 8th Sept, please do not be late. My mobile number is 07768 405222
DO NOT FORGET YOUR PASSPORT!
Travel in Northern Ireland is very similar to the rest of the UK, Driving License and Insurance requirements are the same, as are traffic signs and rules of the road, speed limits etc.. Distances in Miles and speed limits in MPH.
There are few fixed speed cameras in Northern Ireland, SPECS are starting to appear in one or two places (Newry and Newtownards at present), but the Police regularly have mobile and portable speed cameras in operation, usually on the busier roads and at proven accident spots or where speedlimits are in force for a reason.
The currency in Northern Ireland is Sterling (£) although each bank produces it's own design of notes, these will not be accepted generally in Great Britain, so make sure you don't take a load of them back across the Irish Sea, unless you're collecting them. The Northern Bank produces a plastic fiver, worth keeping as a curiosity if nothing else. Most GB bank cards will work for cash withdrawal in NI banks and building societies, as will Switch/Maestro/Cirrus cards for all purchases. Bank of England notes are readily accepted so it might be best bringing what you think you’ll need.
In the Republic of Ireland distances are in Km and speeds in Km/h. 50Km/h in built up areas and either 80Km/h or 100Km/h on open roads, the speed depending on the grade of the road. Other limits apply so as always, look out for the signs, generally they are prolific so no excuse there...
There are fixed cameras in the Republic, on the main roads and around the cities. The Garda Traffic Corp (Traffic Cops) also operate throughout the country, often on open roads where the temptation is to "make good progress". They may insist on "Bail Money" being produced, especially with a GB address... so be careful. I do know of a couple of occasions where people have spent a night in a cell for speeding offenses, to appear in court the next day - and the fines were BIG...
GPS based traffic camera warning devices are legal in NI, but I believe that in the Republic of Ireland possession of one is an offence, whether it's being used or not. Where this leaves GPS navigators with a camera overlay is very much a grey area. I've yet to hear of anyone having a problem in this respect but it's good to be aware of the potential problem.
Traffic signs in the Republic are yellow diamonds for warning signs (bit like those in the States), with symbols - mostly self explanatory. "No Entry" is the one sign that causes confusion for visitors, along with the associated road marking, you'll see what I mean when you see one, and single white lines down the middle of the road seem to mean the same as double white lines... you've been warned. Some signs are in Irish. Most directional signs are bilingual.
Main roads are signified by "N", secondary routes are "R" and mostly anything else is an "L" although they often aren't signed.
The currency in the Republic of Ireland is the Euro. Most GB bank and building society cards will work for cash withdrawals when used at the main banks, note that a Switch card will not usually be accepted when paying for petrol or goods in shops. A Maestro or Cirrus card will be needed. Visa and Mastercard credit cards are widely accepted throughout the country. Most transactions will attract a handling charge unfortunately so the best bet is Euros in cash.
European medical card should be carried and check that your breakdown service covers the Republic as it's a "Foreign" country so don't forget your Passport.