OUR TRIP TO IRELAND

Thursday 16.6.05. The day dawned bright and sunny - what’s that, oh sorry it was wet and miserable, but it didn’t dampen our spirits and five classic cars and their occupants assembled in the car park of Sarn Services, Bridgend. When the small hand was just past 9 and the 2^nd hand was on 22mins. past we moved off in a Westerly direction heading for Fishguard way down on the coast in West Wales.

Our first port of call was to drop down off the M4 at J.37 (Porthcawl) and pick up Gerry and Gareth to join the convoy, Gareth being very optimistic wore his shorts! We set off again and after many miles reached the end of the M.4 and had a comfort break at Pont Abraham. We then carried on, stopping for a comfort break and a lunch break just outside Fishguard at The Harp. In we all trooped causing havoc as we went, and at 1.15 assembled in the car park for a photo shoot. Arriving at the harbour there was a slight delay before we were able to drive on, even though we arrived on time. Of course these things take quite some time to organise?? We eventually left Fishguard on time at 2.30 p.m. The Captain kindly informed us that the ship did have stabilisers, much to the joy of Sue and Janet. The crossing was very pleasant and indeed we arrived at Rosslare on time, 6.00 p.m. but there was a delay of 30 mins. so we didn’t actually get on to the Emerald Isle until 6.30 p.m.

After a short petrol stop we joined the N.25 to New Ross arriving at our first destination Teach Faoi Carraig B&B at 7.30 p.m. We were greeted at the door by a lady named Maureen O’Donovan, who welcomed us warmly. Unfortunately only four couples could stay at this address, but just across the road was another B&B where the remaining two couples stayed. Time was now getting on and everybody was feeling very hungry. A table had been booked at a nearby Hotel and we quickly set off on foot for our evening meal. This was very enjoyable and ended with Irish music and dancing in the bar. We left at about 11.30p.m.only to find there were no street lights on the road , but thankfully we had a small torch so we went in front, risking life and limb, and led the troops home!

Friday 17^th June. This was to be a carefree/leisurely day. We all decided to go for a run around the nearby countryside and stopped in the beautiful village of Inistioge, peaceful, tranquil, a beautiful river and bridge, village green, plus six pubs. It must be heaven! John and Jan went off to see an old friend of theirs for an hour and when they returned we carried on our way and stopped at the beautiful small town of Craigenmanor on the River Barrow. One thing we found was when six classic cars arrive in a small sleepy town/village it generates a lot of interest and very soon the workmen downed their tools and wandered over to inspect the cars. Whilst admiring the boats on the river a man started chatting to us and it emerged that he had married a Welsh girl! It’s a small world. We had a great welcome wherever we went. Another thing that struck us as we drove down the country "lanes" was the amount of new building going on in Ireland and the properties were huge. They have had help from the EEC to encourage tourism and a lot of the houses are used as B&Bs. They’re certainly taking advantage of it and who can blame them.

We then headed for Kilkenny and stopped there. We parked in Dunn’s Stores car park in the middle of the town and went our separate ways for the afternoon. Babs and I strolled around the town and then made our way up to the castle and walked through the lovely gardens, enjoying the sunshine, the scenery and a very welcome ice cream, while taking the odd photograph here and there. We left Kilkenny at approx. 5.00 p.m. and went on to the Horse and Hounds for a very welcome meal which we enjoyed very much. JJ said that they had spoken to Bobby Stack (local Mafia Ha Ha) and he had invited us all back to his place a few miles down the road. Babs and I and Danny and Barbara declined the invite and went back to our B&Bs. The remainder went on to Bobby Stack’s hacienda where they were given a truly Irish welcome.

Saturday 18^th June. This was the day we were joining the Tipperary Light Car Club on their run and in the evening we were to join them at their annual dinner dance. The weather was sunny and pleasant and we met in the car park of a local supermarket in Clonmel. There were approx. 186 cars and one by one we went forward and were introduced to the crowd (who went wild of course), and were each given a commemorative dish by the local mayor! Then we all took off down the road following a white van playing Irish folk music from a loudspeaker, a bit like the Pied Piper. However we didn’t get very far before we came to a stand-still as a lady had broken down at the first roundabout. Of course the better-half and I jumped out to push her round the roundabout, with the help of another driver, but although we shouted to her to release the clutch she didn’t seem to hear us. We shouted again and explained that if she didn’t release the clutch soon we would all be dead, to which she replied "I heard you the first b****y time". By now the traffic was at a stand-still so we eventually pushed her to the side of the road and left her there to await assistance. We saw her again later in the day and both she and her car seemed to be fine. About 5 miles down the road we pulled in for refreshments (as you do), and then about another 7 miles on we pulled into a pub for lunch (liquid or solid as you preferred). Then it was on through the country lanes again to that beautiful peaceful village we had stopped at the previous day, Inistioge. We pulled in to a field and then made a short walk in to the village. We certainly lived things up there I can tell you.There are at least five pubs all in the space of 50 metres of each other and one pub stood out as there was nobody sitting outside in the sunshine drinking. We (the royal) were attracted to this pub like dingbats and went in, were served straight away and outside drinking our Guiness within 10 minutes. John James suddenly spotted his old friend across the square and invited him to join us. He declined very graciously and JJ naturally asked him why. The reply was "It’s against my principles as the place is rumoured to be run by the IRA!!! Well, on hearing this we decided it was time to leave. The MI5, CIA and FBI would have been proud of the way we crept.away discreetly looking over our shoulders whilst lying on our stomachs, ignition keys in hands. We went instead to a pub across the square where they were singing Irish songs. I think everyone enjoyed themselves, maybe helped a little by the Guiness, although not too much because of course we were driving.

In the evening we joined the Clonmel Club at their Dinner Dance. The food was excellent and very efficiently served and afterwards they cleared away the tables for dancing. But before the dancing got under-way presentations and speeches were made by the Tipperary Club and they welcomed the Welsh visitors to the dance. JJ had told them that he would like to say a few words but a lady came over and pulled Sue to her feet and led her down on to the stage to say a few words. Whilst suffering from shock at the time Sue did us proud, - at least we think she did because the mike wasn’t working and I’m afraid we didn’t hear a word. A few minutes later JJ went up and made a short speech of thanks and presented the Irish club with some of our commemorative medals which had been specially gold plated with Welsh gold. After this the dancing and partaking of liquid refreshment really got under way and everyone had a good time. The Irish club invited us to dance and made us all feel very welcome. We left at 12.15a.m.after a very long but thoroughly enjoyable day

Sunday 19^th June. This was the day when we were saying goodbye to John and Janet,

Gareth and Geri and Alan and Gill who were going south to Macroon in County Cork for the rest of their stay, while Babs and myself, Dave and Sue, Danny and Barbara were going north to Avoca for two days. It was a beautiful day and as lunch-time approached we followed Sue and Dave down the lanes towards the coast and pulled up on a cliff top over-looking the sea for a "picnic" lunch. The views were spectacular – we even saw a seal – and could have stayed there all day but we had to press on because we had not booked anywhere for that night. Arriving in Avoca we soon found a B&B and set out to find somewhere to eat. It was suggested that we try Fitzgerald’s which was just down the hill and is the pub that was featured in "Ballykissangel". So we went to see it but I’m afraid it was not to our liking, very noisy, and we soon found somewhere else to eat. On the way back we had a run around the area .It was dusk by now and we stopped at the Meeting of the Waters, which is where two rivers meet. It was very picturesque, and the countryside all around us was beautiful in that light.

Monday 20^th June. We decided to visit Glendalough which is a nearby beauty spot on the edge of the Wicklow mountains ,where you can walk around two lakes. The walks are graded in degrees of difficulty so yours truly and spouse decided to take the low road while the others took the high road. It was very peaceful and quiet and a chance to relax after a few busy days. At 4.30 we were ready to leave and it was suggested that we make a small detour to take in some view points which would not take us long. So we set off and approx. one hour later found ourselves on the top of the Wicklow mountain. To be fair the scenery was spectacular but very desolate. We saw the peat bogs, and occasionally a car passed us going in the opposite direction, and at one time a motor-bike came around a bend and if it had not been for Dave’s quick reactions there would have been a nasty accident. From there it was down-hill all the way and we eventually found our next B&B at about 7 p.m. Of course, following the usual practice, we then headed out to find somewhere for a meal. And then it was back to the B&B for a night-cap and bed after another full day.

Tuesday 21^st June. Today Babs and I head for home but Dave and Sue and Danny and Barbara were going on for a few more days. So we said our goodbyes and headed off. The proprietor of the B&B had told us how to reach the N11 "Oh down the lane you mean?" asked Babs. "No, those are our roads", she said. Oops! We left Ireland having thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The company was great, we had a lot of laughs and we certainly saw quite a bit of the Emerald Isle in the few days we were there. Thanks to everyone for taking us under their wing and making us feel welcome. We

look forward to doing it again next year, if you’ll have us.

Regards to all,

John (Secretary).

and Babs (THE BOSS).