Irish Trip Day 7

Irish
MegaBag 1996

(Use the controller above to stop music playing or to move on to the next track .. click once to activate first!)

Day 1 .. Travel to Ireland .. Lugnaquillia
Day 2 .. Travel to Cahir .. Galty-no-more
Day 3 .. Galtymore .. travel to Cork
Day 4 .. Travel to Killarney .. Brandon Mountain
Day 5 .. MacGillycuddy's Reeks
Day 6 .. Travel to the north
Day 7 .. Slieve Donard .. return home

After breakfast, it was time to load the minibus yet again, and we left Carlingford with Allan driving to head for the border. Crossing was uneventful as we were quickly nodded through the Garda checkpoint and then we were driving in Northern Ireland. We headed through Newry and along the coast road below the Mountains of Mourne and eventually came to Bloody Bridge from where we were to start the final climb of our trip.

We set off in good weather but we hadn't travelled far up the track when Ian decided to turn back due to a troublesome knee. The rest of us continued, but at the halfway point I decided to go back, so there were now only eight who eventually made the summit of Slieve Donard, the highest point in Northern Ireland.

On my return, Ian and I made a quick trip into Newcastle to make phone calls home. (Difficult to remember the days before mobile phone coverage was more or less universal .. Ed!) After our updates, we tried out a NI pub before returning to Bloody Bridge to await the summiteers. We didn't have long to wait before they all arrived back at the lay-by, and having made use of the facilities (OK .. a public toilet) we repacked our bags and stowed them for the last time in the back of the Transit.

The return trip was made through Newcastle which saved some time, and having passed through Newry, we crossed the border and duly stopped at the checkpoint where the Garda checked to see if we were carrying any livestock. The road was good and Duncan made good time on the journey back to Dublin Airport, stopping only to fill the tank.

We unloaded the bags and took them inside while the Transit was returned to Thrifty. The formalities of handing back the minibus having been completed, we booked in for our return flight. Then it was off to peruse the Duty Free and find ways to get rid of our remaining punts .. such as a last pint of Guinness! Our flight was called and it was time to say goodbye to Ireland. It was a quick trip back to Prestwick as we landed after only 25 minutes.

We assembled to collect our luggage, but unfortunately Ian's rucsac was not to be found .. it turned out to have gone to Birmingham. The cars were collected and it was time to go home, but not before Andy took some finishing shots of us loading the car.

Bob MacDonald