Dungarvan to Youghal

I set off early for this 32 km run along the busy N25 road.  First problem was the longest continuous hill I've ever ran up.  At least there was a good view from the top.

Soon entered Rinn Gaeltacht area and wondered if I'd need to call some of my Irish speaking running mates to help with road sign translations.

I only met one other human all day and most of the vehicles were big trucks driving from Rosslare Port. This was OK but became a problem when there wasn't much available room beside the road.  Definitely a time to be a thin runner.

 Just about survived and was relieved to make it into Youghal, Co Cork.  Many years ago, my grandfather ran away from home in Cork to eventually settle in Co Armagh.  According to family legend, he walked all the way; so now that I've returned, this seems like a good place to stop.

Finished at St Mary's Collegiate Church founded away back in 1215.  A fascinating place frequented by Oliver Cromwell and Sir Walter Raleigh (who was probably even a worse guy than Cromwell).

All good pilgrimages should end with seeing the light and St Mary's didn't disappoint💥

 Waterford Greenway.

I was looking forward to getting off-road again.  But the first section of greenway from Waterford wasn't finished; nevertheless I joined two slow (ie old) cyclists and we made our way out of the city passed construction workers and over piles of rubble.  I don't think that we were supposed to be there but we eventually made it through to the proper start of the greenway.

The first few miles were alongside the River Suir and then I had a stop at a railway cafe.  It was too early for buns; so I made do with three jelly beans and some water. 

After 26 kms, mostly uphill, I rolled into the village of Kilmacthomas and the Coach House cafe.  Nice enough place but I was gasping for a drink and it took about 15 minutes to get a cup of tea.  They are lucky that I don't do Trip Advisor.  I'm reliably told the best cafe in these parts is the Summerhouse Cafe in Lismore - great cakes and no hanging about, that's my style.

I'd about three hours to kill before the only afternoon bus out of town; so I set of to check out the main attraction - Flanavan's porridge factory.  They do a lot of good work for Athletics NI and I've been eating their porridge all my life, so this unashamed product placement is well deserved.

 Next morning it was back to Kilmacthomas and an exciting start over the greenway viaduct.

I love the way they have kept much of old railway stuff along this route.....

and the modern art inside the concrete tunnels.

Next  up was this almost tropical railway cutting and the Ballyvoyle tunnel. A spooky experience, especially when the lights ain't working. 

Finally, the sea appeared and I ran the last few miles down into Dungarvan.  It was another mile out of town to No 12 B&B - a really wonderful place to stay for the week.  Catherine's breakfasts certainly made up for my frugal mid-run diet of jelly beans.

 WEXFORD - WATERFORD

Two fascinating days down here.  I started in Wexford's 1798 street (I bet not many towns have a street name which is just a number).  I ran along the main road, in the constant company of lorries heading for the port of Rosslare. An attempted diversion along a minor road was quickly abandoned when I was attacked by 3 angry dogs.  Is it better to be hit by a lorry, than to be bitten by dogs?

Wexford is a land with many statues of men holding snooker cues.

Disaster! Could only find one tea shop along the route and it was closed for holidays! 

Near Scullabogue - another part of the 1798 story.

I'm a big fan of memorials.  Not so keen on crosses but these guys are great.

Eventually made it into New Ross for the night.  After 22 miles, I was too tired to walk into the town for a meal, so ate a sandwich and Chelsea bun from Tesco for tea.  It was a noisy B&B but I'd no trouble sleeping.

Next morning, I had a brief meeting with JFK in New Ross before leaving for the hot 13 mile run to Waterford. 

New Ross is also famous for giving a name to Liverpool's ground -Anfield.  A local man owned land of that name in New Ross and, many years ago when he emigrated, he transferred it to the new stadium.

Waterford is a great town with the prettiest railway station I've seen so far.  The place was full of Americans.  One with a large beer-belly jokingly told me he was fighting anorexia - and was winning😀

 ARKLOW - WEXFORD

I'm now too far from home for day trips on the train, so it's off today for a two night break.

Train and bus to Arklow, the big hill out of the town was a hard start.  Then smooth going to Gorey for a tea beak and down to the small seaside resort of Courtown.  Stayed in the Harbour House and dined on chips from the Dinky chip shop - one of Ireland's best, apparently.  Although a windy seat at the end of the pier wasn't the ideal place to eat.

Next morning, I was awake, as usual, at 5:30am ready to go running.  For some reason, breakfast in this place wasn't until 9:00am, so I wasn't leaving just yet.  Another problem was that, when I looked out the window, all I could see was rain lashing down on a large flat roof - and this is supposed to be the driest part of Ireland.  I thought of getting the first train back to Belfast but hung around the B&B reading yesterday's papers until 11 am hoping that things would improve.  The forecast improved but the weather didn't!  Anyway, no point in quitting, so I set off in the wet gloom on the long trek south.

The original plan had been to follow the roads and then the 20K long beach to Curracloe.  Due to the rain and strong southerly wind, there was no option but to run inland.  Watching out for traffic on the narrow twisting roads, I passed through the well-kept small villages of Ballygarrett, Kilmuckridge and Blackwater. 

They say that you know you are in the countryside when people start waving at you.  Every driver in Wexford seemed friendly - at the very least, every driver lifted their index finger a fraction off their steering wheel as they passed.  At the end of the day, I was more tired from waving than running.

Eventually, I decided to risk a short run on the beach near Curracloe.  It was here that the films: Saving Private Ryan and Brooklyn were filmed.

The conditions weren't easy and it was a great relief,after running 21 miles, to reach the farm owned by my friends Jim & Chris.  Had a great meal there, a few drinks and a long sleep in a massive bed. 

Next morning it was a short 6 miles into Wexford and bus/train home.  That's it for the eastern coast; now I'm turning right and heading towards Cork.

 Wicklow to Arklow

24 May 2022

Finally got back to this after too many years of laziness and lockdown.

Off to a bad start when the zip on my pocket got stuck, with my bank card and train ticket inside. Nothing would free it, so had to spend about an hour cutting a hole into the pocket with my car key.

Two early morning trains from Belfast and I’m back at Wicklow station.

 

I’d thought about following the coast and running along the beach at Brittas Bay but the connecting roads looked dangerous on the map.  Decided to follow the old inland road which started with about two uphill miles, it’s always best to climb early in the day.

This road is now replaced by the M11 and there was little traffic and unfortunately little to see along its 17 miles.  I passed a few abandoned pubs, the national garden centre and one other runner.  The hills along the road didn’t help my foot injury, running pace slowed a bit and the last few miles into Arklow were a struggle, especially as time was getting short to catch the only afternoon train from Rosslare.  

Things got more interesting on the approach to Arklow.  This was the first sign of the town’s maritime heritage - Gipsy Moth IV was built here. Arklow is also famous for being the home of Parnell, Ronnie Delaney and Van Morrison’s song The Streets of Arklow.

I finally crossed over the bridge and into the town.

 

That left about 10 minutes to hobble the uphill mile to the station, I just made it.

The journey home passes through the beautiful Vale of Avoca - that’s a place to revisit one day.

Greystones - Wicklow

Greystones to Wicklow

Local councilor Derek Mitchel (red top, a nice guy - unlike some of his ilk) welcomes us at the station. 

We had 13 miles to run today, so it was a bad start to discover that the sand was a bit soft.

Things improved and the beach was a paradise to run along.  We trotted along the sand beside the clear blue sea.  It's important to blend in with the natural environment ... note matching blue top.  Our usual female friends, who have been known to wear bright pink socks, were banned today.

The long abandoned Newcastle Station, one of a few along this coastal line.  It's a great idea to keep the name signs in place....

.... but somebody should tell this patient cat that the last train stopped here about fifty years ago.

We arrive in Wicklow.

With the charming staff, in the Wicklow tourist office.  Robert Halpin, one of the world's greatest mariners, came from here?  He survived many hazardous voyages but eventually died from an injury received when he was cutting his toe-nails.

This part of Ireland is home to some unusual sporting activities.
These anglers are fishing for crabs using whole oven-ready chickens tied to a piece of string. 
I'm sticking to running.
NEXT RUN - SUMMER 2016.


OTHER BLOGS:
coastrun2013.blogspot.co.uk
belfastruns.blogspot.co.uk
Bannrunning.blogspot.co.uk  (Currently Underway)

Killiney - Greystones

Killiney - Greystones

A bad start today.  Invited my friend Mansell along for the first time and he managed to bang into my right knee and walk on my left toe, both before we had left Connolly Station.

A quick stop at the Harbour Bar in Bray sorted things out.  This place was once nominated as the best pub in the world.  My vote would go to one that opens before 12 noon.

Another vote ... one 'Yes' and one 'Undecided'.

Brian unsuccessfully tries to clear the route at Bray Harbour.

Having escaped the swans, it's time for a tea break on Bray prom.

Setting out up the cliff path to Greystones.  One of the best sections so far, well worth a visit.

Not sure why these people were clapping but, at our age, we are happy to lap up any glory on offer.

Meeting with a Lithaunian walker.  Probably a recent arrival in Ireland as she's not holding on to her handbag! 

The new Greystones harbour - bet the old one looked nicer than this.

The hungry monk outside his cafe.

We ended the day with an invitation to visit a local woman in Greystones.  First there was a bit of a problem getting past her jumping dog. 

But Colin managed to calm things down - thanks for the drink Hilda.