Hi,

Looking to tour the south-west of Ireland this year but just wondering if anyone can give an opinion on when to go...

July - busy but ?better weather
Sept - quieter but will it just rain!

Any tips for roads/stopovers would be great. Travelling over from Pembroke to Rosslare then heading to the south west.

Cheers,
Joey

I think the only difference could be the cost, during the school summer break the ferry prices and B&B's put up the cost .
The weather just roll the dice and take a chance , i have had some great warm times in September and others bloody freezing. Usually not to bad .
My suggestion would be to follow the small roads (most of them were the main roads before joining the EU )
Come of the ferry , drive out, be doubtfull if you get stopped on a bike by customs and head for Wexford go left to Wellington bridge and Passage east (small ferry over the river runs every 20mins and a couple of euros) on the R733 Follow that to Waterford (cyrstal factory) . Follow the N25 to Cork then the N71 to follow the coast via Skibbereen, drink Guiness and eat Lobster and listen to the tall tales .... job done

On some roads on the left you will notice a solid white line( like a hard shoulder) it is custom for slower traffic to move over into this lane when safe to allow faster vehicles to go by , if they move over just give em a wave and if your holding up someone move over !
Another interesting point is when you arrive on the ferry if you look to the left just before the harbour that beach was used to film some scenes from Saving Private Ryan.

Hope this helps

__________________
http://2wheelskeeponrolling.wordpress.com

The weather in Ireland is like a lottery.
July while mid summer has had fairly bad and wet weather the last few years while September can often turn out to be Indian summer style
The roads and accomdation will certainly be much quieter and cheaper in September
No one could predict the weather in SW Ireland 4 months in advance, a bit like the west coast of the south island in NZ

Mmmm Lobster.

Thanks for the tips guys, I am dead keen to get going, but it looks like it'll be worth waiting 'till Sept. Will have to slip a little camping trip in for the summer somewhere.

At least if it does piss down in Ireland i'll get a warm feeling from saving a bit of cash!

Joey

youre sure to enjoy the trip Joey,

but as said already,
the Irish weather is un-predictable ... ...

... ...or 'GoreTex' to say the least

Some say the only difference between winter and summer,
is ...
that in summer the rain is a little warmer.
lol.


Btw, there is no 'main' road from rosslare to the south-west,

so get a Michelin map,
and search the 'green' twisty touristic routes.

have a blast

get over to the wicklow mountains an ride the old military road known as the sally gap beautiful and quiet

__________________
Of All The Places in the World to Get Stuck
Up Youre own Arse has to be the worst

ireland is great but you need good waterproofs.and warm clothes.

if you are on a budget then the tourist boatd can provide a map and contact details for the large number of private hostels available..
i am in Donegal so a bit far from your route.

Had my first trip to Ireland last year (June) rained most days but still loved it there.

One good point... Petrol is much cheaper in Ireland.Plus the craic is great

Another vote for September. The weather is pot luck, and I think September is a nicer month. Some stuff is not so busy, so you can probably do more.

Bed and Breakfasts in Ireland are not always fancy, they are often just a spare few rooms in someones house. It's a good way to meet locals, even if it's just to ask what pub to go to. or to avoid. in September, it is usually easy just to arrive up to a b&b and be pretty sure they will have room for you.

Merv.