Your favourite Irish drives? Hoping to try some in July-Aug

[Ozi]

This time next week, I hope that the weather in Dublin is fine, since I;ll be starting a 5-6wk trip around Ireland, based in Dublin.

Right now I need to arrange a car. I suppose car hire is the sensible thing to do, even though I'd prefer to buy and drive (or rent/borrow) an old MX5 or VW GTI.

What are your favourite day drives, especially drives that can be started from Dublin?

Are there some epic drives that you've done as a group?
Let me know where to find them here.

Another question - is anyone here going to see Prince at Malahide Castle, July 30?
I've been told it's been a great summer for touring artists this year. Did anyone here see Steely Dan? I've heard good stuff about a lot of tours recently.
Hopefully Prince is also a highlight.

Thanks for any comments.

Any car hire or alternatives (up to 5-6wks) advice is also very much appreciated.

Cheers,
Ben

PS. the Prince article is here:
http://www.independent.ie/entertainment ... 17715.html

...Prince certainly isn't scared of hard work: he played a two and a half-hour set of all his hits plus four -- count them: four! -- encores at Hop Farm last Sunday.

"It's a shame we have a curfew," Prince pooh-poohs at the end. He and his band are so good that when they play The Jackson's Don't Stop Til You Get Enough, it is better than the original. You could also say the same of the version Prince plays of Come Together, Everyday People, I Want To take You Higher, and Play That Funky Music. This is a man at the very top of his game. He may be the most extravagantly multi-talented performer in the history of pop, writes Neil McCormick on his blog afterwards. His show in Dublin in three weeks will prove this beyond any reasonable doubt.

Prince plays Malahide Castle on July 30. Tickets are still on sale.

[Ozi]

Hi Mx5 people.
A quick report on our travels.

Highlights for our trip were:
i. Conor Pass was highly scenic and fun twisty uphill bits, after we drove west-ish from Tralee. Happily we got past the slower traffic and then had the road to ourselves, up to the lake anyway.

ii. Some of the Dingle Peninsula was also great but obviously it's a popular summer drive so it really just for admiring the amazing scenery rather than sporty driving.

iii. The first part of the Ring of Kerry - Killarney to Kenmare, going clockwise obviously. Once there is space to overtake very slow cars, there's some fun corners amid the stunning lake views and tree-fringed vistas.

iv. Macgillicuddy Reeks and the very long pass along it. Wow. Amazing scenery, quite a lonely but spectacular adventure when you think that this road would have ended, it goes on and on and on and... on and on!

v. South of Kenmare, the Ring of Beara and the mountain pass to Cork, if you get past the very slow drivers.
We spent hours along the most coastal and isolated parts. So much scenery and fun!

The drive back from Ring of Beara, from Cork to Kerry was epic. Despite the overcast weather and mist. Amazing and we really made the most of these roads!

Has anyone else enjoyed the Ring of Beara, free of slow drivers?

I hope to return next year for part 2. West Cork continued, hopefully in a 5.