Good evening guys and ladies, it's my almost annual post in MCOI (must do better )
Just wanted to give you all the heads up on the 4th Irish Job which is happening on Sat 3rd and Sun 4th October. We're starting in Portadown, Co Armagh and finishing in Rossnowlagh on Day 1 and Day 2 will see a run round the North West.
Please find below the post I've started on the thread on totalMINI.com. It would be great to see some of you if you fancy the trip norf
Carolyn
We've sampled the delights of the Far(ish) East, we've seen the Northern Lights, now for the fourth Irish Job, we're going to GO WEST! :clap:
Having explored the nooks and crannies of the Ards Peninsula in the first Irish Job, run in circles round Lough Neagh in the second Irish Job, and hit the heady heights of Londonderry and the Inishowen Peninsula in last year's Irish Job, this year will see us Go West to Donegal.
Day 1: Saturday 3rd October
Start time: 10.30 for 11.00 kick off.
Starting point: David Prentice MINI, Carn Roundabout, Portadown. BT63 5QD
(Both these are provisional at the moment, and may be subject to change, but if either does change, it won't be by much.)
End destination: Rossnowlagh, Co Donegal.
Along the way, you're going to see some of the best Northern Irish scenery:
[IMG:567:425]http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/nylo80/IJ4%20recce/011.jpg[/img]
[IMG:567:425]http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/nylo80/IJ4%20recce/013.jpg[/img]
[IMG:567:425]http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/nylo80/IJ4%20recce/014.jpg[/img]
You'll hit some great roads, something like this:
[IMG:567:425]http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/nylo80/IJ4%20recce/006.jpg[/img]
and this:
[IMG:567:425]http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/nylo80/IJ4%20recce/010.jpg[/img]
You'll have your lunch here:
Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark *
*weather and car parking dependent, it will either be in the Marble Arch Caves or a picnic in the Cuilcagh Mountain Park
You'll even hit a couple of these (anything the Dales can do, the Irish Job can do too :whis:)
[IMG:567:425]http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/nylo80/IJ4%20recce/012.jpg[/img]
before we head way out west to the wilds of Donegal, and one of the most spectacular beaches Ireland has to offer:
[IMG:567:425]http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/nylo80/IJ4%20recce/021.jpg[/img]
[IMG:567:425]http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/nylo80/IJ4%20recce/022.jpg[/img]
You might even meet a friend or two:
[IMG:567:425]http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/nylo80/IJ4%20recce/016.jpg[/img]
And hell's bells, if that isn't enough, to keep Jules happy, we'll even go to Moy (no, Jules, once will be enough, several laps will not be necessary this time, thank you :hmph:)
[IMG:567:631]http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg244/nylo80/IJ4%20recce/025.jpg[/img]
Accommodation
Option 1:
Heron's Cove Herons Cove 4 Star Restaurant Donegal, Dinner & Fine Dining, Restaurant & Accommodation, Rossnowlagh, Donegal, Ireland
If you ring and speak to Jim or Orla, they should be able to sort you out. Mention totalMINI as reference.
They are able to do the following rates:
Bed and Breakfast 35 Euro per person sharing
or
2 nights Bed and Breakfast with 1 dinner 109 Euro
The only downside is they only have 10 rooms, so if you fancy this place, get booking
It's a few miles outside of Ballyshannon and has a lovely big car park. Jim was happy enough for the tMers to book the place out, and from what I saw of it, it looks lovely.
The only potential downside is that I didn't see a bar, thought they are licensed, so getting a wee toot shouldn't be a problem[/SIZE][/COLOR]
Option 2:
The Sand House Hotel Donegal Hotels Ireland, Sandhouse Hotel & Spa Donegal, Rossnowlagh Beach Hotel Donegal
Again, mention totalMINI as reference, and it was Elizabeth I was speaking to.
Rates for here are 70 Euro per person sharing per night.
The Sand House is in a stunning location, right down on the beach (in the pics above) and it's got a restaurant and bar. It's 3 or 4 miles down the road from Heron's Cove.
Please note that these are only suggestions, and you're more than welcome to check out other places
Day 2: Sunday 4th October
Run round North West Donegal. Finish time to be confirmed, but my best guess is that it will finish up at about 5pm
**Please note for those booking ferries or flights**
Donegal is about as far west as you can go in Ireland, so if you're flying/sailing in and out of Belfast, bear in mind it's about a 2.5 to 3 hour journey back across.
Once I get confirmation of hotels and post details here, it will be up to you to book your accommodation, quoting totalMINI as reference, and it mightn't do any harm to tell 'em Carolyn sent you too
If you could post in this thread when you've booked your hotel, I'll keep a list up to date on this first page, which will hopefully keep everyone right.
Having done the first recce of Day 1 today, I have to say it's looking good so far :cool:
Confirmed:
Carolyn - driving - staying Saturday night and Sunday night - Heron's Cove
Jules - driving
Simon BGC and Jayne - driving
Mark and Ian - driving
Niall and Patricia - driving
Andy and Edwina - driving (x2?! )
DarrenC - driving
Nicky and Derek - driving
Hayley - flying
AndyV - flying
Vickie - flying (even though Jack needs to come over )
Jayne