Day 9 Newport - Dublin

The Newport Hotel was lovely, quite grand in feel for this outpost. Just down the road is a grand house where Grace Kelly used to spend time in this area where her grandfather had lived and she'd been fond of since childhood. Appropriate for the name, The Newport hotel is actually the only hotel in town. We guess it's grand nature with panelling and screens reflects the cliental attracted by the Princess Grace guest list.
The staff were, as all over, wonderfully relaxed and friendly and the food and drink excellent. Our room was at the front of the hotel and we looked over a window box full of colourful petunias out  under the stars and stripes flag down the height street. We also both agreed that it was the most comfortable bed we'd ever slept in.
All in all, it was a perfect last hotel on our adventure. Tomorrow is an overnight in Dublin simply as a step to an early ferry on our journey home.

We set off to explore our last bit of the West passing back through Mulranny where we hired the bikes yesterday before turning North on the N59. Initially, we had a view across the sea inlet to the Greenway where we cycled then continued North through miles of peat moorland flat to hills.

At Bangor, we took the R313 before turning into a small road north along the shore of Carrowmoor Lake. Though a decent road and cutting a big corner this was oddly not on the Sat Nav and according to it we travelled off road. A lovely road and we stopped several times to take in the views.

The marks of peat cutting

Carrowmoor Lake

Joining the R314 East the road roamed along surrounded by wetlands and fells, peat and sheep; a lot of the sheep had decided that the road was a good place to sit or stand munching at the verges.

We eventually hit the Sea coast again in some of our last miles on the Wild Atlantic Way. The landscape is more green with pasture fields and clearly farmed rather than 'wild'. We passed Ceide Fields visitor site where they have discovered ancient field layouts but with a tight schedule we decided not to pay to enter and keep going to our next destination Downpatrick Head.

Our last Wild Atlantic Way marker

Downpatrick Head sheep

Approaching Downpatrick Head, more cliffs came into view and we turned off at Ballycastle following signs to the Head. Parking was easy and we walked across lush green grass passing sheep too busy with munching to bother us toward the head and the Stack. The stack used to be an extension of the Head but the land bridge fell away in the 1300s reportedly marooning a family who farmed at the tip. It is said that they were rescued using ships' ropes. If true, it must have been terrifying.

The Stack

Downpatrick Head with RAF WWII look out post

Wild Atlantic Way signage at Downpatrick Head

This marked out last port of call on our journey and we had seen signs for Mary's Cottage Café in the village which suggested a good solution to lunchtime. We actually only wanted a bun and a cup of tea but ended up with a portion of Sea Food Chowder which ticked off another local dish as done.

Suitable fueled, we continued to the large town of Ballina where we fuelled the car as well before waving Good Bye to our last Wild Atlantic Way route marker.

From Ballina it was a straight forward 164ml drive to Dublin, along the N5, N4 and M4 before joining the M50 Dublin peripheral motorway. Beryl (the Peril) our Sat Nav was trying to take us through the City Centre which we thought we wasn't a good idea at 5:15pm on a working day and we repeatedly ignored her. Eventually we thought we'd got the turn for the tunnel to the port but ended up heading out toward the airport. Frustrated, we returned and followed Dublin Port which took us through the tunnel. The tunnel toll this time was €3, the €10 last time was due to time of day.
Having reached the port we now followed the Sat Nav again, hallway back on the surface!

We arrived and parked at the Croke Hotel opposite the stadium. Parking was a big attraction of booking this hotel and it was a good decision.
Checking in, the room type we'd booked was unavailable and we were bumped up to the Executive Floor with a gorgeous room, massive bed and access to the Exec Lounge. It felt very appropriate for our last night in Ireland.
Excellent burger in the hotel bar, our last pints of Guiness and a remaining half bottle of wine in the room, cooled courtesy of the ice machine on the Exec Floor.

Tolls

€2.90 paid at booth near M4/M50 junction, not sure which charge related.
€2.60 appeared on eflow account for M50 (ANPR charged)
€3 tunnel

Statistics (from Dublin):

Miles today: 250 ; Miles so far: 1214; Fuel added so far: 120 litres;

Track Today and since Journey Start: