A new country day today. The Republic of Ireland.

We headed off to the ferry around 730 am. You cannot head directly in to the port as there is a very long security fence you need to get around first.

Once in, check in was quite simple. Security even simpler. Foot passengers were having luggage and belongings xrayed and walking through a scanner.

Take a bike, security not checked. We were sent around the side of security to meet two men at oversized luggage. That lack of security surprised us for cyclists vs foot passengers.

The bikes are strapped onto a trailer, that is towed onto the ferry, remains in situ for the trip, trailer towed off in Dublin.

We then boarded a transfer bus that drives onto a vehicle deck, and we then headed to our cabin on deck level 9.

I had purchased a cabin for the trip, a superior portside. We were both very impressed with it vs our experiences in Tasmania and Croatia with ferry cabins.

So we had a super chillaxing trip. We were in the cabin for over four hours, with the actual travel time 3 hours 20.

You can see both Holyhead and Dublin on this map, close points between Wales and Ireland. Arklow, to the south, was our destination today.

It was a non eventful crossing. Tony slept for part of it.

As we closed in on the Irish coast land ahoy.

The port is spread out over a larger area. Our ferry nosed into its dock, as it is a roll on, roll off ferry with openings either end.

Being a foot passenger, keen to get pedalling, was super frustrating. It took maybe 45 minutes to leave the ferry, transfer onto a bus, then get our bikes, waiting for us at the luggage carousel.

Then getting out of the port took time. It is hugely busy with big trucks and cargo container movements. . There is a cycle path and many red lights. After a few km we left the port premises to begin the next part of our ride.

Dublin is the capital of the Republic of Ireland, located on a bay at the mouth of the River Liffey It was established by the Gaels around the 7th century followed by the Vikings.

Today it seems we had the route ‘tour de red lights, road works and crazy antics’ to commence our Dublin memories.

It was super stressful riding out. There are some crazy drivers, but also patient ones. Thencyclists were the worst. No helmets, going across the flow of traffic, weaving in and out of cars, whilst we just went with the flow, obeying everything.

It is taxing as you do not realise until later how exhausting it is concentrating so hard. Make no mistake, we do concentrate on the open road too, but the intensity and adrenaline factor is just different.

After about 10 km, we were on quieter arterial roads heading towards the Wicklow Mountain National Park, Irelands largest national park covering 23,000 hectares.

The area we went through was Djouce and Tonduff on the eastern flank.

We stopped at a local convenience store and grabbed some food, as were were both hungry. The map on the outside of the local park section. We had just been through Killegar Woods, and Knocksink Woods were next.

The area was hilly. The graph below shows our bigger climbs. The first was getting out of Dublin from sea level. The second was ahead through the Wicklow NP.

When we climb, our bike computer has a graph for each climb, showing where you are, what the gradient is currently, what the gradient is ahead, and each gradient section is colour coded. This climb had a red section, ie steep steep steep.

Looking towards Roundwood, where we stopped at the chemist to grab more toothpaste, and Panadol for Tony.

Riding through forests was to be a feature for the rest of the ride. Lush, green, stone walls edging.

Most of these were taken by Tony as he rode. Without slowing significantly, he opens up his front bag, gets the camera out, takes the photos, puts the camera back. I watch from behind knowing I would end up on the ground if I tried that.

Rathdrum situated high on the western side of the Avonmore River valley, flowing through the Vale of Clara.

A local business promoted in the area is “donkey walking” where you travel from village to village at a donkey’s pace and overnight in local accommodation. The donkey can carry 15 kilos and cover 10-15 km per day.

We did not see the donkeys today, but saw this statue. Named the Farmer and his dog. It was placed as part of a town rejuvenation project in 2019.

The Vale of Avoca was very pleasant to ride through, as it was predominantly downhill, following the River Avoca. The area is known for its woven products, with many smaller mills and local producers having signs out.

Looking up the hill from the river, is this old mine installation, known as Williams Engine House, one of the few remaining in Ireland. Mining was huge here in the 1800’s predominantly copper and pyrite.

These are both newer churches, from the 1800’s, one in better knick than the other.

The final major town today was Woodenbridge, where I originally had us staying. It has a stone bridge known as the “wooden bridge” – only in Ireland!

Arklow was today’s final destination and we are now on the southeast coast of Ireland. The town was founded by the Vikings in the ninth century. The town is at the mouth of the River Avoca, the longest river within County Wicklow.

We were really pleased to arrive at our accomodation. Super friendly lady stored one bike in a locked area but she was apologetic for the junk in there leaving no room for the second.

She would find another area to lock the second bike. I casually suggested perhaps we could take it to our room? (That always tests the accomodation providers and you get a very clear no if unacceptable to them).

She said, oh yes you can, but won’t it be in your way? We are like…..nope ! So we have one bike with us. That means we can get it set up before breakfast at 7.15.

We had a great meal in their restaurant. Fish and vegetables for me, beef, sweet potatoes chips and vegetables Tony.

So that’s a wrap for today. Total km less at 81 for the day with just over 800 metres of climbing.

Tomorrow is about 113 km, 900 metres of climbing ( I think?) and we are heading to Waterford. A bit of rain is possible, but we will see.

Thanks for reading 😊❣️