A Titanic Enduro Run of 1,000 Miles

From the Titanic Quarter in Belfast, where the great ship was built, to Cork where the last passengers boarded for the fateful maiden voyage across the Atlantic, including

Irelands most northern point, Malin Head and it’s most southern point, Mizen Head.

The route follows the northern, western and part of the southern coasts of Ireland.

You will be driving on some of the most scenic roads in Europe and most importantly passing over many of Ireland’s famous Rally Stages, from Atlantic Drive in the North to the famous Tim Healy pass in the Kerry Mountains.

Ireland has hosted trialling, racing and rallying for over 100 years, beginning with the Gordon Bennett in 1903 and continuing on the Great Irish Road Circuits ARDS, Phoenix Park, Dundroad etc…attracting at their peak 250,000 spectators.

The Ulster Automobile Club ran the first 1000 mile circuit of Ireland in 1936.

The current Irish Tarmac Championship (you will travel over many of its famous stages) has up to 20 WRC cars competing over Irelands unique closed public roads.

15th October 2009

Travel to Belfast via ferry, evening registration and pre-rally meet.

Arrive early for more time around the Titanic Quarter.

16th October 2009

Estimated Mileage 220

The booming City of Belfast with its Shipbuilding history of famous Great Ocean liners including the ill fated Titanic.

A short trip by motorway to Carrickfergus, Larne-Islandmagee on the famous Antrim coast road with Mull in Scotland visible on a good day.

Dipping through The Famous Glenns of Antrim at Glenariff, and then hugging the coast over one of Irelands famous rally stages, Torr Head. We then proceed into Ballycastle and past the famous Carrickaraide rope bridge and onto a World Heritage site and one on Europes greatest roads – The Giants Causeway.

Through the seaside towns of Portush and Portstewart following the famous northwest 200 bike racing road circuit. This is Ireland’s biggest sporting venue with a regular 100,000 visitors over Race week where speeds can reach 200mph!

The route then takes us to Magiligan on Lough Foyle to take a ferry to Greencastle in Donegal. Bypassing the maiden city and onto the most northern point Malin Head. A run down the east side of Lough Swilly brings us to Letterkenny for our first overnight.

Letterkenny is the largest town in Co. Donegal. The town has a buzzing nightlife and offers great historical and recreational opportunities for our evening stop over.

This is a long day with possible shortcuts for the fainthearted. 340 miles of interesting roads. A run out to Ramelton, Rathmullan leads us along and down Knockalla overlooking the beautiful Portsalon beach, through Portsalon and onto Fanad Head, Millford and to Downings and around Atlantic drive.

Through Dunfanagy into the Gaelic speaking area Rosses and Gweedore. Through Mass dipping away from the cost to Donegal Town, Ballyshannon and onto Belleek and then along the Northern coast of the beautiful Lough Erne to Enniskillen and round the southern side of Lough Erne via Derrygonelly, Loughnavar view point and to Garrison, Kinlough and Bundoran. Taking the main western highway to Sligo and onto Balina and finally Westport, famous for its great pubs, seafood and the craic.

19th October 2009

Estimated mileage 240

You could spend 2-3 days driving here but we have chosen a route that takes us up to two of Irelands famous Rally stages, Molls Gap and The Tim Healy pass. From Tralee a run to the west round beautiful Dingle peninsula and back through Killarney for a recommended break.

Onto Molls Gap to Kenmare and west to the Tim Healy pass and back to Gelnariff and Bantry onto Mizen Head, Ireland’s most southerly point. Through Skibereen and Leap and dipping down to the beautiful Glandore via the West coast. 

Then on to our final destination Kinsale, chosen for its natural beauty. We may move to Cork itself for the finale and accommodation – final details tbc. 

Getting Home 

Hoping to extend your trip … ?

Drive to ferries from Dublin – 4.5 hours, or Belfast 5-6 hours.

Scrap cars in Cork (if you can bear it) and fly home .. the choice is yours !