AIR: Around Ireland Rally

[iandromiskin]

I did indeed. Looks good too. Kilkenny is a great city to start off from, though we may be too hung over the next day ? Easy enough to get to too, about 2-2.5 hour drive from Dublin I think. The west is a lovely place to drive through. Really scenic. I might finish off at Kilbroney though as the rest of the Irish Morris Minor scene will be there and I live not far over the border near Dundalk. How many have committed now ?

[alex_holden]

Well, I don't know about you but Chris and myself are both tee total! At least that means we've got two designated drivers...

Three people have definitely committed to bring their car (you, me, and Oliver AKA morris1000). There's a fourth chap and his wife who are 'very interested.' I need to give him a ring tonight and have a chat about the route (I don't think he's on the Internet). I've got a notice in the Minor Matters that just came out so that might bring some more inquiries in, plus I'm planning to do flyers for distribution at the MOT and the National.

[iandromiskin]

If you get something in the Irish Vintage Scene you might get a few more maybe, and I must pass the word around the Irish Morris Minor club to see if anyone is interested there ? You could always put up a sign at the National ?

[stevey]

Dont miss kilbroney its the biggest we have over here.

[alex_holden]

I've put up a basic web page and sent notices to Irish Vintage Scene and Practical Classics.

I think the chap I talked to on the phone the other night is going to be a 'definite' once I've got a fully detailed route out to him. Apparently he and his wife are bikers too and they will be touring around Austria a couple of weeks before the AIR.

Does anyone know if a notice about the AIR ever made it in to the newsletters of the Irish Minor clubs? I think I sent something off to both of them but haven't received any responses...

[DAVIDMCCULLOUGH]

Alex, Im the editor of the Northern Ireland Club magazine and no details came to me to include. I can put them in the next one out though this isnt due out now until the end of May.

[alex_holden]

Alex, Im the editor of the Northern Ireland Club magazine and no details came to me to include. I can put them in the next one out though this isnt due out now until the end of May.

PM sent.

[wibble_puppy]

hey alex,

this is seeming very possible for me

and you are doing an outstanding job at organising this event so far

would be great to have a chat about details etc, will send you a PM.

I've not been to Ireland before and as long as we can keep cost to a minimum (i think i remember you too are a YHA slave) then it just might be viable for me - and I am desperate to go

speak soon,

wibble xx

[Judge]

I'm very disappointed you're not coming on the LEO Wibbs

[wibble_puppy]

I'm very disappointed you're not coming on the LEO Wibbs

ME TOO!!!!!!! the Tower Joust does have to take precedence though Next time, maybe?

[alex_holden]

PM returned.

I actually like YHs and often stay at them in preference to conventional hotels. I really want to stay in Foulksrath Castle on the first night of the AIR.

[ASL642]

From the description it sounds like the castle featured in the film High Spirits!

[alex_holden]

Just added The Cliffs of Insanity to the route plan!

[alex_holden]

I have now booked all my accommodation for the AIR. My co-driver and I will be staying in the following Youth Hostels:

30th August: Foulksrath Castle (Kilkenny)
31st August: Cork
1st September: Dun Chaoin (Dingle)
2nd September: Sleepzone City (Galway)
3rd September: Blue Stack (Donegal)
4th September: Whitepark Bay (Giant's Causeway)
5th September: Belfast
6th September: Dublin

Whitepark Bay, Belfast, and Dublin use an automated booking system that tells you straight away if there are beds available. The other hostels let you request a bed at all the ones you want to use in one transaction but you don't get confirmation that you have successfully booked until somebody manually processes the bookings and emails you a couple of days later.

I will be doing some research this weekend and putting together a list of suggested B&Bs for those who don't like YHs, although if it's the dormitory aspect that bothers you, many YHs have a small number of private rooms available, usually for less than you would pay for a similar room at a B&B.

[alex_holden]

IMPORTANT NOTE

I have just found out that StenaLine will be imposing a £20 fuel surcharge on trips booked from Monday, so if you are coming with us, now is the time to book!

I have a draft briefing document that I will be sending in a few minutes to people I think are planning to participate. It has the details of which ferry to book and how to get the discount.

[alex_holden]

Addenda: The lovely people at Stena Line decided to wait until an hour after I'd posted the participant briefings before making another (luckily fairly minor) change to the service. The times of the return ferry are now 11:30-13:29 instead of 11:10-12:49, making the crossing 20 minutes longer. I guess they are slowing down to reduce fuel consumption.

[alex_holden]

Three parties (including myself) have now booked their ferry and accommodation.

[wibble_puppy]

Hurrah!! We're going to Ireland!!!

Great organisation, Alex

[ian.mcdougall]

Do you have an exact route from Galway to Donegal yet I live in Ballina Co. Mayo and may be able to meet up with you if when you are passing by. I cant join for yhe trip due to work commitments Just a picture of my 53 mm
recently purchased


regards Ian

[iandromiskin]

Hi Alex,

Sorry I missed you at the National. I saw your car all right and met Matt who was waiting for you on the Sunday, but I just couldn't find you when I was in your corner - you must have been shopping . Anyway, great show, really enjoyed it and wish I had a time machine to go back and do it all over again !!!!! No doubt I'll see you in the flesh in September.