Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way 2 Motorcycle Tour by BMW 1250 GSA and Triumph Tiger 900 - Final Episode

The final episode of our epic WAW part 2 tour sees us leave the lovely Carrickfergus and head for Belfast and the Titanic Museum. Unfortunately for us, we neglected to book a slot online to visit the museum and only discovered that after we arrived! Rather than wait 4 hrs and pay £50 to see the exhibition we opted for a bus tour of the city. We'd always wanted to do the "Black Cab Political Tour" but everything was booked up so a bus tour it was. It was a very moving, poignant experience, particularly when we visited the Falls Rd and Shankhill Rd - the epicentre of the "Troubles".
Leaving Belfast we headed down the lovely Strangford Lough coast rd to catch the ferry to Strangford before our last destination of the day in Banbridge. Our stay at The delightful Belmont House Hotel was specifically so we could visit The Game Of Thrones Studio tour the following day. Being huge fans of the programme we couldn't leave Northern Ireland without seeing the studios and it was well worth it.
From Banbridge we headed across the Mountains of Bourne to catch yet another ferry at Carlingford before heading to Dublin Port. I'd planned the route meticulously to get us to the ferry in good time, or so I thought! However, the "best laid plans" - I'd foolishly misread the booking and thought that 2.15 meant 2.15 in the afternoon and not in the morning! So instead of being 90 mins early for our crossing we were in fact about 13 hrs too late!
The lady at check in wasn't interested in squeezing couple of bikes onto a very busy ferry so instead we pleaded with the lady on reception at the Stena Desk who was brilliant and got us onboard with minimal fuss. So a big shout out to Stena Lines who made up for my cock up!
However, the drama wasn't over even then, as we arrived in Holyhead to news that the following day Storm Anthony was due to hit Wales in a big way. And it did. Our plan was to ride to Mold in North Wales to meet up with Ade, one of our first subscribers and grab a coffee and breakfast at The Old Stores Motorbike Cafe. After battling our way in horrendous conditions to Mold we had a great catch up with Paul (also a subscriber who just happened to be there!) and Ade. So a big thanks to Ade for suggesting a meet up despite the weather!
This episode constitutes the last one of our two Part Wild Atlantic Way adventure - we hope you enjoy it and if so please give it a thumbs up (it all helps the channel) and comment and share. Thanks for watching!
Accommodation: £135 (Booking.com)
The Route: Carrickfergus - Belfast - Strangford Ferry - Banbridge - Game of Thrones Studio - Mountains of Mourne - Carlingford Ferry - Skerries - Dublin
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[@cwilson7458]

What a country. Norn Iron yeeoooooooo

[@midlifemotorcyclediaries]

It certainly is 👍 glad you enjoyed it and thanks for watching! 😀👍

[@iancharlesworth3654]

Hi B & S 😊Hope your well. Enjoyed that TOUR thanks. Brought back good memories of Ireland. Notably the rain. 😭😭😭Look forward to your next one, which I guess will be a trip to the bike show. How time flies since we met there. If I ever meet you again I'll know its you two cos you'll av turned into a PINT OF GUINNESS Brian and Sue will have turned into a bowl of CHOWDER.🤣😂😂🤣Hope your new bike is doing you proud. Take care all. (CHARLIE).

[@midlifemotorcyclediaries]

Thanks Charlie, glad our Irish trip brought back some good memories for you ☔️☔️☔️😂 - we loved Ireland despite the weather! Sadly, we won’t be at the Bike Show this year, maybe next time - hope it’s a good one for you! 😀👍 BTW loving my 1250!

[@cmk20qa]

Great series. Really enjoyed watching. All the best, Col 🇮🇲

[@midlifemotorcyclediaries]

Thanks very much Col 🙏 we appreciate your comments and thanks for watching! 😀👍

[@rayhill668]

Great video interesting place and history well done 👏

[@midlifemotorcyclediaries]

Thanks very much Ray - glad you enjoyed it! 😀👍

[@GaryJackson-q7i]

Thanks guys really enjoyed last video over a glass of wine watching you ride on some.of.my favourite routes around county down especially around the mourne mountains hope the.northern irish.people.you met.were.freindly and you will return ❤

[@midlifemotorcyclediaries]

Thanks very much Gary 🙏 we loved every moment of our Irish tour - the people everywhere were really friendly and the Guinness was just as good north and south! The Mourne Mountains were beautiful - don’t worry we’ll definitely be back! 😀👍

[@jetrex1986]

Great to see you visited gods country;-).Thanks for showing your viewers N Ireland come back soon.

[@midlifemotorcyclediaries]

Thank you 🙏 we had a brilliant time and loved Ireland - we’ll definitely be back! 😀👍

[@marcoluoma3770]

Thanks for another scenic episode. Don’t beat yourself up about the planning cockup. I myself once showed up for a 7:00 p.m. flight at 7:00 a.m. thanks again.

[@midlifemotorcyclediaries]

Thanks Marco - it’s quite funny in retrospect! 😂😀👍

[@stephenchapman8344]

Great content. The Mourne Mountians are practically my back garden. Some great rides. Hope you enjoyed it. 👍

[@midlifemotorcyclediaries]

Thanks very much Stephen - we loved it - what a great place to live! 😀👍

[@JoanStevens-j7j]

cool

[@midlifemotorcyclediaries]

Thank you! 😀👍

[@jimweagant8920]

Great video thanks for sharing it

[@midlifemotorcyclediaries]

Thanks very much Jim we appreciate you watching! 😀👍

[@SueWinter-n4i]

You must have felt quite emotional leaving Northern Ireland behind Sue. i know I felt it, and I have only been watching your great episodes ;-) A barrel full of memories, eh? Sue W x

[@midlifemotorcyclediaries]

😀It was actually grey and wet Sue - much as it was from 1987 to 2012. It’s like a another lifetime ago - someone else’s! 😂 It was good to let Bri experience the difference between the South and North but it really wasn’t a nostalgic trip for me. Hope you’re ok xx

[@aaronperry-o2y]

Good job you rode through my town Newtownards, home of Blaire Mayne founder of the SAS

[@midlifemotorcyclediaries]

Thank you 🙏 Paddy Mayne was one of my heroes! 😀👍

[@KnightRider1157]

More really useful tips. Great video 🎉🎉

[@midlifemotorcyclediaries]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it! 😀👍

[@patjohnson2259]

Well done on another entertaining video, glad you got good weather this time, see you on the next one👍

[@midlifemotorcyclediaries]

Thanks very much Pat, we appreciate it! 😀👍

[@erwinballings9155]

Hello, thank you very much for posting these again wonderful videos that I enjoyed. Too bad for you the weather was not always enjoyable, and certainly not by motorbike. Happy holidays and I'm already looking forward to the next series, regards Erwin ❤

[@midlifemotorcyclediaries]

Thanks very much Erwin 🙏 yes, the weather wasn’t on our side for this tour but it didn’t spoil our fun too much - Ireland is still a magical place - thanks again for watching! 😀👍

[@sootylum]

Been a superb series thank you so much. I'm well into my Atlantic way planning for May 2024 and I'll say cheers to you both when I have my first Guinness.

[@midlifemotorcyclediaries]

Thank you 🙏 we hope you have a fantastic WAW tour next year and enjoy the Guinness! 😀👍

[@ridgebackrhodesian]

Excellent series and very informative and fun. Thank you for sharing your journey and accommodation reviews. Safe travels always.

[@midlifemotorcyclediaries]

Thanks very much Les - we’re glad you enjoyed the tour and we appreciate your support and comments! 😀👍

[@chrisatkinson9498]

Thanks for sharing another great adventure guys 👍 Might see you at the NEC again!

[@midlifemotorcyclediaries]

Thanks Chris 🙏 sadly we’re not going to the NEC this year - maybe next time! Hope the knee is holding up?😀👍

[@MTBrider26]

A big Homer Simpson Doh! moment on the ferry time. Never for forget 'Tragedy plus time equals humour'. Great series guys. A great watch.

[@midlifemotorcyclediaries]

It was a massive DOH! 😬 😂 can’t believe the school boy error! Thanks for watching! 😀👍

[@briantate692]

Great videos, I love your music choices, very chilling, thank you

[@midlifemotorcyclediaries]

Thanks very much Brian - we appreciate your feedback! 😀👍

[@tjs201971]

Wow another epic journey! Thank you both for sharing it. Can not wait to se what is next ! Ride safe

[@midlifemotorcyclediaries]

Thanks very much Thomas glad you enjoyed it! 😀👍

[@leeandjancruise]

A great series and a credit to you both, really enjoyed the final episode especially as we visited Cobh, Belfast and Dublin on one of our recent cruises earlier this year. Titanic's final port of call before its transatlantic journey was Queenstown (now Cobh), Ireland, where it stopped briefly on April 11, 1912, an additional 123 passengers boarded. Here we visited the Titanic memorial, a glass structure on high ground overlooking the sea etched with all the names of those that sadly perished, it was good to see how well maintained the area was. Ride safe.

[@midlifemotorcyclediaries]

Thanks Lee and Jan - the memorial must have been worth seeing. Thanks for watching the series! 😀👍

[@dalewintle9969]

It's an easy mistake to make Brian 🤭 , another great episode and conclusion to the 2nd series we really enjoyed it 😁 as always thanks for sharing guys looking forward to next years adventures 👍🏻

[@midlifemotorcyclediaries]

Thanks very much Dale glad you enjoyed it and as always we appreciate your support! 😀👍

[@johntaylor3145]

I did the same going to the Isle of Man for the Manx ,apologised for being two hours early and was told ten hours late

[@midlifemotorcyclediaries]

Thanks John - it’s easily done! 😂😀👍

[@jvl4832]

Thank you Brian and Sue! What an epic journey! and like when a good book comes ti its end, it seems a bit sad and yet enjoyable. Fittingly , it feels like the season to ride is now over. Dark and rainy here in Berlin, I’ve decided to put my GS in winter storage for the first time in years. Getting old perhaps? And for you? Are there still journeys to come this year? I would think not but still would love to hear from you. Thank you for the hard work and for another memorable year. ❤. Greetings from Berlin, Jim

[@midlifemotorcyclediaries]

Thanks very much Jim - it’s always a little sad when a tour comes to an end but what a great tour it was! We have a couple more adventures to post before the end of the year 😀 as ever we really appreciate your support and comments! 😀👍

[@alanread136]

Really enjoyed the trip, it all adds to the adventure 👍

[@midlifemotorcyclediaries]

Thanks very much Alan glad you enjoyed it!😀👍

[@stepheneldridge6998]

Excellent video guys, enjoyed the trip around Belfast..very thought provoking. And of course a ferry ride or two is part of the adventure...( we won't mention the final ferry trip 😂!). Nice soundtrack too, as ever. Look forward to seeing more adventures! Cheers, Steve

[@midlifemotorcyclediaries]

Thanks very Steve 🙏 the trip around Belfast was very poignant having seen so much on TV coverage - we do love a ferry trip or two or three 😂 - thanks for watching! 😀👍

[@GeoffreyDunne]

Wholeheartedly agree with you about ferries. They simply add to the feeling of adventure. Too bad you couldn't get into the Titanic exhibit on the day, but I believe the Belfast bus tour was actually a much better plan - not overcrowded and very thought provoking if you have lived through those times. Cheers

[@midlifemotorcyclediaries]

We actually enjoyed the bus tour more - driving down the Falls and Shankill roads was a sobering experience - and we do feel the Titanic experience although interesting, was seriously overpriced! 😀👍

[@anroadking]

Wowzer!!! I 'm on KZbin!!! Great to meet you both after all this time. Is Brian still planning another US trip?

[@midlifemotorcyclediaries]

Thank you Ade - great to finally meet up too! Yes, still planning on the big USA tour next year! 😀👍

[@garethjones6672]

Absolutely brilliant video as usual Sue and Brian. Even though I live near Belfast and have ridden many of the roads in this and the previous WAW series it brings back happy biking memories to see them on camera. Looking forward to seeing whatever the next adventure is for MMD. 👍

[@midlifemotorcyclediaries]

Thanks very much Gareth 🙏 we’re glad it brought back some happy memories for you! We loved our time in Ireland and thanks for watching! 😀👍

[@chefhugob]

great videos - great series, as a proud irish person im delighted you enjoyed the visits - just in this last visit i was sad to see you didnt Visit Newgrange - one of the oldest megalithic tombs in the world and older than the pyramids, which is just outside Drogheda ,maybe you've ben there before but if not its worth coming back for. love the content. keep it up👌

[@midlifemotorcyclediaries]

Thanks very much 🙏 we weren’t even aware of Newgrange - if we had been, we’d definitely have visited - maybe next time! 👍😀

[@westcoast5934]

Really enjoyed this series, glad Ye enjoyed our country, I'm going back to watch series 1 again. Looking forward to the next adventure...👍👍 Stay safe.

[@midlifemotorcyclediaries]

Thanks very much 🙏 we loved this tour - you live in a beautiful country and we’ll definitely be back! 😀👍

[@johnnys5419]

Good morning and thank you for a nice trip👍😊 Already looking forward to the next one. It’s very good to be with you🥰

[@midlifemotorcyclediaries]

Thank you Johnny - great to have you along! 😀👍

[@davidlee4966]

Great video I must visit Northern Ireland looks really good. The ferry booking reminded of booking to fly from Bristol to dubrovinik travelling overland to Berlin and flying back from berlin to Bristol, only when I went to check in I realised I had booked Bristol TO Berlin, a bit of a nuisance when you have to rebook for a family of 4

[@midlifemotorcyclediaries]

Thank you David - Northern Ireland is definitely worth visiting! It’s a real bummer when you have a self inflicted cock up in the travel arrangements 😂 but at least there were only two of us! 😀👍

[@brianfarrelly7151]

Another entertaining episode from Brian and Sue. Pity you missed Titanic Exhibition - one of my favourite things to do in Belfast. As usual on this leg of the trip, the weather wasn’t kind but that’s biking for you. Thanks for sharing your experience and for showcasing Ireland. I’m looking forward to your next adventure. Cheers.

[@midlifemotorcyclediaries]

Thank you Brian 🙏 we really enjoyed our trip around Belfast so it worked out well but have to admit we were shocked at the cost of the museum entry! All in all our Irish tour has been stunning - thanks for watching!😀👍

[@ianburns5789]

Loved watching this series of vids,so much so that I’m going to go over there on the bike later this year.loved the way you present the videos and especially like the accommodation reviews and beer o’clock..will have to watch all your other vids now..I was just wondering if you needed to take your passport to get into Ireland..can’t wait to see whatever else you have planned for the year..cheers and take care

[@midlifemotorcyclediaries]

Thanks very much Ian 🙏 we’re glad you’re enjoying watching our adventures! You definitely need photo ID to travel - we think you might need a passport for Southern Ireland - we took ours anyway. It’s one of our favourite places to ride - you’ll love it! 😀👍

[@XylemFlow]

I'm at work. Can I watch it here annnd keep my job

[@midlifemotorcyclediaries]

😂 of course! Tell them it’s educational! 😀👍

[@XylemFlow]

@@midlifemotorcyclediaries Sound advice.

[@XylemFlow]

@@midlifemotorcyclediaries Still waiting to watch it. My wife and I watch your videos together. She is still at work.

[@bogusm8940]

Sure looks like you guys had lots of fun regardless of the ferry incident. Yet, another great job with the video and series. Sad to see it come to an end. Where to next? Did you squeeze yet another adventure in after this one? A very big Thank You for all your efforts.

[@midlifemotorcyclediaries]

Thank you 🙏 we always appreciate your support! It was sad to finish this tour - we loved Ireland. We did squeeze a couple more adventures in - stay tuned! 😀👍

[@Anytwowheels2024]

Hi , love your videos and am glad you make mistakes as well when ticketing. While watching your vid for the second time as my wife wanted to watch it, I have been looking at new panniers for my bmw 1200 gs (Aussie with a moto stored in Ireland) when I wondered what panniers you use? Currently have Varios which I hate with a vengeance!

[@midlifemotorcyclediaries]

Thank you 🙏 mistakes are part of life 😂 it’s quite funny looking back! The panniers I have are excellent - they are Bumot - definitely worth looking at - never did like the varios 😬 Thanks for watching! 😀👍

[@ConciergeMed]

Thank you both. Very much enjoying this series and all your uploads!! By the way, I’m thinking of getting same jacket as yours so can you tell me, how do you get on with the Nivala 2 generally and is the high collar trapping in hot air? Any feedback or issues on it would be appreciated! Thanks.

[@midlifemotorcyclediaries]

Thanks very much 🙏 we’re glad you’re enjoying the channel and our latest adventures! I’m a big Rukka fan and the Nivala is the best kit I’ve ever had - so much so, we got Sue the ladies equivalent. My only issue would be the neck is pretty snug/tight and I only do it fully up in extreme cold and rain - other than that it’s a real quality piece of kit! 😀👍

[@ConciergeMed]

@@midlifemotorcyclediaries Wonderful, thank you for this and coming back to me so swiftly. Look forward to more uploads from you both and hope Sue enjoys her new Rukka too. (Great to see she using panniers these days too, love mine and so practical…) Cheers!!

[@michaelmcmullan2300]

Titanic museum like the giant's causeway is a Rip off .their are a yank trap 🤣

[@midlifemotorcyclediaries]

We think you could be right Michael - luckily we didn’t pay the extortionate prices! 😀👍

[@Steve--RR666]

Trust me you save your £25, you made me laugh when you said the real experience. It is all pictures apart from the staircase and a replica of one of the rooms, I personally think it is an embarrassment and then to add insult charge £25 . Think it is another tenner to have ur picture on the bow

[@midlifemotorcyclediaries]

Thanks Steve - we totally agree 👍 we’re glad we took the bus tour instead! Couldn’t believe it when we saw the price 😳 so we saved £25 and got free parking! 👍😀

[@zzrrf]

😀Gidday Brian and Sue, Great job on the video and a great final episode to the adventure Yeah glad you made it too Beer🍺 Oclock🕰 in the end, even tho a little late 😀 Yeah Brian , i went to get on a flight at 10.30am and found out it departs at 10.30pm LOL, I blamed my mistake on Booking at Beer Oclock LOL Ok Ride safe, Cheers Paul 👍👍🍻🍺

[@midlifemotorcyclediaries]

Thanks Paul, great to hear from you! Booking things at beer o’clock always ends in tears! 😂😀👍

[@xlr8drivingni253]

Another great series from you both. Thanks for sharing.

[@midlifemotorcyclediaries]

Thanks very much for watching! 😀👍

[@MotoTourIreland]

It's worth the money for the Titanic museum. There's also one in Cork Tiny but nice.

[@midlifemotorcyclediaries]

Maybe next time! 😀👍

[@mphigham1963]

Loved the series guys, thanks for sharing 😄😄

[@midlifemotorcyclediaries]

Thanks very much Martin, glad you enjoyed it! 😀👍

[@michael1061]

Good morning Sue and Brian .

[@midlifemotorcyclediaries]

Good morning Michael - hope you enjoy today’s episode! 😀👍

[@michael1061]

Certainly did, thank you both .@@midlifemotorcyclediaries

[@conordoherty-lh6bz]

Seriously enjoyable- many thanks for all the time and effort you put into your vids. Love them 👌

[@midlifemotorcyclediaries]

Thanks very much Conor 🙏 it’s always worth it if it’s appreciated - thanks for watching! 😀👍

[@MrBulli69]

Brillaint as ever, really well put together. Glad you didnt show the ride across Anglesey as it doesnt do Anglesey justice but the coast road to towards Liverpool is pretty decent. Looking forward to your next adventures

[@midlifemotorcyclediaries]

Thank you 🙏 the ride across Anglesey was horrendous and stormy - it took us all our concentration to stay upright! 😂😀👍

[@MrBulli69]

@midlifemotorcyclediaries lots of it is very exposed. It's horrible at night with no lighting so just as well Brian got the times wrong lol