The Weekend Run with Liam Gaskin — Kerry's South Pole & Pat Shortt's biking tips
Otherwise known as a visit to Tom Crean's village.
This run started at a pub called Kruger's on the Dingle peninsula, which is the most westerly pub in Ireland – next stop New York. Kruger's is definitely not a very Irish name.
The owner and founder of the establishment was a man called Muiris Kavanagh, who was a great supporter of President Paulus Kruger and the Boars during the Second Boer War. So much so that he earned the Kruger nickname in primary school. Kruger's Bar with stunning views of the Atlantic and Blasket Islands
We left Kruger's in Dunquin for a 73 kilometor ride to Tralee around the Dingle peninsula on roads so narrow you had to stop if a car approached and let them through. The surface is reasonable but you have to keep your wits about you at all times.
At one point went into a hairpin bend only to discover there was a river running across the road on very slippery cobblestones! Not a big issue in a car but potentially very dangerous if riding a motorbike.
We continued on the bendy, windy and downhill R559 past Clogher Head, through Ballyferiter and on into Dingle, where the width and surface of the road improved greatly.
Now don't get me wrong, I loved riding the R559, but you have to keep constant focus on your ride or you could be needing a tow truck to get your bike home. The fishing fleet was out when we got to Dingle
With no time to lose we kept on course for Tralee with an exciting stop on the way. I am a huge admirer of Tom Crean – possibly Ireland's greatest explorer.
In Annascaul we stopped at The South Pole Inn, the bar he founded from his house in the 1920s after his adventures at the South Pole.
Tom left poverty at home when he was 16 to join the Royal Navy. A reproduction of an ad he applied to is on the wall outside the Inn.
Tom Crean served on three major expeditions to Antarctica and was awarded The Royal Albert Medal for Lifesaving. He, on numerous occasions, put his life at risk to save others. On one occasion he walked 56km across the Antarctic without a tent for shelter and little or no food to save the life of crew member Edward Evans.
Evans was a Royal Navy officer who later became 1st Baron Mountevans. Tom Crean's South Pole Inn Meeting the great man in a memorial garden dedicated to him directly opposite the inn he founded
Tom was promoted and served as second officer on Earnest Shackleton's Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition. He retired from the Royal Navy on health grounds in 1920.
Tom Crean was a big man with a big heart and a great turn of wit and although he is in the annals of Royal Navy history, upon his return to Ireland he was never heard to talk of his honours, experiences or adventures. The bar proudly serves draught beers and ales carrying Tom's name and brewed by his great-granddaughter
Today, Tom's great-granddaughter carries on one aspect of the family tradition by brewing Tom Crean beers and ales in The Tom Crean Brewery in the heart of Kenmare Town. They have a brilliant tour of the Brewery which we didn't have the time to enjoy on this run but definitely next time. Check it out here.
After soaking up the history of Tom Crean and his home place of Annascaul, we mounted out trusty motorbikes and began the last leg of our run to Tralee.
The beginning of our run on the Dingle Peninsula was a bit hairy and not for the faint-hearted, but now I reckon we were riding into Tralee on what must be the longest straightest stretch of secondary road in the country.
The N86 runs almost in a straight line for the 32 KM from Annascaul to Tralee. Check it out on the map of our run on the Detecht app below, you won't believe it. Kerry in the sunshine
Exhausted after a long but most enjoyable ride on the bike I stopped for one last photo of the magnificent views on the road to Tralee.
It's not often you get a photo in Kerry without it raining and less often when the sun is shining, so I couldn't miss this opportunity
Check out our South Pole Run on the link here https://www.detechtapp.com/routes/UPR7QGM7J2tPwdk6vxrc
Pat Shortt is a writer, producer, performer and legendary comedian… and legendary biker.
He burst onto the entertainment scene as co-creator and one of D'unbelieveables, Irelands biggest-selling comedy duo. In 2002 Pat went solo creating the hit show Killinaskully for RTE drawing 500,000 to 700,000 viewers each week – even topping one million viewers for a Christmas special.
As an actor and performer Pat has sold out shows all over Ireland with his various live comedy shows. His credits include 'Garage', 'Fr.Ted', 'The Fitz', 'Moone Boy', 'Strength and Honor', 'Man about Dog', and 'Soul Boy'.
Pat and his daughter Faye will be starting a tour in October with a brand new show. Details can be found on on Pat's website.
1. When did you start riding bikes first?
I first started messing around with bikes when I was around 15 years of age. My dad picked up an old BSA 250 and a few Lambrettas for a brother of mine who put them together. I helped him a bit and then became a test rider when he got them going. I was hooked straight away.
2. How old were you when you took it up?
When I was 20, I couldn't afford a car or insurance, so I bought a Kawasaki KE 100. That was my main mode of transport till I was 25 years old.
3. What was your first bike?
The Kawasaki KE 100. It was a cross between a trial bike and a road bike.
4. Did your license come with your car license or did you do the test?
I did the test.
5. Did you get your test the first time?
Yes, I got the licence the first time, but I had been on a provisional bike licence for years. The test was to be broken up for big and small bikes, so I did the test before that came in and got the license for all size bikes.
6. What was your most memorable ride out?
I rode from Limerick to Helsinki. I took in 10 countries in three weeks.
7. Did you ever have a spill?
Not really thankfully. I have come off the bike on oily roundabouts but was travelling slow enough not to hurt myself.
8. Did your partner approve of you getting a bike?
When we were younger and had no other mode of transport, my wife would ride pillion as a passenger, and we would go all over the country on holidays. However, she wouldn't get up on a bike now.
9. Did you do any major tours on the bike?
Yes Helsinki. Cologne, Istanbul and Romania and I'm going to the south of Italy next year via Serbia and Croatia.
10. What would you say to someone considering buying a bike?
What are you waiting for! If it's your first, don't get anything too heavy to start with.
Assume everyone on the road, apart from you, is stupid and they don't see you. That way, you will slow down and hopefully avoid the stupid ones who will cause you harm. Take your time and enjoy the experience. Speed kills.
…not to stop you but to help you improve your motorcycling skills.
The Garda Siochana have a great new initiative to help motorcyclists improve their biking skills called BikeSafe.
There are bikers who would benefit greatly from a course like this. Guys I know bought bikes after years of not riding and suddenly felt anxious when riding out. Also if you've just passed your licence test this would be a great way to upscale your skills quickly. Advanced Garda Motorcyclists are obviously amongst the safest riders on the road
The goal of BikeSafe is to share Garda Motorcyclists experiences and knowledge and encourage bikers to progress to further post-test training to help them become more skilled, and more assured riders. They are running workshops across the country from the spring to autumn this year.
Advanced Garda Motorcyclists are obviously amongst the safest riders on the road, and through the BikeSafe workshops, you will receive an introduction to hazard awareness and tips for making riding safer.
There will be a ride-out led by a skilled Advanced Garda Motorcyclist who has successfully completed both the Standard and Advanced courses at An Garda Síochána. You will get the chance to receive honest feedback on your riding's strengths and potential improvement areas, without the fear of being nicked.
If you want to check it out here's a link to their website: https://gardabikesafe.ie/
I went to Kerry on the June Bank Holiday to do some bike runs in the Kingdom and to take in the BikeFest in Killarney.
I stayed with a biker pal in Tralee as when I tried to book a room in Killarney it was booked out for the weekend. NOTE TO SELF: book now for next year.
Celebrating its 17th anniversary as a top European International festival for motorcycle enthusiasts, Ireland BikeFest brings together bikers from all over the world. The three-day free event is held each year in The Gleneagle INEC Arena Killarney, during our June Bank Holiday weekend. Young and old, bikers and non-bikers enjoy the festivities
The festival enjoys a great carnival atmosphere. It has a huge line-up of FREE music and entertainment running all day and well into the night.
It features demo rides, a custom bike show, and ride-outs along the renowned Ring of Kerry and the Wild Atlantic Way. The roar of big engines, dazzling headlights and the craic has been known to convert non-bikers to the bikers way of life.
A highlight is The Parade of Bikes which took place on Sunday and was led by biker and country music star Jimmy Buckley. Bikes of all makes, sizes and nationality parade through Killarney much to the delight of local people and tourists. Mind you not all car drivers would agree with that.
Harley are major promoters of The Bikefest. In 2006, 5,000 Harley Owners Group members rumbled into Killarney for their annual European Rally and the town hasn't been the same since!
The people of Killarney had such a great time some smart people saw an opportunity to have an annual Motorcycle event in Killarney and The BikeFest was born.
Supported by Kerry County Council and Failte Ireland amongst others the festival has grown and grown over the past 17 years. Derek Smith, Harley Dublin, with Therese Kiely and Ella Dempsey all working hard at the BikeFes
I popped into Harley Dublin's stand to catch up with Derek who runs the operation. He expressed delight at how good business was.
They were taking orders for new Harleys and had a range of used ones you could take home on the day. They were doing really brisk business in their marquee also as they had special offers on Harley-branded clothing and boots.
As if to emphasise the inclusivity of the festival the Facebook group, Honda 50/70/90, were in attendance on their Honda 50s, 70s and 90s. This was a big group who did the Ring of Kerry with a trip to Valencia Island thrown in.
They participated fully in the Parade of Bikes and rode their Hondas with great pride surrounded by huge Harleys, Suzuki's, BMW's, Ducati's KTM's and lots more.
A huge amount of organisation and support by many voluntary groups goes into this festival and none are more important than the Road Captains and Road Crew who perform key roles within the different Harley Chapters.
Without them, it would be virtually impossible to deliver safe and enjoyable ride-outs and events. Road Crew are volunteers who give up their time freely in order to support their Chapter and its members. Road crew volunteers. Photo provided by Rachael Wall Celtic Thunder Chapter Ireland
For this year's BikeFest, Road Crew, men and women, from all three chapters – Celtic Thunder Chapter Ireland, Gaelic Chapter Ireland and Belfast Chapter Northern Ireland – all provided Road Crew for the guided ride-outs and parade marshalling.
They ensure the safety and enjoyment of all riders by managing routes, providing guidance, and assisting with any issues that may arise during a ride.
There was around 25 Road Crew used over the whole weekend between the ride-outs and parade.
This is a festival enjoyed by bikers and non-bikers alike, It has something for everyone and even caters for the young and young at heart with carnival rides galore. Food stalls, great live music and a really happy, friendly atmosphere brings the whole community in Kerry and beyond together for a weekend full of craic.
It is a great showcase for great bikers who ride safe everyday. I was chatting to the barman in the Gleneagles who said they were doing a roaring trade in 0% beer. It's great to know that fellow bikers are smart enough not to drink and ride.
Check it all out here www.irelandbikefest.com
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