Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms Road conditions County Cork

Planning to visit relatives in Kilcrohane (West of Bantry) next year using the Morgan.
The relatives are advising not to use the Morgan due to the state of the roads. (Their local garage refused to sell them a convertible!).
Has anyone travelled these parts, if so opinions please.

A long time since I've travelled those roads but can't imagine they would be any worse than those in Norfolk.

According to where you are sailing from and to, some of the ports especially Dublin have miles of speed humps in and around the port area that can be challenging in a Morgan. For some, a heavily laden Morgan just getting on and off the ferry requires caution. especially if you have to go up onto the higher decks (with steep ramps) if the ferries are very busy during the holiday season. Some operators will allow the Morgan to stay on the lower deck avoiding the ramps..

Once you get onto the Irish motorway network eg M50 etc the roads are very smooth, however a lot of the country lane routes do have their fair share of ruts, potholes etc which can become more demanding the further south and west you travel. I was going to tour NI and the west coast of Ireland then heading east to Dublin July last year in our Roadster, but the weather forecast changed dramatically to heavy storms for the time we were there. So we went in the Mercedes Cabriolet instead (also allowed Sue to drive) and we noticed immediately the state of the roads suffered as soon as we crossed the border into Southern Ireland.

We met a couple with a Morgan Roadster 100 on the ferry out and whilst well prepared for the weather coming in (strategically placed towels everywhere) they weren't too concerned as to the roads they would encounter during their tour of Ireland. I have in the past toured most of Ireland in our 4/4, including Bantry Bay and west Cork , the biggest downside was the unpredictability of the weather, the roads you exercise more caution and just adjust your speed accordingly and be aware of risk of stone chips, the roads can be quite narrow in places, with passing places, just watch out for bushes and hedgerows that can scratch the car. Great place to tour when the sun shines but hard work if its raining all the time. Fabulous scenery, but I've heard that routes like the Ring of Kerry now have speed humps.

I have toured both the north and south over the past couple of years clocking up 3000 miles, without any issues. I reckon the roads in the South are far better than England.
Speed humps are a natural curse everywhere nowadays so you always need to watch where you are going. Some single track roads can be rough like everywhere, but for the most part perfectly manageable.
We travelled Stena Line and the loaders were very sympathetic to Morgan clearance and one was even on his knees to watch us on board. Weather can be variable but the Irish welcome wherever you go is unbeatable.

Thanks for feedback, we will be taking the ferry to Rosslare avoiding Dublin.
Also looking to go in May missing school holidays.
It's certainly hard to think the roads can be in much worse condition than ours.

Have a stop at Castletown-Bearhaven north side of Bantry Bay John. Lovely place with a couple of pubs one of which doubles as grocery store. All shops and pubs painted in different pastel colour.

Hi John,
I live in Douglas, Cork, about 10 mins from Cork city centre. I drive 1992 Plus 8, owned since Feb this year. I have done a few trips down around west Cork but not as far a s Bantry yet. Really, roads are variable to say the least, usually the worse the more you go of the beaten track. If your like me, you tend to just grit your teeth and grin and bear it when you come across the bad stretches. But its prob no worse than my drive back from Stafford, through Stratford upon Avon, over to Malvern for the factory tour (Wonderful experience), down to the Cotswolds and of to the ferry In Rosslare and Road to Cork for home. Let me know if and when you are coming, I would love to meet up with a fellow enthusiast, there are not too many Morgan owners locally. All the best,

Barry

Thanks Barry, I'm looking to break my journey at Cork so I'll let you know once I have dates.

John,
I live in county Wexford, some 20 miles from Rosslare - I have driven - and cycled- the roads of Kerry and West Cork - They are indeed much better than the roads of East Sussex wher my daughter lives - If you go up some small farm tracks there may be grass growing in the middle and these are not good, but don't see why you would need to dothat.. Do let me know when you are coming - I can meet you at Rosslare and buy you a coffee at least!!

Cheers!

No prob John, I can recommend a visit to Kinsale as part of your trip and a visit to the English Market in Cork city plus others if you want. All the best

Barry