I’ve been to my fair share of rallies in Ireland and Northern Ireland over the years. One of my favourites is also the biggest one, and it always reminds me of a traditional English seaside rally.
Gathering Of the Clans is held in the quaint seaside town of Portrush on The Causeway Coast.
Indian summer
I met my riding partner in Birkenhead and we called in to see the Cloud 9 SC just up the road from the ferry terminal for a quick drink to cool us down as the sun had decided to give us an Indian Summer. Down to the ferry port for the night crossing and clubs from across the UK; Wigan Blue beats, London Forresters and Duksie and his gang from Scarborough were lined up waiting to get on.
Ulster fry
After docking early the next morning we had decided on doing the coastal road up from Belfast. This was after a quick pit stop for an ‘Ulster fry’ (don’t ask for an English one unless you want to be shouted at). After this my phone packed in with everything on it, booking ref, key codes, banking the works. Big thanks to Raff for taking me to a Tesco store to get a “burner phone!”
Epic views
The weather was with us, and the Causeway coastal road trip was epic. The scenery and views, towns and villages are stunning, with lots of stops for photos and breaks on the way up to Portrush (there are plenty of photos in the gallery further down) . If you get the chance to ride it, you will not regret it. We finally got into Portrush at about 3 pm, booked into our digs and freshened up before heading out into town for a few drinks.
Kelly’s heroes
The rally which is run by The Damsels in Distress SC, is now based up at Kelly’s – about 10 minutes walk out of town, as the old Atlantic Bar venue has been demolished! We got up to the Kelly’s that night to catch a blistering set by Belfast psychobilly band The Culprits and danced on into the night.
Game of Thrones
The next morning we got up early as my now ‘official photographer’ Lynn wanted to get some pics before the ride out left at midday. The ride out was to Ballintoy Harbour, an absolutely stunning little harbour with a small cafe attached. It was also a filming location in Game Of Thrones. Back to Kelly’s for the trophies and ridden custom show.
Star gazing
After visiting some of the many bars and pubs in and around the harbour, including spotting Jim Nesbitt (actor) in The Harbour Bar (I’m sure he was bald the last time I saw him in Manchester?) it was on to Kelly’s which was packed and busier than the Friday Night. They had a Jam tribute band on. After a few drinks, I bumped into more old friends before a relatively early night as it was a dash back for the ferry in the morning.
If you get the chance to visit Portrush then be sure to go. There is lots of accommodation for all budgets in and around the town and learner-friendly riding routes as well. It is the best and biggest Irish rally and offers something for everyone.
Words: Howard
Photos: Lynn
