From 2791647d49fd0a949569688dc758d7c185196b8a Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Till Mueller Date: Mon, 3 Aug 2026 12:14:02 +0200 Subject: [PATCH] Add IoM ferry file and Wild Atlantic Way EV charging guide MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit - New 03-iom-ferry.md: Steam Packet from Liverpool or Heysham, booking notes, EV on board - WAW: full section-by-section EV charging table (Donegal to Kerry) Highlights the two critical gaps: Connemara (Clifden–Westport) and Donegal coast Adds ESB ecars/Zap-Map links and practical overnight charging tips --- locations/03-iom-ferry.md | 38 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ locations/07-wild-atlantic-way.md | 31 +++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2 files changed, 69 insertions(+) create mode 100644 locations/03-iom-ferry.md diff --git a/locations/03-iom-ferry.md b/locations/03-iom-ferry.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..1793078 --- /dev/null +++ b/locations/03-iom-ferry.md @@ -0,0 +1,38 @@ +# Isle of Man Ferry + +> **Type:** Ferry logistics +> **Route:** Liverpool or Heysham → Douglas, Isle of Man +> **Operator:** Steam Packet Company + +## Port Options + +### Liverpool → Douglas +- **Duration:** ~2.5h (fast craft) or ~3.5h (Ben-my-Chree ship) +- **Departs from:** Pier Head, Liverpool (Princes Parade terminal) +- **Best for:** If you're stopping in Liverpool anyway — walk on the ferry from the city waterfront + +### Heysham → Douglas +- **Duration:** ~3.5h (Ben-my-Chree) +- **Departs from:** Heysham Port, near Lancaster (M6 J34) +- **Best for:** If skipping Liverpool; more frequent departures; quieter port + +**Recommendation:** Liverpool departure if you're spending a night there. Heysham if you want to go straight from the Lake District. + +## Booking +- [steam-packet.com](https://www.steam-packet.com) +- **Book in advance** — August sailings with a car fill up. The Ben-my-Chree (the main ship) has limited vehicle deck space. +- Bring your booking confirmation — check-in closes 30–45 min before departure + +## EV on the Ferry +- Drive your car onto the vehicle deck as normal +- **No charging available on board** — arrive at port with enough charge to reach Douglas and your accommodation +- Douglas is ~10 min from the ferry terminal; charge overnight at your hotel or the MEA chargers at the Sea Terminal car park + +## On Board +- The Ben-my-Chree has a restaurant, lounge, and cabins (useful for the longer crossings) +- Fast craft (Manannan) is quicker but less comfortable and weather-dependent + +## Links +- [Steam Packet Company](https://www.steam-packet.com) +- [Heysham Port info](https://www.steam-packet.com/travel-information/ports/heysham) +- [Liverpool terminal info](https://www.steam-packet.com/travel-information/ports/liverpool) diff --git a/locations/07-wild-atlantic-way.md b/locations/07-wild-atlantic-way.md index 8676826..891f303 100644 --- a/locations/07-wild-atlantic-way.md +++ b/locations/07-wild-atlantic-way.md @@ -109,6 +109,37 @@ The iconic postcard Ireland: ring roads, peninsulas, dramatic mountains. --- +## EV Charging on the Wild Atlantic Way + +The west coast has significant charging gaps — this requires more planning than mainland Europe. The ESB ecars network is the primary public infrastructure in Ireland. + +**General strategy:** Charge at every opportunity in towns, don't rely on finding a charger in remote areas. A rule of thumb: if you're leaving a town with a charger, top up even if you don't strictly need to. + +### Section-by-section charging + +| Section | Situation | Key chargers | +|---------|-----------|--------------| +| **Donegal** | Sparse — worst section for EV | Letterkenny (22kW ESB), Donegal Town (ESB), Bundoran. Gaps of 60–80km on the coast road. | +| **Sligo** | Reasonable | Sligo town has multiple ESB chargers incl. fast; Enniscrone has a slow charger | +| **Mayo** | Patchy | Westport (ESB fast), Castlebar, Ballina. Achill Island has a slow charger at Keel — charge in Westport before going to Achill. | +| **Connemara** | Most challenging after Donegal | Clifden has an ESB charger (22kW); Letterfrack area is a dead zone. Galway city is the reliable anchor before and after. | +| **Galway** | Good | Multiple ESB rapid chargers in city; Tesla SC at Galway Retail Park. Treat this as a full recharge stop. | +| **Clare** | Reasonable | Ennis (ESB fast), Ennistymon, Lahinch. No rapid charger at Cliffs of Moher — charge in Ennis or Lahinch first. | +| **Kerry** | Good coverage in towns | Killarney (ESB fast + Tesla SC), Tralee, Dingle (22kW ESB), Kenmare. Ring of Kerry road has no chargers mid-circuit — full battery before starting. | + +### Tips +- **App:** ESB ecars app for live availability; Zap-Map Ireland for broader network view +- **Speed reality:** Most rural ESB chargers are 22kW AC (fast, not rapid) — plan 1–1.5h stops in smaller towns +- **Accommodation:** Ask when booking if the property has a socket or charger — many rural B&Bs and hotels in Kerry and Galway now have at least a 7kW home charger +- **Connemara gap:** The stretch from Clifden north to Westport (~90km of coast road) is the most exposed gap on the whole route. Charge fully in Clifden or Westport before attempting the other direction. +- **Donegal gap:** The Slieve League / Glencolmcille area has no public chargers. Plan a there-and-back with Killybegs or Donegal Town as your base with charging. + +### Useful links +- [ESB ecars map](https://esb.ie/ecars/charge-point-map) +- [Zap-Map Ireland](https://www.zap-map.com/charge-points/ireland/) + +--- + ## Practical Cycling Notes - **Bike hire:** Available in major towns (Galway, Westport, Killarney, Dingle). For a serious tour, bring your own.