The best road trips in Ireland
Ireland is not short of inspiring drives to explore its scenic splendours – the show-stopping, long-distance Wild Atlantic Way; the little-visited, single-track roads known as boreens; remote mountain passes and short but sweet spins through pretty Irish villages. With our edit of the best road trips in Ireland, you can choose between the drama of countless coastal routes sculpted by the Atlantic surf, signposted circuits threading their way through ancient sites and some of the lesser-known beautiful places in Ireland, from Kenmare to Killybegs.
Getty Images1. Copper Coast, County Waterford
Leave the lively seaside resort of Tramore behind and set off on the Copper Coast’s tranquil trail. This swathe of coastline forms part of the 25-mile stretch between Tramore and Dungarvan was known for its mining industry during the 19th century. These days people come to exploit the views of its breathtaking landscape, now something of an outdoor geology museum and designated UNESCO Global Geopark. Along the way there are pretty scalloped beaches, rocky coves, sea stacks, arches and 460-million year-old rocks visible where cliffs collide with the ocean. Pass through a string of six villages including Bunmahon, which is home to the Geopark Visitor centre, and the picturesque Stradbally with its prim and pretty main street and sheltered Stradbally Cove.
Recommended time: One day.
Getty Images2. Inishowen 100, County Donegal
The name sounds racy, but this 100-mile circuit of Donegal’s Inishowen Peninsula needs to be taken at a slow pace to appreciate the wild, untainted nature and superlative views. Set off from Bridge End close to the Northern Irish border and Londonderry, then follow the signs in an anti-clockwise direction skirting the eastern coast of Lough Foyle through Muff and Greencastle, ascending the upland stretch between Dunree and Mamore Gap, which is arguably the most scenic. Malin Head and Banba’s Crown is the must-see, Ireland’s most northerly tip and start or finish of the long-distance Wild Atlantic Way. Then it’s on to Ballyliffin Beach, Five Finger Strand – one of Donegal’s finest beaches – and the town of Buncrana on the shores of Lough Swilly.
Recommended time: A full day with an overnight stop.
Neil McAllister / Alamy Stock Photo3. Cooley Peninsula, Co Louth
The Cooley Peninsula drive proves that not all road trips need to be long-distance. This small spur of land between Dundalk Harbour and Carlingford Lough on the border with Northern Ireland is something of a well-kept secret, a meandering route where land meets water swirling in stories of ancient Irish mythology – it set the scene for The Táin Bó Cuailnge, an epic tale of early Irish Literature. Short and sweet it is scattered with noteworthy historical, archaeological and cultural stops like the Anglo-Norman Castle Roche and Proleek Dolmen. At Greenore you can hop aboard the historic ferry to Greencastle in Northern Ireland or linger on the lough in Carlingford, settled by Vikings in the shadow of Slieve Foy and the medieval King John’s Castle slurp some of its superior oysters. Park up for a walk along the Carlingford Omeath Greenway, a walking and cycling trail along the banks of the lough before heading back to Newry.
Recommended time: One day.
Maurice Savage / Alamy Stock Photo4. Ring of Hook Peninsula County Wexford
Wexford’s Hook Peninsula is a slender crook of land reaching out into the crashing waves of the Atlantic. At its tip is the highlight, the distinctive black and white stripes of the Hook Lighthouse, built in the 13th century and the oldest working lighthouse in the world. Ascend its 115 steps for a wide angle sweep of the Waterford Estuary and open ocean where you might even catch a glimpse of whales or dolphins out at sea. Other noteworthy detours are the remains of Tintern Abbey and its walled gardens, the 15th century Fethard Castle and spooky country pile, Loftus Hall, which is reputedly Ireland’s most haunted house. Finish your drive in the fishing village of Duncannon, a beloved seaside resort with a broad sweep of sand and a bastioned fortress where Charles II fled after the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. It’s also renowned for its spankingly fresh catch, so fish and chips on the harbour is a must.
Recommended time: One day with plenty of stops off along the way.
Ian Dagnall / Alamy Stock Photo5. Kinsale to Baltimore
Kinsale, Clonakilty, Skibbereen, this 50-mile spin takes in some of West Cork’s most charming towns and villages. Kinsale, one of Ireland’s prettiest waterside towns, is the gateway and is also the start or end point of the long-distance Wild Atlantic Way. But treat the main route, the N71, like more of a jumping off point to visit hidden away spots along the indented, gently undulating coastline like Galley Head, Glandore, Union Hall and Toe Head before ending your journey in the popular yachting spot Baltimore with its cute harbour and views of Sherkin and Cape Clear islands. West Cork is celebrated for its food scene and local produce – Clonakilty is famed for its black and white pudding, the weekly Skibbereen farmer’s market is a must and gourmet hotspots abound like Pilgrim’s in Rosscarbery and the Michelin-starred Dede at the Customs House in Baltimore run by Turkish born chef, Ahmet Dede.
Recommended time: Two to three days to truly appreciate its natural beauty and atmosphere.
Getty Images6. Galway to Westport, County Galway and County Mayo
The N59 leaves Galway City, journeying into the real heart of the west of Ireland. The city soon falls away and each passing mile takes drivers further into the wild, windswept landscape of Connemara. The region is surrounded by a silent mosaic of bogland, slate-coloured lakes, stone walls and views of the distinctive Maamturk mountains and Twelve Bens. After the village of Recess, you have a choice: take the R334 for the unspoiled beauty of the Lough Inagh before rejoining the N59, or swing onto the coast for white sands and ocean scenery. At Clifden, make time for the 10-mile Sky Road, negotiating its hairpin bends for views of the Inishturk and Turbot islands before continuing to Leenane and Westport.
Recommended drive time: Ideally take two or three days with a stay in Connemara at Ballynahinch Castle, set deep in the wilderness in the shadow of the Twelve Bens mountain range, overlooking a salmon- and trout-rich river.
Getty Images7. The Vee, County Waterford and County Tipperary
Set off on this short but sweet drive from the pretty town of Lismore, dominated by the sight of Lismore Castle, the Irish home of the Duke of Devonshire, which perches above the River Blackwater. Before long, the track begins to ascend through the unspoilt Knockmealdown Mountains, climbing to a height of about 2,000ft. From The Vee Gap, you can gawp at views of the peaks and the velvety green mosaic of the Tipperary countryside stretching out below. Tackle a hairpin bend and continue through Clogheen, stopping off at the romantic, thatched Swiss Cottage, before arriving in the charming town of Cahir on the banks of the River Suir, known for its 13th-century castle – one of Ireland’s largest and best preserved.
Recommended drive time: Two hours.
Getty Images8. Atlantic Drive, Achill Island, County Mayo
You can’t escape that edge-of-the-world feeling on Achill Island, which sits off the western coast of County Mayo. The Atlantic Drive is really two in one; starting on the Currane peninsula on the mainland before hopping over the Achill Sound by way of a bridge. To the south are staggering views of the 365 islands, scattered like polka dots in the expanse of Clew Bay. Follow the signposted route, looping around the isle past latticed dry-stone walls and the lonely remains of a ghost village at Slievemore. There is a clutch of some of Ireland's best beaches, such as Keel’s Trawmore and the unmissable crescent of Keem Bay. After this, the road peters out at Croaghaun mountain, where a hill-top viewing point provides a widescreen look across the island, with the Atlantic Ocean stretching out as far as the eye can see.
Recommended drive time: Five to six hours.
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Getty Images9. The Ring of Kerry, County Kerry
Starting out as a horse-drawn carriage tour in the 1900s, the 111-mile circuit starting and ending in Killarney takes in some of Ireland’s most spectacular mountain and coastal scenery on the Iveragh peninsula. Go in an anti-clockwise direction, making sure to peel off the road outside Cahersiveen for views of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Skellig Michael island, and be sure to pull up at Moll’s Gap for the magical panoramas of Killarney National Park and its lakes shimmering below.
Recommended drive time: Two to three days.
Shutterstock10. Yeats Country, County Sligo and County Leitrim
One of Ireland’s most celebrated playwrights and poets, William Butler Yeats had a special affinity with County Sligo, which inspired many of his memorable poems. Fans can plot a course through the countryside, visiting some of the places most closely associated with his life and work. Start on the shores of Lough Gill where you can see the small island immortalised in The Lake Isle of Innisfree, and continue to Sligo town before heading to the windswept sandy beach at Rosses Point where Yeats spent childhood summers. Then it’s onto the stately Lissadell House, before hopping across the border to County Leitrim and Glencar Waterfall, referenced in the poem The Stolen Child. Drumcliffe Cemetery is a fitting spot to finish, set in the dramatic shadow of Benbulben Mountain, at the foot of which Yeats was reburied in 1948 – his epitaph reads, ‘Cast a cold eye. On Life, on death. Horseman, pass by!’
Recommended drive time: Dedicate a day to meandering around the county. Stay at historic Georgian house Coopershill.
Getty Images11. Causeway Coastal Route, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
The sights just keep on coming on the 130-mile Causeway Coastal Route between Belfast and Derry. As the canary-yellow gantry of the Titanic Quarter fades from the rear-view mirror, the journey heads north – on a clear day you can catch a glimpse of Scotland’s Mull of Kintyre across the water. Then there are the Glens of Antrim, the Cushendun Caves, famous as a filming location for HBO’s Game of Thrones, and onto the well-known Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. The drive winds past the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Giant’s Causeway, a legend-steeped landmark of hexagonal rock formations that is about 60 million years old. Finally, the route ends in the walled city of Derry/Londonderry, now forever known as the backdrop for Channel 4’s critically acclaimed Derry Girls.
Recommended drive time: Two days with an overnight at the atmospheric 17th-century coaching stop The Bushmills Inn.
Getty Images12. Donegal to Letterkenny, County Donegal
Tick off several of the county’s scenic highlights on this journey, taking the N56 in a westerly direction from Donegal town to Letterkenny. Near the fishing port of Killybegs, head west past Kilcar – a favoured spot of American actors Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick – for a walk on the wild side at the edge of the sheer Sliabh Liag cliffs. Rejoin the N59 via the Glengesh Pass, more of a tarmacked rollercoaster than a road, and continue north towards Letterkenny, stopping off at deserted silver-sand beaches, the mist-snagged Mount Errigal, 15th-century Doe Castle and the enchanting woodland of the Glenveagh National Park.
Recommended time: Best done over three days, ideally with a stay at diminutive design-led guesthouse Breac House on Horn Head.
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Getty Images13. The Wild Atlantic Way
Hugging Ireland’s Atlantic seaboard for more than 1,553 miles, the Wild Atlantic Way spans nine counties in one unbroken driving route from Donegal’s Inishowen peninsula to the charming seaside town of Kinsale in County Cork. This is the island’s headlining road trip; it rivals many of the globe’s other road trips and is the longest signposted touring journey in the world. Choose a section in either a northerly or southerly direction following the unmistakable zigzag signs – there are 15 landmarks, including the elemental Malin Head, the northernmost point, and Mizen Head in Cork, in the country’s extreme south-west.
Recommended drive time: Around three weeks. The route can be easily broken into shorter stages.
Getty Images14. Sheep’s Head peninsula, County Cork
The ocean is never far away on the Sheep’s Head peninsula, a slender finger of land in West Cork poking out into the ocean with Dunmanus Bay on one side and Bantry Bay on the other. Start the 44-mile trip at Bantry and take it slow. This is a place of dramatic Atlantic views, sheep-dotted fields and ragged coastline to savour – park up and stretch your legs on a section of the 124-mile Sheep’s Head Way walking trail. At Kilcrohane, head further west to the tip of the peninsula before continuing east to Ahakista and Durrus, where the surrounding vegetation has a tropical feel thanks to the warming currents of the Gulf Stream.
Recommended drive time: A day.
Getty Images15. Ballaghbeama Gap, County Kerry
Cars are something of a rarity on this little-known mountain route that cuts across the Iveragh peninsula’s MacGillycuddy’s Reeks range in the shadow of Ireland’s highest peak, Carrauntoohil. You’re more likely to encounter wild goats and sheep. The twisting, mostly single-track road tops out spectacularly through a pass filled with dramatic rocky outcrops and far-reaching views in both directions of the heather-flecked landscape and ocean beyond.
Recommended time: 1 hour 15 minutes – stay at the enchanting Arts and Crafts mansion Ard na Sidhe, which overlooks Caragh Lake, outside Killorglin.
Getty Images16. The Braveheart Drive, County Wicklow
The cinematic connections are fitting given that The Braveheart Drive, named after the 1995 film starring Mel Gibson and shot on location around County Wicklow, starts and ends in the picturesque village of Hollywood. Local lore has it that it was the inspiration for its more famous Californian counterpart – the village even has a copycat sign on one of its hills. But beyond the celluloid credentials, this 50-mile route is an easy drive south of Dublin, winding its way around some of the best scenery Wicklow has to offer. Highlights include the stark beauty of the blanket-bog Wicklow Mountains at Sally Gap and the sixth-century monastic settlement of Glendalough, romantically set in a deep, lake-filled valley.
Recommended drive time: A perfect day trip from Dublin – keep to the starry theme with a stay at the city’s storied Shelbourne Hotel overlooking St Stephen’s Green.
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Getty Images17. Beara peninsula, County Kerry and County Cork
This road twists and turns like an asphalt ribbon on its path through an ever-changing backdrop that includes the looming Caha Mountains and fractured coastline of islands, cliffs and small, sheltered coves. Stop for the subtropical garden at Derreen and at the tip of the peninsula for a cable-car trip to Dursey Island that regularly counts local sheep as passengers. Don’t miss the inland section of road linking Kenmare with Glengarriff and Priest’s Leap, a high mountain pass with dizzying panoramas of the Bantry and Kenmare bays.
Recommended drive time: Spend a day or two exploring with a night just outside Kenmare at the romantically set Sheen Falls Lodge and along the route in Castletownbere or Glengarriff.
Getty Images18. The Slea Head Drive, County Kerry
Set off from Dingle, the charming Kerry seaside town which gives the peninsula its name. With jauntily painted shopfronts, pubs and views over Dingle Bay, this is one of the main Gaelic-speaking areas, known as Gaeltacht – so the Irish language abounds. The Slea Head Drive snakes along the shoreline, with breathtaking panoramas of the Atlantic-ravaged coast, the Blasket and Skellig islands and the silky sands of Coumeenoole beach. Follow the route in a clockwise direction, but be warned: nervous drivers need not apply. Some of the narrowest sections mean passing oncoming traffic is a nail-biter, with sheer cliffs on one side and sea on the other.
Recommend drive time: Four to five hours due to the pretty stops and windswept beach strolls.
Getty Images19. The Burren Loop, County Clare
The Burren, which comes from the Irish word for rocky, lives up to its name; a lunar-like, limestone landscape extending across an expanse of County Clare. To see it at its best, follow a figure of eight along 62 miles starting in Ballyvaughan that threads around the countryside via Kinvara, Corofin, Kilfenora and Lisdoonvarna. The drive takes in sweeps of the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark, famed for its unique ecosystem of Arctic, Mediterranean and Alpine plants. Other standouts include the vertigo-inducing Cliffs of Moher just outside Doolin, Fanore beach and the detour-worthy megalithic Poulnabrone Dolmen, the Burren Perfumery and Corkscrew Hill.
Recommended drive time: Two to three days with a stay in the Burren at locavore-leaning Gregans Castle Hotel.
Getty Images20. Boyne Valley Drive, County Meath and County Louth
For centuries, the Hill of Tara in Meath was Ireland’s political and spiritual heart: home to the High Kings of Ireland, steeped in mythology. It’s one of 22 historic sites scattered around the countryside along the 140-mile, signposted Boyne Valley Drive, an easy jaunt north of Dublin. Undoubtedly, the highlight is Newgrange, a prehistoric marvel of engineering that predates both the Pyramids of Giza and Stonehenge. It forms part of the larger Brú na Bóinne Unesco World Heritage Site, one of the most important clusters of ancient remnants in Europe with a trio of Neolithic passage graves. But the route also shines a light on gems such as Trim Castle, Slane Castle and the site of the 1690 Battle of the Boyne between William of Orange and King James II.
Recommended drive time: Do it as a day trip from Dublin with a stay at one of the capital’s newest hotels, The Mayson, which overlooks the River Liffey from the regenerating docklands district’s north bank.