Ireland is a country of more enchanting places, deep history, and many more things to explore, is something which will excite every road trip enthusiast. Indeed, with picturesque roads that pass through lush countryside, sharp cliffs, and pretty towns there is no end to fantastic roads to explore. If you are going to visit this gorgeous island and in search of the most exciting road trips in Ireland, you’ve come to the right place.
From the coast of the Wild Atlantic Way to the mystical Ring of Kerry, here we present the selection of the best road trips in Ireland that will make travels unique. Well, tis the right place for it so sits back and embark on numerous adventures throughout Ireland.
I think that driving across the country it is one of the best ways in which one can be able to appreciate the beauty of this country that is Ireland. Known for scenic beauty, politeness and history; this island country has some of the most beautiful auto routes to any place on the compass.
List of The Best Road Trips in Ireland
For the adventurous traveler Ireland has many picturesque cliff scattered coasts and for the cultural traveler there are many pretty villages and historical sights. This guide covers the top 10 road trips in Ireland, with each one an extended arm to Ireland’s culture and geography.
The Wild Atlantic Way
This is the largest coastal route on the globe, stretching for 2,500 kilometres and meandering through Ireland’s landscapes to reveal restless shores, towering cliffs and sandy beaches. Starting out in the picturesque town of Kinsale in County Cork and ending at County Cork’s Inishowen Peninsula, this road trip begins.
Destinations that cannot be missed along the Wild Atlantic Way include the Cliffs of Moher, the Ring of Kerry, The Aran Islands, and the Dingle Peninsula. As for attractions, you will have more than enough of beautiful seaside towns, for example, Galway, Sligo, and Westport.
The Ring of Kerry
Usually called the Iveragh Peninsula, the Ring of Kerry is one of the most popular car routes in Ireland. This is an 180km circular route and offers the best of the county of Kerry and includes the mountains, the Atlantic coastline and picturesque fishing villages.
Here are some of the common sights to view as you tour round the Ring of Kerry include the Ladies’ View, Muckross House and Gardens, and the Skellig Ring. Sneem is also a very cute village with painted houses and wonderful views of the Killarney Lakes.
The Dingle Peninsula
The other travel attraction referred to as the drive is Dingle Peninsula which is also located in the southwest of the country. This picturesque and largely untouched area boasts dramatic coastlines, cliffs, fine sandy beaches and charming fishing communities.
The leading attractions of interest at Dingle Peninsula include the town of Dingle, Dunquin village, Blasket Islands, and Gallarus Oratory – which is an early Christian church.
The Causeway Coast
The Causeway Coast is a scenic 73-mile motor route that exposes you to the beauty of County Antrim. There are some important sites to visit on this road trip such as the Giant’s Causeway, world heritage of around 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns, and the Carrick-a-Rede Rope bridge across to the Geology of a small island.
Other places of Interest within the Causeway Coast include the beautiful towns of Portrush and Port Stewert, Bushmills Distillery and the pre historic Cushendun Caves.
The Ring of Beara
Ring of Beara can also be called Ring of Beara which is a driving tourism destination in the irish southwestern region in the two counties of Cork and Kerry. This cycling tour covering 148km is a circle ride along which you will see wonderful views of mountains, coasts, and delightful villages.
Slighter known points of tourist interest that are also worthy of a visit along the Ring of Beara include Kenmare, Garnish Beach, and Castletownbere. You will also come across several agricultural features including the Old Cable Railway and the Derreen Garden, a sub- tropical garden.
The Cliffs of Moher to Galway
The first 2 day of this driving tour involve moving from the famous cliffs of Moher down to the energetic city of Galway with the county of Clare in between. During the tour, you get to view the Burren National Park – a Rock Formation supporting spectacular vegetation and wildlife.
That is the explanation why, along the route, one may visit the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre, Doolin Cave, as well as the remarkable town of Kinvara.. There will also be quite a lot of options for hiking and for birding during the trip.
The Sligo and Donegal Coasts
This is a coastal drive that leads through the Counties of Sligo and Donegal. The Rossnowlagh Beach, Mullaghmore Head, Sligo Abbey, Sillg abbey, Mullaghbawn village, Glennacolumbkille village are some of the main attraction of this tour.
You can also expect a great deal of outdoor activities like surfing, hiking as well as fishing before you arrive at your destination. Among the places that are worthwhile visiting remember about the marvellous Glenveagh National Park with its gorgeous lakes and mountains.
The Causeway Coastal Route
The Causeway Coastal Route is an outstanding scenic drive, it stretches for 120 km, revealing the beauty of County Antrim. Sights of interest on this motoring tour are the Giant’s Causeway – a hexagonal basement structure on the World Heritage List, and the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge that spans across a small island.
Here are five stops you can’t miss when on The Causeway Coastal Route, including the beautiful towns of Portrush and Portstewart, the beautiful Bushmills Distillery and of course the beautiful Cushendun Caves.
The Ring of Avoca
The beauty of the Ring of Avoca is a stretch for car lovers and tourists that lies in County Wicklow just South of Ireland’s capital Dublin. This beautiful route, which could take many hours, takes one through some of the finest countryside in the Wicklow Mountains, across and over the picturesque Avoca River and through the Vale of Avoca.
Avoca, a typical village that has become a center of attraction due to the Avoca handweavers company, the Glendalough valley, two beautiful lakes and many beautiful mountain tracks in Avoca. There are also several places of special interest: Avoca Copper Mine and Monastic City of Glendalough which has medieval origins.
The Connemara Loop
The Connemara Loop is an avenue that is stretch out in the western part of Ireland in County Galway. This 90km circular route allows to open the sites of Connemara and includes parts with mountains, lakes, and compacted beach fields.
The unforgettable places which visitors should visit driving along the Connemara Loop are the magnificent Kylemore Abbey, the picturesque Killary Harbour, the cozy Roundstone village, and the Kings town of Clifden. Of course, there are numerous options for trekking, cycling, and horse riding as well.
Conclusion
The Republic of Ireland is a country full of culture, customs, history and stunning landscapes and it was an attempt to show the variety of road trips that can be chosen by traveler in the frameworks of this article. All the routes are picturesque, which gives travelers a chance to discover beautiful countryside, nice small towns, and interesting sights.
However, when deciding on your route for a road trip in Ireland, there are some issues that you should consider, including mentioned weather conditions, road conditions and travelling seasons. Remember that these road trips are just some of the top road trips in the United States of America; there are hundreds of other equally as fun and exciting.
Explore Ireland in this fantastic and enlightening way live the dream and enjoy the adventure of the open road. Happy travels!