Ready to hit the (Irish) road?
From Co Kerry to Co Antrim, there is no shortage of stunning sites across the island of Ireland, as well as exhilarating road trips to get you in between!
Here are just five road trips to consider for your next visit to the island of Ireland.
The Wild Atlantic Way
At over 2,500 km long, and stretching from Malin Head in Co Donegal to Kinsale in Co Cork, this spectacular route skirts the island’s Atlantic coast and delivers breathtaking views around every bend.
Ross Head Harbour, Malin Head, Co Donegal. (Ireland's Content Pool)
Pull over on a cliff edge and feel the sea spray on your face, walk for a while on a golden beach, go island-hopping off the coast, and indulge in the island’s finest seafood as you immerse yourself in the wild, rugged beauty along this unforgettable route.
Kinsale Harbour in Co Cork. (Ireland's Content Pool)
The Causeway Coastal Route
Known as ‘one of the world’s great road journeys’, the Causeway Coastal Route winds its way from Belfast to the historic walled city of Derry and vice versa.
Causeway Coastal Route in Co Antrim. (Ireland's Content Pool)
Through picture-postcard villages, past castles, and ancient ruins, the route takes in some of Northern Ireland’s most iconic sights including the Giant’s Causeway, the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, and the 400-year-old Bushmills Distillery.
Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge. (Ireland's Content Pool)
The Ring of Kerry and Skellig Islands
The stunning Ring of Kerry is a circular loop around the Iveragh Peninsula passing through some of the most amazing landscapes on the island. The wonderful lakes of Killarney give way to the mountains of MacGillycuddy’s Reeks and the peninsula is scattered with picturesque and vibrant towns and villages.
Gap of Dunloe on the Ring of Kerry. (Ireland's Content Pool)
Off the Ring of Kerry lies the sixth-century island monastery of Skellig Michael, now globally famous as a filming location for the latest "Star Wars" blockbuster.
Skellig Michael. (Ireland's Content Pool)
The Sperrin Mountains
Northern Ireland’s largest mountain range is one of the least explored on the island. A car tour through this roller-coaster landscape is a must. Four spectacular routes in Co Tyrone and Co Derry offer breathtaking scenery and ancient monuments galore.
National Geographic praised these roads for their “wild beauty, ideal trails, and dreamy villages” in its list of the Top 101 Scenic Drives in the World.
The Sperrins in Co Tyrone during the winter. (Ireland's Content Pool)
Ireland’s Ancient East: The Celtic Coast
Peel back layers of history as you travel the Celtic Coast route from Co Wicklow to Co Cork and discover the splendour of 18th Century stately homes, the treasures of Viking settlements, and the remains of Ireland’s earliest Christian settlement.
Among the must-see stops on the route are the magnificent Powerscourt House and Gardens, atmospheric Glendalough, and the Viking city of Waterford.
Driving along the coast in Co Waterford. (Ireland's Content Pool)
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