Travel bible Lonely Planet has named the 10 best road trips in Ireland. With something for everyone and dramatic views guaranteed around every bend, it’s time to get that engine running.
Go West
Head west from Dublin to Galway on the Wild Atlantic Way, gateway to brooding Connemara and one of the island’s liveliest cities. Then loop south into the Burren of County Clare to experience the remarkable limestone landscape that has been designated a UNESCO Global Geopark.
Ancient Ireland
Travel through time in Ireland’s Ancient East, where tombs, monastic cities and sacred sites provide a window to the past. Visit the Neolithic passage graves of Brú na Bóinne, and the Hill of Tara, once seat of the High Kings of Ireland. Then go west to the monastic ruins of Clonmacnoise before heading to the beautiful sixth-century monastic site at Glendalough, County Wicklow.
Causeway Coast
Blending cracking coastal scenery with historic sites and picturesque villages, the Causeway Coastal Route stretches from Belfast to Derry~Londonderry. Key stops along the way include The Gobbins, a white-knuckle cliff path walk at Islandmagee, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Giant’s Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge and Bushmills, the world's oldest licensed whiskey distillery.
Wexford and Waterford
The south-east coast of Ireland is dotted with fabulous beaches and pretty towns and villages. Drive from the old Norman settlement of Enniscorthy, County Wexford, to the picturesque resort of Ardmore, County Waterford. The route will take you along the Copper Coast, named for the copper mines that operated there in the nineteenth century, and whose footprint can still be seen.
Ring of Kerry
One of the most famous road trips on the island, the drive around the Iveragh Peninsula offers jaw-dropping views of pristine beaches, medieval ruins, mountains, loughs and the island-dotted Atlantic. There are plenty of reasons to stop along the way, such as the vibrant town of Killarney, the fascinating Skellig Experience, and Derrynane National Historic Park.