When we return to Ireland well definitely be giving Achill Island a bigger portion of our schedule. We have been travelling the world together since 2008, with a passion for adventure travel and sustainable tourism. With so many coastal walks and shimmering blue swim spots to explore, you'll never be stuck for something to do on this short but action-packed route. Afterwards head into Belfast for the night, or pick a caravan park outside of town. Its famous for hip restaurants, fiercely-independent pubs, a welcoming community atmosphere, some unique and unusual attractions (who puts a farm, For top-notch adventures, Wales is massively overlooked. With crystal clear waters and beautiful golden sand, Eyrephort Beach is the perfect place to unwind on your trip. Northern Ireland has many mountains, but I think these are the most interesting, rugged and action-packed peaks in the nation. Hi Marcelo, you definitely should not drink drive anywhere as you are putting yourself and other people in danger. Thanks for the share! The, You have to incorporate some, if not all, of the, Starts and ends in Clifden; 16km (10 miles), This road trip may be short, but it certainly doesnt disappoint. Looking for the 11 best drives in Northern Ireland? . From the doorstep of Dublin to the famed Wild Atlantic Way coastal . You then ride down the eastern side of the Ard Peninsula (which weve already covered above), before heading west and driving in the shadow of the Mourne Mountains. Unfortunately the weather was quite bad on the day we did the Ring of Beara, but even then whenever we did get a glimpse of the landscape we were absolutely blown away. Somos 6 y no quisieramos dormir todos los dias en el autocaravana. But for most people, the major highlight is of course the Giants Causeway. There's something magical about Ireland. This whole section is brimming with mountain views, with some of Northern Irelands most scenic vistas. We personally decided to skip Limerick, even though we had heard good things, as we much prefer to be in the countryside. This sprawling venue has been built to showcase more than 9000 years of Irish history. Check out Muckross House and the gardens. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. The most famous Northern Irish road trip by a very long way, the Causeway Coastal Route runs between Derry and Belfast, the two most famous (and significant) settlements in the whole of Northern Ireland. village of Kearney. We have family in Dingle to look up so will definitely be heading south and going clockwise. Want to know where to go on a road trip in Ireland? Here is a 6 day road trip in Ireland with itinerary that is sure to help you make the most of your vacation. the section in and around Spelga Dam. The best short road tripStarts and ends in Clifden; 16km (10 miles). You've found them! Remember you dont have to pay to enter if you dont want to visit the information centre or use the carpark. They form a 1.5 km, 0.9 miles, oval around the city core which never has been breached. Its one of the best parts of the route. There are so many things to see and do packed into such a small distance that youll never be bored. Have a wonderful trip. We ended up renting our campervan to try and find the best Ireland road trips for two weeks and managed to see a lot of the country. Your legs will be worn out enough without the 12 hours of driving in between. Sperrin Mountains (Tyrone) - Northern Ireland's biggest mountain range. Often unfairly overshadowed by other parts of the UK, not enough people venture to the nation for excitement and adventure. The South Sperrins Route begins and ends in Omagh, one of the biggest settlements in this part of Northern Ireland, and a pretty place to spend a day or two. Be sure to make plenty of stops as you make your way down the coast. The Burren Loop (160km / 99 Miles) - one of Ireland's most unique landscapes. Titanic Museum and historical sites. You can begin your journey in this fascinating area with a night (or more) at Waterford, delving into the Viking history that has been around for over 1000 years. The route runs across the northern and eastern coasts of Northern Ireland for almost its entirety, and takes you to countless famous places. This can be timed or taken at a leisurely pace, but some people strive to complete it in 24 hours. It can get a little crazy sometimes. The road was constructed between August 1800 and October 1809 to allow the British Army access to the mountains following the 1798 rebellion in Ireland. Visiting places like Dublin, Cork, Dingle, Cliffs of Moher, and Belfast. This month I was lucky enough to have my 2 sisters and 2 of my best friends come and travel with me in Ireland and Northern Ireland. The Giant's Causeway. Head in a clockwise direction from Killarney, straight to Kenmare and then onwards to Sneem. The drive out to Meencarrick is superb, and it is one of the nicest coastal routes in the country. Hang out in Enniscorthy and climb Vinegar Hill. Its the last outing with Natasha Raskin Sharp and Philip Serrell. We are hoping to book vrbos along the way. From the famous Giants Causeway to the Kerry Cliffs, exploring the history of Irelands Ancient East to walking through the Dark Hedges, these are the highlights of our Ireland Road Trip. It winds along Ireland rural coast roads . . Wild Atlantic Way, scenic drive along Irelands west coast. You must head to the Visitors Centre to purchase your tickets first, which is actually a bit far away from the Newgrange site. The best road trip for unspoiled sceneryStarts and ends in Glengariff (travel clockwise); 148km (92 miles). On this day we unfortunately had to wipe all the attractions from our schedule as a hurricane hit the country, and we ended up bunkering down in the small town of Ennis to wait out the storm. It hits many of the major coastal stop-offs, including National Trust sites and a handful of Game of Thrones filming locations. . On this trip, youre not far from Irelands highest mountain. Get someone to drive for you! Once you get on the other side drive out to Loop Head Peninsula, home to some of the most wonderful cliffs in the entire country, and theyre completely free! Visit the 600-year-old friaries near Ballina. The Republic of Ireland has 2 main regions that are popular for first time visitors: On the western coast from north to south is the famous Wild Atlantic Way, a coastal driving route which offers dramatic views of the Atlantic ocean juxtaposed against cute hamlets and fishing villages. The Giant's Causeway. From Kearney, follow the seaside all the way to Donaghadee, a pretty and popular tourist destination. RT @IAMRoadSmart: In honour of St Patrick's day and to celebrate the heritage and culture in Ireland, why not take another look at the Northern Ireland road trip suggested in our Roads to Romance campaign, which includes all the amazing must-sees around Belfast. Signs in the Republic of Ireland show distances in kilometers, while in Northern Ireland miles are used. Howth is genuinely wonderful, and the perfect place to finish up your Irish road trip. All the best. The Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge is another spot on the Northern Ireland coastal road that has become incredibly popular in recent years and it's unique location and of course, the rope bridge, make it a popular attraction. Last up on our list of the best road trips in Northern Ireland, we have the linear route from Belleek to Teemore. However it did end up being a bit rushed, and you could easily extend this to a month if you wanted to do all the amazing side trips and hiking excursions around. But instead of heading west to Strangford, you instead drive east to the tiny (and charming!) What more could you ask for from a 46km road trip? The best road trip to experience old IrelandStarts and ends in Killarney (travel clockwise); 179km (111 miles). For the last full day jump on the highway and head south of Belfast. As mentioned above, Newgrange is one of the real highlights of any Ireland road trip, and learning all about the massive passage tomb is splendid, especially when you consider its older than Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids! Ireland boasts a rugged coastline, rolling pastures, picturesque lakes, quaint villages and some of the friendliest people weve ever met. If you do plan to stay in a campground definitely pre book as July may be busy. Try to stick as close to the shore as you can, at all times. Have a great trip. At this point, we pull over, put the handbrake on, have a well-deserved rest, and reach the end of our guide on the 11 best road trips in Northern Ireland. Head out to the Gap of Dunloe and admire the world-class scenery. The Sky Road Loop offers some of the best sweeping views of the, Carrauntoohill-Mweelrea-Slieve Donard-Lugnaquilla; 865km (540 miles). Or Im sure you get the idea. Arguably the best driving loop in the entire country, the Ring of Kerry starts off near Killarney in the southwest of the country and takes in the beautiful coastal scenery of the Iveragh Peninsula. Pubs doubling as hardware stores, white sandy beaches and lambs you can hold. With emerald fields dotted with sheep (hence the nickname "The Emerald Isle"), Ireland is a perfect destination any time of the year. Planning Tip: You have to incorporate some, if not all, of the Cliffs of Moher cliff walk. This part of Northern Irelands east coast is hugely underrated. Days 1-2: Dublin If you want to splash out and enjoy a night outside of your campervan, then head to the best luxury hotel in Killarney, Muckross Park Hotel. You cant go wrong with any of them. Some other highlights include the villages of Donemana and Sion Mills, the Aghascrebagh Ogham Stone (with its medieval alphabet), and the pretty town of Strabane, which, by the way, is the best start and end point for the loop. Hi Christine, Starting in Dublin and do a little loop of the south heading back past Dublin and then a loop in the north. I cant think of any other short drive that packs this much beauty and variety into its tiny confines. But if youre feeling fresh get a move on early! If you have time before settling in Donegal do the drive out to Slieve League, otherwise you can do it in the morning. Dublin Pride now thats a party for everyone. Eat at Cliff House HotelTrust us on this one. Adventure, history, and nature await on this 11-day itinerary covering Ireland's eastern coast into Northern Ireland. If you dont want it to be so hectic there is a lot to do around Dublin. A combination of all of these can be found in Dublin, while outside the capital their availability will depend on where you are. But along the whole route, youll find lots of play areas, picnic zones, and fields and forests for your young ones to play in. Use these Ireland Road Trip guides to inspire your dream vacation, exploring points of interest, landmarks and the most famous roadways on the Emerald Isle. Then, be sure to traverse the precarious Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge that links the mainland with the stunning craggy outcrop of Carrick Island. Planning tip:We recommend taking at least two weeks to complete this road trip if you want to see as much as possible. Some of the best things to do around Wexford are: You can take your time driving to Cork and visit some of the great attractions in the area, or just enjoy the beautiful country scenery. If you have time, do both. Hope you get there soon. If you visit Belfast during your Ireland road trip itinerary, and we think you should make sure to check out the Titanic Museum Experience and walk around the Titanic Quarter. Check out the Giants Causeway. The roads are quite good and Cork itself is a fun city. This goes without saying really, but it's well worth mentioning. 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 Tin B Cuailnge, an epic tale of early Irish . Strangford Lough 3. There are Wild Atlantic Way markers at every point of interest along this incredible road trip to help you find your way, and you can follow the symbols attached to almost every road sign on the route so you dont get lost. Weave your way around mountains, bog lands and rugged karst landscapes as you experience the Emerald Isle. You wont find fences here either. For such a small island, Ireland doesnt lack for beautiful spots to visit. Bit nervous to wild camp but hopefully it will workout! With multiple mountain passes, delightful villages filled with local foods to try and many hikes and walks along the way, youre bound to find something thats perfect for you. The Causeway Coastal Route 2. Passionate actors share stories of what it was like to live in the times when humans first settled in the Emerald Isle, and the hardships endured over the years. Ireland Road Trip Itinerary Day 1 - Dublin to Wexford (150km) Day 2 - Wexford to Cork (190km) Day 3 - Cork to Kenmare via the Ring of Beara (200km) Day 4 - Kenmare to Killarney via the Ring of Kerry (140km) Day 5 - Killarney Day 6 - Killarney to Tralee via Dingle (160km) Day 7 - Tralee to Lahinch via Loop Head (160km) Dont miss out on Slieve League epic cliffs and gorgeous ocean views. The Sperrin's region is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, located in the western part of Northern Ireland. Amazing trip youve inspired us to do a week travelling in a campervan with our family in July, but yes only a week. Lough Neagh Loop 5. With wild camping in Ireland, it is illegal but tolerated. While its only a short drive today your timing will be dependent on the ferry schedule that gets you across the small harbour from Tarbert to Killimer. When they reach Annalong, most people end their journey there. Youll also hit bays, beaches, nature reserves, some tiny loughs, and lots of perfect picnic spots. The Sperrin's area stretches from . Hook Lighthouse is the oldest operational lighthouse in the world, and if youre looking for an iconic photo youd be hard-pressed to find a better place than here. That would be helpful for readers to get a picture of your route. I recommend stopping in both Helens Bay and Groomsport. Domestic flights within Ireland exist, too, (Dublin to Kerry, for example). Guides can show you this phenomenon at any time of year though using flashlights. 4. There are some stunning drives down there. Although the Giants Causeway is actually in Northern Ireland, it is still one of the best places on the Emerald Isle and should not be missed during your road trip itinerary. This book showcases 50 of the greatest road trips on Earth, from classic routes in America, Australia and Europe, to incredible adventures in Asia and Africa. After a few days of driving you deserve a well-earned rest. Hundred dot the coast and here are nine of the best for a unique escape. You should also check out Ulster American Folk Park, a living history experience where you feel like youve stepped back in time. Discover the scenic highlights of Northern Ireland on this well-rounded road trip. Thank you for sharing! The audio tour that can be purchased from the wonderful visitors centre tells the legend, geology and history of the Giants Causeway, and is worth the price. The area around Ballina has some cool, old friaries, and once you get to Sligo youll find tonnes of outdoor adventures to enjoy. Driving laws We drive on the left hand side of the road in Ireland. Dublin Airport is a major international airport and flights into Ireland are often relatively affordable. Slieve League is hugely impressive, and with more time you could do the hike to the cliffs, or if youre trying to fit it all in a day you can simply drive to the top and check out the views. 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 Tin B Cuailnge, an epic tale of early Irish . Save yourself the headache and drive your own car to the site. There is a lot to do and see. With more time you could rent some surfboards or kites and hit the ocean, or head up into the mountains for some trekking. Afterwards head back south towards Londonderry. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from Qualifying Purchases. This captivating area is home to the Slea Head Drive, another magnificent loop that features rolling hills jutting up against steep ocean cliffs.

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