Scenic Drives in Ireland
Ireland's scenic roads are short, slow and consistently rewarding: the Atlantic coast from Clare to Donegal, the mountain gaps of Wicklow twenty minutes from Dublin, and the Antrim coast road in the north, which is one of the great drives of these islands.
The catch is timing. A hundred kilometres of Irish national route through villages is two hours, not one, and every itinerary that ignores this ends up driving in the dark.
Full routes through Ireland
Day drives from Dublin
All day trips from Dublin →- Glendalough & the Wicklow Mountains Day Trip from Dublin — A monastic round tower between two lakes, over a mountain gap road
- Boyne Valley Day Trip from Dublin — Neolithic passage tombs older than the pyramids, plus Trim Castle
- Kilkenny Day Trip from Dublin — A castle, a medieval mile and Ireland's best-preserved old city
- Howth Day Trip from Dublin — A fishing harbour and a cliff loop with Dublin Bay below
- Belfast Day Trip from Dublin — The Titanic yards, political murals and a different currency two hours north
- Cliffs of Moher & the Burren Day Trip from Dublin — The Atlantic wall of Clare and the limestone desert behind it — a long day
What driving here is actually like
Driving is on the left, and rural roads are narrower than their classification implies — a 'national' route can be a village street. The M50 toll around Dublin is barrier-free and billed by camera: pay online by 8pm the next day or the hire company adds a fee. Weather changes hourly on the west coast, which is part of the appeal and a reason to keep the day's plan loose.
Questions, answered
- What is the best scenic drive in Ireland?
- The Wild Atlantic Way in sections — Clare's cliffs, Connemara, and the Dingle peninsula are the highlights. The Antrim coast road in Northern Ireland is the best single day's drive on the island.
- How long does the Wild Atlantic Way take?
- The full route is 2,500 km and takes two weeks to drive properly. Most people take a section: Clare and Galway in three days, or Kerry and Cork in four, which is far more enjoyable than trying to complete it.
- Are Irish roads difficult for a visitor?
- The main routes are straightforward; the small coastal roads are narrow with stone walls and no verge. Take the first hour slowly, avoid starting in a city at rush hour, and add half again to whatever time a mapping app predicts.
Plan the trip while it's in your head
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