Great Weekend Drives in Ireland
Ireland is a beautiful country for driving in, whether you’re simply heading out of the city for a few hours or taking a longer road trip along the coast for the weekend. Many of Ireland’s driving routes have become firm favourites with local motorists and tourists alike, and you should have no trouble tracking down the most picturesque routes on roads well travelled.
The Ring of Kerry is one of the most popular routes for weekend driving trips in the country. Ireland’s remarkable mountain road, this route on the Iveragh Peninsula is most commonly tackled in an anti-clockwise direction, starting along the banks of the River Laune towards Killorglin before reaching the mountain road from Sneem to Moll’s Gap and heading from the spectacular Ladies View back in the direction of Killarney. See the landscapes that inspired many of Ireland’s poets and artists throughout the centuries, all from the comfort of your own car.
If you’re starting your driving trip in Dublin or along the east coast, there are two circular tours you can take of the coastline – whether you head north or south.
The northern tour takes you out of Dublin past the former royal acropolis site at Tara, a great drive for history enthusiasts, and along the way you’ll also encounter Bronze Age cemeteries at Brugh na Boinne, King William’s Glen, Mellifont Abbey and Monasterboice that you can get out and explore if you’re so inclined. The northern tour is also the perfect chance to see the region’s diverse natural beauty, including the Carlingford Peninsula and the beaches of Laytown, near Julianstown.
The scenery is just as impressive south of Dublin too, especially if you want to stop off at Bray, one of the country’s most popular seaside escapes that’s perfect for days out with the family. Back on the road, the drive past Enniskerry takes you into the coastal mountains near Glendalough, and the surrounding villages are excellent bases for fishing or getting back in touch with nature.
It’s not just the Republic that boasts excellent driving routes, however, and if you’re taking the car north of the border towards Belfast you should consider taking time out to explore the scenic North East, with sights such as the Antrim Glens and the world-famous Giant’s Causeway. Whether you’re exploring Ireland or Northern Ireland, make sure your car is prepared for the trip by keeping up with regular maintenance and getting windscreen replacement and other repairs to avoid unpleasant surprises along the way.
Paul Buchanan writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.