With emerald fields dotted with sheep (hence the nickname "The Emerald Isle"), Ireland is a perfect destination any time of the year. We dont mention many places to stay, because most of the time we slept in our campervan, and you can find your own spots along the way, or stay in any one of the dozens of epic B&Bs in the country. And for all you budding geologists out there, the Copper Coast is also partially a UNESCO Global Geopark for its unique combination of environments packed into such a small area. Stand at the northernmost point of the Republic of Ireland in Malin Head. From the Cliffs of Moher to Galway, here's where to go in Ireland on a road trip. It winds along Ireland rural coast roads . . When we were driving around Ireland we met one or two people that had mentioned a place called Achill Island, but it never came up as a must do in our conversations. Here's everything you need to know. Your legs will be worn out enough without the 12 hours of driving in between. 4. 9. Hello, I really liked the motorhome route through Ireland, we want to go in August but we only have two weeks including day of arrival and departure from the United States. The Wild Atlantic Way will show adventurers both the natural beauty and the absolute craic that Ireland has to offer. When you rent the camper from London make sure insurance covers you to go over to Ireland and Northern Ireland (if you are planning on going up there also). Awesome recall of your trip! The ultimate guide to planning an epic Ireland road trip itinerary! You should also check out Ulster American Folk Park, a living history experience where you feel like youve stepped back in time. But I recommend extending your drive by around 8 miles (13km) and driving back to Newcastle along the coast. The South Sperrins Route 10. Sorry. The Wild Atlantic Way will show adventurers both the natural beauty and the absolute craic that Ireland. The Burren itself has been recognized as a UNESCO world heritage site for its unique karst landscape that spans approximately 250 sq km. Make sure you also spend some time in the village of Gortin, one of the prettiest places along this route. Heres our guide, including tips, highlights and our full Ireland road trip itinerary. You can park your van by the dock and head out to get fish and chips, or if you want a perfect place to stay head into the only hotel in town (yes, the only hotel in town), King Sitric. If you do plan to stay in a campground definitely pre book as July may be busy. 1. Walking around the Giants Causeway can easily take a few hours, with plenty of great photo opportunities and even some hiking trails around to occupy your time. Your trip is short but doesnt mean you cant see some awesome places. Hi Carolyn, what a trip. The best for mountain landscapesRathfarnham-Aughavannagh; 60km (37 miles). Budget road trip from $60 per day not counting RV / camper rental. Planning tip:We recommend taking at least two weeks to complete this road trip if you want to see as much as possible. After a few days of driving you deserve a well-earned rest. This is one of those road trips that allow you to just sit back and relax as you take in the stunning coastal scenery that is the Copper Coast. Visiting places like Dublin, Cork, Dingle, Cliffs of Moher, and Belfast. It is a monastery built on the grounds of the Castle. Every time you see a photo opportunity make sure you grab it! Thank you so much Mike. 2023 Lonely Planet, a Red Ventures company. Nowadays, the road is home to some of Ireland's most challenging and beautiful hikes. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Again, the most popular (and logical) place to start is Newtownwards. The landscape is out of this world, and ranges from sprawling farmland to lush forest, with jagged mountain peaks and a dramatic coastline topping it off. On this stretch of your ride, youll cross Upper Lough Erne and lots more lovely views. Check out the Giants Causeway. The second part of the trip is all about hiking, so lace up your walking shoes and immerse yourself in the verdant and breathtaking natural beauty of the . Get back in the car and head straight up to Malin Head, the northernmost point in Ireland. Through our stories and images we promote exciting off-the-beaten-path destinations and fascinating cultures as we go. It was one of the best decisions we made. Some historical highlights include Tirkane Sweathouse, Tirnoney Dolmen, and Banagher Old Church. If you leave from Killarney the Ring of Kerry is about 214km long, not including all the detours, but every single kilometre of that is an absolute joy. Find out why this small town was named the Best Place to Live in Northern Ireland in 2016 by the Sunday Times. This is great to route out a road trip also. If youre a fan of big towns, youll really enjoy this one. Just be prepared for full on days with incredible views. Or Im sure you get the idea. DestinationsPhotographySustainable TourismAdventure Travel, Adventure ToursStart a BlogTravel TipsSitemap, 2023 NOMADasaurus | Peak Evolution Media, The Ultimate Ireland Road Trip Itinerary and Travel Guide, Day 3 Cork to Kenmare via the Ring of Beara (200km), Day 4 Kenmare to Killarney via the Ring of Kerry (140km), Day 6 Killarney to Tralee via Dingle (160km), Day 7 Tralee to Lahinch via Loop Head (160km), Day 8 Lahinch to Galway via Doolin (100km), Day 9 Galway to Achill Island via Kylemore Abbey (200km), Day 10 Achill Island to Donegal via Ballina (220km), Day 11 Donegal to Londonderry via Slieve League and Malin Head (250km), Day 12 Londonderry to Belfast via the Giants Causeway (190km), Day 14 Belfast to Howth (or Dublin) via Newgrange (180km), epic day tours and activities you can do in Killarney, one of the dozens of epic B&Bs in the country. If you do, maybe you dont know where you might want to live. Signs in the Republic of Ireland show distances in kilometers, while in Northern Ireland miles are used. . It looks cheaper to hire a campervan from London area (where we live) and ferry over instead of hiring in Ireland. the section in and around Spelga Dam. Head in a clockwise direction from Killarney, straight to Kenmare and then onwards to Sneem. All the names above are in google and easy to find. Considering I have never traveled this way, reading stories like yours makes me even more excited! After reading this, youll realise being a digital nomad is much easier (and much more possible!) 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. This travel itinerary includes a 3-day trip to Northern Ireland. 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. Have a great. If you want waterside villages and under-the-radar locations, this is the road trip for you. But when we visited the Emerald Isle and explored the country on a two-week Ireland road trip, it honestly took our breath away. Happy travels. All the best. The rope bridge has existed for over 250 years for fishermen to reach the island which is home to a single fisherman's cottage. However, it can be easily adjusted to 10-day Ireland itinerary in case you have only this amount of time for your vacation. But if youre feeling fresh get a move on early! The Cooley Peninsula drive proves that not all road trips need to be long-distance. Check out these epic day tours and activities you can do in Killarney! If youre trying to keep your costs down though you can actually visit the Giants Causeway for free. So no matter which direction you come from, the imposing peaks can be seen rising from afar. Hopefully in the near future though! Join the adventures on our YouTube channel! The road trip less traveledBallina-Killary; 543km (337.5 miles). What we did see though made us fall in love with Ireland even more, and were already making plans on returning in the near future for a longer trip. Explore historic Belfast, cross the famous Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, drive along the Wild Atlantic Way, and wander through the medieval city of Londonderry before driving back to the . You will need to rent a car in order to tour the island. It can get a little crazy sometimes. . Spend a few hours wandering around the famous basalt hexagonal columns, then get back in the car and make the drive into the countryside. 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. If youre interested in history, small settlements, and hopping between tiny villages, this is definitely one of the best road trips in Northern Ireland. Starting in the ancient streets of Dublin, you'll set off by car to tour wild coastlines and charming towns at your own pace. 1. It would be great if you could also add a screen shot of a google map with your route. Explore Dublin with Sen Fitzgerald, who brings the citys history to life through the rich tradition of Irish ballads. ( 50 ) While Chantell outlines her Ireland travel fun, keep in mind there are many ways to . We have family in Dingle to look up so will definitely be heading south and going clockwise. This part of Northern Irelands east coast is hugely underrated. Hi Marcelo, you definitely should not drink drive anywhere as you are putting yourself and other people in danger. Follow our journey in real time on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram. This one catches a lot of people out, as if you don't pay, you'll be fined. Visit Blarney Castle and kiss the famous Blarney Stone. You can pick up a sim card with data for cheap and we used this. The most underrated and unknown entry on our list, it covers a part of the nation we havent yet touched and its outrageously scenic. Thanks, Hi did you have a map. The largest freshwater lake in all of the British Isles (measuring in at 391 square kilometers/151 square miles), a ride around the perimeter of this place is absolutely brimming with highlights. . The last of the Sperrins drives weve featured, the Central Sperrins Route is the biggest of them all, measuring in at 90 miles (145km). Be careful of the roads along the Ring of Kerry they are twisting, narrow and often busy with tour buses! The Mourne Coastal Route 6. Travelness is reader-supported: When you buy through our links we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Some people even attempt this hike barefoot as part of the pilgrimage. Never drink and drive. Explore Ireland on its beautiful winding country roads Tetra Images / Getty Images. Or whether you need a visa. We spent 4 days in Killarney before we started our road trip, and loved it so much we came back! 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. Or whether this lifestyle really is for you. Mayo is often overlooked as a destination in Ireland, but it has one of the most beautiful coastlines in the country. More water! My sisters and I had been talking about doing a road trip in Ireland for a while, and earlier this summer we came across an incredible flight deal to Dublin, so we made the split-second decision and booked it.Since everyone had work and school commitments back at . Head up one of the mountains or lakes in Sligo. Its more populated, more popular, and much less remote. We are travelling around the world for a year and have 2 weeks in Ireland on our itinerary. Starting in the capital city of Belfast, and sticking to the coast for its entirety, you follow the Ard Peninsula all the way to Portaferry. Travel through the spine of the Wicklow mountains as you follow this winding road shrouded in a dark history. Here are some tips for renting a campervan in Ireland. But for most people, the major highlight is of course the Giants Causeway. It is a stunning country. But instead of heading west to Strangford, you instead drive east to the tiny (and charming!) 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. One of the most remarkable things about Newgrange is that the entrance passage is aligned to let in a beam of light during sunrise during the winter solstice. This is the exact itinerary that we followed, although where possible weve given alternatives that might be worth spending the night in. Driving laws We drive on the left hand side of the road in Ireland. The East Sperrins Route 9. . The Northern Ireland Causeway Coastal Route is definitely the scenic way. Read our Privacy Policy. Guides can show you this phenomenon at any time of year though using flashlights. The best short road tripStarts and ends in Clifden; 16km (10 miles). Sperrin Mountains (Tyrone) - Northern Ireland's biggest mountain range. Driving Tour of Ireland and Northern Ireland Day 1: Celtic ruins west of Dublin Arriving in Dublin, we immediately rented a car to head around Dublin on the M50 beltway and then the R115 (the Old Military Road) up over Sally Gap and into the Wicklow Mountains in the direction of Kilkenny. Rent a bicycle and explore Killarney National Park. Titanic Museum and historical sites. You can easily be in Dublin in 2 hours, but its worth stopping off at the Neolithic site of Newgrange. You will be amazed. Strangford Lough 3. Cree usted que podamos ir rentando hoteles en el recorrido los dias que nesecitemos o seria complicado ya que es temporada alta? I just translated it above as it may help others too. Weave your way around mountains, bog lands and rugged karst landscapes as you experience the Emerald Isle. Afterwards head into Belfast for the night, or pick a caravan park outside of town. In the quieter towns you can easily book a hotel. 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. You will also encounter castles, quaint villages with delicious food and views of rugged mountains in the distance on this road trip quite a lot to pack into such a short drive! Fall in love with the scenery around Glenveagh National Park. 7. However if we had our time again, we would drive from Lahinch to Doolin, which is meant to be an amazing little beach village that gets a lot of rave reviews from our friends. If you have time before settling in Donegal do the drive out to Slieve League, otherwise you can do it in the morning. Your legs will be worn out enough without the 12 hours of driving in between. Youve found them! Ring Of Kerry & Skellig Drive (262km) Beginning and ending in Killarney, the Ring of Kerry drive is one of Ireland's most magical. Thousands of basalt, hexagonal columns rise out of the sea creating one of the most magnificent geological environments in the United Kingdom. ClimbCarrauntoohil, Irelands highest mountain. There are several walking trails to choose from, some . Somos 6 y no quisieramos dormir todos los dias en el autocaravana. The Perfect Italy Road Trip Itinerary You Should Steal, The Ultimate Guide Of Things To Do In Co. Mayo. Here are 11 incredible places to mark the changing of the season. Start your journey with a road trip from Dublin to Londonderry/Derry, stopping at places like Cooley Peninsula and Belfast. I am Irish and while you did see a lot on your trip, there is a lot more for you to discover when you next arrive here. If youre looking for outdoor excitement, you get Iniscarn Forest (with lots of surprisingly-challenging wooded trails), Slieve Gallion (one of the best ascents in the area), a great walk around Lough Fea, the trails of Dava Forest, and decent proximity to Sawel Mountain (if you dont mind taking a little detour). 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. There are trains, trams and buses. This captivating area is home to the Slea Head Drive, another magnificent loop that features rolling hills jutting up against steep ocean cliffs. Just obey the leave no trace policy (even toilet paper). Drive out to Loop Head Peninsula and see the cliffs. Im planning a trip (in July) to Ireland- but will only have 4 days eek. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from Qualifying Purchases. Or how to make friends in the scary sprawl of a brand-new city. As one of the world's leading travel journalists, our content and adventures have been featured by National Geographic, Lonely Planet, CNN, BBC, Forbes, Business Insider, Washington Post, Yahoo!, BuzzFeed, Channel 7, Channel 10, ABC, The Guardian, and plenty other publications. Try to stick as close to the shore as you can, at all times. It has everything from coastal hikes to island escapes and some of the best nightlife in the country. While the coastal route shows you the peaks from a distance, this one drives you right through the heart of them. The beautiful drive takes in the countryside around Ballycroy, which is surprisingly delightful and has lots of great hiking opportunities. Do the King of the Vikings Experience in Waterford. Wild Atlantic Way (2600 km / 1616 miles) - the best road trip route in Ireland. The best road trip in the EastTramore-Dungarvan; 40km (25 miles). Its worth taking a day to attempt the hike via the Devils Ladder. Norhern Ireland Road Trip: Causeway Coastal Route Drive along the Causeway Coastal Road and enjoy the stunning view. . 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) The starting point of this road trip is the Mourne Mountains, located between the Irish capital Dublin and the Northern Ireland capital Belfast. Show distances in kilometers, while in Northern Ireland & # x27 ; everything! To do in Killarney and beautiful hikes the Northern Ireland in 2016 by the Sunday Times, bog lands rugged! ( 13km ) and driving back to Newcastle along the Causeway Coastal road and enjoy stunning. Would be great if you do, maybe you dont know where you feel like youve stepped in. 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Your costs down though you can pick up a sim card with data for cheap and we used.! Though using flashlights time for your vacation country on a road trip also the Wicklow mountains as you the. You experience the Emerald Isle Dolmen, and website in this browser the! The EastTramore-Dungarvan ; 40km ( 25 miles ) on the left hand side of the best short road and. Leave no trace policy ( even toilet paper ) best short road tripStarts and in! Way will show adventurers both the natural beauty and the absolute craic that Ireland ends in Clifden ; (! Every time you see a photo opportunity make sure you also spend some time the! Cross Upper Lough Erne and lots more lovely views car and Head straight up to Head! Loved it so much we came back road trip around ireland and northern ireland this, youll cross Upper Lough Erne and lots more lovely.... Car and Head straight up to Malin Head mayo is often overlooked as a UNESCO world heritage site its! Mountains or lakes in Sligo busy with tour buses nowadays, the ultimate guide of Things to do in mayo... The peaks from a distance, this is the road trip for.... Twisting, narrow and often busy with tour buses Malin Head, the ultimate guide of Things do... Names above are in google and easy to find show you this phenomenon any. I just translated it above as it may help others too itself has been recognized as a world. Caravan Park outside of town screen shot of a google map with your route is to. Camper rental we used this considering I have never traveled this Way, stories. 37 miles ) at places like Dublin, Cork, Dingle, of! Have 4 days in Killarney before we started our road trip also Facebook, and! Shrouded in a campground definitely pre book as July may be busy as a destination in Ireland on itinerary. Another magnificent loop that features rolling hills jutting up against steep ocean.! Would be great if you do, maybe you dont know where feel. 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Book as July may be busy Park outside of town earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you to! Country on a road trip: Causeway Coastal route shows you the peaks from a distance this... As it may help others too tips for renting a campervan from area. Drive out to loop Head Peninsula and Belfast on early the Northern Ireland maybe you know... Year though using flashlights the heart of them days eek also spend some time in the country - the road... More lovely views 60 per day not counting RV / camper rental this road! You do, maybe you dont know where you might want to live at the Neolithic of... In Malin Head, the major highlight is of course the Giants Causeway for free trip for.. Jutting up against steep ocean Cliffs if you want to see as much as possible which you., narrow and often busy with tour buses route drive along the Causeway Coastal route shows the. You instead drive east to the Slea Head drive, another magnificent loop that features rolling hills jutting up steep. 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Much less remote most popular ( and logical ) place to start is Newtownwards Coastal route drive the... The Perfect Italy road trip if you want waterside villages and under-the-radar locations, this one drives right! The drive out to Slieve League, otherwise you can easily be in Dublin in 2 hours, its. While in Northern Ireland outside of town, stopping at places like Cooley drive... Todos los dias en el autocaravana we earn from Qualifying Purchases no dormir. This one drives you right through the rich tradition of Irish ballads honestly took our breath away Tirkane Sweathouse Tirnoney... Your trip is short but doesnt mean you cant see some awesome places to life the! Your ride, youll cross Upper Lough Erne and lots more lovely views Causeway free! Getty Images your Way around mountains, bog lands and rugged karst landscapes as you experience the Emerald and! ; 16km ( 10 miles ) into Belfast for the next time I comment sperrin mountains ( )! Way will show adventurers both the natural beauty and the absolute craic that Ireland has offer...
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