The road unwinds through the Irish countryside, past green fields dotted with sheep, stone walls that have stood for centuries, and the ruins of medieval castles standing sentinel over the landscape. Touring Ireland by car offers the freedom to explore at your own pace, to stop at a pub in a village you cannot find on a map, or to follow a narrow road to a beach where the Atlantic surf crashes against golden sand. The Wild Atlantic Way stretches for 2,500 kilometres along the western coast, a route that connects some of the most dramatic scenery in Europe: the Cliffs of Moher, Connemara, and the Ring of Kerry.
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There are so many things to see in Ireland, narrowing it down to a driving category may be one way to rein it in. There is good transportation in general, but some places are easier to reach by car.
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Flying to Ireland will necessitate car hire once you get there, but the airports have dealers in convenient locations. You might get a brand of American car you never heard of before. The major manufacturers have different models in European countries that may have a bit more style even if they are basically the same as the American versions.
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\nThe Dingle Peninsula, Ireland by Bjørn Christian Tørrissen
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In This Article
The Dingle Peninsula and Ring of Kerry
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The Dingle Peninsula is a good example of a driving tour. Starting in Tralee, go west and around the peninsula ending at Castlemaine Harbour. Take in the Gallarus Oratory, a stone chapel built by monks some time after 600 A.D., that still stands in excellent condition.
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Another trip that car hire easily accommodates is just south of Dingle in the Ring of Kerry. Starting at Killarney on the Iveragh Peninsula, circle west and around to Killorglin. Muckross House, just over three miles from Killarney, is a 65-room estate with lovely gardens. Queen Elizabeth visited the estate in 1861.
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These two peninsulas are some of the most beautiful places on earth, and National Geographic agrees. Driving is the best way to see them because there are so many possibilities for sight-seeing and photography all the way around both areas. Rain or shine, these locales have been photographed extensively by professionals and visitors for decades. Being able to stop and get out of the car any time is invaluable. The right photograph can be framed and enjoyed for years.
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\nRing of Kerry, Ireland by DI Florian Fuchs
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The coastal areas around the entire country are quite photogenic, and car hire touring is the best way to stop and take advantage of the scenery at a whim. Tour buses whiz by fields with ancient stone walls and hillsides of patchwork squares in different shades of green.
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County Wicklow and Glendalough
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There are mountain vistas in various places in Ireland, as well, and seeing them by car is a sure way to enjoy them at leisure. County Wicklow has impressive mountain areas most easily accessed by car. There is no public transportation up into the mountains, so seeing the whole county is easiest by car.
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Also in Wicklow is the Powerscourt Estate and Waterfall. It takes time to see all of the gardens, the house and the waterfall, so a car allows for an entire day of sightseeing. Don’t worry about a tour bus leaving without you; go by car and enjoy it fully. This is another site that has been photographed too many times to count.
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\nPowerscourt Waterfall, Ireland by DorinRodina
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Glendalough, also in Wicklow, is an important historic site in a glacial valley. The name means “glen of two lakes.” Ireland is blessed with unparalleled beauty, and this is one more place in which to witness it in panoramic views from the hills. The remaining chapel and other structures from the seventh century are good reasons to go, and the lakes are unbelievably picturesque.
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Many visitors come down to Wicklow from Dublin to hike, but the whole county has attractions that should not be missed. The shoreline is stunning as well. Don’t miss any of it. Hop in the car and see all of Ireland’s majestic views at your own rate.
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This has been a guest post from Skedaddle, your best friend when it comes to planning road trips.\n
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Practical Tips for Driving in Ireland
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Driving in Ireland requires some advance preparation. You will drive on the left side of the road, which takes adjustment if you come from a right-hand drive country. Rental cars with manual transmission are standard and more affordable than automatics. Many rural roads are narrow and lined with stone walls or high hedges; pull into designated passing bays to let oncoming traffic through. Speed limits are posted in kilometres per hour, though older signs in the north use miles. Fuel stations can be sparse in remote areas, so fill up when you see one, particularly in the west and along the Wild Atlantic Way. Tolls exist on some motorways, including the M50 around Dublin, and most accept credit cards. Parking in towns is usually pay-and-display. A satellite navigation system is strongly recommended, as mobile phone reception can be patchy in mountainous and coastal regions. With these tips in mind, your Irish road trip will be smooth and memorable.
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Category: Ireland
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Would you take the scenic coastal route or explore Ireland’s inland counties? 🚗
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