Best Irish Road Trips

Ireland is a stunning country filled with rolling hills, spectacular views and wonderful people. So, if you want to go on an irish road trip through the country it certainly makes sense. We’ve picked our top recommendations for road trips to remember in your motorhome through the Emerald Isle for you to take a look at. 

The Ring of Kerry, County Kerry

The 111-mile circuit began as a horse-drawn carriage tour in the 1900s starts and ends in Killarney, bringing in some of Ireland’s most dramatic mountain and coastal scenery on the Iveragh peninsula. Travel anti-clockwise around this loop, pulling off the road outside Cahersiveen for views of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Skellig Michael island. We also recommend stopping at Moll’s Gap for the breathtaking panoramas of Killarney National Park and its shimmering lakes. All in this journey should take 2-3 days for you to truly appreciate and incorporate everything it has to offer. 

The Wild Atlantic Way

The longest route on our list The Wild Atlantic Way can take up to 3 weeks! Although you can take it in sections and still enjoy what it has to offer. The route hugs Ireland’s Atlantic seaboard for over 1,500 miles in completion and takes you through 8 counties. There are countless spectacular views and many landmarks for you to see along the way including Connemara’s incredible scenery and the beautiful city of Galway mid-way through the trip. 

Galway to Westport, County Galway and County Mayo

The N59 departs Galway City and travels into the true heart of Ireland’s west. The city quickly fades away, and each passing mile brings drivers deeper into Connemara’s rugged landscape. The area is surrounded by bogland, slate-coloured streams, stone walls, and views of the prominent Maamturk mountains and Twelve Bens. You can also pick between driving along the coast to enjoy the stunning beaches in your van conversion or taking the R334 along through the stunning landscapes of the Lough Inagh before rejoining the N59. We recommend taking 2-3 days along this route to take in everything this route has to offer. 

The Vee, County Waterford and County Tipperary

This drive should only take you around 2-3 hours but in that short time, you will encounter stunning views and lovely towns along the way. Starting off in the town of Lismore, home to Lismore Castle just above the river blackwater. The route takes you around 2,000ft up into the Knockmealdown Mountains. When you reach the Vee Gap you will be greeted by the awesome views of the peaks and the green Tipperary countryside below you. When you finish taking everything in, travel down to Cahir known for having one of Ireland’s best-preserved castles, just on the banks of the River Suir. 

The Braveheart Drive, County Wicklow

Our last pick for the best Irish road trips starts and ends in the village of Hollywood. The route gets its name due to the fact the 1995 Mel Gibson film was shot around County Wicklow. Some locals might tell you the village itself was the inspiration behind the American Hollywood and one of the hills even has a replica of the world-famous Californian sign. But past the movie connections, this 50-mile trip is an easy drive through some of the best landscapes and scenery County Wicklow has to offer. You will encounter the Wicklow mountains and the romantic 6th-century settlement of Glendalough in a deep lake-filled valley. This route is a perfect day trip from Dublin if you are looking for trips around the City. 

 

So there you have it. Our top picks for the best road trips Ireland has to offer. So pack up your friends and family and pile in your motorhome or van conversion, ready to make memories. The Emerald Isle has plenty to do and plenty to see. Go ahead and plan your next road trip, we guarantee you won’t be disappointed.