scenic drives ireland

Conor Pass is best tackled on a clear day, past the 953m summit of Mount Brandon. Once over the pass, Brandon Bay opens in a fantastic geological model of lakes, river and rock-strewn contours....

Brandon Bay opens in a fantastic geological model of lakes, rivers and rock-strewn contours. The seafaring monk St Brendan set sail from these shores in the 5th century. In 1976 similar craft of wood and leather to discover whether he could have reached America before Columbus. Once down near sea level, the northern coastal strip is a quiet and easy drive past long beaches and humdrum farmland....

Coastal drive with panoramic views of the North West Donegal coast. From Falcarragh follow the N56 coastal road that leads past Horn Head to Dunfanaghy. You can visit Mc Swiney’s Gun – a natural blow hole that at certain times, when the tide rushes in can give the effect of a loud explosion. Nearby Sheephaven Bay provides beautiful scenic views and Ards Forest Park, just north of Creeslough, is a haven for native Irish fauna....

Donegal Town to Lifford via Barnesmore Gap, Ballybofey, Convoy and Raphoe. The N15 from Donegal town skirts the southern extremities of the Bluestack Mountains. From there continue on to the twin towns of Ballybofey and Stranorlar, on the river Finn. Ballybofey is home of Magee Tweeds, from there it is a short drive to Lifford the administrative capital of Donegal....

Travelling west from the village of Killybegs you have wonderful sea-scapes to the left and the great bulks of Crownarad and Mulnanaff mountains looming before you. Leave the main road, turn left for the signposted coast road, and take this very scenic, if narrow , road to Kilcar. As you switch back and forward and plunge and climb over this roller coaster of a road you will be delighted by the views and different landscape perspectives offered by your journey....

Donegal to Ardara via the Bluestack Mountains.
There is a much more direct route from Donegal town to Ardara but there is not a more scenic one than that which cuts inlands from Donegal town to the Bluestack mountains. The area is a splendid location for walking and Lough Eske provides fine fishing....

Glenties to Ballybofey via the Donegal Highlands.
This route cuts across the central mountainous section of County Donegal. Mountains that will come into view on the way include, Gouguin and Aghla Mountains. To the south the Bluestack mountains offer an ideal environment for the nature lover....

This drive brings you to the lake-studded and wooded district of South Mayo, where at various points on your journey, you will pass by three beautiful lakes, Lough corrib, Lough Carra and Lough Mask. Leave Castlebar on the N84 for Ballinrobe. After about 11 km there is a signpost for Ballintubber Abbey to your left. Take this road to one of Ireland's most enduring places of worship, Ballintubber Abbey, which was built in 1216 by Cathal Crobhdhearg O'Connor, King of Connacht, for the Order of...

Leaving Donegal Town in a southerly direction take the N15 that leads into Laghey, from there turn in an easterly direction on the R232 and make for Pettigo, a picturesque village on the Fermanagh / Donegal border....

The Lakes Tour - (102 km/64 mls) Castlebar - Straide - Foxford - Ballina - Crossmolina - Laharadaun - Pontoon - Foxford - Straide - Castlebar Leave Castlebar on the N5 road and turn left at Bellavary taking the N26 for Straide. This was the birthplace of Michael Davitt, who established the Land League in the 1800s to fight for the rights of Irish Tenants. His family were evicted when Davitt was a child because they couldn't pay their rent. He saw the suffering inflicted on people through t...