tour of ireland

DAY 1

Dublin - Tramore

190km/118mls

Having seen Dublin's historic buildings and Georgian squares and having sampled its lively cosmopolitan atmosphere, you're on your way to Enniskerry, a pretty hillside village just 19km/12mls south of the city. Nearby you can visit the splendid Powerscourt Estate, with its gardens, deer herd and waterfall. Continue on through Roundwood to Glendalough and see the ruins of an early Christian settlement in a beautiful wild setting of mountains and lakes. Your next stop, via Rathdrum is Avoca, made famous by Thomas Moore's song "The Meeting of the Waters". Southwards is the prominent holiday resort of Arklow, overlooking the sea. Onwards to Enniscorthy, with its old-world charm - just 53km/33mls from the car ferry port of Rosslare Harbour - and then by New Ross, with its twisting lanes and Dutch-type houses to Waterford. Or visit Wexford and on to Waterford by the Ballyhack/Passage East car ferry. Spend your first night at Tramore, a family resort with 5km/3mls of sandy beaches.




DAY 2


Tramore - Cork


117km/73mls


After lunch leave for Cork, via Dungarvan into Youghal, a popular holiday resort. Continue through the town of Middleton to Cork. Enjoy the friendly atmosphere of Cork, built on the banks of the River Lee. Visit Saint Anne's Shandon, where the Bells of Shandon are played on request, and admire the many fine buildings.




DAY 3


Cork - Killarney - Ring of Kerry - Killarney


Leaving Cork on the third day, your first stop is Blarney Castle with its famous stone, said to impart the gift of eloquence to all who kiss it! Continue through Macroom, Ballingeary. Pass of Keimaneigh (not far from Gougane Barra Forest Park) Ballylickey and into the beautiful holiday resort of Glengarriff from where you can visit Garnish Island. Then in a northerly direction you drive through Kenmare into Killarney, enjoying one of the finest scenic drives on the way. Continue then to Killorglin, Cahirciveen, Waterville, Sneem, Parknasilla, Kenmare and back to Killarney.




DAY 4


Killarney


It is worth spending a day in Killarney to visit the National Park or take a trip on horse-back through the Gap of Dunloe.




DAY 5


Killarney - Galway


251km/156mls


On the fifth day your drive takes you through Abbeyfeale, Newcastle West, the lovely village of Adare, and into Limerick, 26km/16mls from Shannon Airport on the River Shannon, a graceful and historic city, featuring King John's Castle, the Treaty Stone and Saint Mary's Cathedral. Traditional medieval banquets can be enjoyed at Bunratty Castle (13km/8mls from Limerick) and Knappogue Castle (13km/8mls from Ennis).

Continuing on you reach Ennis with its old abbey and the seaside resort of Lahinch, featuring excellent golf courses. Alternatively, you have the choice of taking another route from Abbeyfeale, crossing on the Killimer/Tarbert car ferry and reaching Lahinch via Kilrush and Kilkee. Make your next stop by the 200 metre deep breathtaking Cliffs of Moher, before driving to Lisdoonvarna, Ireland's premier spa. Drive through the bare limestone hills of the Burren Country to Ballyvaughan, Kinvara (mediaeval banquets at Dunguaire Castle), Clarenbridge (oyster festival). Galway city is the capital of the "Western World" with its famous Spanish Arch and Church of Saint Nicholas, where, tradition holds, Columbus prayed sailing to America.




DAY 6


Galway - Westport


138km/86mls


The next day your route through Connemara takes you to Moycullen, Oughterard, Recess. Clifden (capital of Connemara), Leenane and Westport on Clew Bay with over 100 islands.




DAY 7


Westport - Bundoran


154km/96mls


Head north next day to Castlebar, Pontoon, Ballina and the family resort of Inniscrone. Enjoy a swim with the children before driving on to Sligo, where you can look around the 13th century Franciscan Friary and the museum, situated in the county library. Head on to Drumcliffe (burial place of W.B.Yeats) to complete your day's driving at Bundoran.




DAY 8


Bundoran - Dunfanaghy


193km/120mls


On the following day head further up the Atlantic Coast through Ballyshannon to Donegal town, visiting the Franciscan Friary in Rossnowlagh and Donegal Castle. Drive through Dunkineely, Ardara and Glenties, all noted for their cottage industries and Donegal tweed. Then on to Dungloe, Annagry, Crolly, Bunbeg, Bloody Foreland and Gortahork bringing you into the heart of the Irish speaking area and finally into Dunfanaghy, nestling in a cosy inlet of Sheephaven Bay.




DAY 9


Dunfanaghy - Carrick On Shannon


177km/110mls


Next day your tour takes you south via Portnablagh to Letterkenny - Donegal's chief town. This is an excellent point from which to extend your drive, by taking the 'Inishowen 100', to Buncrana, Malin Head and Moville. Return to Letterkenny by Manorcunningham. Total distance for this trip is 192km/120mls. Continue south the picturesque Finn Valley to the twin towns of Stranorlar and Ballybofey, completing your round trip of County Donegal. The next stage takes you to Ballyshannon and Bundoran in a southerly direction to Manorhamilton. Overlooking the town you will see the picturesque ruin of Sir Frederick Hamilton's castle - built in 1638. Continue south through Drumkeeran along the beautiful shores of Lough Allen into Drumshanbo. Drive on through Leitrim into Carrick-on-Shannon, an important cruising and angling centre. Then on to Mohill where a visit to Lough Rynn House and Gardens, former home of Lord Leitrim is well worthwhile.




DAY 10


Carrick-On-Shannon - Dublin


241km/150mls


On the final day head for Cavan, travelling by Mohill, Carrigallen, Killeshandra and Crossdoney enjoying the lake scenery on the way. Continue to Bailieborough (14km/9mls from the important angling centre of Virginia) and into the attractive town of Carrickmacross. The last stage of your trip takes you to Drogheda - a historic town in County Louth. From Drogheda visit the prehistoric tombs at Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth. Drive on by Slane into Navan. 10km/6mls from here see the Hill of Tara, home of the ancient high kings of Ireland. Complete your tour of the Boyne Valley in Trim, rich in historical associations and ancient monuments, before returning to Dublin, via Black Bull, Clonee, Blanchardstown and the Phoenix Park.