scenic drives ireland

The Burren Drive: Galway - Oranmore - Clarenbridge - Kilcolgan - Kinvara - Belharbour - Ballyvaughan - Kilfenora - Lisdoonvarna - Ennistymon - Lahinch - Liscanor - Doolin - Fanore - Ballyvaughan - Kinvara

This drive leads to the limestone plateaux of the Burren with its natural and historical riches. The Burren is a gently sloping carboniferous limestone landscape, dissected by numerous joints running from north to south. In addition to its rocky landscape the Burren is famous for...

Ireland's most northerly point lies in the Republic on this ragged triangular headland, not in Northern Ireland as most people would expect. Lough Foyle and Lough Swilly virtually isolate Inishowen from the rest of the county. The interior is a mix of low white farms and cottages huddling roped against the wind, and grand brown mountains rising toward Slieve Snaght. The scenic 160km route around the edge of Inishowen takes in Malin Head, castles, churches, High Crosses and pre-Christian antiq...

The Mayo Experience (178km/112mls) Galway - Claregalway - Tuam - Milltown - Claremorris - Knock - Kiltimagh - Bohola - Foxford - Pontoon - Castlebar - Ballintubber - Ballinrobe - Headford - Galway Take the N17 (Tuam Road) to Claregalway, a village with a ruined Franciscian Friary, standing near the Clare River. The flat farmland along here is relieved by Knockma Hill where, it seems, fairies once lived. Tuam, an ancient town has fine monuments, including a 12th century High Cross. In ea...

The very popular Heritage Town of Ardara, a leading centre for the Donegal hand-woven tweed and hand-knit garment industry, is the starting point for the varied drive. Follow the signs from Dungloe heading north from Ardara. Some 6km out take a left, signposted Rosbeg. Small, picturesque cottages are tucked into the lea of the rounded hills before Loughros Mor Bay opens up to your left, with Slievetooey dominating the horizon. Nearing Rosbeg you will see Kiltorris Lough to the right an...

Galway and Connemara One day Tour 257km

Travel north west of Galway to the pretty village of Oughterard, with views of Lough Corrib along the way. Continue through the rugged countryside of Connemara, dominated by the craggy peaks of the Twelve Bens, via Maam Cross and Recess into Clifden-capital of Connemara. From Clifden drive to Letterfrack and on to Leenane, at the head of picturesque Killary Harbour. Along the way you'll see the magnificent Kylemore Abbey. Having left L...

The Wicklow Mountains were for centuries the strongholds of the unsubdued O'Tooles and O'Brynes, and even down until 1803 a leader of the 1798 Rising, Michael Dwyer, was able to remain at large among them. it was to make theses mountain strongholds accessible to the mountain strongholds accessible to the British Army that the Military road was built after 1798. It runs from Rathfarnham , just south of Dublin, to Aghavannagh, and today it open up the beauties of the central Wicklow area to...

The Historic Route: 154km /96 miles) Galway - Loughrea - Bullaun - Loughrea - Aughrim - Loughrea - Peterswell - Thoor Ballylee - Coole Park Gort - Kilmacduagh - Kinvara - Kilcolgan - Clarebridge - Oranmore - Galway

Leave Galway taking the Dublin road for Loughrea, a market town, named after the nearby beautiful grey lake Lough Rea. Here, St Brendan's Cathedral contains treasures in wood, stone, cloth and iron. There are also stained glass windows, created by some of Ireland's grea...

There are three scenic routes into the Barony of Erris - from Westport, from Ballina via Ballycastle and the famous Ceide Fields along the R314 or from Ballina via the main route the N59. Travelling along the N59 the immense beauty of the largest, living, breathing, unspoilt bogland in Europe will greet your arrival. Stop off at the impressive Bellacorick Bog Train and treat yourself to a unique guided tour of Ireland's first wind farm. The Musical Bridge at Belacorick is another original...

Mary Gibbons
A member of Dublin Tourism, had worked as a Tour Guide, in such diverse places as China, Jerusalem, Rome and the Vatican City. She works as a Guide in Ireland and has a vast knowledge of the Country's History, Art, Architecture and Politics. Her style of guiding has made her one of Ireland's top tour Guides.
Micheal Gibbons (Mary's Brother)
A native of Clifden, is one of Ireland's leading Field Archaeologists. A specialist in Irish Islands and upl...

Letterkenny and Convoy Follow the N13 (Derry road) from Letterkenny and then turn right onto the N56 for Ballybofey/Stranorlar. Some 17km south, take the R236 left, signposted Convoy and Raphoe. Mullaghagarry Forest Park is on the right and a stop is worthwhile.
Continue north-east through the neat village of Convoy. Raphoe is a busy market town in a fertile heartland. North of Raphoe on a third class road is Mongorry Forest with pleasant forest walks and viewpoints, Continue north-e...