scenic drives ireland

Too many people know only 20 mile long lower Lough Erne. This drive criss-crosses the labyrinthine upper lake which adds another 30 miles to the pleasure cruiser's route and that only if he cautiously avoids exploring. Even the motorist will get involved with the cruising and angling people gathering at Enniskillen, Lisnaskea and everywhere. Fermanagh's many castles reflect its planter history. Devenish, White and Boa Islands are places with ancient mysteries. Cuilcagh rises to nearly 2...

"From Dublin's magnificent southern coastline through the wooded hills of Wicklow. Visit the splendour of the Powerscourt Gardens and the historic monastic site of Glendalough. View the prehistoric Browneshill Dolmen in Carlow and explore the medieval city of Kilkenny."...

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....

This drive steeps you not only in the poetic inspiration of WB Yeats but also in the scenery painted so often by his famous brother Jack. The works of both are the pride of Sligo Museum. Fishing in the two big Loughs Erne (and the countless other waters in his region) has been likened to pardise by anglers inspired to cast words on paper. Foreign tongues extol the cruising in the Ulster Lakeland. Views range from vast horizons at Lough Navar Forest's mightly clifs to the slow-dropping peace...

Gweedore to Letterkenny and the Poisoned Glen.
Just outside Gweedore is the famous Mount Errigal, the Ulster Way path passes by the mountain and leads into the Derryveagh Mountain range.
At the eastern edge of the range is Glenveagh National Park, which is  a protected environment for the deer that roam the isolated hillsides that descend to Glenveagh Castle, now an exhibition centre for the park....

One of the mot significant prehistoric cemeteries in Europe. Despoiled by quarrying over many years, the remaining monuments consist mostly of dolmens and small passage tombs. Now under the protection of the office of Public Works, which provides a guide service during the summer months, the preservation of these remarkable stones is ensured....

Corrib Country Tour (140km/88mls) Galway - Maig - Oughterard - Maam Cross - Maam Bridge - Cornamona - Clonbur - Cong - Headford - Galway

This tour follows the 140km of shoreline around the great Lough Corrib. Leave Galway By the N59 for Moycullen village. A small detour to the right before Oughterard leads to Aughnanure Castle. Oughterard is one of Lough Corrib's main angling centres and a busy market town. (If you have time, a detour to the right in the village square will lead y...

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...

The scenic Bishop's Road across Binevenagh mountain is joined from the A2 north of Limavady by taking the B201 for a mile and then turning left. The Earl Bishop built the road to improve access to Limavady from his palace at Downhill. After 5 miles stop at the Bishop's View for the panorama over the plain. A lovely 7 mile golden strand sweeps round to Magilligan Point where where a martello tower, built in Napolonic days, commands the approach to Lough Foyle. Swirling air currents around the poi...

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...