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....

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...

Waterford and the Comeragh Mountains One day scecic tour 177km Depart New Ross and follow the coast to Ballyhack crossing to County Waterford by the Passage East car ferry. Follow the coastline to Dunmore East passing Woodstown Strand with its beautiful sandy beach and on to the popular seaside resort of Tramore. Continue on by the scenic coast road by Annestown and the fishing village of Bunmahon towards Dungarvan. Dungarvan is attractively situated south of the Comeragh and monavullagh Mountai...

Buncrana to Carndonagh via Slieve Snacht.
Buncrana is a fast growing town on the eastern shore of Lough Swilly. A traditional holiday centre for neighbouring Derry, Buncrana has seen large amounts of foreign investment arriving in recent years. To the north of the town on the R238 is Slieve Snacht mountain, measuring 615 metres at its highest point. To the north lies the market town of Carndonagh, by continuing on this route the road eventually leads to Malin Head, the most northerly poin...

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...

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....

West Coast Tour Two Day circular Tour 478km Day 1 Galway-Westport 192km Start your tour from the historic city of Galway with its Spanish Arch and the Church of St Nicholas in which Christopher Columbus is said to have prayed before he set out for America. Your tour of Connemara brings you by Spiddal, Costelloe, Screeb, Gortmore, Carna, Toombeola, Ballynahinch and Glendollagh. From Clifden you turn northwards to Tullycross and on to Leenane, at the head of picturesque Killary Harbour. Dr...

This magnificent drive crosses a pass in the Caha Mountains is backbone of the Beara Peninsula, from Adrigole in Cork  to Lauragh in County Kerry.
Taken in either direction it is a spectacular route, with Glanmore Lake brooding deeply below and great coums and corries opening on each side.

The road is called after Tim Healy, a controversial man, much liked and much hated, who was appointed Governor-General of the new Irish Free State which came into being after...

Among the many walks or short drives from Avoca village are 1. Go past the Catholic Church and out via Sulphurbrook and Kilmacoo, turn left at Kilmacoo Cross, through Conary village; turn left at next crossroads to the Motte Stone, a glacial boulder of granite about 10 feet high by 14 feet by 10 feet perched on the summit of a hill over 800 feet high. From the top of the stone there is an extensive view of the valley. 2. From Avoca village turn left at Ballygahan Garage up Red Road...

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...