scenic drives ireland

The southern thumb of Offaly, incorporating the neat villages of Dunkerrin, Moneygall, and Shinrone, is Ely O'Carroll land, an area rich in history. Mount Saint Joseph Abbey is on the road to Roscrea. This Cistercian Abbey has a renowned guesthouse where visitors are always welcome. It is a gret place to relax and ponder on the meaning of life. The monks invite the public to join with them in the Daily Offices. From the Monastery, as Mount Saint Joseph is locally called, we travel along...

The journey to Wexford by road or river has many pleasant views, and some bends of the river are particularly fine. The last stages lie through the Barony of Shelmalier, which has always had a population of net-fishermen and fowlers. The'bold Shelmalier' with his long barrelled duck gun was a formidable marksman in the Wexford insurgent army. He is commemorated in may ballads. West of Enniscorthy are the Blackstairs Mountains (highest point Mount Leinster, 2,610 feet), which form par...

Take the Glenfarne road from Manorhamilton. An old black and white mileage sign with the legends Manorhamilton 1 and Enniskillen 22 3/4 provides the signal to turn left for this scenic drive. A narrow road leads to Ballyboy and Doagh Mountain and the splendid views these mountains enjoy. The mature forestry through which the road passes, provides many lovely walks and scenic picnic spots. Return to Manorhamilton. Complete the Wild Rose Tour by taking the main Sligo road crossing the Owenmore a...

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...

The Lough Inagh Drive (164km/102mls) Clifden - Ballyconneely - Roundstone - Tombeola - Derryclare Lough - Inagh Valley - Letterfrack - Cleggan - Claddaghduff - Clifden

Leave Clifden taking the road south to Ballyconneely. This is a superb drive with bogs and beaches on either side. Connemara Golf Club is located at Ballyconneely. Next stop is Roundstone, a picturesque sea village founded in the early 19th century. It has excellent beaches at Gorteen and Dogs Bay. Continue to Toomb...

So complex is north Donegal's coast line that any tour can take many variations depending how much time you have. Best views are from minor roads rather than the N56, but skirting the peninsulas is time-consuming, and roads may be poorly surfaced. The highlights of the journey are the sculpted rocks at Crohy Head near Dungloe, the fiery headland known as Bloody Foreland and the panoramic seascapes around Horn Head and Rosguill. If you still have time and a taste for this gorgeous scenery, F...

Starting in Drumshanbo and finishing in Manorhamilton, Sli Liatroma is a way marked trail of remarkable beauty. Narrow roads and good tracks ensure that the walk is not too difficult. Distinctive drumlins fill your horizons on the first part of this walk until Sliabh an Iarainn slowly assumes a dominant presence, right. A flavour of travel before the motor car can be appreciated as this old coach road plunges and climbs over the broad shoulder of Sliabh an Iarainn, which carries it. After the...

The North Mayo Drive - (173 km/108mls) Ballina - Killala - Ballycastle - Belderg - Barnatra - Belmullet - Mullet Peninsula - Belmullet - Bangor - Crossmolina - Ballina) Leave Ballina, going north towards Killala. Along the way, you will pass near Kilmoremoy where a church was founded by St. Patrick's disciple, Olcan. St. Patrick is also said to have founded a church in Killala, which is assigned to one of his disciples, St Muredach. This area is rich in archaeological remains and ecclesia...

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...

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....