scenic drives ireland

Exciting sea cliffs fringe the popular resort of Bundoran, the staring point for this drive. Boasting an EC Blue Flag quality beach, which attracts thousands of families in the summer months, this seaside town has added to its year-round appeal by its lively entertainment programme.
Driving north on the N15 towards Ballyshannon, situated on the River Erne since it was founded in the 17th century, the steep, narrow streets of Ballyshannon give this town a character and atmosphere which is...

The Blackwater is Munster's major river, and the second largest in Ireland. It rises in remote mountainy country on the borders of Cork and Kerry, and flows for 136 km through a wooded limestone valley, turning sharply south towards the end to reach the sea at Youghal. The river banks are punctuated by historic castles and great estates.

Starting at the old fishing port of Youghal, follow the little roads on the West side of the estuary, stopping briefly to look at the ruined Molana...

You're never far from Benbulben on this tour, the mountain that so inspired Yeats. The coast is quiet and much broken; inland are lakes and pastures.
This area is called 'Yeats Country' as the poet passed much of his childhood and was eventually buried here, though his adult life was largely spent in Dublin, and in Galway at Thoor Ballylee or at Coole Park.
Above Sligo Town the curious hulk of Benbulben looms like a capsized ship, its flat limestone top scored by erosin. Off...

Day One Newry-Newtownards Take the lake shore road past Narrow Water Castle through Warrenpoint to Rostrevor. Turn here up into the western Mournes to Hilltown, an old smugglers' village with many pubs. Then via B8, pausing after 2 miles to inspect Pat Kearney's Big Stone, on to Lough Island Reavy, stopping to walk to Drumena Cashel close by, to Castlevellan Forest Park to visit the National Arboretum. Continue on the A25 to Downpatrick, passing close to the Butterfly House at Seaforde, and In...

The Suggested starting point is Cork-a charming city on the River Lee, excellent for shopping and offering first class pubs and restauants with entertainment for every member of the family. Blarney Castle, with its famous Stone of Eloquence is a ten minute drive away.

Visit there to kiss the stone before continuing to the old world town of Kinsale. Drive on to Timoleague where you'll see the remains of the once largest friary in Ireland, then Clonakilty, Rosscarbery, Glandore, Union Hall...

This one-day circular tour covers 257km. Takes in Limerick city, Ennis, Kilrush, Kilkee, Lahinch, Liscannor Bay, the famous Cliffs of Moher, Lisdoonvarna and the breath-taking Burren area. Then Ballyvaughan, Bealaclugga, Tulough, Carran, Leamaneh Castle, Kilfenora (which features the Burren Display Centre), Kilnahoy, Corofin, Tulla, Broadford, and finishes back in Limerick city. A great way to get to know the area....

East Coast Tour

Circular tours - one north, the other south of Dublin.


DAY 1


Northern Tour


306km/190mls


Take the Navan road out of Dublin for Tara - site of a former royal acropolis, situated in an area rich in ancient monuments. Continue north to Navan, Donaghmore and Slane. Visit the Bronze Age cemeteries at Brugh na Boinne, King Williams Glen, Mellifont Abbey and Monasterboice, before heading for Dunleer, Castlebellingha...

The coast of West Cork is a much favoured but quite unspoilt region, a place of bays and sheltered harbours, headlands, beaches and quiet seaside villages. Head out of Cork by the road to Innishannon, from where you drive along the Bandon river into the town of Bandon, take the road to Timoleague. The fine abbey here, standing at the water's edge, was an important Franciscan house.

It was founded by the MacCarthys in 1240 and was associated with St. Mologa, hence the name. You may...

One of Donegal's most popular peninsular drives where the road runs around the glorious Rosguill Peninsula with Downings at its base. Signposted circuit of the Rosguill Peninsula past much photographed Tra na Rosann....