scenic drives ireland

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...

O'Carolan Country Tour One day Tour 120km This tour starts from the attractive riverside and marina town of Carrick on Shannon. Drive towards Boyle and visit the Lough Key Forest Park with its numerous facilities from lakeside restaurant and caravan park to boating and nature trails. Discover the 13th century Boyle Abbey in Boyle town. Then on by Lough Key's Doon Shore, enjoy the magnificent view of this island studded lake, to Carrigeenroe and by the east shore of Lough Arrow to Riverstown a...

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....

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...

'Past ancient sites and sensuous scenery to the Republic of Ireland's northernmost point.'...

North East Tour Two Circular tours-one north, the other south of Belfast. Day 1 North Coast Tour 288km. Travel north out of Belfast through Carrickfergus to the car ferry port of Larne. Continue along the scenic route to Cushendall and Ballycastle, enjoying the gently scooped out contours of the Antrim Glens to your left. Continue to the popular town of Ballycastle famous for its Ould Lammas Fair before following the road to portrush via the Giant’s Causway. Pass through Portrush and Cole...

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...

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...

"From rock strewn desolation to wooded glens and luxuriant gardens warmed by the Gulf Stream: the coastline of the Beara Peninsula twists 'round creeks, sandy bays, harbours and headlands, luring the traveller to fresh discoveries"...

Donegal Town to Lifford via Barnesmore Gap, Ballybofey, Convoy and Raphoe. The N15 from Donegal town skirts the southern extremities of the Bluestack Mountains. From there continue on to the twin towns of Ballybofey and Stranorlar, on the river Finn. Ballybofey is home of Magee Tweeds, from there it is a short drive to Lifford the administrative capital of Donegal....