Get set for a journey to remember, with these road trips in Ireland. Whether it’s a one-day trip or a journey across several days, Ireland road trips cater for everyone. Witness superb scenery, historical cities, and ancient ruins in a diverse landscape that has to be seen to be believed. Read on for more information on our list of must-do road trips.
Road trips in Ireland: one-day trips
Road trips in Ireland are a great way to explore the diverse landscape the country has to offer. If you’re limited on time, there are a range of short one-day trips that will take you through a selection of superb scenery. Check out our tips for road trips that you can complete in less than 24 hours, below.
Copper Coast, County Waterford
Begin your exploration of Ireland with the Copper Coast road trip, which can be completed in less than one day. Starting in the seaside resort of Tramore, you’ll head off along the Copper Coast’s scenic 25-mile trail towards Dungarvan. A UNESCO Global Geopark, you’ll be able to see beautiful beaches, luscious countryside, and wild cliff edges along the way. The park itself depicts the spectacular story of underwater volcanoes, arid deserts, and ice ages of the past.
A great place to stop off during this route is Stradbally, which offers a quaint main street as well as the breathtaking Stradbally Cove. The village of Bunmahon, where you’ll find the very informative visitors’ centre for the geopark, is also a highly recommended stopping point during your journey. If you’re looking to extend your time on the Copper Coast, you can stay at a hotel such as Greenway and Copper Coast Hostel, close by to Bunmahon, which is a good halfway point.
Inishowen 100, County Donegal
As the name suggests, this road trip in Ireland is 100 miles of the Inishowen Peninsula, in Donegal. The circuit route, which takes in wild and raw nature, offers stunning views around every corner. Despite the racy name, this route will want to be driven at a slow pace so you don’t miss any of the natural beauty. It’s best to start this circuit early in the morning from Bridge End, which is close to the Northern Ireland border, so you have plenty of time to complete it.
Travelling anti-clockwise, you’ll follow the eastern coast of Lough Foyle, passing through Redcastle and Greencastle. Up next is Malin Head, Ireland’s most northerly tip, followed by Mamore Gap, which is one of the highlights of this route. As there are so many hotspots to see on this journey, it’s one of the road trips in Ireland that is unmissable. Whilst the route can easily be completed in one day, there’s plenty of scope to extend it by staying at a hotel such as The Sea View Tavern, which is close by to Malin Head.
Cooley Peninsula, County Louth
Another road trip in Ireland that can be completed in one day is that of the Cooley Peninsula. Located close to the Northern Ireland border, this short trip takes place between Dundalk Harbour and Carlingford Lough. This road trip is somewhat of a hidden gem, scattered with historical sites and awesome archaeology along the way. Take time to stop at Proleek Dolmen, which is a portal tomb and national monument, and Castle Roche, which is a rural 13th-century castle offering panoramic views.
As this route is under 20 miles, it’s easy to complete it without requiring an overnight stop. However, once you arrive in Carlingford, there are plenty of places for you to stay, such as The Oystercatcher Lodge Guest House. Another great activity, once you’ve arrived at your destination, is to go for a walk or cycle along the Carlingford Omeath Greenway, which takes you along the bank of the lough.
Road trips in Ireland: multi-day trips
For those looking for a more epic adventure that spans several days, there are lots of road trips in Ireland that will take your breath away. From beautiful beaches and rugged cliffs to luscious countryside and bustling cities, our multi-day trips have a lot. Check out our recommended list of adventurous road trips now and get your engine started.
The Wild Atlantic Way
The Wild Atlantic Way is 1,600 miles of raw and rugged coastline, which takes in a wide variety of the lovely Irish landscape. The route is broken down into 14 route stages, so we recommend doing it in 14 days. Day one takes you from Muff on the Northern Ireland border to Letterkenny, with there being great stops such as Burt Pier. Your second day behind the wheel takes you to Bunbeg, with Horn Head being one of the highlights.
Day three and four are to Donegal Town and Ballina, respectively. During these days some recommended stops are at Carrickfin Beach and Easky Beach, so don’t forget your swimming costume. The remaining three days of the first week’s journey bring you to Belmullet, Westport, and Clifden. During these days, you can visit historical sites like Fallmore, Kildavnet Castle, and Clifden Castle.
The second week of this road trip is just as action-packed. Day eight takes you from Clifden to Galway, through the stunning Connemara National Park. Day nine and 10 are to Kilkee and Tralee respectively, with two highlights being the stunning views of Moher and Bromore Cliffs. On day 11, you are near the end of your road trip, with Castlemaine being your destination.
The remaining three days of your itinerary take you to Kenmare, Durrus, and Kinsale, where you’ll finish your epic road trip. During these three days, you can enjoy stops such as Derrynane Bay, Ballydonegan Beach, and Castlepoint.
There are loads of great places for you to stay during your journey, with The Nest Boutique Hostel in Galway being ideal for those travelling on a budget. You can check out more accommodation along the way by searching for stays on our website.
East to West: Dublin to Doolin
Next on our list of epic road trips in Ireland, we set off from the capital city, Dublin, and cut across the country on a wild adventure to Doolin. This east-to-west road trip (or west-to-east if that works better for you) takes in around 270 miles of sublime scenery, including cities, mountains, and lakes. This route tends to take about two to three days, depending on how many stops you wish to make.
The first day of the road trip takes you to Athlone, where you can explore the medieval Athlone Castle and enjoy a relaxing walk around Lough Ree. An accommodation suggestion for this town is Hodson Bay Hotel, which is located close to the shore of the lough. Your day two itinerary takes you to Galway, which also acts as a gateway to the beautiful road trip destination of Connemara National Park. The final day of this road trip brings you to Doolin, where you can take a short ferry trip to the ancient Aran Islands.
If you want to find out more about Dublin, check out our itinerary for things to do in Dublin and for a weekend in Dublin.
Donegal Road Trip
Last but certainly not least in our list of recommended road trips in Ireland is the Donegal road trip, which starts in Rossnowlagh and ends in Buncrana. This route takes around three days, or longer, depending on how long you want to take. The roads on this route take you along epic mountain tracks (some of which aren’t for the faint of heart), sandy shores, and vast countryside. There are lots of activities along the way, too, which is a great way to break up the journey.
On day one, you’ll drive from Rossnowlagh to Dungloe, where you can swap your car for the scenic Fintown Railway. Day two takes you onwards to Tramore Beach, where you can enjoy a relaxing day at the seaside. On day three, you will arrive at your destination, Buncrana, where you can visit the Fort Dunree Military Museum. For convenient accommodation in Dungloe, you can stay at a hotel such as Bridgend, located in the heart of the town.
