15 Best Scenic Drives in Ireland to See the Emerald Isle

Ireland, (or the Emerald Isle) home to the leprechaun, Guinness, some of the friendliest people in the world and the best scenic drives with scenery that will have you questioning whether this is real life.

Every where you look you are treated to rolling green mountains, rugged coastline, castles that Europe is so famous for and brightly coloured villages that brighten up even the darkest days.

One of the best ways to experience Ireland is to hire a car (or a camper van) and drive some of the best Ireland Scenic Drives.

So, go on, choose your Irish adventure from one the 15 best scenic drives in Ireland.

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Map of the most scenic drives in Ireland

15 Best Scenic Drives in Ireland

The biggest problem you are going to have is choosing from the 15 best drives in Ireland. You might have to start booking your next trip before you’re finished reading this article.

For an example of itinerary which will see you ticking off some of the drives in Ireland check out the 7 day driving itinerary in Ireland.

1 Coastal Causeway Route

The Coastal Causeway Route is one of the prettiest drives in Northern Ireland. Home to the Giant’s Causeway and the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, the Costal Causeway Route connects the city of Belfast to the Wild Atlantic Way.

If scaling to great heights is your “thing”, you must make a stop at the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge where you cross a rickety rope bridge over the crash ocean to a rock island.

Winter is coming! Fan of the series Game of Thrones? You will be familiar with the dark hedges although the Dark Hedges are located just off the Coastal Causeway Route near the town of Ballycastle, it is well worth the stop, especially at sunrise or sunset.

Of course, this particular scenic drive comes to an end when you reach the Giants Causeway. Legend has it that the causeway was built so the Irish Giant Fionn could meet and fight the Scottish Giant, who built a similar causeway over the ocean in Scotland. The Irish and their story telling are legendary, so make sure you go into the visitors center to hear the full story.

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
Location: Country Antrim, Northern Ireland
Route: Belfast City to London-Derry
Distance: 130 miles (212 kilometers)
Time: 5 hours drive time (allow most of the day)

2 Slea Head Drive

Whilst not as famous as it neighbour, the Ring of Kerry, Slea Head Drive is the stunning road on the Dingle Peninsula.

Unlike many road trips in Ireland, Slea Head Drive is quite short but don’t let it fool you into thinking it is not beautiful.

If you drive in a clockwise direction with the coast on your left hand side, you will get stunning views of sandy beaches, craggy cliffs and beautiful rolling hills. Driving this way will also help you to avoid the tour buses that frequent the Peninsula in the summer months.

Despite tour buses visiting the area as a general rule the Dingle Peninsula is less busy than the Ring of Kerry.

The scenic loop drive is not only beautiful but it provides an insight into the culture and history of Ireland.

The famine cottages demonstrate what life would have been like for families during the famine, the blasket islands make you feel as though you have stepped back in time and the beaches such as Dun Chaoin, Coumeenoole Beach (the beach where scences from Star Wars were filmed) and Slea Head itself are a great place to stretch your legs.

Although the drive is quite short, I recommend staying in Dingle and giving yourself the whole day to complete the drive. There are plenty of hikes and walks to do along the way and you will be stopping more often than you think to snap a quick picture.

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
Location: Country Kerry, Ireland
Route: Tralee to Slea Head
Distance: 40 miles (47 kilometers)
Time: 3 hours drive time

3 Ring of Kerry

The scenic route along the  Iveragh Peninsula, better known as the Ring of Kerry starts in the Killarney National Park and follows the coastline along the Wild Atlantic Way.

The Ring of Kerry brings together the wild ocean, the remote islands, green mountains and gorgeous Irish towns and villages. Be sure to stop along way in places such as Killarney, Valentia, Kenmare and Derrynane.

The drive follows the Kerry coastline along the Wild Atlantic Way, stopping at several great locations such as Valentia Island, Killarney, Kenmare, Derrynane, and more. Keep your eyes peeled for beautiful views of the Skellig Islands off in the distance in the Atlantic ocean.

There are plenty of short walks and hikes if you like to get out in nature and feel the cool Irish air on your skin. Torc Waterfall is a short walk in the midst of a green forest and Kerry’s cliffs give you outstanding views of the coast.

As it is one of the best scenic drives in Ireland it is very popular with tourists and can become very busy. If possible, plan your trip for the shoulder seasons (April – June or September – October) to avoid the business.

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
Location: County Kerry, Ireland
Route: Killarney – Killarney
Distance: 111 miles (179kilometers)
Time: 4 hours drive time

4 Sperrin Mountains Loop

From the moment you begin the winding drive through the rugged mountains you will understand why they have are considered an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

The Sperrin Mountains are located in Country Tyrone, Northern Ireland and include four driving routes in the North, East, South and Central.

The Sperrin Mountains are rugged, and the drive is winding, with a number of interesting stops along the way. It’s no wonder that the Sperrin Mountains are a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. 

No matter the route you choose you will find plenty stunning views of rivers, valleys and lakes. Along the way there will be places to stop with amenities and lodgings.

The dramatic landscapes make it the perfect place for activities such as hiking. If you’re driving through the Glenshane Pass stop at the Ponderosa Pub which claims to be the “Highest Pub in Ireland”.

Detailed information on the different routes including maps and things to do along the way can be found here.

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
Location: County Tyrone, Northern Ireland
Route: North, East, South and Central
Distance: North: 50 miles ( 80kilometers) East Route: 63 miles (101 kilometers), South 64 miles (103 kilometers) and Central Route: 90 miles (145 kilometers)
Time: Dependent on route

5 Wicklow Mountains National Park

The Wicklow Mountains may appear familiar if like me, you’re a sucker for a good romance movie. This is the meeting location of Gerry and Holly in P.S I love you.

If you’re staying in Dublin (or you’re a local) you don’t need to drive far to reach the Wicklow Mountain National Park, you can reach the National Park in around an hour from Dublin (depending of course, on where you are planning to start your drive). The mountains are the source of the River Liffey.

On your journey through the Wicklow Mountains you will want to stop at Blessington Lakes Powerscourt Waterfall, Sally’s Gap, Guinness Lake and Glenalough.

A great place to stop for lunch is the Powerscourt Waterfall and then take a walk for the beautiful view at Sally Gap’s pass.

The drive will take you through beautiful hills covered in heather, vast plains and stone buildings built by the Celts.

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
Location: County Wicklow, Ireland
Route: Powerscourt Waterfall – Sally Gap – Glendalough Upper Lake
– Route 756 towards Hollywood Distance: 47 miles (76 kilometers)
Time: 2 hours driving time

6 Copper Coast Scenic Drive

You can begin the route along the Copper Coast Scenic Drive (officially known as the R675) in either Rosslare, County Wexford or Dungarvan, County Waterford. The drives takes you through the Copper Coast European Geopark and are named for the mines that were here in the 19th century.

The drive passed through Dunmore via Waterford and along to the Hook Head Peninsula. You will be greeted with gorgeous little villages, beautiful beaches and coves and a natural rugged coast that has been untouched by modern civilisation. Along the way, look out for the Lighthouse, the Tintern Abbey and Kilmore Quay.

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
Location: County Wexford or County Waterford, Ireland
Route: Tramore or Dungarvan to
Distance: 100 mile (166 kilometers)
Time: one and half hours drive time

7 Connemara Sky Road

Connemara Sky Road begins and ends in Clifden and is a stunning panoramic road. This one of Ireland Scenic Drives that provides gorgeous views but it is also a very short road trip, it’s only 16km!

The route is very well sign posted, the road heads west towards Lower Sky Road and Upper Sky Road, the upper path rises up to the highest point where you will reach a vantage view point.

From the view point you can take in the fabulous views over Clifden Bay and Inishturk and Turbot islands in the Atlantic Ocean.

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
Location: Connemara, County Galway
Route: Clifden – Clifden
Distance: 10 miles (16 kilometers)
Time: 30 minutes

8 Conor Pass

Conor Pass is one of the most scenic drives in Ireland, despite only being a short drive. The pass is located in the Dingle Peninsula and passes through Ireland’s highest mountain pass.

The road can raise you heart rate as the road is tight and slightly risky as it winds its way around the sharp cliffs.

When you reach the highest point on the pass there is a tiny car park where you can safely pull over and take in the breathtaking views as far as the Aran Islands off the County Galway coast.

From the view point and the road itself you have amazing views of the mountains and Corrie lake.

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
Location: Dingle Peninsula, Ireland
Route: Dingle to Kilmore Cross
Distance: 7.5 miles (12km)
Time: 1 hour

9 Glengesh Pass

Sometimes referred to as the Donegal Pass, the Glengesh Pass, is located 10 minutes from Ardara and 25 minutes from Glencolmcille.

The Glengesh Pass (‘Glen of the Swans’) links the towns of Ardara and Glencolmcille as it cuts through the high mountain pass. The road winds through valley and is not only driven but also cycled and walked.

Despite being a “tourist attraction” it is a much quieter drive than many of Ireland’s Scenic Drives, this makes it much easier to take it easy as the road is very windy and VERY narrow, so make sure to take it slow.

The views down into the valley are certainly something else, it makes all the hairpin turns worth it.

A beautiful place to stop is at the Assaranca Waterfall, the Maghera stand and Slieve League. Standing at just shy of 2000 feet (596 meters) the Slieve League are the highest sea cliffs in Europe.

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
Location: Donegal, Ireland
Route: Glencolmcille to Ardara
Distance: 15 miles (24 kilometers)
Time: Approx. 20 minutes depending on the direction

10 Burren National Park

The Burren Scenic drive is a 100 mile figure 8 loop through the Burren National Park. The Burren National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site that provides visitors with some of the most unique and dramatic landscapes in Europe, if not, the World.

The Burren National park is located on the West Coast of Ireland along the Wild Atlantic Way. The landscape is made up of large rocky karst pale grey limestone.

The figure 8 drives includes two loops (the western and eastern loops) which start and end in Ballyvaughan.

Along the eastern loop you will find the village of Corrofin and Carran and some ancient Irish sites such megalithic tombs, standing stones, beautiful castles and spooky graveyards.

The western loop drives through wee villages such as Ennistimon and Lahinch, Doolin and famous sites such as the dramatic Cliffs of Moher and the Black Head which surround the national park.

The drive can be done in either direction and both loops are just as beautiful as the other. Use of a GPS is recommend and with most Scenic drives in Ireland make sure you have plenty of time and take it easy on the road … watch out for the sheep.

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
Location: County Clare, Ireland
Route: Ballyvaughan to Ballyvaughan
Distance: 100 miles (150 kilometers)
Time: One to Two hours

11 Sheep’s Head Peninsula

The Sheep’s Head Peninsula is a narrow finger of land on the South West Coast of Ireland than extends into the Atlantic Ocean. The Peninsula is located between the Beara Peninsula and the Mizen Peninsula.

The Peninsula is located of two main roads, the road travelling from Dunmanus Bay through Durrus to Kilcrohane is more suitable for vehicles.

Goat’s Path Road is located on the North Side and drives along Bantry Bay for a while. The road ventures away from the coast and heads up the ridge Seefin and into Kilcrohane. As you work your way down into Kilcrohane you are greeted with some stunning views.

Once you get to Kilcrohane the road is less suitable for larger vehicles but smaller cars are able to drive along the Wild Atlantic Route to Tooreen. When you reach Tooreen you will find some facilities at the carpark and a cafe that is open in the summer months.

There is a Sheep’s Head Head Quarters in Kilcrohane where you can pick up some maps and some great information on the Peninsula.

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
Location: South West Cork, Ireland
Route: Bantry to Drimoleague
Distance: 43 miles (70 kilometers)
Time: Full Day

12 Ring of Beara

Despite starting (or ending) in the same town as the famous Ring of Kerry, the Ring of Beara is no where near as famous.

The peninsula road trip crosses through both County Cork and County Kerry. The peninsula demonstrates the best of Ireland’s untouched beauty, rugged landscapes and stunning villages.

The Ring of Beara can begin in either Glengarriff in County Cork or the colourful Kenmare in County Kerry. No matter the direction you choose to take you are bound to enjoy the day driving around the peninsula.

One of the best things about driving the Ring of Beara is that it is so well signed posted. You will not need a map (paper of digital), so you are able to put the phone away and just enjoy the scenery that you are driving by.

Aptly known as the tourist area is a great place to stop on the drive. You will be greeted with a cute wee village, waterfalls, a lake and Gleninchaquin park. Gleninchaquin park is filled with amazing walking routes and the Uragh Stone Circle (you do need to pay an entrance fee.)

Half way through the drive you will find the Healy Pass, which winds it way up and across the the Caha mountains.

Ahillies is very small but very cute and colourful village that is surrounded by beautiful landscapes, rocky coastline and more sheep than you can count.

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
Location: County Cork and County Kerry, Ireland
Route: Glengarriff to Kenmare
Distance: 80 miles (130 kilometers)
Time: Four hours

13 Skellig Ring

The Skellig Ring on the Iveragh Peninsula, is an 18km extension of the Ring Kerry and is home to some of the most beautiful landmarks in Kerry. The Ring connects the beautiful towns of Waterville, Ballinskelligs, Portmagee and Valentia.

The scenery on the Skellig Ring is much more wild than on the more famous Ring of Kerry and the villages are even cuter, if that’s possible.

Along the ring you will discover the Kerry Cliffs, the Blue Flag Beach, McCarthy Tower, Abbey, St. Finian’s Bay and The Glen.

Once you’ve taken in the wild mountains, the rolling green landscape and the amazing Atlantic ocean make sure you seek out places to enjoy the local food, drink and of course, chocolate at Skelligs Chocolate factory.

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
Location: County Kerry, Ireland
Route: Waterville to Valentina Islands
Distance: 11 miles (18 kilometers)
Time: one and a half hours

14 Inishowen 100

Another stunning part of the Wild Atlantic Way is the Inishowen 100 scenic tourist drive. Named for the approximate number of miles the drive takes, this well signposted scenic drive around the Inishowen Peninsular is a must in County Donegal.

Beginning in Bridgend the first part of your journey will you see you drive along Loug Swilly coast passed Inch Iland, Fahan (an 18 hole golf course), Buncrana Town and Dunree Beach where you can visit the military museum at Dunree Fort.

Your drive will then venture away from the coast as you head for Mamore Gap, Leenan Bay, Tullagh Bay and then through the quaint villages of Colnmany and Ballyliffin.

As you leave Ballyliffin you will drive through the Isle of Doagh where you can visit the famine museum before heading through Carndonagh and to the viewpoint at Knockamany Bens and onto the Irelands most Northerly point at Malin Head.

Once you have reached the most northerly point you begin the journey south and head back to Bridgend where your journey began.

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
Location: County Donegal
Route: Bridgend to Stroove Beach and Lighthouse
Distance: 100 miles (160 kilometers)
Time: Five hours

15 Cooley Peninsula Scenic Drive

The Cooley Peninsula is at the border of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

The peninsula protrudes into the Irish sea between Dundalk Bay and Carlingford Lough.

The peninsula is home to mountains, forest, valleys, beaches and rugged coast line. It is the diverse landscape that allows for many activities along the peninsula such as water sports, hiking, trekking, golfing and sailing.

The coastal positioning means there is plenty of fresh seafood is available in the towns and villages, so make sure you drop in to a restaurant and order some seafood, you won’t regret it.

The peninsula is filled with history and home to Neolithic tombs, castles and Medieval buildings. If you’re interested in Irish folklore this is the place for you.

Cooley Peninsula is an area where you can also immerse yourself in the Irish folklore. The peninsula’s rich history has left the region dotted with ancient relics such as Neolithic tombs, castles (chek out the 13th century castle in the town of Carlingford) and Medieval buildings.

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
Location: County Louth, Ireland
Route: Bridgend to Stroove Beach and Lighthouse
Distance: 100 miles (160 kilometers)
Time: Eight hours

Tips for Driving in Ireland

Taking a road trip and driving around Ireland is the best way to fully explore the Emerald Isle and all of the beautiful landscape it has to offer.

Despite some of the extremely windy roads on some of Ireland’s Scenic Drives, driving in Ireland is not as hard as you may think.

If you’re excited to rent a car and begin your Irish road trip but you’re a little nervous to drive in Ireland here are some tips for driving in Ireland:

• The first and probably most important tip, is to drive on the left hand side of the road
• Take it easy on the narrow and winding country roads – slowly and steady wins the race
• Watch out for the sheep crossing the road and no, I am not kidding
• If possible, try and rent a smaller car, this will make taking on some of the hairpin turns much easier
• Make sure you have car and travel insurance
• Don’t drink and drive
• Don’t forget to pay your tolls, especially if you are driving on the M50
• Grab some paper maps
• Use the passing bays to let the locals over take you safely

World Nomads travel insurance policies offer coverage for more than 150 activities. Get a quote, make a claim, or buy or extend your policy while on the road.

Renting a Car in Ireland

Renting a car in Ireland is easy and a must (incase I haven’t convinced you already). There are plenty of places to rent a car but it is best to pre-book your car to avoid disappointment when you arrive.

Pre booking a car also gives you the best opportunity to get the best deals on your car. The closer to the rental date the more expensive cars will be. It is also much cheaper to drive a manual, so if you are confident driving a manual this is the way to go.

In most cases you will need to be at least 21 to rent a car in Ireland but there is a surcharge if you are between 21 and 24 or over 75. If you have more than one person planning on driving (this is always a good idea) there will be a surcharge for this as well.

Make sure you plan your itinerary in advance. You are able to pick up and drop off your car in different places but this is more expensive. If you’re doing a “lap of Ireland” try and return your car to the same place you picked it up.

As we have recommended before, it is best to go with a smaller car, but before deciding on how small, consider how much luggage you have.

We had one of our backpacks in the boot and one of the backseat of the car. This was grand for us as there were only of us, but if you are travelling with four people this might get a little uncomfortable.

It goes without saying but you MUST have car insurance when you are driving in Ireland, some US credit cards allow you to use their insurance but you need to have a letter from the credit card company stating that you are using their insurance.

Finally, there is no need for an international drivers license. You can use your license from your home country. Some companies will require your license to be in English so check with your rental company BEFORE you get to Ireland.

Wrap up: Best Scenic Drives in Ireland

When planning your trip to Ireland make sure you include at least one scenic drive on your trip.

No matter if you hear about a drive from a local or traveller you will probably be told that “this drive is the best scenic drive in Ireland.” It like they’re telling you that every drive is the most scenic drive in Ireland and they’re probably not wrong.

Ireland is named the Emerald Isle for a reason, it is filled with vase green, rugged and beautiful landscapes. From the mountains to the wild Atlantic Ocean, there is a drive for everyone. Whether you want to spend weeks driving the Wild Atlantic Way or doing a few hour drives, you are bound to enjoy driving around Ireland.

FAQs Ireland Scenic Drives

Which is your favourite of Ireland Scenic drives? Let me know in the comments below.

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