Car Hire Ireland - 7 of the Best Driving Routes

Ireland is custom designed for driving tours, withseparated from the mainland by the clear lakes of
top quality accommodation scattered all over theLough Foyle and Lough Swilly.
country and good roads running through all theDriving along the coast you'll take in the
main sight seeing spots.marvellous Malin Head, innumerable picturesque
1. THE RING OF KERRY - Kerryvillages and an abundance of ancient Celtic
Perfect if your touching down at Kerry Airport,architecture, with the windswept bays and
this is undoubtedly one of the best loved andbeaches and the mountains of Slieve Snaght
most well known drives in Ireland. Located in theproviding the perfect backdrop.
South West, The Ring of Kerry does a circular5. NORTHERN IRELAND TOUR - Down, Derry,
tour of the beautiful mountain, lake and coastalAntrim, Armagh
scenery of the county known as 'The Kingdom'.This drive is easily accessible from both Derry
Starting at Killarney, you'll pass the MacGillycuddy'sAirport and Belfast International. Make for Newry
Reeks mountain range before snaking in and outin County Down before heading for Downpatrick,
of the majestic Caragh Lake area and on to thepassing through the old smuggling village of
quaint village of Glenbeigh. What follows is aHilltown. Downpatrick itself is home to the grave
winding coastal road down to the westernof St Patrick and an old medieval town well worth
peninsula of Kerry, taking in innumerable unspoiltviewing. Head then towards the sailing mecca of
beaches, bays and championship golf courses.Killyleigh, before taking in the picturesque coastal
You'll then swing back towards Killarney via theresort of Bangor and on towards Carrickfergus,
majestic town of Kenmare.then Glencoe.
2. THE BURREN DRIVE - Limerick, Clare, GalwayFollow the panoramic route towards Lough Larne
Starting in the South West, this superb routeand the ancient Ballygally Castle, before circling
takes in the surfing beaches and buzzing townsround the North Antrim coast via the famous
along the West of Ireland through Limerick, ClareGiant's Causeway and back onto Newry. This
and Galway. Ideal if you're landing at Shannoncomprehensive route can take up to four days,
Airport, you'll start at Limerick City and motorbut it's well worth it, just be sure to set aside a
along the coast via the bustling town of Ennis,good amount of time!
passing through the surfing hotspot of Lahinch.6. DUBLIN & THE WICKLOW MOUNTAINS -
Next you'll come across the beautiful views overDublin, Wicklow
Liscannor Bay and the famous Cliffs of Moher,This drive is perfect if your landing in at Dublin
which look out onto the Aran Islands. Keep goingAirport. Head to the city's south side and drive
and you'll arrive to the mighty festival town ofthrough the Rathfarnham area towards Wicklow.
Lisdoonvarna, famous for its party atmosphere,Make for the picturesque village of Enniskerry,
before hitting the impressive limestone landscapestaking in the gardens, lakes and waterfalls of the
of the Burren region. You'll then circle backPowerscourt Estate before heading for the old
towards Limerick City, via the quaint villages ofmonastery ruins of the Glendalough. Continue on
Ballyvaughan, Kilnefora and Broadford.to Laragh via the old Military Road, before passing
3. CONNEMARA - Galway, Mayothrough the charming village of Avoca and on
The Connemara region is renowned the worldtowards Arklow.
over for it's rugged beauty and warm people. IfCircle back via the green Mount Usher Gardens of
your landing at Galway Airport then this drive isAshford towards the seaside town of Bray, via
definitely a must. Head north west via thethe Devil's Glen of Newtownmountkennedy and
picturesque town of Oughterard, taking in thethe attractive coastal resort of Greystones.
waters of Lough Corrib. You'll meander past theContinue on to Killiney and Dalkey, taking in the
craggy, rugged peaks of the Twelve Bensmajestic views of Killiney Bay along the Vico
towards the handsome and buzzing town ofRoad, before hitting Dun Laoghaire and eventually
Clifden, right in the heart of the Connemarathe centre of Dublin.
region.7. NIRE VALLEY & THE SOUTH EAST -
Make for the attractive Killary Harbour area,Waterford, Tipperary
taking in the incredible age old architecture ofIdeal if your touching down at Waterford Airport
Kylemore Abbey along the way, before comingor landing in at Rosslare Harbour, this superb drive
to Westport in Mayo. This attractive towntakes in some of the best scenery in the land,
precedes the lake regions surrounding the oldremaining largely unspoilt by tourism. Head north
medieval settlement of Castlebar, last but notfor the quaint coastal town of Dungarvan, before
least on the famous Connemara tour.making for the Comeragh Mountains where the
4. THE INISHOWEN PENINSULA - Donegalbeautiful cliffs and peaks sit above the Nire Valley.
This route is within touching distance from DerryFrom here drive to Clonmel and on towards
Airport, and can also be reached easily fromPortlaw, passing over the River Suir. You'll take in
Belfast International and Galway Airport. Sitting atforest land and captivating woodland parks,
the very northern tip of Ireland, the Inishowenbefore hitting the coast road back to Dungarvan,
Peninsula is virtually an island, its rocky landscapesvia the top class seaside resort of Tramore.