| Ireland is a beautiful country for driving in, | | | | Brugh na Boinne, King William's Glen, Mellifont |
| whether you're simply heading out of the city for | | | | Abbey and Monasterboice that you can get out |
| a few hours or taking a longer road trip along the | | | | and explore if you're so inclined. The northern tour |
| coast for the weekend. Many of Ireland's driving | | | | is also the perfect chance to see the region's |
| routes have become firm favourites with local | | | | diverse natural beauty, including the Carlingford |
| motorists and tourists alike, and you should have | | | | Peninsula and the beaches of Laytown, near |
| no trouble tracking down the most picturesque | | | | Julianstown. |
| routes on roads well travelled. | | | | The scenery is just as impressive south of Dublin |
| The Ring of Kerry is one of the most popular | | | | too, especially if you want to stop off at Bray, |
| routes for weekend driving trips in the country. | | | | one of the country's most popular seaside |
| Ireland's remarkable mountain road, this route on | | | | escapes that's perfect for days out with the |
| the Iveragh Peninsula is most commonly tackled in | | | | family. Back on the road, the drive past |
| an anti-clockwise direction, starting along the | | | | Enniskerry takes you into the coastal mountains |
| banks of the River Laune towards Killorglin before | | | | near Glendalough, and the surrounding villages are |
| reaching the mountain road from Sneem to Moll's | | | | excellent bases for fishing or getting back in touch |
| Gap and heading from the spectacular Ladies | | | | with nature. |
| View back in the direction of Killarney. See the | | | | It's not just the Republic that boasts excellent |
| landscapes that inspired many of Ireland's poets | | | | driving routes, however, and if you're taking the |
| and artists throughout the centuries, all from the | | | | car north of the border towards Belfast you |
| comfort of your own car. | | | | should consider taking time out to explore the |
| If you're starting your driving trip in Dublin or along | | | | scenic North East, with sights such as the Antrim |
| the east coast, there are two circular tours you | | | | Glens and the world-famous Giant's Causeway. |
| can take of the coastline - whether you head | | | | Whether you're exploring Ireland or Northern |
| north or south. | | | | Ireland, make sure your car is prepared for the |
| The northern tour takes you out of Dublin past | | | | trip by keeping up with regular maintenance and |
| the former royal acropolis site at Tara, a great | | | | getting windscreen replacement and other repairs |
| drive for history enthusiasts, and along the way | | | | to avoid unpleasant surprises along the way. |
| you'll also encounter Bronze Age cemeteries at | | | | |