Top Things to do in Ireland
What to do and see in Ireland, Ireland: The Best Scenic Drives
Woven with wild greenery and Gaelic legends, the Emerald Isle is one of Europe’s most prized jewels. Rugged Atlantic beaches and mystery-shrouded sites rub shoulders with the cosmopolitan cities of Belfast and Dublin, where literary history and warm Irish hospitality are always in abundance.
Restaurants in Ireland
1. Coomakesta Pass
2. Mamore Gap
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 246 reviews
Reviewed By markd696 - Sligo, Ireland
a steep drive up when your travelling southbound on the wild atlantic way, great views. car park half way up to get out and take in the view
3. Slea Head Drive
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,200 reviews
Scenic drive from Dingle Town to the Dingle Peninsula and back.
Reviewed By Scotlandmac - Glasgow, United Kingdom
Loved this area, along with Connemara, our favourites of a week's driving tour. As a big Ryan's Daughter fan, I was thrilled to visit, again after 25 years, this area made famous in the film.Some wonderful coastal views, all feels more open and quieter than the R of K, much shorter of course. Glad we made the 2 hour + journey from St Finan's Bay to enjoy it all again. Some fine archaeological sites too. Highlight is the small spectacular beach of Dunquin. Last time, we also got over to Great Blasket island, a fine trip in itself.
4. Dingle Peninsula
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 821 reviews
Reviewed By pupumann0 - Ballycastle, United Kingdom
Cant believe this is my first review of anything dingle related - it truest must be on everyone’s bucket list - the peninsula is very rugged and rural full of beautiful vistas and landscapes and peppered with ancient ogham stones cairns and clachan! And around every corner a wonderful country pub or eatery ! Go south out of Dingle as road is narrow and mostly people use this clockwise road route ;-) slea head is a highlight look out for off road historic sites We visited the group if ogham ancient stones at Colaiste Ide just outside Dingle town at Ventry ! A true highlight not to be missed is the visit to the blanket island interpretive Centre , amazing design very thought provoking and a place for mindfulness and delicious home made food in their cafe mmm rhubarb crumble :-) Everywhere you drive there are remnants of old so photo opportunities everywhere ! No wonder they filmed Star Wars there ! Just go !
5. Burren Coastline Drive
6. Bluestack Mountains Scenic Route
7. Causeway Coastal Route
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,114 reviews
The Causeway Coastal Route is a designated tourist drive around the coast of Northern Ireland between Belfast and Londonderry. The route follows the coast and takes you to several major tourist attractions including The Giant's Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Dunluce Castle, The Old Bushmills Whiskey Distillery and the Glens of Antrim. There are a further nine shorter scenic routes that loop off the main Coastal Route. These are : Islandmagee, Slemish Mountain, Glenariff, Glendun, Torr Road, Glenshesk, Bann Valley, Binevenagh Mountain and the Roe Valley.
Reviewed By nyackgirl47 - New York City, United States
We rented a car at the airport in Belfast, and drove to Derry. Very inexpensive way to see everything if (a) you can drive a stick shift car, and (b) you can acclimate to driving on the opposite side of the road (we're American, so we had to acclimate!). We spent a couple of days in Derry, and then took the Causeway Coastal Route straight down until we picked up the highway just outside Ballygally (spent the night there enroute). We sought out several of the Game of Thrones sites enroute, so we kind of did our own tour (saw the dark hedges, the caves, and a couple of the doors - one at Mary McBride's pub and the other at the Ballygally Castle). You will see so much along this route - the seaside resort town of Portrush (where the British Open golf tournament is currently being played), the remains of the Dunluce castle, the Carrick rope bridge, adorable little towns. It's wonderful!
8. Atlantic Drive on Achill Island
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,306 reviews
Reviewed By Venture14995
I love Achill Island and visit it at least twice a year. There is a lovely drive from Mulranny along by the coast with views of Clare Island & lots of sheep on the road. Keem beach is worth a visit at any time of the year.
9. Coast Road
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 210 reviews
Reviewed By 816johna - Belfast, United Kingdom
The Antrim Coast Road drive is a must do activity for anyone visiting Northern Ireland. Start at Larne and drive northwards towards Ballycastle for the best views...they just keep getting better and better. Stop off at any of the small villages and towns along the way to relax and take in the sights. It's a lovely way to spend a day.
10. Skellig Ring Scenic Drive
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 179 reviews
Reviewed By siobhanb803
Beautiful scenic drive with stopping points on the way inckuding the wonderful chocolate factory where you can stop and have a drink of hot chocolate and sample the chocolate being made on the premises and then enjoy the view of the skelligs rock from the unspolit beach of st finians bay. A must drive for any tourist in the area
