It’s St. Patrick’s Day this week and with us unable to travel to Ireland at the moment, we’ve pulled together some of the greatest driving roads or routes for when we can again.
We’ve done our best to summarise in one – or sometimes two – sentences but head over to the our route ideas to find out more. We’ll be updating them throughout the week and linking them below.
Have you tried any of these before? Send us your pictures on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Inishowen 100
Inishowen Peninsula
A wonderful 100-mile scenic route around this northern peninsula – a perfect coastal driving day, with many places to stop and take in.
R336/N59
Galway to Westport, via Clifden
Probably the best scenic route in the south, and a great route for driving to boot!
R286
Lough Gill
The 14 kilometre section of the R286 through Lough Gill, Sligo and Leitrim is a part of the Rally Ireland route.
N71 (Moll’s Gap)
Killarney to Kenmare
One of the most iconic climbs in Ireland and is part of the Killarney Rally of the Lakes circuit – there are some good McRae onboards out there!
Knockalla (R628)
Stocker Strand to Oughterlin
Another iconic Irish rallying locale, one of the highlights of the Donegal Rally, through a wonderful valley on the Fanad Peninsula.
Healy Pass (R572)
Adrigole, Cork to the R571 near Lauragh, Kerry
A chance to look down over Glanmore Lake and Kenmare Bay, and get a view of Macgillycuddy’s Reeks, Ireland’s highest mountain range.
Conor Pass (R560)
Dingle
One of the nation’s most revered roads, this is true paradise for R-road (or B-road) enthusiasts, winding through peaks. A picnic spot is to be found at Peddler’s Lake!
Ring of Kerry
Killarney
This loop, starting and ending in Killarney, is at the sharp end of everyone’s list of Irish driving destinations. Valleys and vistas await, along with some tricky narrow bottlenecks!
Burren Loop (N477, N67)
Burren National Park
Another wonderful round-trip, taking in incredible cliffs, coastline and countryside.
Old Military Road (R115)
Sally Gap
Amazing single-track road, passing the Kippure mountain and heading towards Dublin.
Ballaghbeama Gap
Glencar
Another great single-track road, plunging through valleys. Revered by locals and tourists alike.
Ballaghasheen Pass
Killarney
The big brother to the above – the two roads meet. This also plows through valleys and between peaks – yet more ideal mileage for WRC wannabees!
