These ten drives cover the island from the Wicklow Mountains to the Donegal coast and Northern Ireland. We picked routes you can actually drive in a day, checked distances against official or primary sources where they exist, and ranked them on scenery and how much there is to stop for. Each entry says where it starts, how far it is, and what to watch for on the road.
Distances marked “about” vary between sources, because routes differ in where they start and which detours they include. Always follow local signs rather than a sat nav on the narrower roads.
Quick-pick summary
| Drive | County | Why go | Key fact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wicklow Gap | Wicklow | Mountain pass close to Dublin | About 26 km |
| The Burren | Clare | Limestone coast road and Poulnabrone | About 64–66 km loop |
| Inishowen 100 | Donegal | Malin Head and Mamore Gap | About 160 km |
| Copper Coast | Waterford | UNESCO Geopark coast road | R675, Tramore–Dungarvan |
| Connemara Loop | Galway | Sky Road and Kylemore Abbey | Clifden loop |
| Slea Head Drive | Kerry | Dingle’s clifftop circuit | About 38 km |
| Causeway Coastal Route | Antrim | Giant’s Causeway and Dunluce | Belfast to Derry~Londonderry |
| Gap of Dunloe | Kerry | Glacial pass, best on foot | About 11 km |
| Slieve League | Donegal | Sea cliffs at Bunglass | Short drive from Teelin |
| Ring of Kerry | Kerry | Iveragh Peninsula circuit | 179 km |
10. The Wicklow Gap, Co. Wicklow
The Wicklow Gap road (R756) climbs through open mountain country between Tonelagee and Turlough Hill, with a line of pylons running down the valley towards the Turlough Hill station. Lough Nahanagan, a glacial corrie lake, lies at the foot of Turlough Hill. It is the quickest of our ten to reach from Dublin, which makes it the one to pick when you only have an afternoon.
Know before you go
- Route: R756 between Hollywood (west Wicklow) and Laragh, about 26 km. The pass tops out at roughly 475 m.
- Pair it with Glendalough, which sits at the Laragh end of the road.
- Mountain weather turns fast; check the forecast before you go.
More: Scenic drives around Glendalough (official) · our guide to Ireland’s best walking trails
9. The Burren, Co. Clare
The Burren is a limestone plateau where the road runs between bare grey pavement and the Atlantic. The best-known loop goes from Ballyvaughan along the coast road past Black Head lighthouse to Fanore, then inland by Lisdoonvarna, Kilfenora and Carran. Stop at Poulnabrone dolmen, a Neolithic portal tomb dated to roughly 4200–2900 BC, and look for the wildflowers growing in the cracks of the rock in spring.
Know before you go
- Route: the Burren Scenic Drive is quoted at about 64–66 km as a loop from Ballyvaughan. The coast road (R477) is the highlight.
- Allow a morning; most of the time is spent at the stops, not driving.
- Do not remove or move rocks and plants; the pavement is a protected landscape.
More: Burrenbeo Trust (local conservation charity) · Burren Scenic Drive route notes
8. Inishowen 100, Co. Donegal
The Inishowen 100 is a signed loop of about 100 miles (roughly 160 km) around the Inishowen Peninsula in Donegal. It takes in the Grianán of Aileach hillfort, Buncrana, Fort Dunree, Mamore Gap and the Urris area, Ballyliffin, Malin Head with Banba’s Crown (the most northerly point in Ireland), and Kinnagoe Bay. Mamore Gap is the steepest and most demanding stretch, so take it slowly in poor weather.
Know before you go
- Route: a complete loop; the official guide places the start near Newtowncunningham, but you can join anywhere.
- Length: about 100 miles (roughly 160 km). Give it a full day, or split it over two.
- Mamore Gap and the Malin Head roads are exposed; pick a clear day.
More: Inishowen 100 (Go Visit Inishowen, official)
7. The Copper Coast, Co. Waterford
The Copper Coast is a UNESCO Global Geopark on the Waterford coast between Tramore and Dungarvan, named for the copper mines worked here in the 19th century. The coast road (R675) passes the Tankardstown mine engine houses and Bunmahon beach, with sea stacks and small coves below the cliffs.
Know before you go
- Route: the R675 coast road between Tramore and Dungarvan.
- Geopark visitor centre and café are at Knockmahon, Bunmahon; guided tours can be booked on the Geopark site.
- Stay back from the cliff edges and keep children and dogs close.
More: Copper Coast Geopark (official)
6. The Connemara Loop, Co. Galway
Start in Clifden and take the Sky Road for the view over the bay, then follow the road east through Letterfrack, where Connemara National Park has its visitor centre, to Kylemore Abbey on the lake shore. Kylemore is the best-known stop on the loop.
Know before you go
- Kylemore Abbey: the official site lists it open seven days, 10am–5pm with last admission to the Visitor Experience at 4pm, and closed on 19 November and 24–26 December. Hours change by season, so check before you go.
More: Kylemore Abbey (official) · Connemara on Discover Ireland · our guide to Clifden
5. Slea Head Drive, Dingle Peninsula, Co. Kerry
Slea Head Drive is a signposted circuit that starts and ends in Dingle and forms part of the Wild Atlantic Way. Stops in clockwise order include Ventry beach, Dunbeg Fort, the Fahan beehive huts, Slea Head itself with views to the Blasket Islands, Coumeenole, Dunquin, Gallarus Oratory and Brandon Creek. Part of the cliff road is a narrow single lane.
Know before you go
- Direction: clockwise. The official Dingle site advises this to avoid coaches, and Ventry is one-way for visitors in that direction.
- Length: most guides quote around 38 km; allow at least half a day with stops.
- Blasket Islands ferry runs from Dunquin pier from April to October.
- Expect sheep, cattle and cyclists on the road; use the lay-bys to let traffic pass.
More: Slea Head Drive (Dingle Peninsula, official) · our Dingle guide
4. Causeway Coastal Route, Co. Antrim
The Causeway Coastal Route runs between Belfast and Derry~Londonderry and takes in the Giant’s Causeway (about 40,000 basalt columns), Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, Dunluce Castle and the Glens of Antrim. It is in Northern Ireland, so distances and speed limits are in miles.
Know before you go
- Length: the official site gives no figure and guides vary with detours; most put it at 120 miles or more.
- Carrick-a-Rede: the National Trust asks you to book bridge crossings online before you arrive, and high wind can close the bridge.
- Allow a full day for the highlights, longer if you start in Belfast.
More: Causeway Coastal Route (official) · Carrick-a-Rede booking (National Trust) · Giant’s Causeway (National Trust) · our Giant’s Causeway guide
3. Gap of Dunloe and Black Valley, Co. Kerry
The Gap of Dunloe is a glacial pass between Purple Mountain and the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks, with a string of small lakes along the valley floor. The road is public and paved, but a sign at Kate Kearney’s Cottage says traffic is mainly limited to horse-and-trap, ponies, walkers and local access. Horse-drawn jaunting cars (jarveys) share the road in season.
Know before you go
- Route: Kate Kearney’s Cottage to Lord Brandon’s Cottage is about 11 km; the road continues through the Black Valley towards Moll’s Gap.
- Our advice: park at Kate Kearney’s and walk or cycle the pass instead of driving it. It is narrow and busy with horses in summer.
- Go early or in spring and autumn for a quieter road.
More: Gap of Dunloe on Discover Ireland · our Top 10 Things to Do in Kerry
2. Wild Atlantic Way — Slieve League, Co. Donegal
The Wild Atlantic Way follows the whole west coast, and in Donegal its best drive is the narrow road from Teelin to Bunglass, where the sea cliffs of Slieve League (Sliabh Liag) come into view. The mountain rises to 601 m. From the viewing platform at Bunglass the cliffs drop straight into the Atlantic.
Know before you go
- Parking: an upper car park sits beside the Bunglass viewing platform; a lower car park near Teelin means a 30–45 minute walk up. Charges and access rules for the upper car park change by season.
- The road to the top is narrow with blind spots. Shuttles run from Carrick in season.
- Stay behind the viewing platform. Only experienced walkers should continue towards One Man’s Pass.
More: Sliabh Liag on Discover Ireland · Wild Atlantic Way (official)
1. The Ring of Kerry, Co. Kerry
The Ring of Kerry is a 179 km circuit of the Iveragh Peninsula, usually driven from Killarney on the N70. Ladies View, in Killarney National Park, is the first big viewpoint leaving Killarney, and the circuit also takes in Kenmare, Derrynane and the Valentia Island link at Portmagee. Discover Ireland suggests about three and a half hours of driving without stops.
Know before you go
- Length: 179 km. Allow a full day with stops.
- Direction: tour coaches run anticlockwise because the roads are too narrow for them to pass. Drive the same way and you may queue behind them; drive the other way and you will meet them on narrow stretches. Most coaches leave Killarney between 9 and 10am, so an early start helps.
More: The Ring of Kerry road trip (Discover Ireland) · our Top 10 Things to Do in Kerry
Planning any of these drives
When to go: start early. Coaches and day-trippers fill the best-known roads from mid-morning, and spring and autumn are quieter than July and August. Safety: many of these roads are narrow or single lane, with sheep and cyclists on them. Use lay-bys to let traffic pass, and do not stop on bends. Mountain and coastal weather changes quickly. Getting around: in the Republic of Ireland, distances and speed limits are in kilometres; in Northern Ireland, they are in miles.
Tell us your favourite
Which of these would you drive first, and is there a road we left out? Tell us your favourite in the comments.
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