Ireland Road Trip - September 2025

A 249 km opening day through northern Donegal's dramatic coastline, passing Gartan, Doe Castle, and the Rosguill Peninsula before reaching the Gortahork area. The narrow roads wind through some of Ireland's most rugged Atlantic scenery.

A shorter 113 km day exploring the Inishowen Peninsula, Ireland's northernmost point. The route takes in Dunaff, Clonmany, and Malin Head along narrow Donegal roads with dramatic coastal views.

The final Donegal day covers 203 km from Milford to Carrigart, looping the Fanad and Rosguill peninsulas. Narrow roads and dramatic Atlantic coastline define this stretch of northwest Ireland.

A big 403 km transit day heading south from Donegal through Sligo and Roscommon to reach Galway. The route passes through Glencolumbkille, Killybegs, and Drumcliff before crossing the midlands.

A 419 km circuit through Connemara, looping from Athenry out through Oughterard, Clifden, and Roundstone before returning via Cong. The Connemara landscape shifts between bog, lake, and mountain across the day.

A 373 km day through the Burren's alien limestone karst landscape -- unlike anything else in Ireland -- and along the Clare coast with its dramatic cliffs. The route passes Liscannor, Milltown Malbay, and Kilkee before looping back through Lisdoonvarna and Kinvarra.

A 308 km transit day from Portumna through Tipperary and Limerick to reach Kenmare in Kerry. The route crosses Ireland's agricultural midlands before arriving at the gateway to the Kerry and Beara peninsulas.

A 130 km day on the eastern Beara Peninsula from Adrigole to Kenmare. Beara has noticeably less traffic than the Ring of Kerry, which makes the narrow mountain and coastal roads more enjoyable to drive.

A 157 km day continuing along Beara and out to Sheep's Head, from Kenmare to Durrus via Glengarriff. The low-traffic peninsula roads wind between mountains and sea, passing through some of the quietest stretches of the Wild Atlantic Way.

A 198 km loop of the Ring of Kerry from Kenmare, passing through Sneem, Caherdaniel, Ballinskelligs, and Portmagee before returning. The Kerry peninsula is a well-known circuit, but both it and neighbouring Beara deliver strong coastal and mountain scenery.

A full day exploring the Dingle Peninsula -- the westernmost point of Europe. Drove from Farrantooleen along the Tralee Bay coast through Blennerville, then west to Dingle town and up the Conor Pass, Ireland's highest tarmac road, climbing through Gortmore to Annascaul on the return.

A short 89 km day through the inland valleys around Ballingeary and Kilgarvan, connecting the Beara area back to Kenmare. The route crosses the Cork-Kerry border through quiet mountain passes.

A 223 km day along the West Cork coast from Rosscarbery to Mizen Head, Ireland's southwestern tip. West Cork is known for good food and towns with character, and the route passes through Ballydehob, Schull, and Crookhaven.

A short 66 km day around the Kinsale area, from Ballinspittle to Courtmacsherry via Kilbrittain and Timoleague. The West Cork towns along this stretch have a distinctive character and a strong local food scene.

Another short West Cork day at 75 km, exploring the Galley Head and Ardfield area. The route loops through Rathbarry and Owenahincha along the coastal headlands south of Clonakilty.

A 183 km transit day heading east from Timoleague through Cork city and onward to Cappoquin in County Waterford. The route begins the eastward leg of the trip, leaving West Cork behind.

A 218 km day along the Waterford coast from Cappoquin to Stradbally, taking in the Copper Coast area which stood out on this eastern transit. The route passes through Tramore, Dunhill, and Annestown along the coastal cliffs.

A 275 km day from Stradbally through Kilkenny and into the Wicklow Mountains, ending at Moone in County Kildare. The Wicklow Mountains area stood out on this eastern leg, with the route passing through Glendalough and Blessington.

A 227 km day through the Wicklow Mountains, featuring the dramatic Sally Gap road and Glendalough. The route also passes through Powerscourt and Enniskerry before looping back south through Blessington.

A short 45 km final day from Kill in County Kildare to Dublin Airport, wrapping up 19 days of driving and nearly 4,000 km across Ireland.