How to Plan a Perfect Road Trip in Ireland

Adding to our popular Irish walking holidays, we now offer a range of wonderful self-drive tours that will allow you to explore this country full of stunning landscapes, vast history, rich folklore and unmatched charm.

This blog will give you some of our top tips as we outline a non-exhaustive list of information to explore about Ireland.

General

• Where is Ireland?
• What is Ireland famous for?
• What is the history of Ireland?
• How big is Ireland?

Travel in Ireland

• How do I get to Ireland?
• What’s the best way to travel around in Ireland?
• Can I rent a car in Ireland?
• Do you have any tips for driving in Ireland?
• Is there public transportation in Ireland?

When to visit

• When is the best time of year to visit Ireland?
• What’s the weather like in Ireland?

Exploring Ireland

• How many days should I spend in Ireland?
• What are the best places to stay in Ireland?
• What are some unique places to stay in Ireland?
• Where are the best places to eat in Ireland?
• What are the best things to see and do in Ireland?
• What are the best cities to visit in Ireland?
• Where are the best beaches in Ireland?
• What are the best pubs in Ireland?
• What are some more unusual things to do in Ireland?
• How can I book a holiday to Ireland?

General

Where is Ireland?

Ireland is located in the northwest of Europe, situated to the west of the United Kingdom. The island is split into Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom, and the Republic of Ireland. To the west of Ireland is the expansive Atlantic Ocean.

What is Ireland famous for?

When you think of Ireland, there are a range of things that spring to mind: St Patrick’s Day, Irish pubs (these can be found in almost every major city worldwide), Irish folklore including the famous leprechaun or four-leaf clovers, and last but, of course, not least – the dry stout Guinness.

Ireland has also famously, and affectionately, become known as the Emerald Isle. First penned with the name in a poem by Belfast-born poet, William Drennan, this colloquial name is derived from Ireland’s lush green fields and rolling hills. You’ll undoubtedly come to recognise where the name comes from as you explore this beautiful country.

Ireland is also famous for those less quantifiable factors such as the people having a natural charm, warmth, humour, and friendliness that you will struggle to find replicated anywhere else.

What is the history of Ireland?

Ireland has a long, rich and diverse history, often shaped by religious conflict and its fraught relationship with England.

Gaelic Ireland was formed around 500 BC with the arrival of the Celts and their culture and language. In the 5th century, this culture shifted with the arrival of Christianity by St Patrick.

In 1169, Anglo-Norman forces invaded and so began the gradual establishment of English control until notable Irish rebellions, including the 1798 rebellion and the 1916 Easter Rising. The Irish Free State was eventually formed in 1922.

In more modern history, Ireland joined the European Union in 1973 and has enjoyed a revival of Irish language and traditions which have become embedded in their vibrant, modern national identity.

How big is Ireland?

Ireland is 27,133 square miles and covers approximately five-sixths of the whole island, with Northern Ireland positioned in the north-east of the island.

Ireland has a vast coastline, and due to its intricate peninsulas, has approximately 2,000 miles of coast to explore. The Wild Atlantic Way, which we can’t recommend highly enough, is one of the world’s longest-defined coastal routes at 1,600 kilometres long.

Travel in Ireland

How do I get to Ireland?

While of course, this question is largely dependent on where you live in the world, Ireland is a very accessible country.

Dublin Airport is by far the most popular route in and out of Ireland. Approximately 28 million passengers travelled through Dublin Airport in 2022! This is likely your best choice, especially if you are travelling internationally.

Cork and Shannon Airports also provide good links, especially if you are travelling domestically from the UK. They allow you to fly in more closely to the Wild Atlantic Way which the majority of our Irish self-drive itineraries travel through.

If you are planning on travelling in the UK first or are bringing your own car, you also have the option of travelling by ferry from Holyhead in Wales or Liverpool in England directly to Dublin. Alternatively, you could travel from Fishguard or Pembroke in Wales to Rosslare, which is approximately 100 miles south of Dublin.

What’s the best way to travel around in Ireland?

We would advise travelling around Ireland by car. It gives you the freedom to explore all the best bits of the country and allows you the freedom to travel at your own pace, on your own schedule.

At Absolute Escapes, we would be delighted to use our expert knowledge to provide you with a tailored Irish self-drive itinerary that best suits your interests, timescale, and budget.

Can I rent a car in Ireland?

Absolutely. Best of all, we can include excellent value car hire for you as part of our packages. Car hire is most convenient from any of the major airports including Dublin, Cork, and Shannon.

Alternatively, all of our trips can be arranged without car hire if you are travelling with your own vehicle or would prefer to arrange this yourself.

Do you have any tips for driving in Ireland?

Here are my three simple but effective tips for driving in Ireland:

1. Go at your own pace – yes there will be many locals on the road that you may feel like you should keep up with but roads in Ireland are often narrow and winding, there is no shame in taking these gently or regularly pulling in to let vehicles overtake you.
2. Plan ahead – have a good idea of where you are headed so you are not stressed with navigation and can instead enjoy the views!
3. Hire a smaller vehicle – on the Wild Atlantic Way in particular, a smaller vehicle will be your friend allowing you to navigate these more minor roads with more confidence.

Remember the fundamentals – in Ireland, you’re driving on the left-hand side of the road.

Is there public transportation in Ireland?

There is a range of public transport available in Ireland with extensive bus and train links across the country. While our Ireland holidays focus on self-drive travel, we definitely promote using public transport to explore larger cities or to link a couple of smaller towns together in a holiday that might have the option of being car-free. Not having to drive around busy cities such as Dublin, or stress about parking, is always worth considering!

An app worth downloading before travelling to Ireland is ‘Transport for Ireland’. This will allow you to plan your journeys and get up-to-date timetable information.

When to visit

When is the best time of year to visit Ireland?

We would recommend visiting Ireland from April to June, September or October. These shoulder months allow you to miss the busiest summer season and school holidays. However, they still bring milder temperatures and springtime is a lovely time to see Ireland’s lush green countryside.

What’s the weather like in Ireland?

If you made it this far through the blog it seems only fair that I’m honest. Sunshine and heat are not always guaranteed in Ireland. That doesn’t mean to say you won’t be able to experience some glorious weather but it does tend to be quite mixed.

Naturally, late spring to early autumn provide the best chance of sunshine and heat.

Exploring Ireland

How many days should I spend in Ireland?

In an ideal world, I would recommend giving yourself 10 days to explore Ireland. But please don’t use that as a minimum or maximum!

At Absolute Escapes, we can tailor your Irish road trip to your specific circumstances and timings. A lot of our standard itineraries are designed around the 10-day mark. We’ve done this so that you can travel at a nice pace while still managing to explore a really diverse range of Ireland. It also means you don’t have to move locations every single day, and allows the driver much-deserved rest days from being behind the wheel.

For me, simply put, no amount of time in Ireland is enough time. There is always more to explore. But Ireland’s not going anywhere and therefore you can keep coming back!

What are the best places to stay in Ireland?

Whether you are looking for a homely Bed & Breakfast (B&B), a boutique hotel, or a luxurious 5-star establishment, Ireland is sure to provide you with a wonderful offering of accommodation. I’ll mention just a few to get your imagination going:

A gem in Dingle is the beautiful Castlewood House, which is nestled right on the waterfront.

Sheedy’s is a boutique Bed & Breakfast in the beautiful village of Doolin, the perfect place to explore the Cliffs of Moher.

If you are looking for pure luxury, then look no further than the likes of Monart Destination Spa in Ireland’s ancient east.

At Absolute Escapes, we value working with trusted suppliers who we build a relationship with over time so that we know our clients are getting the best service in the most comfortable surroundings possible.

What are some unique places to stay in Ireland?

There is an incredible variety of places to stay in Ireland, some of which are completely unique and novel.

Do you dream about staying in a romantic Irish castle? You might want to consider an itinerary that travels through Galway so you can stay in the luxurious Ballynahinch Castle set on a breathtaking 700-acre estate.

Have you ever wanted to stay in an old tobacco factory? Probably not, but the renowned foodie hotel – Hotel Isaacs – offers comfortable accommodation in the heart of Cork.

Are you looking for a unique spa hotel? The Cliff House Hotel in Co. Waterford features an Irish destination spa as well as a Michelin-star restaurant.

Speak to one of our Travel Specialists about what unique stay they would recommend to make your Irish road trip truly memorable.

Where are the best places to eat in Ireland?

On any road trip, it’s important to factor in where you are going to do the important act of refuelling. Ireland is ripe with foodie destinations and of course, whether you are visiting a major city or a small village, you are bound to be greeted with a warm, friendly Irish pub.

Some particularly good foodie destinations can be found to the south of Ireland. County Cork is considered the ‘food capital of Ireland’ and is known for supplying restaurants with the best farm-to-table ingredients. It was actually where the ‘slow food movement’ revolutionised the Irish culinary scene.

No doubt on your trip to Ireland you will spend plenty of time by Ireland’s rugged coast. This means you have got to try some of Ireland’s famous seafood. Dublin Bay prawns, wild Atlantic salmon, and west coast crab are all worth getting your hands on during your holiday.

Whether you meticulously plan your trip around food stops or whether you take a more ‘wait-and-see’ approach to your dining arrangements, I can pretty much guarantee you will be pleasantly surprised by Ireland’s culinary scene.

What are the best things to see and do in Ireland?

There is such a rich diversity to Ireland’s attractions. Below I’ve tried to compile a list that reflects Ireland’s rich history, spectacular natural beauty, and unique culture.

• Cliffs of Moher – You will see a lot of spectacular cliffs when you visit Ireland but I promise these will stay etched in your memory for a long time.
• Skellig Islands – A trip to the Skellig Islands is truly memorable and allows you to combine wildlife, epic scenery, remarkable history, and Irish culture all into one attraction. Not forgetting they also gained recent acclaim as a location in the Star Wars franchise.
• Guinness Storehouse – Guinness and Ireland are synonymous with one another. A trip to the Storehouse in Dublin allows you to explore the history and continual importance of this famous Irish stout.
• Killarney National Park – This absolutely ticks the whole ‘spectacular natural beauty’ thing I casually mentioned before. There is beauty around every bend in Killarney National Park.
• Kylemore Abbey – A visit to Kylemore Abbey outlines Ireland’s natural and built heritage and also holds great spiritual importance – there is so much to be discovered here.

And please don’t hold me to the list, I promise it’s not exhaustive!

What are the best cities to visit in Ireland?

• Dublin – It’s a no-brainer that the capital Dublin is the first city to be mentioned as one of the best cities in Ireland. Full of life, this city combines history, culture and entertainment making it one of the most vibrant cities in Europe.
• Galway – This lively city has a bohemian feel with a love of traditional music. The city’s annual calendar boasts various famous art and music festivals bolstering Galway’s reputation as a cultural hub of Ireland.
• Kilkenny – The perfect combination of medieval and modern, Kilkenny, positioned on the River Nore, has plenty to explore from its ‘Medieval Mile’ to the famous 12th century castle.

Where are the best beaches in Ireland?

Ireland isn’t messing about when it comes to its beaches. There are some spectacular beaches to explore in every corner of the country. We would recommend exploring the Wild Atlantic Way to tick off as many of these wonderful beaches as possible. Here are a few top picks to inspire your imagination:

• Keem Beach, County Mayo – A stunning bay tucked away on Achill Island off the west coast of County Mayo.
• Portsalon Beach, County Donegal – Voted the world’s second most beautiful beach, only narrowly missing out on the top spot to a beach in the Seychelles!
• Barleycove, County Cork – This unique beach is positioned between the beautiful Mizen Head and Brown Head and has a fascinating history to discover!
• Dog’s Bay and Gurteen Beach, County Galway – These beaches sit back-to-back creating an extremely unique setting. Dog’s Bay’s iconic horseshoe shape is complemented by the white sand that stretches to meet the ocean.
• Trá Mór, County Donegal – This golden sandy beach is a secluded and sprawling beach on the windswept Horn Head peninsula that is just waiting for you to explore.

If beaches are top of your agenda when it comes to visiting Ireland, make sure to outline this to one of our Travel Specialists when you get in touch about your trip. With our expert knowledge, we can point you towards some of the best and most undiscovered beaches in the country.

What are the best pubs in Ireland?

The answer to this question could be outlined in a blog all of its own!

Irish pubs are among the most renowned in the world and each comes with their unique charm. Whether you are visiting major cities like Dublin, smaller towns like Kenmare, or coastal villages like Doolin, there are unbeatable pubs to be discovered. Be sure to prioritise finding traditional Irish music during your trip – there is no better way to end your day than stumbling upon authentic folk music which has been the lifeblood of so many Irish communities for centuries.

Here is a very small list to get you in the spirit of the wonderful pubs you will get the chance to visit on your Irish road trip:

• The Quays, Galway
• John Kavanagh The Gravediggers, Dublin
• Dick Mack’s Pub & Brewery, Dingle
• De Barra’s Folk Club, Clonakilty (particularly renowned for its live music)
• The Beach Bar, Aughris near Sligo
• Cottage Bar, Letterkenny

What are some more unusual things to do in Ireland?

It’s always worth thinking about whether you want to do something completely unique and unusual when you are planning a holiday. Ireland supplies some fantastic unusual experiences to uncover and add to your itinerary.

You may fancy a ride on Ireland’s only cable car, which travels to Dursey Island from the tip of the Beara Peninsula.

The Ring of Kerry offers up the opportunity to see real-life dinosaur footprints on Valentia Island that scientists believe are at least 350 million years old.

Completely different again, if distilleries are of particular interest, we can recommend visiting Ireland’s only offshore whiskey distillery found on Cape Clear, an island eight miles off the southwest of Co. Cork.

How can I book a holiday to Ireland?

If you are planning your perfect road trip in Ireland, whether it be to explore the country’s rich history, culture or natural beauty, why not let us use our first-hand knowledge to arrange your holiday for you?

Our packages include hand-picked accommodation, a personalised information pack, and 24-hour support from our dedicated team.

All of our holidays are tailor-made to your individual requirements, so don’t hesitate to get in touch and our Travel Specialists will make your dream trip happen.