Southern Ireland - Any experiences here?

[C70R]

Having done (some of) the NC500 and most of Wales on a couple of recent driving trips, our group were looking for something a bit different. I was over in Ireland for a long weekend recently, and found that some of the roads, particularly in the South/SW were bloody fantastic. While they weren't Highlands levels of beautiful or challenging, there seemed to be scope for some good fun as a small group.

Looking at ferry options (driving from London), it feels like the Pembrokeshire-Wexford ferry would be a good way to get there (via the Brecon Beacons and the Black Mountains).
Has anyone done this before? Can anyone share any experiences or routes?

[vikingaero]

There's the standard Ring of Kerry and the Dingle Peninsula. There's the road up to Conors Pass on the Dingle Peninsula which is narrow and amazing scenic. Have a look at the Wild Atlantic Way website too.

[Olivergt]

I would second the Wild Atlantic Way, the roads are not the best, but the scenery is quite good.

Galway is always good for some local "craic".

And if you want to park up and wander along one of the best beaches in the world, Gurteen Bay just past Roundstone is the place to go. This is about an hour or so from Galway, or a bit longer if you take the coast road.

You can continue round to Westport as well which is quite nice.

[elanfan]

It will rain and it will be windy. That’s all.

[C70R]

Thanks folks!

Finding out that the ferry is 300 quid has rather dampened enthusiasm.

Comparing that with a £100 Eurostar and £200 of Ring laps, or petrol to drive to NW Scotland, feels like a bad compromise...

[Gilhooligan]

Did bit of the Ring of Kerry which was pretty decent. Check out the Healy Pass, i believe it gets used for tarmac rallies.
Molls Gap is another road section that is fairly decent.
Most of the potentially interesting roads I found were usually too poorly sighted or very tight/ twisty (for a car) to be any real fun though.

[HughiusMaximus]

Gilhooligan said:

Most of the potentially interesting roads I found were usually too poorly sighted or very tight/ twisty (for a car) to be any real fun though.

This

I lived in Kerry for a few years, which is where a lot the good roads are.

Go for the scenery, not driving thrills as the road surface will be poor and the roads too narrow and twisty to get a decent lick on.

[Kawasicki]

I lived and drove in Ireland for a few years. There are excellent roads for driving...but you need to be careful. The chance of random daft stuff happening is much higher than in England. So my advice is be smart, use your eyes, if you can’t see over a crest, or around a corner...just imagine there is a herd of cattle just out of sight and you won’t go far wrong.

I drove quite hard at times...but with the benefit of local knowledge and often a slow scouting run first.