Irelands driving roads
Discussion
Just finished our 2021 roadtrip to Scotland and we're considering Ireland next year.
Are there any good roads south and west of Dublin? We'll go as far as the west coast so all recommendations are welcome. Also have the road standards (potholes) improved from 20 years ago when I remember they were pretty naff?
Any other pointers or things to look out for?
Thanks.
Are there any good roads south and west of Dublin? We'll go as far as the west coast so all recommendations are welcome. Also have the road standards (potholes) improved from 20 years ago when I remember they were pretty naff?
Any other pointers or things to look out for?
Thanks.
Seeing as noone else has replied...
I'm in the opposite end of Ireland the North East. When I've visited that end of the country it seems big main roads to get to the cities and then very narrow roads full of tourists the rest of the way, nice views from the west coast's cliff top roads, ring of Kerry etc but it will be slow progress rather than b road blasts unless you want to meet 2 busses in a bend or loose sheep in a dip, also the roads that are over boggy ground are quite undulating so when I did get a bit of speed on a clear road I was near chucked off from the bouncing.
If you'd rather go north I could suggest some roads.
I'm in the opposite end of Ireland the North East. When I've visited that end of the country it seems big main roads to get to the cities and then very narrow roads full of tourists the rest of the way, nice views from the west coast's cliff top roads, ring of Kerry etc but it will be slow progress rather than b road blasts unless you want to meet 2 busses in a bend or loose sheep in a dip, also the roads that are over boggy ground are quite undulating so when I did get a bit of speed on a clear road I was near chucked off from the bouncing.
If you'd rather go north I could suggest some roads.
Drove a decent bit round the south west of Ireland from Galway round to Cork.
I found a lot of the passes were very scenic but far too tight and poorly sighted to have any decent fun.
One exception was the Healy Pass which had a good fun bit near the summit. I believe they hold a rally stage there.
I found a lot of the passes were very scenic but far too tight and poorly sighted to have any decent fun.
One exception was the Healy Pass which had a good fun bit near the summit. I believe they hold a rally stage there.
Assuming you arrive in Belfast on the ferry for a weekend; the first place would be the Antrim Glens. Plenty of pleasant bends on smooth flat well sighted roads and great scenery which could lead you down the Ards Peninsula to Portaferry (via 15min ferry) for a fishy lunch.
From there I'd reccomend the mourne coastal route via Newcastle and Rostrevor. Visit the Forest park in Rostrevor and theres a real nice drive up the mountain and back that's a one way system worth a detour. Then 40mins motorway from Newry back to Belfast to get washed up and dinner/night out.
Next day go North to Portrush/Portstewart (the NW200 is held here so you can follow the route if you're into road racing) make sure to stop in Ballintoy Harbour, Bushmills Distillery and Giants causeway as they're all within a short distance of each other and each is worth a visit. Would reccomend food in the Causeway Hotel its top notch. If you have time to take the Glenshane Pass to Derry, theres plenty of good nightlife and an historic walled city to enjoy there.
Then I imagine back to Belfast for the Ferry using the direct route cause obviously you're late
From there I'd reccomend the mourne coastal route via Newcastle and Rostrevor. Visit the Forest park in Rostrevor and theres a real nice drive up the mountain and back that's a one way system worth a detour. Then 40mins motorway from Newry back to Belfast to get washed up and dinner/night out.
Next day go North to Portrush/Portstewart (the NW200 is held here so you can follow the route if you're into road racing) make sure to stop in Ballintoy Harbour, Bushmills Distillery and Giants causeway as they're all within a short distance of each other and each is worth a visit. Would reccomend food in the Causeway Hotel its top notch. If you have time to take the Glenshane Pass to Derry, theres plenty of good nightlife and an historic walled city to enjoy there.
Then I imagine back to Belfast for the Ferry using the direct route cause obviously you're late
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