Top 10 Scenic Road Trips from Dublin

Top 10 scenic drives from Dublin

Dublin. You know it’s got soul. For those in the know, the Republic of Ireland’s iconic capital isn’t just one of the world’s best party cities ‐ it’s also a literary capital, historical hotspot and (at least for some) an international catalyst for the collapse of imperial power during the 20th century. Packed with gorgeous Georgian buildings and bisected by the River Liffey, the best part of Dublin is it’s people ‐ whether they’re telling tall tales in Temple Bar pubs or charming you with craic in cafes and restaurants, the Dubs’ gift of the gab always makes you feel welcome.

Great things to do in Dublin include strolling through the hallowed halls of Trinity College (in particular the Old Library Long Room), grabbing a pint of the black stuff from the source at the Guinness Storehouse Gravity Bar (after learning how the famous brew is made), and gazing at masterpieces from Van Gogh, Goya, and Caravaggio at the National Gallery of Ireland. And if you fancy combining drinking and literature, a Dublin literary pub crawl takes you to the beloved beer and gin-soaked haunts of legends like Joyce, Wilde, Beckett, and Behan.

Last but not least, Dublin is well connected to the rest of the Republic and Northern Ireland, which makes it the ideal place to hire a car and discover the magic of the rest of the Emerald Isle.

Top tips on driving in Dublin

Your top 10 road trips from Dublin will be here in two shakes of a shamrock. But let’s take in some useful driving tips first.

First off, the Republic Of Ireland might be in the EU, but you drive on the left of the road here, just like in the UK.

Once you head out of Dublin, some of the country roads can get narrow, so drive cautiously, especially on bends and uphill sections. And look out for farm animals like sheep wandering across the tarmac too!

As long as it’s sufficient for the size of your travel party, it’s a good idea to hire a smaller car in Ireland ‐ they make narrow, winding roads easier to navigate and parking much less tricky.

Wear your seatbelt, never drink and drive, and observe the speed limit ‐ it’s 30km/h in some residential areas, 50km/h in built-up areas, 80 km/h on local and regional roads, 100km/h on national routes and 120km/h on motorways.

Let’s hop behind the wheel for those road trips!

Cliffs of Moher

Three hours’ drive from Dublin via the M6 (over in the west) the Cliffs of Moher are a must-see on any trip to Ireland. When you reach these dramatic cliffs cascading 214m down into the Atlantic, you’ll instantly understand why they’re the Emerald Isle’s most popular natural attraction ‐ their sheer scale and serene beauty is simply staggering. Take a bracing stroll along the clifftops and you’ll see the Arran Islands and rock stacks popping up out of the sea.

Howth

Fancy a super-quick road trip to a picturesque fishing village? Howth is just 30 minutes away via R807 and R105 and this rugged peninsula is a cracking place to recharge your batteries. Apart from meditative walks, highlights include the medieval ruins of St Mary’s Abbey and Howth Castle and Gardens, and the town’s packed with cute craft boutiques and boho antique shops. If you’ve got your golf clubs with you, the greens at Howth Golf Club and Deer Park are ready and waiting.

Cork

Time for a road trip to another terrific Irish city. Cork is around two hours and 45 minutes from Dublin via the M7 and M8 and it has a whole vibe of its own. Cool things to do here include ringing the Shandon Bells at the top of St Anne’s Church, visiting Cork City Gaol, and taking in the jaw-dropping scenery at Mizen Head, on the tip of the entire island. Cork is also a great place to catch live music, at hip venues like Cyprus Avenue, Con and Maura’s Bar and De Barra’s Folk Club.

Glendalough

Just one hour down the M50 and R55 from Dublin, Glendalough in Co. Wicklow is another great Irish road trip. There’s a whole load of history here ‐ St Kevin lived as a hermit at the Glendalough monastic site (which in its prime had seven churches) and hiking the upper and lower lakes is always popular. If you want to veer a little off the main route on your way here, drive through Sally Gap to see Lough Tay ‐ nicknamed ‘The Guinness Lake’ because it’s owned by the famous brewing family and has a bank of white sand resembling the creamy top on a pint of stout.

Belfast

The capital of Northern Ireland might be in another country, but at just one hour and 45 minutes away via M1 and A1, Belfast is a marvellously manageable road trip from Dublin. There are lots of awesome attractions here, including Titanic Belfast, located beside the Titanic Slipways and Harland and Wolff Drawing Offices intimately associated with the tragic ship, and beautiful Belfast Cathedral, a centre for worship in the city for over 100 years. It’s also a great place for entertainment, with top venues like the Grand Opera House and events like the Belfast International Arts Festival.

Rock of Cashel

How does a two hour trip via the M7 and M8 to the ‘High King of Irish Monuments’ sound? The Rock of Cashel has a commanding position on a limestone outcrop in the Golden Vale and the scared monuments found here include a 15th-century tower house, the Hall of the Vicars Choral, an abbey, Gothic cathedral and Romanesque chapel. This is the ancient seat of the kings of Munster, where legend has it that St Patrick converted King Aenghus to Christianity.