Or you can once again take a lesser road back toward the water, this one the L4221 toward Castletownsend. Jump back on the N71 at Leap and follow it to Skibereen. If you want follow the signs to Drombeg Stone Circle for a side trip as it’s a wonderful spot for communing with the ancient spirits - and there are some fabulous views.įollow the R597 through Glandore, stopping here to take in the beautiful views of the inlet and the houses scattered about. I’ll attest to these 2 beaches and the sand dunes of Castlefreke that you walk over to Long Strand.Īround Rosscarbery pick up the R597 toward Glandore. This puts you onto the R598 and then back to the main N71. Or you can continue on around to Long Strand and Owenahincha for more beach time and views. If you want you can hit Red Strand then head out to Galley Head, a lovely point with a lighthouse. You can follow the L4013 to the L4010 staying near the water. Or you may want to follow one of L routes to Inchydoney, a beautiful stretch of sandy beach. You may want to stop in Clonakilty to pay homage to Michael Collins- one of the top rebels who lead the Irish movement for independence.Ĭlockwise from top left: Kinsale, coastal scenery just a bit West of Kinsale, my friend on my first Cork Coastal drive, Old Head of Kinsale Lighthouse Make the loop around the R604 and hook back up with the R600 to Timoleague.įollow the R600 into Clonakilty as it connects with the main N71. This is also where a world class golf course - Old Head Golf Links - is located. Starting in Kinsale head to the Old Head of Kinsale - the lighthouse. Kinsale is a bit touristy and becoming more so, but I still love it.Īnd it’s a great base to explore some of the towns that lie along the coast. One of my all time favorite drives is located in County Cork.Īnd it starts in one of my favorite towns - Kinsale. It’s one of my favorite areas of Ireland. And I believe I saw some folks swimming near here!Ĭork is one of the largest counties in Ireland and has some amazingly gorgeous drives.įrom pastoral scenes, to harbor towns to sandy beaches and stunning sea cliffs, Cork is a wonderful place to “take the wee road” to see where it leads! Rock formations in sea along the Copper Coast Drive. I suggest extending the drive and stopping at Ardmore which is a lovely dot of a village with some wonderful sites, a beach and an nice array of tourist amenities. So you may find it less crowded which only adds to the beauty of this drive. In my opinion this area of Ireland - County Waterford - is often overlooked. Tuck down some of the lesser roads that will lead you closer to the coast when you see a sign for a beach or viewpoint. I call it a gentler drive - a bit less rugged than some of the west coast drives. While the sea cliffs aren’t as high as you’ll find on the west coast, they’re still impressive. I took this drive with my Irish friend, Aedín, on my first trip to Ireland.įor 40km you’ll skirt along the coast on the R675 taking in rugged sea cliffs, sandy beaches and green fields dotted with sheep.
In fact, I haven’t spent enough time here myself, but hope to remedy this in the near future.īe sure to spend some time in County Waterford.Īnd while the drive I’ve chosen is coastal, the inland area is not to be missed! This area gets passed over or driven through too quickly. The interior is just as beautiful (even in Irish weather) as the coast!īest Drives in Ireland - County Waterford The interior part of the Slea Head/Dingle Peninsula Drive. So without further ado here are the best drives in Ireland - according to yours truly! Well I’ve put together a list of my favorite drives in Ireland - some of the most scenic drives, in my opinion.Īnd I have driven at least part of each of these so I can attest to the beauty of each. Pick any road that looks as though it’s not a main road and you won’t be disappointed.īut your time is limited, so which drive or drives do you choose for your trip? So driving - or biking or walking, if you’re an active person - is a wonderful way to experience all this gorgeousness.
I might be a bit biased due to all my trips to this enchanting country that I love.Īnd I believe Ireland is meant to be explored slowly- along rural roads that are not quite 2 lanes wide. There are probably at least one hundred best drives in Ireland.Įvery road you drive down is scenic, gorgeous, stunning and breathtaking. Facebook Pinterest Twitter WhatsApp Email
0 kommentar(er)
