7 Memorable Lifetime Trips to Ireland

 

Every visitor to Ireland agrees that their trip recalled a series of highly evocative and emotional memories which can last a lifetime. 

 

The best way to create them is to plan a trip to Ireland that incorporates a route that unfolds and excites with every turn and each stop along its journey. 

 

Here are some of the most memorable journeys to include in your trip.

 

1. Ring of Kerry offers a never-ending series of unrivalled photo opportunities as you tour its 112 miles of road around Ireland's Westernmost county. Situated on the Iveragh peninsula and starting and ending in Killarney, the Ring continually threads its way through remote mountaineous terrain that runs down to deserted Atlantic beaches, only punctuated by small towns and villages that offer the most friendly hospitality.  High points include the UNESCO World Heritage-listed monastic settlement on Skellig Michael which features in Star Wars and the ocean-swept strand of Rossbeigh Beach.

 

2. The Ancient East stretches from Dublin to Limerick, from Carlingford to Cavan and south to Cork City. From ancient high kings to modern day poets, saints and scholars to ramblers and fishermen, Ireland's Ancient East has overflows with legends and stories along its route, all backed by lush landscapes and idyllic towns, framed by the River Shannon and the Irish Sea.

 

3. The Burren route has an extraordinary limestone landscape and incorporates The Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark in County Clare. This UNESCO World Heritage site has several archaeological and natural wonders, such as the lone Poulnabrone Dolmen near Ballyvaughan dating from around 3,800 BC; the longest free-hanging stalactite in Europe in Doolin Cave; and great views from the suitably named Corkscrew Hill. The limestone nooks and crannies have more than 1,000 Mediterranean, alpine and Irish plant species. 

 

4. The Wild Atlantic Way is a top pick internationally for vacation routes to travel and now has an excellent standing worldwide. Its an epic road trip in parts or full hugging the ragged, western coast of Ireland for more than 1,500 miles; it stretchs from Malin Head in Donegal through Sligo, Mayo, Galway, Clare and Kerry to the picturesque fishing town of Kinsale in Cork. The well-signposted route can be travelled in either a northerly or southerly direction, jumping on or dropping off anywhere along the coastline, with an endless array of journey-making landscapes, towns and vistas to explore.

 

5. Connemara in Galway is a uniquely inviting and uncompromising wilderness area with its landscape of slate-coloured lakes, orange and green bogland, dark green and black mountains, blue and golden inlets and bays. With its culturally packed gateway city of Galway, it offers 40,000 acres of hiking and walks in the Connemara National Park, and highlights that include Ireland's only fjord at Killary Harbour and the impressive Kylemore Abbey.

 

6. Game of Thrones road trips in Northern Ireland provide the stunning backdrop to idyllic views, rugged terrain, endless greenery, and gorgeous stone castles. Views and locations that have been frequently utilized as film sets for the hit HBO series, Game of Thrones, the North is home to more Seven Kingdoms locations than anywhere else in the world, giving fans unrivalled access to listen to the will of the gods (the old or the new), follow that three-eyed raven, and begin your journey to being a true born Stark.

 

7. Waterford Greenway is built on the abandoned 19th century railway network in the region, giving life to a off-road walking, hiking and cycling route that connects the southerly port city of Waterford and seaside town Dungarvan. Its 28-mile trail travels through peaceful countryside over viaducts and through mossy-green railway tunnels and gives excellent sea views.

 

 

 


Suggested articles