Ireland road trip, 8 places not to be missed


Ireland on the road, an eight-stage itinerary to visit the country through its most scenic places, from the Cliffs of Moher to the Wicklow mountains near Dublin.

With its landscapes formed by green meadows and clouds swollen with rain, its abandoned castles and pretty towns made of gray alleys and colorful houses, theIreland is the ideal destination for a car travel, to discover its most hidden corners and its most vivid colors. A journey to take calmly, enjoying the peace of the semi-deserted streets and allowing yourself frequent stops to discover postcard views.



Ireland road trip, 8 places not to be missed

To grasp the essence of this country and discover its most authentic charm, I recommend alternating the visit of the cities most famous with that of small villages surrounded by greenery and ruined castles far from the main streets.


If you are tempted by the idea of ​​visiting Ireland by car, here are the main stops not to be missed, arranged in an ideal route from the west coast to the east coast of the country (excluding Northern Ireland).


Ireland road trip, 8 places not to be missed

1. Doolin

Located on theAtlantic Ocean, Doolin is a pretty small fishing village which attracts many Irish and foreign visitors every year. In addition to its characteristic appearance and the beauty of the surrounding landscape, the town is also known for its own musical traditionIn fact, the local pubs are animated almost every evening by musicians playing typical Irish songs.
Ireland road trip, 8 places not to be missed

2. Cliffs of Moher

A short distance from the village of Doolin is one of Ireland's most celebrated scenic attractions, the Cliffs of Moher, in English Cliffs of Moher. This long stretch of cliff overlooking the sea offers the visitor a truly unique and suggestive show, able to take your breath away. To fully enjoy the visit, I recommend going there early in the morning, when the paths are still semi-deserted. Walking alone along the cliff you will really have the impression of being in a magical place, where nature manages to express itself in all its majesty.

Ireland road trip, 8 places not to be missed

3. Dingle Peninsula

Continuing the route along the west coast, I recommend visiting the Dingle Peninsula, a spit of land located in County Kerry and known by tourists for its landscapes and the presence of several prehistoric and medieval sites. In this area there is one of the so-called "gaeltacht" areas, which is an area where Gaelic language it survived oblivion and is still spoken, so much so that road signs are often bilingual. To capture all the beauty of the place, explore the coast and stop in one of its white beaches, letting yourself be enchanted by the blue of the sea that breaks against the gray of the sharp rocks. To see the village of Dingle, which gives its name to the whole peninsula, the fortress of Ballynavenooragh and the Dunbeg fort.
Ireland road trip, 8 places not to be missed



4. Mizen head

Head Mizen, in English Mizen Head is the most southwestern point of Ireland, as well as one of the most evocative places in the whole country. This promontory, from which the lucky ones will be able to see some whale jumping among the waves, it houses a lighthouse, a weather station and an ancient signaling device for boats, now transformed into a museum dedicated to the events of the place and its strategic importance in the history of navigation. A visit to this unique place will give you the impression of being in another dimension, away from the hustle and bustle of modern life. Here time seems to slow down and return to more authentic and natural rhythms, marked by the blowing of the wind and the refracting of the waves.

Ireland road trip, 8 places not to be missed

5. Cobh

If you find yourself in the near Cork, do not miss the village of Cobh, famous for being the last leg of the Titanic before leaving for the Atlantic Ocean. The town is worth a visit for the large presence of characteristic colored houses, often arranged in a particular way, with results of great visual impact. Also very beautiful is the neo-Gothic cathedral of San Colman, completed in the twentieth century, which with its considerable height dominates the houses dominating the city.


Ireland road trip, 8 places not to be missed

6. Kilkenny

Proceeding towards the east of the country, we then meet the town of Kilkenny, famous above all for its medieval monuments. Here you will find pretty streets dominated by workshops and artisan shops, which will give you the impression of being there on the set of a fantastic movie. The aura of magic and legend that dominates the city is enhanced by the local tradition, according to which Kilkenny is the home to many witches, including Alice Kyteler, owner of an old inn where her spirit still lives.


Ireland road trip, 8 places not to be missed

7. Wicklow mountains

Approaching Dublin you will then encounter one of the most characteristic places in all of Ireland, not to be missed if you want to discover the most authentic essence of the country: the Wicklow mountains. This Mountain range of low altitude it stretches across most of County Wicklow, revealing all the liveliest colors of Ireland to its spectators. Walking along the roads and paths that wind through this protected area you will have the impression of being in a painting painted with all the shades of green you know and dotted here and there with splashes of purple or bright yellow. Don't miss the Glendalough village, which is home to an ancient monastic site, and the Sally Gap, an almost always desolate scenic drive that will lead you into the heart of the Wickolow mountains.

Ireland road trip, 8 places not to be missed

8. Dun laoghaire

Located a short distance from the capital, this lovely one seaside town definitely worth a visit for the beauty of its harbor and its particular charm, which distinguishes it from other Irish coastal towns. To savor the best of this place, take a walk along the streets of the port and stop at spot dolphins, who approach the coast during the day to grab fish scraps thrown into the sea by fishermen.

Ireland road trip, 8 places not to be missed

 

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