subject: Road trips around Ireland [print this page] Road trips around Ireland Road trips around Ireland
Due to its small size, Ireland has many interesting sights within manageable driving distances. With a little planning you can map out an extremely scenic trip around the major sights of the Emerald Isle in as little as two weeks. However, longer or shorter trips can also be planned to fit your timetable, the choice is yours!
A great place to start a trip around Ireland is Dublin and the city's surrounding area. Although it's a major metropolitan city, the streets of Dublin are well marked and driving around the area isn't too difficult compared to many other European cities. Popular tourist attractions around Dublin include the Guinness Storehouse and Trinity College, where you can see the 1,200 year old Book of Kells, an ornately illustrated Bible. Just outside the city centre, a tour of the Kilmainham Gaol (Jail), where Irish political prisoners were detained and executed, sheds light on the origins of Ireland's independence.
Another popular spot is the port town of Cork. Here you can tour Blarney Castle and kiss the famous Blarney Stone. It is said that those who kiss the Blarney Stone are given the gift of gab', meaning they become more persuasive and eloquent in their speech. However, there are also many other historic attractions in the area to keep you busy.
Take a trip to Kilkenny, which is said to be the best-preserved medieval village in Ireland, and try a pint of the area's famous Kilkenny Irish cream ale in the town centre. From Kilkenny, you can drive towards Waterford. This is an easy trip that allows plenty of stops along the way for sightseeing. Along this route you will find Kilkenny Castle and Rothe House. Once in Waterford, the major attraction is the Waterford Crystal Factory and the nearby oceanfront village of Dunmore East.
There's also Killarney, which can serve as your base for a side trip around the 170 km Ring of Kerry, famous for being the most beautiful drive in Ireland. You can also stop at the area's 4,000 year old stone forts for a glimpse into Ireland's ancient past. Killarney also offers many tourist attractions such as castles, abbeys and even waterfalls.
Another popular stop is the port city of Galway. With the third largest city population in the Republic of Ireland, Galway offers plenty in the way of attractions to suit all ages. You will find theatre, live music festivals, museums, art galleries, sports and many other attractions to keep you entertained for an extended visit.
Limerick is another small city worth visiting. With a population of almost 100,000, Limerick offers many sights for tourists, including several castles, museums and boat trips on the River Shannon.
A road trip around Ireland is an unforgettable experience, however if you plan on doing so, making sure your car is in good condition before you begin your journey is always a smart decision. You never know when issues such as oil leaks or ignition problems can strike, or maybe you might even need to replace your windshield. It always pays to be prepared before hitting the road.
