Thinking about paying a visit to the Emerald Isle? One of the best ways to experience Ireland is to hire a car and to drive along some of the stunning landscapes that define the island and give it the unique mythos and atmosphere that make it famous the world over.

But which routes are the best to take, and what can you expect to see on your travels? Have no fear, because here’s a list t of  just a few suggestions of the  best  routes to drive around Ireland. Here’s what you need to know.

  Wexford to Waterford

Wexford is an old Viking town, and you could happily spend your entire destination in Wexford alone. If you’re just passing through, though, be sure to take a detour to Hook Lighthouse, the world’s oldest working lighthouse.

The Boyne Valley

You can take on as much or as little of this route as you’d like, although if you follow the full loop then you’re looking at a couple of hundred kilometers. Some of the top spots along Boyne Valley include Drogheda, Newgrange and Dowth. History fans will also want to stop off at Trim Castle or at the site of the Battle of the Boyne.

The Comeragh Mountains

Taking travellers through the Munster Vales, the route through the Comeragh Mountains takes in some of Ireland’s most famous cities, including Tipperary, Waterford, Cork and Limerick. You can stretch out the route to cover a whole week, or alternatively combine it with the Wexford to Waterford route to enjoy two road trips for the price of one.

Galway to Westport

This 160km route will take you through the west of the island and give you a true taste of the Irish countryside, with plenty of farm animals thrown in for good measure. Along the way, you can stop off at seaside villages and tourist towns before passing through the Doo Lough Valley, an area known for its outstanding natural beauty.

The Wicklow Mountains Route

If the Comeragh Mountains aren’t quite right for you but you want to see some of Ireland’s stunning peaks, a decent alternative is to take the Sally Gap along R115 through Glencree. Before you know it, you’ll be driving along amongst the stunning mountains towards the Glenmacnass Waterfall. This route is shorter than some of these others and is perfect for a short but sweet day trip, especially for Irish natives.

Visit Yeats Country

If you start your road trip in Manorhamilton, you can explores Yeats’ country and experience some of the stunning landscapes that inspired one of Ireland’s most famous poets, While you’re at it, see if you can swing by Classiebawn Castle, one of the finest examples of Irish castle-building that you’re likely to see.

Explore the Wild Atlantic Way

If you travel the full route here, you’re in for a 2,500 km trip. The chances are that you don’t have enough time to do all of that during a single road trip, so you’ll want to either pick a section that takes your fancy or to come back a few times to tackle it in bite-sized pieces. We’d recommend checking out Keem Bay and Minaun Heights, both of which have more than their fair share of stunning views and photo opportunities.

These are just a few of the most picturesque routes in Ireland, of course there are more  road trip routes and they’re all unique in their own way. Now it’s up to you to start making plans for your visit. The good news is that the further ahead you plan your trip, the easier it is to choose which routes you really want to see.

Really, the main thing for you to think about is where you plan to stop over for the night so that you can book your hotels. With that done and your route planned out, there’s nothing for you to worry about and you can crack on with looking forward to your holiday. Happy travels!

Contributed by Giles Kirkland

Giles Kirkland is a car enthusiast with a passion for travelling. He enjoys sharing his journeys and travel advice with others. You can find him on Twitter