Ireland is world-renowned for offering the traveler some of the most beautiful landscapes and scenery in the world, from emerald-green grasses leading to cliffs overlooking the Atlantic to mountain peaks, labyrinthine caves, pristine beaches, and crystal clear waterways. Ireland enjoys over 714 miles of spectacular coastline, surrounded by the mighty Atlantic on the west and the Irish Sea on the east. Experience the numerous sights of natural Ireland and savor the feelings they evoke.
There is so much to see and do in Western Ireland, comprised of Counties Clare, Galway and Mayo. You will find a winning combination of rugged sea cliffs and sheltered sandy beaches, a myriad of ancient castles, medieval friaries, pre-historic burial sites and traditional Irish music!
Southwest Ireland stretches from the Ring of Kerry in the south, the Dingle Peninsula in the west, through Killarney and north to Adare, and Limerick City, offering sea and mountain scenery, interspersed with lively small towns and villages plus medieval castles and archaeological sites going back 5,000 years.
South East Ireland is comprised of Counties Waterford, Kilkenny, Carlow, and Wexford. This region has been settled by Vikings and Normans in the past, and is well-known for its beautiful, sunny weather amidst a backdrop of mountains rolling into lush Nore and Suir river valleys.
County Donegal offers some of the most spectacular scenery and stark beauty in Ireland. It offers tortuous country roads skirt stark mountains, rugged sea cliffs, craggy peninsulas, remote Gaeltacht communities, sheep-studded pastures, pristine strands, icy streams and horizons carpeted with bog and heather.
Northern Ireland, part of the United Kingdom, comprises the northeastern sixth of the island of Ireland. Torn apart during `The Troubles`, Northern Ireland has emerged to become one of the largest cultural and economic hubs in the British Isles.
The 111-mile-long Ring of Kerry (Iveragh Peninsula) is a part of the mystical and unspoiled region of Ireland that has attracted visitors for hundreds of years. It provides an amazing insight into the ancient heritage of Ireland and a landscape carved out of rock by the last Ice Age 10,000 years ago.
The Emerald Isle of Ireland is the perfect destination for driving, with lots of iconic routes and road trips to experience, offering some of the most dramatic and picturesque scenery in the world. There are lots of charming towns along the way, each worth a stop and a visit no matter the route you choose to explore.
The Heritage Towns of Ireland are towns and villages that offer unique character provided by a combination of architectural styles, often spanning many centuries, which gives them a special feeling for the past.
Driving Time
Dublin - Kilkenny: 1 hr. 30 mins. approx.
Kilkenny - Waterford: 45 mins. approx.
Waterford - Cork: 1 hr. 50 mins. approx.
Cork - Killarney: 1 hr. 20 mins. approx.
Killarney - Limerick: 1 hr. 35 mins. approx.
Limerick - Shannon Airport: 30 mins. approx.
Driving Time
Dublin - County Cork Area: 3 hrs. approx.
County Cork Area - County Kerry Area: 1 hr. 15 mins. approx.
County Kerry Area - County Clare Area: 1 hr. 50 mins. approx.
County Clare Area - Dublin: 2 hrs. 30 mins. approx.
Driving Time
Shannon Airport - Galway: 1 hr. 10 mins. approx.
Galway - Dublin: 2 hrs. 20 mins. approx.
Dublin - Kilkenny: 1 hr. 30 mins. approx.
Kilkenny - Killarney: 2 hrs. 40 mins. approx.
Killarney- Limerick: 1 hr. 40 mins. approx.
Limerick - Shannon Airport: 30 mins. approx.
Driving Time
Dublin - Cork: 2 hrs. 50 mins. approx.
Cork - Killarney: 1 hr. 20 mins. approx.
Killarney - Galway: 2 hrs. 40 mins. approx.
Galway - Limerick: 1 hr. 25 mins. approx.
Limerick - Shannon Airport: 30 mins. approx.
Driving Time
Dublin - Cork: 2 hrs. 50 mins. approx.
Cork - County Kerry Area: 1 hr. 30 mins. approx.
County Kerry Area - County Clare Area: 1 hr. 50 mins. approx.
County Clare Area - Shannon Airport: 30 mins. approx.
Driving Time
Dublin - Waterford: 1 hr. 55 mins. approx.
Waterford - County Kerry: 2 hrs. 55 mins. approx.
County Kerry - County Clare: 1 hr. 50 mins. approx.
County Clare - Galway: 55 mins. approx.
Galway - Dublin: 2 hrs. 20 mins. approx.
The island of Ireland is thought to have been inhabited from around 6000 BCE. Many sites from ancient times are still in existence, such as the collection of art at the Rock of Cashel; the Hill of Tara, the seat of power of Ireland`s kings; and the megalith Newgrange which is even older than Stonehenge in England.
Ireland`s countryside is dotted with castles (at one time over 30,000 of them!) that range from romantic castles and towers that are in ruins to stately chieftain castles and Irish castle hotels. They are all filled with character and history.
The Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland have some of the most beautiful public and private gardens in the world. Whether you`re in Dublin or the Gaeltacht, we recommend that you take time to `stop and smell the roses` during your journey.