With a grand stretch in the evenings, warmer temperatures and forecasters predicting a glorious 10-day stretch of dry and sunny weather ahead, there has never been a better time to throw the bags in the boot and hit the road.
To help Irish drivers make the most of this season ahead, new research from 123.ie Insurance has revealed the most scenic drives in Ireland.
The study analysed the latest available data from TripAdvisor, alongside key metrics such as drive ratings, the number of Instagram-tagged posts, average sunshine hours, route length, elevation, and drive time. Each route was then given a final score out of 600 to determine where Ireland’s most scenic drives are located, so all that’s left to do is start planning your road trip.
Ring of Kerry
Taking the top spot with an impressive overall score of 508.1, the Ring of Kerry stands as the undisputed king of Irish road trips.
Stretching 179km around the Iveragh Peninsula, this iconic loop has a 4.5 rating on TripAdvisor, an astonishing 267,000 tagged Instagram posts, and an average of 1,231 sunshine hours per year in Kerry.
May usually brings the brightest skies, making it the perfect time to explore the region.
The Gap of Dunloe on the Ring of Kerry. (Ireland's Content Pool)
Dingle Peninsula
Ranking second is the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry, and it's easy to see why it earns such devotion. Holding the highest TripAdvisor rating of all five drives, a near-perfect 4.8, this 93km loop rewards every mile with stunning coastal scenery, world-class seafood, and a breathtaking climb of up to 456 metres over the Conor Pass, the highest mountain pass in Ireland.
This is the peninsula that inspired the film “Ryan's Daughter” and, more recently, drew the cast and crew of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens," with scenes filmed along its coastline.
Slea Head on the Dingle Peninsula. (Ireland's Content Pool)
Ring of Beara
Ranking third is the Ring of Beara, a 140km route along the Cork-Kerry border with some of the wildest and most unspoiled scenery in Ireland. It shares the Dingle Peninsula's 4.8 TripAdvisor rating, but with just over 11,000 Instagram posts, far fewer people have discovered it.
The route follows the coastline, reaches 334 metres at its highest point, and offers stunning views across Bantry Bay and the Kenmare River.
Beara Bowl in West Cork. (Ireland's Content Pool)
Comeragh Drive
Ranking fourth, the Comeragh Drive in Waterford is a route that deserves far more attention than it gets. This 72km drive winds through the foothills of the Comeragh Mountains near Dungarvan and Lemybrien, reaching heights of up to 500 metres, and can be completed in a leisurely 90 minutes.
Perfect for those wanting maximum scenery without a big-time commitment. With Waterford enjoying 1,600 hours of sunshine per year, the chances of catching it in perfect conditions are better than you might think.
Comeragh Mountains. (Ireland's Content Pool)
Military Road
Rounding out the top five is one of Ireland's most atmospheric drives, the Military Road, which cuts through the heart of County Wicklow.
Built in the 1800s following the 1798 rebellion, this 60km route winds through ancient glacial valleys and dense pine forest. It passes through Wicklow Mountains National Park, a landscape so striking it has served as a backdrop for films such as “Braveheart” and “P.S. I Love You.”
For more information, click here.
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