Ireland's Popular Coastal Routes

Ireland is an island shaped by the sea, and nowhere is that more evident than along its coastal roads. From the wild Atlantic panoramas of the west to the basalt geometry of the north, Ireland’s coastal drives reveal geology, culture, food, and history in equal measure.

Below you’ll find short guides to the country’s most beloved routes: the Wild Atlantic Way, Slea Head Drive (Dingle Peninsula), Ring of Beara, Copper Coast Drive, Burren Loop, Mourne Coastal Route, and the Causeway Coast.

The Wild Atlantic Way

Overview: Stretching along Ireland’s west coast from County Donegal in the north to County Cork in the south, the Wild Atlantic Way is one of the world’s longest defined coastal touring routes. It’s not a single road, but a connected series of driving, walking, and cycling routes that showcases scenic beaches, cliffs, islands, fishing villages, and quiet headlands.

Why go: If you want to experience Ireland’s Atlantic personality (turbulent ocean, dramatic sunsets, fresh seafood, and small-town hospitality) the Wild Atlantic Way is for you. Choose a section of this 1,600 mile drive, or travel end-to-end over a longer period of time.

Suggested length: You can sample the Wild Atlantic Way in short sections over a few days, but to do justice to a meaningful stretch takes 7-14 days or more for a rich west-coast experience.

Recommended starting points:

• North segment: Donegal Town or Bundoran

• Mid-west: Galway City or Clifden (Connemara)

• South-west: Killarney or Kenmare, ending around Cork/West Cork

Highlights to include:

• Cliffs and beaches of Sligo and Mayo (Benbulben and Keem Bay)

• Achill Island and its dramatic Atlantic Drive

• Cliffs of Moher and the Burren (County Clare)

• Dingle Peninsula and the Skellig Islands viewpoints (County Kerry)

• Beara Peninsula and the remote villages of West Cork

Practical tips:

• The Wild Atlantic Way is best done in stages. I would avoid trying to drive the entire route in a few days, as you won't experience anything other than the drive.

• Allow for extra drivetime as road types vary along the route. Expect single-lane rural roads in parts of Kerry, Mayo, and Donegal. Getting caught behind a tractor on a one lane road may add a bit to your travel time.

• Weather changes fast, so pack waterproof layers and plan indoor activity backups for stormy days.

Dingle Peninsula, aka Slea Head Drive

Overview: The Slea Head Drive arcs along the western edge of the Dingle Peninsula, offering cliff-top views, ancient stone forts, and a strong Gaelic-speaking (Gaeltacht) culture. It’s compact and one of the most photogenic short coastal circuits in Ireland.

Distance & time: The Slea Head loop itself is about 20 miles long, depending on detours. Driving non-stop takes around 1–1.5 hours, but to experience it properly plan 4–8 hours.

Starting point: Dingle town

Highlights:

• Slea Head viewpoint (stunning ocean vistas and views to the Blasket Islands)

• Dún Chaoin (Dunquin) and the Blasket Islands viewing point

• Ceann Sibeal/Loop Head-esque rock formations, and several early Christian and pre-Christian sites with beehive huts and ring forts

• Ventry Beach for a coastal walk

• If you see a sign to pet baby sheep, stop! You won't regret it.

• Louis Mulcahy was a nice stop for lunch along the route. (Make sure to leave room in your luggage for souvenirs!)

• End at a trad session in one of Dingle's cozy pubs for a warm meal. It's part of the route’s charm.

Activities & food: Taste fresh seafood in Dingle (prawn, crab, smoked salmon), take a boat to the Blasket Islands if weather permits, or join a local guided walk for archaeology and Gaelic culture.

Best time to visit: Late spring to early autumn for reliable ferry access to Blasket and longer daylight. Off-season is quieter (ferry schedules will vary).

Driving tips: Roads are narrow and winding. Fog can be thick and roads can be slick in bad weather. Drive slowly and be courteous at passing places. Use lay-bys for photos.

Ring of Beara

Overview: The Ring of Beara is a quieter, more rugged cousin to the Ring of Kerry. It circles the Beara Peninsula (Counties Cork and Kerry), weaving through heathered hills, stone-walled farmland, and remote coves.

Distance & time: A full Beara loop ranges about 105–125 miles, depending on the exact roads chosen. Allow 2-3 days to enjoy it, or at least a long full day if pressed for time.

Starting point: Kenmare or Castletownbere 

Highlights:

• Dursey Island cable car ride: Ireland’s only mainland-to-island cable car, suspended across the Atlantic (seasonal and weather-dependent)

• Garnish Island/Glengarriff: subtropical gardens

• Healy Pass: One of the peninsula’s highest roads, offering sweeping mountain-to-sea views

• Allihies Copper Mines: Industrial archaeology set against dramatic cliffs

Activities & food: Sea-angling, coastal walks, and tasting fresh seafood. Sample farmhouse cheeses and small-batch gin distilleries in the region.

Why choose Beara: The pace is slower, the scenery is more raw, and the sense of being off-grid is stronger. If you prefer fewer tourists and authentic rural communities, Beara is perfect.

Driving tip: Many of the roads are single-track with passing points. Patience and conservative speeds make the drive pleasurable rather than stressful.

Copper Coast Drive

Overview: The Copper Coast Drive is a 25-mile stretch along Waterford’s southeast shoreline, designated a UNESCO Global Geopark for its geology and coastal landforms. It’s a lesser-known gem with cliffs, coves, and fossil-rich beaches.

Distance & time: The main driving loop is about 25 miles. Set aside 2–4 hours to include short walks and lookouts.

Starting point: Dungarvan 

Highlights:

• Cliff viewpoints at Annestown and Clonea

• The Copper Coast Geopark Visitor Centre: a UNESCO site that explains the region’s mining past and geology

• Seafaring villages and seafood cafés are perfect for a slow lunch

Activities & food: Coastal hikes, small galleries showing local art, and tasting Waterford-grown produce. Dungarvan’s food scene has grown, with quality seafood and farm-to-table options.

Best time to visit: Summer and early autumn for milder weather and calmer seas. Spring offers wildflowers and migrating seabirds.

The Burren Loop & Cliffs of Moher

Overview: The Burren is a 300 million year old, lunar-like limestone landscape whose ecology and archaeology are astonishingly rich. The Burren Loop pairs well with the Cliffs of Moher, one of Ireland’s most iconic coastal sights, making it an inland and coastal exploration.

Distance & time: The core Burren Loop (around the main Burren area) can be driven in 2–3 hours, but to explore trails, dolmens, and visitor centers plan a full day. The Cliffs of Moher site itself is visited typically in 1–3 hours, depending on how far you choose to walk the paths.

Starting point: Ennis or Doolin.

Highlights:

• Cliffs of Moher: dramatic cliffs plunging into the Atlantic; cliff-top walkways and visitor center

• Poulnabrone Dolmen: iconic Neolithic portal tomb

• Burren National Park: hiking trails across exposed limestone with rare flora and fauna

• Aillwee Cave & Burren Perfumery: cave tours and artisan shops

Activities & food: Walk the Burren Way, explore the Burren Perfumery’s gardens, enjoy oysters in nearby villages, or take a boat to the Aran Islands for stone forts and island culture.

Photography tip: Golden hour (just after sunrise or before sunset) offers dramatic light on both the cliffs and the Burren’s textures.

Practical note: The Cliffs can be extremely windy and exposed. Follow designated paths and safety signage. Stay away from the cliff's edge and watch children carefully.

Mourne Coastal Route

Overview: The Mourne Coastal Route threads beside the Mourne Mountains and along the County Down coastline. It blends granite mountain backdrops with soft beaches and historic towns, making it ideal for combining seaside drives with inland walking.

Distance & time: The coastal route runs roughly 45–60 miles, depending on the stretches you include. Plan 1–2 days to appreciate highlights at a leisurely pace.

Starting point: Newry or Belfast; Downpatrick or Kilkeel are closer for coastal access

Highlights:

• Mourne Mountains: walking, forest trails, and panoramic viewpoints

• Rostrevor: village with access to Slieve Martin and the coastal trail

• Murlough National Nature Reserve: dune systems and migratory birds

• Castle Ward & Strangford Lough: scenic estates and ferry crossings to the Ards Peninsula

Activities & food: Mountain hikes, sea-angling, coastal walks, and local seafood in Kilkeel (famous for hake). Stop in seaside villages for crafts and coastal cafés.

Best time to visit: Spring through autumn; winter can be atmospheric but wetter and windier

Causeway Coastal Route

Overview: The Causeway Coast is among Ireland’s most famous coastal drives, linking Glens of Antrim, the Giant’s Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede, and picturesque towns. It’s dramatic, varied, and steeped in myth.

Distance & time: The classic drive from Belfast to Derry/Londonderry following the Coastal Route covers about 85–100 miles of scenic road sections. To experience scenic stops and historic sites, plan to spend 2–3 days here.

Starting point: Belfast or Derry/Londonderry

Highlights:

• Giant’s Causewa: UNESCO World Heritage Site famed for hexagonal basalt columns and mythic lore

• Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge: swinging across a sea gap to an island lookout (seasonal; closes in unsafe weather)

• Dark Hedges: a historic tunnel of beech trees that’s become famous on Game of Thrones

• Dunluce Castle: dramatic cliff-edge castle ruins with cinematic presence

• Portrush & Portstewart: seaside towns with beaches and surf

Activities & food: Guided tours of Causeway and coastal geology, Puffin- and seal-spotting boat trips, surfing, golf at world-class courses (Royal Portrush), and sampling Ulster seafood.

Driving tip: The Causeway Coast includes busier tourist hubs. Visit early morning or late afternoon for fewer crowds.

Practical Planning: Logistics, Timing, and Safety

How much driving per day is reasonable?  A comfortable daily driving distance on Ireland’s coastal roads is 1–3 hours of driving interspersed with activities. Single-track rural roads and frequent scenic stops make progress slower than on motorways. Aim to avoid days with 6+ hours of continuous driving if you want to enjoy the destinations.

When to Visit

• Late spring (May–June) and early autumn (September) are often the sweet spots thanks to milder weather, fewer crowds, and vibrant landscapes.

• High summer (July–August) brings longer days but also more tourists and higher prices.

• Winter offers low-season peace and dramatic skies, but expect shorter daylight, varying weather conditions, and limited services in remote areas.

Car Rental Tips

• Hire a compact but comfortable car. Narrow roads and parking can be tight so a standard SUV may not be practical.

• Ensure the vehicle is insured, whether it be through the rental company or your travel insurance.

• If you’re not comfortable driving on the left, practice in a quiet area first or consider driver services for sections.

Ferries and Islands

• Many coastal routes invite island detours (Aran Islands, Skellig Michael, Saltee Islands, Blasket Islands, Dursey). Check seasonal ferry schedules and book in advance if needed. Cancellations are common with high winds and bad weather, so have alternative plans.

Safety & Etiquette

• Respect private property, marked trails, and livestock.

• In rural areas, shepherds may move animals. Slow down and follow local instructions.

• Keep to marked paths on cliffs. Coastal erosion and unstable edges are real hazards and cliff rescues put the lives of the rescuers at risk.

Experience Enhancers: Food, Music, and Local Life

A coastal route is never just about the road. The best memories come from local encounters:

• Seafood & local produce: From Galway oysters to Dingle’s smoked fish and West Cork’s seafood chowder, coastal food is a highlight. Ask for local specialties at small cafés and family-run pubs.

• Music & storytelling: Seek out evening sessions in small pubs.

• Walking & wildlife: Plan coastal walks to stretch your legs and look for seals, dolphins, and seabirds (puffins on spring/summer islands).

• Crafts & markets: Coastal villages often host markets showcasing artisanal food, knitwear, pottery, and crafts, which make perfect meaningful souvenirs.

Final Thoughts: Make Time to Savor

Ireland’s coastal routes are a reminder that travel is a balance of motion and lingering. The best approach is not to race, but to select regions that speak to you. Whether you want to see cliffs and seascapes, experience Ireland's culture, or enjoy music-filled villages, choose a path an go. Take the slow road when you can, pause in a harbor café, walk a headland, and let the Atlantic air do the rest.

If you’d like help designing a coastal itinerary, matching routes to your travel pace, arranging ferries, booking local guides, or choosing the right season, I’d love to help. Ireland’s coasts are endlessly generous to those who come prepared to listen to the sea, savor the food, and stay awhile.