August 10, 2015 at 2:17 PM

When you journey across the Irish Sea you can be guaranteed to have a memorable time experiencing the stunning scenery, beautiful countryside, quaint villages and traditional pubs.

The best way to properly explore and find many hidden gems is in the comfort of your own car.

The most convenient way to get to Ireland is by ferry. There are several options to choose from including Stena Line's Fishguard to Rosslare route or Irish Ferries' Pembroke to Rosslare route.


Bringing your car with you means you aren't subjected to baggage limits and you have a spacious boot to fill with whatever you want to bring with you. It's worth checking the ferry websites regularly as they often have special offers which can save you some money.

When you leave the ferry drive south along the N25 towards the picturesque harbour town of Kinsale in County Cork. Remember to have some euro with you for the tolls and that road speed limits have been in kilometres per hour since 2005. Staying somewhere like the 4 star Trident Hotel, which boasts an award-winning restaurant and amazing views of the harbour to ensure you wake refreshed and well rested.



Kinsale is a great starting point for exploring part of the Wild Atlantic Way, a well sign posted, popular route along the south and west coasts of Ireland.


Having your own car means that you can travel at your own pace with as many stops as you like. UC Bristol can ensure that you are driving a reliable car which won't let you down.

Must see places along the route include Mizen Head, the most southerly part of Ireland.



Dursey Island which is accessible by Ireland's only cable car.


When you reach Kenmare leave the Wild Atlantic Way and head north along the N71 until you come to Killarney, the perfect place to spend Saturday night. The luxurious 5 star Killarney Park Hotel is only a few minutes from Killarney National Park. Spend some time exploring the rugged mountains, forests and lakes on Sunday morning before enjoying a leisurely drive east back to Rosslare Port.

When driving around Ireland remember to make sure that you have plenty of fuel in your car as petrol stations can be few and far between in rural areas. Many roads are narrow and bendy so drive carefully as you can expect to find a few sheep wandering along the road or come across a slow moving farm vehicle. The speed limit on national roads is 100km per hour and on regional roads is 80km per hour.

Visit the Ireland tourism board website to help plan your journey. But remember that the joy of using your own car to explore means that you don't have to stick rigidly to your itinerary. You have the freedom to let your adventurous side take over and venture away from the main driving route and who knows what you will discover!


Tags: Road Trip Drive-away Ireland Blog
Category: Road Trip