Unhurried Irish road journeys

Reading room

Road journeys along Ireland’s western side, planned around daylight, shorter stages and the places between the famous viewpoints. We favour a usable day over an impressive line on a map.

Coastal road beneath green hills near Ardclinis in Northern Ireland. Gareth James · CC BY-SA 2.0. Contextual photograph; not evidence of an event organised or a test conducted by this publication. Image resized.

Unhurried Irish road journeys

Give a coastal route a realistic daily shape

A short distance on the map can still make a full day when the road is narrow and the stops are frequent. Build the outing around one main destination, then leave the rest as optional.

Read the guide ↗

Coastal scenery beside Dunluce Castle in Northern Ireland. Suzanne Mischyshyn · CC BY-SA 2.0. Contextual photograph; not evidence of an event organised or a test conducted by this publication. Image resized.

Unhurried Irish road journeys

Passing places are not picnic spaces

A narrow rural road can work well when drivers read it patiently. A passing place has a transport function, even if the view is attractive. Plan your stops separately from the places needed to keep traffic moving.

Read the guide ↗

Unhurried Irish road journeys

Build a wet-weather version of the day

A useful alternative preserves the reason for travelling without pretending the weather does not matter. Choose it before you need it. That leaves less to decide while everybody is waiting in the car.

Read the guide ↗

Unhurried Irish road journeys

Pack the boot around the stops you will make

Packing for a road journey is also planning for the small moments beside the car. The item needed at the first stop should not be beneath everything needed at the accommodation. Start with how the day will unfold.

Read the guide ↗