The Chronicle

Discover other heavenly highways

- ireland.com

THE beautiful landscapes of Ireland offer the road trip of a lifetime around every corner. The Wild Atlantic Way and Causeway Coastal Route are two popular journeys for travellers. Here’s three more that are sure to get your motor running.

The Ring of Kerry and Skellig Islands

The stunning Ring of Kerry is a circular loop around the Iveragh Peninsula passing through some of the most amazing landscapes on the island.

The wonderful lakes of Killarney give way to the mountains of MacGillycu­ddy’s Reeks and the peninsula is scattered with picturesqu­e and vibrant towns and villages.

Off the Ring of Kerry lies the sixth-century island monastery of Skellig Michael, now globally famous as a filming location for the latest Star Wars blockbuste­r.

The Sperrin Mountains

Northern Ireland’s largest mountain range is one of the least explored on the island.

A car tour through this rollercoas­ter landscape is a must. Four spectacula­r routes in County Tyrone and County Londonderr­y offer breathtaki­ng scenery and ancient monuments galore.

National Geographic praised these roads for their

“wild beauty, ideal trails and dreamy villages” in its list of the Top 101 Scenic Drives in the World.

Ireland’s Ancient East: The Celtic Coast

Peel back layers of history as you travel the Celtic Coast route from County Wicklow to County Cork and discover the splendour of eighteenth-century stately homes, the treasures of Viking settlement­s and the remains of Ireland’s earliest Christian settlement.

Among the must-see stops on the route are the magnificen­t Powerscour­t House and Gardens, atmospheri­c Glendaloug­h and the Viking city of Waterford.

 ?? Photo: iStock ?? TO BE SURE: Hit the open road to discover Ireland’s most spectacula­r scenery.
Photo: iStock TO BE SURE: Hit the open road to discover Ireland’s most spectacula­r scenery.

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