TRAVEL: Ireland’s best bank holiday drives

A ROAD trip is the perfect way to experience Ireland’s beautiful scenery and the upcoming May and June bank holiday weekends will provide an ideal opportunity to whisk the family away.

For those looking for some inspiration, Carzone has put together some scenic driving routes that are great for this time of the year.

All you have to do is get in the car and drive!

The Ring of Cork

While you may have heard of The Ring of Kerry, you may not have heard of The Ring of Cork!

A hidden gem, this drive takes you through some spectacular views of harbour, coastal and stunning rural landscapes in Cork.

The drive travels along country roads, which connect at various stages to national routes, so take your time and take in the scenery.

You will never be too far at any stage of the route from one of the major towns of Cobh, Midleton or Youghal.

Experience all East Cork offers, as you travel through Killeagh and Castlemartyr on down to the delightful seaside towns of Shanagarry and Ballycottton.

You can follow the coastal roads along to Cobh, Crosshaven, Carrigaline and Cork Harbour.

The final leg of the journey will take you to Watergrasshill and then through the serene riverside drive from Glanmire and Little Island on to Carrigtohill and Midleton.

Carzone’s recommended car for this drive is the 2017 BMW 5 Series

Yeats Country, Sligo

Sligo is commonly known as Yeats’ Country in memory of poet WB and artist Jack Yeats who drew inspiration from the area.

If you take a drive to this stunning area you will see why this beautiful part of the world inspired them.

Follow in their footsteps and head west to Carrowmore, following the road around Knocknarea, which has an ancient cairn on the summit.

Strandhill seaside resort is next, and then pass through the stunning surroundings along the peninsula to Rosses Point.

Finish your journey in Drumcliffe where WB Yeats is buried, and it’s also the site of an ancient monastic settlement founded by St Colmcille in the sixth century.

Carzone’s recommended car for this drive is the 2017 Audi A5 Coupe

The Mourne Mountains

The Mourne Mountains are simply breathtaking and spectacular.

Take in the beauty of the coastline and its quirky quaint towns and villages by simply following the brown-signed Mourne Coastal Route, which runs between Belfast and Newry.

Drive to St John’s Lighthouse and you can take in impressive sights across Dundrum Bay towards the Mournes.

A must see is the Slieve Gullion Forest Park which offers stunning views of the surrounding volcanic landscape. 

Carzone’s recommended car for this drive is the 2017 Nissan X-Trail

Braveheart Drive – Wicklow

Wicklow’s landscape provides perfect scenery for weekend drives. 

This scenic route starts in a little village called Hollywood and sets off in the direction of the Wicklow Gap, which features incredible landscapes, lakes and mountain scenery.

If your feeling fit and adventurous, the Sugar Loaf mountain is a family fun adventure.

The sensational walk way to the top of the mountain reveals a sensational 360-degree view of the Dublin mountains and Dublin city.

Carzone’s recommended car for this drive is the 2017 MINI Countryman.