With Ireland enjoying a stretch of warm weather, there’s never been a better time to pack up the car and head out on a road trip.
And as it turns out, the benefits go far beyond the scenery.
Recent research reveals that road trips taken with a favourite person can increase happiness by up to 200%, as shared experiences such as scenic drives, conversations and spontaneous stops trigger the release of dopamine and oxytocin, strengthening emotional connection and forming lasting positive memories.
So, to help Irish drivers make the most of the season ahead, new research from 123.ie Insurance has revealed the most scenic drives in Ireland.
The study analysed the latest available data from TripAdvisor, alongside key metrics such as drive ratings, the number of Instagram-tagged posts, average sunshine hours, route length, elevation and drive time.
Each route was then given a final score out of 600 to determine where Ireland’s most scenic drives are located.
Waterford ranked 4th overall, with the Comeragh Drive scoring 363.2 out of 600.
Top scenic drives in Ireland include:
- Ring of Kerry, Kerry
- Dingle Peninsula, Kerry
- Ring of Beara, Kerry
- Comeragh Drive, Waterford
- Military Road, Wicklow
Taking the top spot and pulling clear of the pack with an impressive overall score of 508.1, the Ring of Kerry stands as the undisputed king of Irish road trips. Stretching 179km around the Iveragh Peninsula, this iconic loop boasts a 4.5 rating on TripAdvisor, an astonishing 267,000 tagged Instagram posts, and an average of 1,676 sunshine hours per year in Kerry.
Ranking second is the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry. With the highest TripAdvisor rating of all five drives, a near-perfect 4.8, Dingle rewards those willing to explore its 93km loop with stunning coastal scenery, world-class seafood and an elevation climb of up to 456 metres over the Conor Pass, the highest mountain pass in Ireland. This is the peninsula that inspired the film “Ryan’s Daughter” and, more recently, drew the cast and crew of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”, with scenes filmed along its coastline.
Ranking third is the Ring of Beara, a 148km circuit that showcases some of the most raw and unspoiled scenery in the country. Matching Dingle Peninsula with a 4.8 rating on TripAdvisor, Beara is far quieter on Instagram, with just over 11,000 tagged posts. The route traces the coastline of the Beara Peninsula along the Cork-Kerry border, climbing to 334 metres at its highest point and offering spectacular views across Bantry Bay and the Kenmare River.
Ranking fourth, the Comeragh Drive in Waterford is described as “a route that deserves far more attention than it gets”. This 70km drive winds through the foothills of the Comeragh Mountains, reaching elevations of up to 500 metres, and can be completed in a leisurely 90 minutes, “making it ideal for those seeking maximum scenery with minimal time commitment”.
Rounding out the top five is one of Ireland’s “most atmospheric drives”, the Military Road, which cuts through the heart of County Wicklow. Built in the early 19th century to flush out United Irishmen rebels hiding in the Wicklow Mountains, this 60km route passes through, ancient glacial valleys and dense pine forest. The road runs through Wicklow Mountains National Park, a landscape that has been featured in films such as “Braveheart” and “P.S. I Love You”, as well as the hit series “Skins”.
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