Road trip in Ireland

Explore the gorgeous scenery of the Emerald Isle !

Ireland’s rugged beauty and renowned culture make it easy to see why Ireland travel is so popular. Ireland tours mostly focus on castles, cities, and countryside, and rightfully so. This relatively small island nation has no less than three UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Brú na Bóinne is a complex of Neolithic architecture, Skellig Michael, which is a rocky point jutting up from the sea that was once home to a Gaelic Christian monastery and is now home to several important seabird species, and lastly the Giant’s Causeway which is a unique geologic formation of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns. There is also no shortage of natural beauty, hence Ireland’s nickname, “the Emerald Isle.” Planet Ride’s Ireland tours let you explore all of these places, as well as plenty of others. Whether you want to visit the Cliffs of Motor, Cork, Killarney, Dublin, or another of Ireland’s famous destination, and whether you’d prefer to travel by motorcycle, motorhome, or some other vehicle, we have a trip to suit your desires !

Ireland is a member of the European Union, but not the Schengen Agreement. However, their entry requirements are not complicated for Westerners. Citizens of other EU nations only need to present valid identification, while Canadians, Americans, and citizens of most other Western countries may stay up to three months, as long as their passport is valid. Unless you’re coming overland by train, car, bus, or motorbike, you’ll most likely be landing by plane in Dublin. There are numerous international and intercontinental flights serving Dublin. Irelands other large airports include Shannon, Cork, and Knock. There are also several ferry options from Great Britain and France.

Ireland generally has a mild climate, but with frequent rainfall. The western reaches of the country tend to receive more rainfall than the east, especially during late fall and winter months. The further inland one goes, the warmer the summers and colder the winters. Be sure to pack accordingly and keep up with the weather forecast. No matter what time of year you visit, some quality rain gear is highly recommended! Planet Ride offers Ireland travel adventures primarily during the summer months (May through September) to take advantage of the warmer weather.

Pieces of Irish culture and cuisine (some more genuine than others) have made their way to numerous countries and cultures well outside of Ireland. Think St. Patrick’s day, green beer, and corned beef. While Irish cuisine can be found throughout the U.S. and in Irish pubs worldwide, some of what is considered “Irish” has actually been intermingled with English food or is entirely American in origin. During any trips to Ireland, be sure to try some of the authentic original dishes that inspired that worldwide spread. Champ, colcannon, Irish stew, and traditional soda bread are a few hearty dishes that should not be missed. Of course, one should also try Irish whiskey and beer, if given the chance. Sharing a few pints of Guinness

Use common sense, especially when out at the pubs, and you shouldn’t have any problems during your time in Ireland, as crime is relatively low. If you’re visiting from anywhere outside the United Kingdom, and you normally drive on the right side of the road, be extra careful while driving or even crossing the street.

What Planet Ride offers for road trip adventures in Ireland

Planet Ride currently features several different trips to Ireland. The road trips we offer include both motorhome travels and motorbike adventures. Some include a guide, while others offer a little more freedom and let you explore entirely on your own. Our guides are terrific and will help you out with everything from tips on the local culture and where to eat to how to fix your vehicle and the best time of year to visit. We also feature a variety of trip durations, from eight days to a whopping 22 days. With our tours, you can join a group with fixed dates or set your own schedule.

An example of one of our motorhome tours is a 22-day trek that begins in Rosslare. From there, you’ll visit Blarney, Killarney, the Cliffs of Moher, Bushmill, Belfast, Dublin, and several other well-known Irish locales. You can also visit interesting sights like the Neolithic era tombs of Newgrange, the Giant’s Causeway (which is a UNESCO designated site), and the 6th-century monastery of Glendalough. By the end of this Ireland travel adventure, you’ll have covered a whopping 1,700 kilometers! The beauty of motorhome travel is that you can stop and rest wherever you like, as well as getting to camp in the gorgeous Irish countryside.

Our motorbike travels stop at many of the same sights, but riding on two wheels certainly ups the level of excitement a few notches ! For example, our 8-day trek around southern Ireland beings in Rosslare and visits Cork, Schull, Killarney, Ballybunion, Galway, Portumna, and Kilkenny. You will get to feast upon the gorgeous coastal scenery offered by the Ring of Kerry, savor the local culture in small villages, and witness some of the other famous natural beauty offered by Ireland at the Cliffs of Moher.