Route library · Wicklow · Connemara · Donegal · Antrim, Ireland · Northern Ireland

Ireland: Wicklow, Connemara, Donegal and the Causeway Coast

Five days from Dublin to Belfast the long way round: the Military Road, the Sky Road, Glengesh and the Torr Head road.

5 days · 4 nights · starts in Dublin, finishes in Belfast

Best months: All year, when every pass on it is normally open. For: cars and motorcycles.

Open in the plannerPlan it by motorcycle

The planner works out real road distances and daily driving times, adds hotels along the way and lets you change any stop.
DAY 1

Dublin to Galway

South into the Wicklow Mountains on the Military Road over the Sally Gap to Laragh, then west across the midlands to Galway.

Passes and roads: Sally Gap and the Military Road

Where to stay in Galway

We haven’t checked a hotel here yet. Browse hotels in Galway and check the parking before you book.

Day 1 in Google Maps

DAY 2

Galway to Clifden

Through Connemara by Oughterard and the Twelve Bens to Clifden, then out along the Sky Road above the Atlantic.

Passes and roads: Sky Road

Where to stay in Clifden

We haven’t checked a hotel here yet. Browse hotels in Clifden and check the parking before you book.

Day 2 in Google Maps

DAY 3

Clifden to Ardara

North by Killary Harbour, Westport and Sligo, under Ben Bulben and on into Donegal.

Where to stay in Ardara

We haven’t checked a hotel here yet. Browse hotels in Ardara and check the parking before you book.

Day 3 in Google Maps

DAY 4

Ardara to Derry

Over the Glengesh Pass’s hairpins to Glencolumbkille, back by Killybegs and across Donegal to Derry.

Passes and roads: Glengesh Pass

Where to stay in Derry

We haven’t checked a hotel here yet. Browse hotels in Derry and check the parking before you book.

Day 4 in Google Maps

DAY 5

Derry to Belfast

Along the Causeway Coast past the Giant’s Causeway to Ballycastle, the narrow Torr Head road to Cushendun, then down the Antrim coast to Belfast.

Passes and roads: Torr Head Scenic Road

Day 5 in Google Maps

Before you go

Check each pass is open on the day, and read our travel advice for the rules and kit where you’re going. More routes

Driven this route?

Tell us how it went: the road that made the trip, anything closed or not worth it, a day that was too long. We read every review and change the route when drivers and riders tell us something’s wrong.