Travel Information

Southern Ireland is famous for its beautiful scenery, and thousands head to the County of Killarney every year to experience it. However, there are many other towns and sites that are worth visiting, though they may not be included in standard commercial tours. To see them, you can hire a car and plan your own driving vacation through Southern Ireland. Car rental is very convenient and simple. You can hire a car at Shannon Airport, from any of the numerous car rental agencies stationed there. Now where do you go? One place well worth the car trip is the fishing town of Dingle, the setting for movies like Ryan's Daughter and Far and Away. Another highlight of your driving vacation will be the Ring of Kerry tour. The scenic road—winding along the Atlantic coastline and the mountain ranges—will make this one of the most memorable parts of your car trip. Your car travels can bring you through Allihies, Castletownbere, Glengarriff, Bantry, Skibbereen, and into Baltimore. One advantage of car travel is that you determine your itinerary. If the call of the seaside proves irresistible, you can park your car and go sailing towards the Clear and Sherkin Islands. Kinsale is another noteworthy destination for any car trip through Southern Ireland. Known as the country’s “Gourmet Capital” there are many restaurants and pubs that serve meals made from the highest quality ingredients. The seafood, meat, vegetables and dairy are locally produced and very fresh. The advantage of car hire is that you can hop from one establishment to another and get the full “taste” of Ireland’s nightlife. Driving back to Dulbin, your car travels will bring you through Waterford (home of the famous crystal), Wexford (and its 50 castles) and several coastal villages and beaches. Americans will particularly enjoy visiting the JFK Arboretum, a 252 hectare arboretum dedicated to the memory of the late US President. Ballyhack Caslte, Ferns Castle and Slade Castle are worth the car trip. At Dublin Airport, deposit the car you rented with any of the affiliated car hire representatives and return home with happy memories of your driving vacation through Southern Ireland.