The Ring of Kerry road
Five popular routes in Kerry have been included on a shortlist of Ireland’s most scenic drives.
Research conducted by 123.ie Insurance 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.
Kerry dominates the rankings, claiming five spots in the top 10.
The Ring of Kerry ranks in first place (508.1), Dingle Peninsula second (449.4), the Ring of Beara, which straddles the Kerry-Cork border border, was third (414.8), Slea Head Drive was sixth (357.1) and the Skellig Ring Scenic Drive 10th (306.8).
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.
Slea Head Drive
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, the kind of figures that speak for themselves.
Ranking second is the Dingle Peninsula. 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.
The Skellig Ring
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, which only adds to its charm.
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.
Other drives to feature were the Comeragh Drive in Waterford and the Military Road, which cuts through the heart of Wicklow.
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