This is the first of ten routes I drove during our two-week car holiday in 2015. Today we drive from Dublin in the east to Clifden, on the west coast of Ireland. Motorways are avoided as much as possible and therefore this route is also very suitable for motorcyclists. Adventurers can of course adjust the route to their liking and ride more back roads or even unpaved paths.
After arriving at the airport we pick up the rental car and drive to Dublin to spend the night there and start the next day after a visit to the famous Guinness Storehouse. The Guinness Storehouse contains seven unforgettable floors of sights, sounds and sensations in a building that has been brewing beer for over 250 years. Enjoy the guided tour, learn how to pour a pint and enjoy it in the Sky Bar with views over Dublin.

You can also visit Pearse Lyons Distillery in Dublin, which offers a range of unique experiences available to book. Led by their expert team, they provide insight into the craft and passion that goes into making their award-winning Pearse Whisky, and the Lyons family’s dedication to restoring the former St James’s Church and transforming it into the home of Pearse Whisky.

We leave Dublin and drive along beautiful back roads with their characteristic stone walls and old cottages and farms in the small villages and towns, such as Maynooth, where you can enjoy a good lunch in one of the many restaurants. You may also consider a visit to Maynooth Castle, a ruined castle at the entrance to the South Campus of Maynooth University. It was built in the early 13th century and became the main residence of the Kildare Fitzmaurice and Fitzgerald family.

After approximately a 50 minute drive, with a short stretch of motorway, we arrive at Belvedere House & Garden, prepare for an adventure in this beautiful Georgian country house near Mullingar in Westmeath, dating back to 1740 and which shares its story of opulence and splendour, sorrow and joy with over 100,000 visitors each year.

At Belvedere, architectural beauty meets unspoiled nature, and open, rolling parks give way to whimsical discoveries. This is a place where the compelling story of a feuding family will enlighten and fascinate you, while providing a breathtaking setting for family gatherings, fun and a full calendar of events. Belvedere can be a place for serenity and contemplation or a joyful celebration of nature and life.

Next up is Tullamore DEW Distillery, if you are a whiskey lover this distillery is a must visit. Experience a day like no other as they take you behind the scenes of this state of the art distillery. Explore the home of Tullamore DEW from distillation to maturation whilst meeting some of the people who work on site every day.
Sip on an Irish coffee, enjoy a whiskey tasting, feel the warm embrace of bubbling stills and inhale the rich whiskey aromas from the 50,000 oak barrels sleeping in our maturation warehouse. Tour Ireland’s only custom-built warehouse and discover the art of distillation, before sampling three of our award-winning whiskies. STRICTLY OVER 21, and the cost, including booking fee, is €45.00 per person.

On the outskirts of Tullamore we visit Charleville Castle, a Gothic style castle, near the River Clodiagh. It is considered one of the finest castles of its kind in the country. The first country house to be built on the site of Charleville Castle was by Thomas Moore around 1641. The estate passed through the hands of Charles Moore, Lord Tullamore, grandson of Thomas, and when he died in 1674 it passed via his sister Jane to Charles William Bury. Charles William later (1806) became the 1st Earl of Charleville in a second creation of the title. The new Earl decided to build a new house on the estate. It was commissioned in 1798, designed by Francis Johnston and built between 1800 and 1812.

From Tullamore we continue west to Clonmacnoise, where we visit the ruins of Clonmacnoise, a ruined monastery in County Offaly on the River Shannon south of Athlone, founded in 544 by Saint Ciarán, a young man from Rathcroghan, County Roscommon. Until the 9th century it had close ties with the kings of Connacht.
Saint Ciarán founded the monastery on the ancient territory of Uí Maine at a point where the main east-west overland route (Slighe Mhor) meets the River Shannon after crossing the marshes of central Ireland known as the Esker Riada. The monastery's strategic location made it an important centre of religion, learning, craftsmanship and trade in the 9th century. Along with Clonard, it was one of the most famous places in Ireland, visited by scholars from all over Europe. From the 9th to the 11th century it was connected with the kings of Meath. Many of the high kings of Tara (ardrí) and Connacht were buried here. The graves have fine headstones.

From Clonmacnoise we drive to Galway City, stopping en route at Shannonbridge Fort Café, the perfect spot with indoor and outdoor seating overlooking the River Shannon and Shannonbridge village. At Shannonbridge Fort you can visit the free exhibition in the main fort building, which will give you an insight into why these Napoleonic fortifications were built along the River Shannon in the picturesque village of Shannonbridge. You can also follow the walking tour around the fort.

Another highlight of the day is a visit to Galway City, one of Ireland’s most unique cities, as famous for its fantastic food and nightlife as it is for its cutting-edge art, music, design and theatre. Galway is famous as the festival capital of Ireland, hosting an average of 122 festivals and events each year. Although Galway is often cited as the fastest growing urban area in Europe, it has developed relatively slowly. The county is packed with culture, history, atmosphere and most of all “craic” (Craic or crack is a term for news, gossip, fun, entertainment and pleasant conversation). It’s no wonder Galway has been named European Capital of Culture 2020 and one of Lonely Planet’s top 10 cities to visit in the world!

We will spend the night in Clifden, a small town about 1 hour and 15 minutes drive from Galway. Clifden has about 2 thousand inhabitants and belongs to County Galway. The place is referred to as the capital of Connemara, the sparsely populated rugged area in the west of the county. Clifden is also a place where you can listen to traditional Irish music. In these regions, the original language - Gaelic - has been able to maintain itself very well. It is even the largest Gaeltacht in the country. That is the name for regions where the original Irish language is the main language. Of course, you can still speak English there.

The town is situated on a very rugged coastline with hilly terrain, all sorts of inlets, mini islands and small lakes. There is a special 11 kilometre long route that you can drive to see the beautiful surroundings. This is the famous Sky Road, one of the country's most beautiful.