9 Day Road Trip In Ireland And Northern Ireland - Itinerary & 12 Best Photo Spots
Ireland and Northern Ireland boast breathtaking landscapes that are a photographer’s dream. From rolling hills to dramatic coastlines, each corner of these regions offers a unique backdrop for stunning photographs. We have spent the final 9 days of our 23-week family trip road tripping in Ireland and Northern Ireland. As usual, I’ll share some of the best photo spots that have left us in awe, and hopefully will inspire you to visit as well.
Logistical Tip
We flew from Marrakesh, Morocco to Dublin, Ireland, landing around 5pm. It was the last day of November. Temperature dropped from 70F to 30F on the same day. Sunset was around 4pm. By the time we picked up our luggage, it was already completely dark.
Driving On The Left
People drove on the left in Ireland and UK. When we saw our rental car with steering wheel on the right, it dawned on us that we had a big challenge. We had to practice driving on the left in the darkness for the next 3 hours, as our first airbnb was in Ballycastle, Northern Ireland.
So if you plan to take a road trip and have never driven on the left, perhaps plan to arrive during the day, or in better weather. Icy road and darkness in unfamiliar environments are not the best conditions for you to practice driving.
Finding House Address
Something interesting to us was finding the house location. In a couple of scenarios in Ireland, we were given a postal code instead of street address. That was how we were instructed to find the exact locations of our airbnbs. We never experienced this anywhere else in the world.
Timing to visit
I can’t say what is the best month, but can sure say December is not the best. There were fog, rain, high wind and snow during our short 9-day trip. We could have seen more if the weather was more friendly.
The only upside of traveling in low season is minimum crowd.
Length of Stay
This is totally based on personal choice. We spent the first 3 days in Ballycastle, Northern Ireland, and the next 6 days between two airbnbs near Connemara National Park and Killarney National Park in Ireland.
When our kids were younger, we typically spent 1 week in a place before moving onto the next (check out our 6-week family trip in Europe in 2018). Had we got more time, we would have stayed much longer than just 9 days in Ireland.
Driving Hours
As mentioned before, our rule of thumb when traveling with kids was to have no more than 3-4 hours GPS drive distance per day. That typically translates into 6-8 hours on the road, or double the GPS estimated time, because we have to factor in all the sightseeing, meal, snack and rest stops.
In Ireland, this wasn’t true. We spent more than double the time on the road, as we hiked more, and were more cautious driving on the left. Foggy and rainy weather was another reason.
Driving Route
We followed a counter clockwise route around the island. The route was based on the top sites we wanted to see, as well as the availability of the airbnbs we’d like to book. So this is personal. Either direction could make a great trip.
Vocabulary
Lough means lake. Just in case you see it on the map.
The following are our top 12 favorite photo spots:
Northern Ireland
We did a couple of small coastal hikes the first morning, and tried our best to adjust to the cold weather. It snowed briefly before we headed out. Just 3 days ago, my kids were still swimming in an outdoor pool in Essaouira, Morocco, so there was a lot of whining.
1. The Dark Hedge
The Dark Hedges in Northern Ireland is a mesmerizing avenue of beech trees, their gnarled branches creating an enchanting tunnel-like canopy along the road.
This iconic natural landmark, renowned for its otherworldly atmosphere, gained international fame as a filming location for the popular TV series "Game of Thrones," adding to its allure as a must-visit destination for those seeking a touch of fantasy in a real-world setting.
ISO800, 187mm, f3.2, 1/400”
Ironically, we have never watched Game of Thrones but have visited at least 3 filming locations in 3 different countries in this trip. The other two were in Dubrovnik, Croatia and near Ait Ben Haddou, Morocco.
Make sure to go there early, or there will be bus loads of tourists in your photo frames.
ISO800, 200mm, f/11, 1/15”
I went there twice on the same day, as we were a bit late in the morning. The second time was right before sunset. I almost had the whole place to myself, so I took the time and photographed the road from both directions.
You might want to use a tripod and a telephoto lens for an ideal landscape shot, especially close to sunrise or sunset.
2. Giant’s Causeway
A geological wonder, the Giant’s Causeway is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with its hexagonal basalt columns. These unique structures were formed by ancient volcanic activities, creating a surreal and visually striking coastal landscape.
There were several hiking routes based on difficulty levels. We took the medium one, and it was pretty easy for our kids. The wind was strong, and there were hardly anyone on the trail.
I did a couple of long exposure shots with my 10 stop filter. They were the very few long exposures I did in this whole trip.
Although the Dark Hedge and Giant's Causeway on our first day were my new inspiration, sunset at 4pm meant more time indoors at our cozy Irish cottage. We did grocery shopping. For the first time after many months, I cooked a meal for everyone.
3. White Park Bay Beach
White Park Bay Beach in Northern Ireland is a pristine stretch of golden sand nestled between limestone cliffs and rolling dunes, providing a serene escape with its unspoiled natural beauty.
The beach offers a peaceful retreat and the opportunity to explore the surrounding coastal landscapes, making it a haven for nature lovers and those seeking tranquility.
In fact, our airbnb host told us it was her favorite beach. We were the only people on the beach during our visit. I bet it would be a different scene in the summer.
4. Kinbane Castle
Kinbane Castle in Northern Ireland is a picturesque coastal ruin perched on a cliff, offering breathtaking views of the rugged Antrim coastline and the North Atlantic Ocean.
Dating back to the 16th century, the castle's dramatic setting and historical charm make it a captivating destination for visitors seeking a glimpse into Northern Ireland's rich heritage.
It was pretty foggy when we visited, but I still got some shots I liked.
5. National Trust Carrick-a-Rede
Honorable mention. For those seeking adventure and a unique perspective, photograph the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge suspended over the Atlantic. The combination of the bridge, cliffs, and surrounding seascape creates a thrilling composition.
This was my plan. Unfortunately, we got heavy fog and didn’t see anything. We hiked quite a bit on the trail and had to turn around and give up. I took zero photo there.
Ireland
6. Connemara National Park
Connemara National Park in Ireland is a rugged expanse of natural beauty, featuring diverse landscapes of mountains, bogs, and woodlands.
We were met with closed road and could only visit part of the park instead of driving around the entire loop as planned. Our highlight was the hike on Diamond Hill.
Traveling in winter with mostly summer clothes was not easy. I shopped some thermal layers for our boys in Milan before our Morocco trip, and had to get the heavy duty jackets here near Galway in the last minute. Together with the lollipops, our kids were happy to hike again.
The untamed wilderness of Connemara National Park was an ideal place for hikers, nature enthusiasts, and those seeking the unspoiled charm of the Irish countryside.
7. off the grid tiny house under the stars
We stayed in a tiny house off the grid near Connemara National Park. Wow! What a magic experience!
I can’t say the tiny house was my dream, but it sure was a pleasant surprise to our kids, and another travel experience crossed off our bucket list.
Something unusual I noticed of my starry sky photos was the green belts in the sky. This was not something I have come across before. We were somewhere around 53N latitude, far away from the arctic circle, where northern lights were active. We were very close to Connemara National Park where light pollution was minimal. Could it be possible that I captured the outskirts of northern lights that night? Maybe.
8. Cliffs of Moher
The iconic Cliffs of Moher maybe a must-visit for many first time visitors to Ireland, but I found it to be a bit too touristy. It was the most crowded site we’ve visited in Ireland.
Cliffs of Moher was several hours between our two airbnbs in Ireland, so I couldn’t photograph it during sunrise or sunset.
Nevertheless, it was definitely worth seeing. The sheer magnitude of these cliffs, towering over the Atlantic Ocean, provides a dramatic and awe-inspiring setting.
9. Ring of Kerry
Ring of Kerry is splendid and unparalleled. Part of it is covered by Killarney National Park. This 179-kilometer route takes you through picturesque landscapes, charming villages, and coastal panoramas. It’s probably my favorite place in Ireland.
Unfortunately we ran into high wind and rain storm on the last few days of our trip, and had to wait out till the last day before seeing it. There were so many stops we could have made, but it rained on and off throughout the day.
There were occasions that the rain started to pour down right after we pulled into the parking lot. We had to give up a few coastal locations for sunset until we ran out of time.
10. Geokaun Mountain and Cliffs
Geokaun Mountain and Cliffs was my the last possible spot in my last attempt to photograph the ocean waves at sunset. It was not on Ring of Kerry, but very close.
My husband and kids all came along for a short hike on the cliff but left early as another round of rain started. I was caught in the rain in my final 2-minute long exposure. The photo below was my favorite shot of the day along the Atlantic coast. It was as best as I could get.
11. Killarney National Park
Killarney National Park in Ireland is a enchanting blend of lush woodlands, sparkling lakes, and majestic mountains. The park offers a captivating mix of cultural and natural wonders, inviting visitors to explore its diverse landscapes and rich history.
If you have limited time like us, you should at least stop by Ladies View, Torc Waterfall, and perhaps Muckross House and Gardens, all easily accessible without strenuous hikes.
Ladies View provides panoramic vista of the park's pristine lakes and woodlands, framed by the peaks of the MacGillycuddy's Reeks, creating a mesmerizing and picturesque scene.
Hidden in the heart of Killarney National Park, Torc Waterfall is a serene and photogenic cascade. It was just a few minutes away from the parking lot, but you could hike a lot longer.
Muckross House and Gardens is a Victorian mansion surrounded by meticulously landscaped gardens. You can skip it if you expect to see nature and landscape in a national park.
We were pleasantly surprised to see a rainbow while we wandered around Muckross Rowing Club.
This was the second time we saw a rainbow during our entire 23-week family trip. The first time was on my birthday in Switzerland, and the second time was here on the last day of our trip.
12. Kylemore Abbey
Nestled beside a lake near Connemara National Park, Kylemore Abbey is a picturesque setting with its Victorian architecture and lush gardens. Capture the reflection of the abbey in the water and explore the surrounding woodland for unique shots.
Ireland and Northern Ireland offer enchanting landscapes, characterized by lush green countryside, rugged coastlines, and majestic mountains, perfect for travel and landscape photographers. We only dipped our feet this time, and were pretty certain that we wanted to visit Ireland and Northern Ireland in another trip.
This wraps up our final destination of the amazing 23-week family travel in 2023, with 20 weeks in Europe, a 4-day detour in Asia and 2.5-week in Africa. As we approach the holiday season in 2023, and march toward new year, we will continue to explore, dream and discover.
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We traveled to Ireland as the final stop of our 23-week family trip in 2023. Check out our itinerary and 12 favorite photo spots.