Note 08 · Views
Places to stop
You do not have to see everything to feel the country, but there are a few places where the view, the history and the road come together. Here is a choice of well-known places that sit beside the road.
The list
These places were chosen for their history, their view and how convenient they are for travellers moving from one place to another. Each of them is near a national road or on the way between two cities.
| Place | Road | What you see |
|---|---|---|
| Rock of Cashel | M8 / N74 | A monastery on a rock, near Cashel. One of the sites most visible from the motorway. |
| Glendalough | N11 / R756 | A round tower, monastic ruins and walking trails in the valley. |
| Cliffs of Moher | N67 | Cliffs on the west coast, with a path and a visitor centre. |
| Brú na Bóinne | M1 / L | Ancient tombs and a visitor centre beside the Boyne. |
| Kylemore Castle | N59 | A castle and gardens in Connemara. |
| Gougane Barra | R584 | An island on a lake and a monastery in the valley. |
| Sliabh Liag cliffs | R263 | Cliffs and walking trails in Donegal, among the highest in the country. |
| Kinsale | R600 | A coastal town with a harbour and a fort, on the way from Cork. |
How to visit without leaving a mark
Many of these places are on private land or on land in the care of the state. There are rules about parking, walking and photography, and they differ from place to place.
- Keep to the paths and do not cross the barriers.
- Do not park on the road or in front of farm gates.
- Take your litter with you.
- Check opening times in advance; some sites close early in winter.
The best views from the road
You do not have to go into any visitor centre to get a view. There are a number of marked viewpoints on the coast and in the mountains, placed so that stopping does not interfere with traffic.
If you are driving and you see a view, carry on. The next viewpoint will come, and you can stop there. A sudden stop is not worth it; sudden stops cause a good share of the accidents on coastal roads.
Season and traffic
In July and August the best-known places are full. If you want quiet, go early in the morning or after six in the evening. Between November and February many centres are closed, but the roads themselves are quiet.
Check before you go. Opening times and entry prices are not listed on this site. Tickets cannot be bought here and there is no booking link on the site.
Questions about this note
Short answers to the things people ask most.
Can I buy tickets on m5online?
No. No tickets, tours or bookings are sold on this site. The information here is to help you plan, and nothing more.
Are these places near the motorway?
Some of them sit directly beside the national roads. Others are reached by regional roads, and those take longer.
Do I have to pay to get into these places?
Some of them have a visitor centre and an entry fee. Others are free. Prices are not listed here.
Can they be visited in winter?
Some may be closed or on shorter hours in winter. Check in advance.
Related notes
Further reading that goes with this material.
05
Coastal and mountain roads
Wild Atlantic Way, Ring of Kerry, Conor Pass and the narrow roads.
Read the note
03
Bridges
From the Ha'penny to today's cable-stayed bridges, and where to see them.
Read the note
07
Trip planning
Distances, driving time, fuel, parking, weather and emergencies.
Read the note