Click To Enlarge

Start: Londonderry city - Finish: Dublin city
Getting here: Fly to City of Derry Airport or to Belfast.
Average mileage per day: 168km
Recommended duration: 5 days

Day 1

See the ancient walled city of Londonderry’s sights and take a tour around the 19th century Gothic style Guild Hall, with its intricate stained glass windows depicting the many notable historical events associated with this wonderful city. Then get out into the wilds at Glenveagh National Park (N13/N14/R250/R251). Glenveagh Castle’s setting is spectacular, above a lough and surrounded by peat blanketed mountains; and the gardens include numerous rare specimens. After a bite to eat, head to Ballinfull via Ballyshannon and Bundoran on the N15 for Lissadell House, which overlooks Sligo Bay. It looks austere, but the interiors are airy and light and the newly restored gardens are simply stunning. Then travel south via Drumcliff on the N15 into Sligo town before heading east on N16 towards Enniskillen in County Fermanagh and the 18th century National Trust property of Castle Coole. One of Ireland’s greatest neo-classical houses, the castle is surrounded by a beautifully landscaped park. Overnight in one of the many hotels and B&Bs in the area.
Total mileage: 270km

Day 2

It’s onwards from Fermanagh south via Ballinamore and Carrick-on-Shannon to Boyle, County Roscommon (A32, N87, R202, R208, R209, R280, N4) for the King House Galleries and Museum. Explore the history of this Georgian pile, the family who lived here and the military barracks it became. Next stop is Strokestown Park (N61, N5) – the 18th century house retains its original furnishings and its walled garden has the longest herbaceous border in Britain and Ireland! The Famine Museum also gives an insight into the Great Irish Famine of the 1840s.
Total mileage: 152km

Day 3

It’s a longer drive today from Strokestown, but a visit to Birr Castle in County Offaly (R368, N63, N61, N6, N62, N52) will make it all worthwhile. The castle isn’t open to the public but the award-winning gardens are. Plus the astronomical, photographic and engineering equipment used by inquisitive past owners, including the Great Telescope – once the largest in the world – are on view in all their splendour. It’s cross country to County Laois, next, for Heywood Gardens (via R440, R430) south east of Abbeyleix. The property consists of gardens, designed by the famous architect Sir Edmund Lutyens, lakes and woodland. Head south on the N77 to overnight in Kilkenny city.
Total mileage: 164km

Day 4

Take the R700 south of Kilkenny city for Woodstock Gardens and Arboretum. Its gardens date back to the 1740s and include a bountiful rose garden, as well as rare and exotic trees on a tranquil woodland walk. John F Kennedy Arboretum, New Ross, County Wexford, is 10 miles further down the R700. This huge site on the slopes of Slieve Coillte features 4,500 types of tree and shrub from around the world, and you can enjoy panoramic views from the mountain top.
Total mileage: 78km

Day 5

From New Ross travel east into County Wicklow, known as the ‘Garden of Ireland’. The National Garden Exhibition Centre at Kilquade near Greystones (via N30, N11) features amazingly inspirational themed gardens by different designers. Next stop on your tour is the Powerscourt Gardens and Estate (N11, then R755). Immerse yourself in its sumptuous interior and gardens, shop for food, clothes and gifts in the Avoca store and eat at the excellent café – or take a picnic at the nearby Powerscourt Waterfall. It’s just a short journey from here into Dublin city, where you can enjoy the many urban parks and gardens, including the Phoenix Park. At 712 hectares, this is the largest enclosed park in Europe, and is home to Áras An Uachtaráin, the Irish President’s residence, making this a fitting end to your tour around some of Ireland’s most impressive castles, homes and gardens.
Total mileage: 175km