Page 9 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Ireland

About this Book 7

About this Book

The 25 driving tours in this guide reflect the oldest cultures, glimpses of which can be found
fantastic diversity of Ireland. Although it is a in its mysterious prehistoric sites, its quaint
relatively small island – 488 km (303 miles) long stone villages and its ancient native tongue.
and 304 km (189 miles) at its widest point – it has These driving routes take visitors beyond the
an amazing variety of terrain. The landscape must-see tourist sights to lesser-known places
ranges from rolling green pastures and fertile that provide a more intimate experience of
fields to mountain peaks, dramatic coastline, the people, customs, architecture and cuisine.
sandy beaches, tranquil lakes (loughs), great Expect delightful surprises around every bend,
stretches of blanket bog and rocky peninsulas packed with the sights, sounds and flavours
jutting out to sea. Ireland has one of Europe’s of the real Ireland.

Getting Started dramatic landscapes of Connemara
The front section of the guide will and Donegal to Northern Ireland’s Using the Sheet Map
give you all the practical information stunning Causeway Coast. A pull-out road map of the entire
you need to plan and enjoy a driving Each drive begins with a list of country is supplied. This map
holiday in Ireland. It includes an highlights and a clearly mapped contains all the information you
overview of when to go and how to itinerary. There is advice on the best need to drive around the country
get there, advice on bringing your time of year to do the drive, road and to navigate between the
own vehicle or hiring one and details conditions, market days and major tours. All motorways, major
of any documentation required. In- festival dates. The tour pages contain roads, airports – both domestic
depth motoring advice ranges from descriptions of each stop on the route, and international – plus all the
driving rules to road conditions, from linked by clear driving instructions. ferry ports are also easily
buying petrol to breakdown or Side panels have information on the identified. This makes the pull-
accident procedures – the kind of most authentic places to stay and out map an excellent addition to
background knowledge that helps to eat. Tinted boxes feature background the drive itinerary maps within
make a driving trip stress-free. There information and anecdotes. the book. The pull-out map also
is information on money, opening Each drive features at least one has a comprehensive index to
hours, communications, health and mapped town or countryside help you find the places, and is
safety and other practical matters, as walking tour, designed to take a further supplemented by a clear
well as advice on accommodation maximum of two hours at a gentle distance chart so you can gauge
and dining options, to ensure that pace with stops along the way. the distances between the major
you experience the very best of The tours are flexible: some can cities in Ireland.
Ireland’s legendary hospitality. be linked to create a longer driving
holiday; or they can be dipped into
The Drives as day trips while based in a region.
The main touring section of the
guide is divided into leisurely drives,
ranging in duration from two to five
days. All the tours can be driven in a
standard vehicle, and no special
driving skills are required.
The drives encompass every region
of the country, from the gentle plains
of Kildare to the rocky peninsulas of
Cork and Kerry, from the remote and
Top far left Devil’s Pass near Lough Nafooey,
Connemara Top left Rainbow over West Cork
Centre far left Fishing boats in Cobh Harbour, Co
Cork Centre left Old-fashioned truck, Sheep’s
Head Peninsula, Co Cork Far left Dublin’s Temple
Bar area Left Baldoyle Beach, near Dublin Right
Road to Rossapena on the Fanad Peninsula

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