It takes only eight hours to drive the length of Ireland, but don’t be fooled – this country is jam-packed with natural beauty, culture, fascinating historical sites and unrivalled hospitality. However, train lines and bus routes can only take you so far, particularly when it comes to exploring the real hidden gems of Ireland’s dazzlingly diverse, and wonderfully wild, landscape. That’s why road trips are quickly becoming the top choice for those planning a weekend adventure in Ireland – and for both convenience and accessibility, it’s hard to beat the country’s top car-sharing service, GoCar.

An industry pioneer here in Ireland, GoCar now has over 1100 vehicles across 800 locations nationwide – meaning you’ve got plenty of options, whether you find yourself in Cork, Cavan, Carlow, Castlebar, Carrick-On-Shannon, or beyond. Ireland is home to so many unique and warm communities, in villages and towns in every corner of the country – and sometimes you have to get off the beaten track to visit them!

The process is simple: sign up for free, and rent one of GoCar’s diverse range of vehicles from only €9 per hour, whenever you like. Once you arrive at the location, you’ll unlock the car using the GoCar app, and the keys will be in the glovebox.
Then, it’s time to rally the troops, and embrace the freedom of the open road – without being tied down by taxes and insurance, and the other running costs that come with car ownership. Car-sharing is also the more environmentally friendly option, by helping to reduce the number of cars on the road overall.

The first 50km of your journey is included free in the hourly rate. When it’s time for your epic adventure to come to an end, all that’s left to do is simply leave the car back where you found it – and start planning your next road trip…

Mullaghnore Head

Pick up your GoCar in Sligo, and head north. Within 30 minutes, you’ll come to Mullaghmore’s famous headland – which is ideal for scenic drives, coastal walks and a sea-swimming experience you’ll never forget at a natural rock pool known locally as Bishop’s Pool. Be sure to pull in and take in the views of Classiebawn Castle too. Drive on for a further 15 minutes and you’ll arrive in the buzzing seaside town of Bundoran, Co. Donegal.
Lunch in the area: Foam in Bundoran

Glenmalure Valley

Home to a brilliant selection of hiking trails, the stunning Glenmalure Valley is incredibly remote – especially when you consider that it’s located only an hour-and-a-half drive from Dublin City Centre, or half-an-hour from Wicklow Town. Running through the Wicklow Mountains, it’s one of the longest glacial valleys in the country, and is full of both natural beauty – don’t miss the waterfall! – and historical sites. From September to April, the valley is also home to Bosca Beatha, Ireland’s original mobile sauna.
Lunch in the area: Glenmalure Lodge

Garnish Island

Just over an hour away from GoCar’s bases in both Killarney and Ballincollig, this small island garden in West Cork has to be seen to be believed. After parking in Glengarriff, Garnish Island is just 10 minutes away by ferry – and there you’ll find a spectacular selection of architectural and horticultural treasures. The unique gardens are made possible by the island’s microclimate, created by its sheltered location in Bantry Bay, and the warmth of the Gulf Stream.
Lunch in the area: The Harbour Bar at Eccles Hotel, Glengarriff

• Sign up for GoCar – and see the full list of their locations – over at gocar.ie, or download the GoCar app.