Historic towns

So we drive through Longford on to County Cavan and into the town of Belturbet, definitely one of Cavans most attractive and historic towns and situated on the river Erne. A picturesque town with an exciting new heritage tourism project.
Cavan is also home to its very own Crystal, actually the second oldest glassworks in Ireland. Take a tour around the glassworks and perhaps pick up your very own piece of Cavan Crystal.
Stay in Cavan town, Kingscourt, Arvagh, Bailieborough or Virginia. All lovely little towns with great restaurants and pubs to visit. 
Cavan is known as the Lake County and can be noted for having 1 lake for every day of the year, which is some feat for a County as small as that.

Langford

Down now to County Longford. Probably one of the smallest Counties in Ireland. Longford is if I’m honest a drive through County, even though there is beautiful scenery and some lovely towns and villages I would recommend taking your time and looking around the area, I would also say that a day is probably enough time to see everything here.
Longford would be quite a farming area of the country, so you’ll be sure to meet a lot of four legged traffic on the road, make sure you take your time!

Bluestack mountains

And we’ve finally reached the Northernmost County in the Republic of Ireland. Donegal. I have to say probably my favourite of those we’ve visited so far. The Bluestack Mountains follow you everywhere you go here and the wildlife sanctuaries are immense. 
Please while you’re here go to a little village called Pettigo. Pettigo is a village in Donegal where the border separating the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland runs and is also the centre for most pilgrims on their way to Lough Derg. Only pilgrims though are allowed on the island on Lough Derg during the summer pilgrim season.
Donegal is one of the most picturesque places on the planet in my opinion. Beautiful blue flag beaches, (a surfers paradise), cliffs, caves, woods, forests, gardens & national parks. Take as much time as possible here, because if you never get a chance to get back you’ll want to savour every moment.

Glencar waterfall

And we’re off again, this time to neighbouring County Leitrim. 
Leitrim is home to the tallest waterfall in Ireland, not large on a global scale but beautiful none the less. Glencar waterfall can be found in Carrick-on-shannon in Leitrim, standing at about 50ft high and located in Glencar Lough. It really is a fantastically romantic setting and if you visit here after a heavy downpour of rain (most days) then you’ll catch it in full force. 
While you’re here try to get to Jamestown town gate as well.
If you’re planning on staying in Carrick-on-shannon or the immediate area, try out Cryans Restaurant which is a popular spot and you’re always guaranteed a great meal here.

Yeats country

Leaving Roscommon, I normally drive into Sligo, or as its known to people the world round, Yeats Country. Mountains, Lakes & forests, parks, waterfalls & caves this is the background to much of W.B. Yeats’ writing. You can understand from the surroundings how he could have been so inspired here. A lovely little harbour and an Island called Coney Island, which is accessible by foot when the tide is low, the place really is magical.
If you get a chance while you’re here, try to get a look at Easkey Bog, the bog itself is unsafe but you can view it and its wonderful flora and fauna from a distance.
This really is great picnic Country, so if you’re lucky enough with the weather take a packed lunch with you and maybe go sit alongside Lough Colgagh where you can watch the fishermen in action. The lake is amazingly deep and holds brown trout and perch and you can fish freely from the shore without a licence.

Sloping hills

Next County over is the small, sometimes overlooked County of Roscommon. Roscommon is a county of sloping hills, beautiful silver lakes, rolling countryside and astonishing scenery.
Make sure you visit Lough Key Park Forest Park to truly appreciate to beauty of the area.
If you fancy staying overnight, then I can personally recommend Durkins in the town centre, good food, great conversation and the locals love a chat.

Shrine in Knock

The next leg of the journey is to County Mayo, another very large and beautiful county and home to Our Lady’s shrine in Knock. The shrine at Knock is noted as being one of the greatest Marian shrines in the world and for a place its size attracts nearly 2 million visitors a year. On the 21st of August 1879, 15 local people witnessed an apparition of our Lady here at knock and in 1979 Pope John Paul II came on the pilgrimage.
On the other side of things, Mayo is also noted for its fabulous beaches and coastal walks, and is a hot bed for surfers from all over the world.