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THERE ARE CERTAIN roads that I really hate driving. Most of those being roads with other road users.
I jest (not really). But there are some roads that are worse than others. And as soon as I hit that stretch of tarmac – usually patchy, potholely, poorly laid tarmac - my blood is instantly replaced with cortisone.
The roads that made this list are all quite different. There’s a motorway, a mountain pass, a country road, and a whole city centre! But one thing they all have in common is the fact that I think they are terrible roads. Other opinions are, of course, available.
1. The M1 from Belfast
Location: The M1 motorway in Belfast that lies to you and brings you to Tyrone not Dublin
The problem: There are actually two M1s. Well, no, the M1 splits off into the M1 and the A1, which then becomes the M1 again. I mean, what the hell?
Carefully following the M1 to Dublin, I have, on more than one occasion ended up in Co Tyrone. Now, there is nothing wrong with County Tyrone is just that I don’t live there and going to Tyrone adds another hour onto my journey home. It’s like a very bad Groundhog Day roadtrip from which I cannot escape.
What others say:
Courtney Smith / TwitterSo who knew that Northern Ire also has an M1 motorway & that it leads u from Belfast to West of Ire? I do now! @Briconstyle #so_lost #fml
— Courtney Smith (@cocosmithstyle) October 28, 2013
2. The M7 in the Midlands
Location: Miles and miles across the middle of Ireland
The problem: The M7 is a snooze fest. It’s such a boring stretch of road. If you are on the M7 for any length of time you’ll end up falling prey to highway hypnosis. There is a bit of respite when you reach Roscrea, as the stretch of tarmac until you reach Birdhill is twister and has some interesting curves and gradients. But otherwise, this road is probably the most boring road in Ireland.
What others say:
Dubl!nJo / TwitterGorgeous day in Limerick☀ time to hit the most boring road in the country though M7 back to Dublin
— Dubl!nJo (@Dubl1nJo) April 23, 2013
3. The N4, Sligo
Location: the stretch of N4 between Castlebaldwin and Collooney
The problem: Dubbed ‘the worst road in Ireland’, this road makes the list as it is a lethal blackspot with dangerous S bends and it terrifies me. Driving the road at night is pretty scary too due to low light conditions and I avoid it if I can. Thankfully this stretch is due to get a much needed upgrade starting this year.
What others say:
Annie West / TwitterDoesn't seem to matter how many improvements they make. That Dublin to #Sligo road wrecks my head
— Annie West (@anniewestdotcom) August 28, 2012
4. The N70, Co Kerry
Location: The Gap of Dunloe on the Ring of Kerry
The problem: This narrow mountain pass is nerve-wracking and made even more so by the fact that it is extremely popular with tourists, horse-drawn traps and cyclists. And herein lies the problem. You are always stuck behind something, FOR HOURS (definitely not exaggerating).
The road has really tight hairpin turns and loads of potholes and it baffles me why so many people unfamiliar with Irish roads choose to drive it. It is a stunning road but it is better driven and enjoyed in the winter when your nerves aren’t shot that the hire car in front isn’t going to go over the edge.
What others say:
Elena Rosenberg / TwitterA landscape like no other, on the scary but thrilling, extremely winding & narrow roads of Dunloe Gap.… http://t.co/4gLEFnDL7P
— Elena Rosenberg (@Elena_Rosenberg) May 26, 2013
5. City centre, Co Dublin
Location: All roads (no, seriously)
The problem: Where do I start? I’ve given up driving into Dublin, and I get off my bus ages before my stop as it is quicker for me to walk. The layout and signage is terrible. The traffic is unbearable and every pedestrian in Dublin seems to have a death wish the way they walk out in front of moving cars, mainly mine.
The cyclists that take to the city centre roads clearly have nerves of steel as it is just deadly for them. For me, my home city has turned in to a no-go area. And it’s a shame as the city has a lot to offer… we just can’t get to any of it via the roads.
What others say:
Paul O'Donoghue / TwitterHere it is. Awful Dublin City Traffic 2: Buspocalypse. This time with extra buses
— Paul O'Donoghue (@paulodonoghue93) January 26, 2018
(Seriously though traffic management in Dublin: LOL) pic.twitter.com/GODrZaX9EV
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I have driven all of the above, however the Cork to Limerick is one of the worst
It is supposed to link 2 major cities in Ireland.
@eastsmer: Ireland’s 2nd and 3rd cities linked by country boreens. But at least there’s a motorway from Limerick to Tuam!
@Count Craicula: 3rd & 4th
@Count Craicula: you said it… motor ways linking 3 and 4th cities no probs but for some reason cork is kept out of the picture… any road improvments in cork are all currently on back burner… again for some reason…. i send a conspiracy
@Paul Devlin: cork is the second city
The whole M50 unless it’s 5am, Dublin city centre unless it’s 5am, the new layout on the Quays in Dublin always. I’ll drive anywhere else no problem.
The N70 is an incredible drive.
@Honeybadger197: Yep. I’m actually baffled that it’s included.
@Griff: Maybe because of the temptation to take your eyes off the road.
Conor pass in Kerry and the gap of dunloe are great fun drives.
@Pat Cassano: sure are, best done on a motorbike so you don’t get held up by mobile homes and horsetraps
@Pat Cassano: Portmagee to Ballinskelligs via the Skellig Ring is great too.
@Griff: One of my favourites. Best done at sunrise. The views when you crest the mountain are amazing.
Being from the UK I can confirm that central Dublin matches London on the frustration scale so I just avoid it .i drive the N4 to Sligo regularly and don’t have a problem with it at all as there is rarely any other serious traffic on it .If you drive like an eejit of course you deserve everything that follows.I have driven all over Ireland over the years and although road maintenance could be better in cases the traffic levels outside Dublin are not remotely comparable to the UK.I recently had friends over who thought that the M4/N4 was their own private road.
@Anthony newey: they must not have travelled on it on a friday-sunday period
@Enda Reynolds: we travelled up and down between Sligo and Carrick all weekend(they were looking at houses) and never had a problem.Honestly ,compared to any similar trunk road in the U.K. it’s a doddle.I have been driving for 35 years and since 1997 in both countries and would take Ireland (outside Dublin) any day of the week.Only problem is that mobile phone use at the wheel seems to be endemic and ,due to the empty roads and Garda absence,you do get some bonkers speeding.Generally ,though I do feel less under threat when driving over here.
I don’t think the Kerry Tourist Board would approve a motorway through the Gap of Dungloe!!!!!!! You are winding up the good people of Kerryaaaah!
Midleton to Cork and vice versa plus the N7 Dublin to Naas. The worst roads in the country for driving standards.
Every road in Ireland is a joy compared to any road in Connacht.
M9 Dublin – Waterford, has to be up there for pure unadulterated boredom.
Personally I think the author needs to get a grip, the M7? Really??
@soussvide: ya I find it boring but at least it’s a proper flat straight road the bit from roscrea to birdhill is downright horrible and the 90°turns at several turn off is down right dangerous
You must never driven the military road from edmundstown to laragh
The north had their M1 long before we did
@Colm O’Connor: That may be true, but it goes nowhere – just peters out somewhere south of Dungannon. The same for the M2 up north which will take you to Randallstown.
@Colm O’Connor: Unionist political infrastructure at its worst. A motorway to a small town that stopped before it reached fenian land beyond. Meanwhile the main road between the 2 main cities in Ireland was a 2 lane disaster area. Physically designed to discourage cross border trade & investment/industry in nationalist areas. The bad old days!
The wind farm on the M7 is awesome when it comes into view
Obviously none of you have been on the A5 Aughnacloy to Strabane and then the N14 from Lifford to Manor . Twists turns no passing chances get stuck behind a tractor n your nightmare is complete
Dublin is horrible to drive in but the rest on the list are fine. The N55 from Cavan to Athlone is well below standard for such a busy road and seriously needs to be upgraded.
N4 Sligo. Camera vans on this section of road every day morning and night. You have being Warned .
I’ve been caught by number 1 more than once I hate to say. It is ridiculous signage.
@Derek Scanlon: A deliberate policy
The worst roads in the country are that god forsaken tourist trap of a place Kerry. The best roads are the roads out of the dam place.
Galway is ten times worse than Dublin as a city to drive around. I’m usually relying on Google maps when I drive through Dublin but even on a wet miserable rush hour morning driving in Dublin is preferable to Galway. I also second the vote for the N20 to be on this list, the reason the volume of traffic on that road is low is because so many people have decided it’s too dangerous to drive regularly. I’d go to Dublin before going to Cork even though it’s a longer journey!
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