Athlone to Keswick: Scenic Drive Through Ireland and UK

As you leave Athlone, the River Shannon glimmers in your rearview mirror. This route to Keswick stretches 340 miles (547 km) across Ireland and the UK.

You will cross the Irish Sea via ferry from Dublin to Holyhead, then drive through Snowdonia and the Lake District. The total driving time is about 7-8 hours, excluding ferry.

A lesser-known fact: the A55 in North Wales was built on the bed of a former Roman road linking Segontium to Deva Victrix. You will trace part of that ancient path.

Here is a quick overview of the journey:

Note: Ferry crossing varies by operator; book in advance to secure a slot.

The M6 is a modern, well-lit motorway, but the A66 across the Pennines can be treacherous in winter. It is a high-altitude road prone to fog and sudden gusts.

Speed limits: 70 mph (112 km/h) on UK motorways, 60 mph (96 km/h) on single carriageways. In Ireland, motorways are 120 km/h (75 mph).

Fatigue management: The longest continuous drive is about 2.5 hours between the A55 and M6 junction. Plan stops at:

• Tebay Services (M6 northbound, near junction 38) – an award-winning services with a farm shop and panoramic views of the Lune Gorge.
• Charnock Richard services (M6, junction 28) – a large facility with a playground for children and a dog walking area.

Family-friendly stops:

• Dublin: A quick detour to Dublin Zoo or the Leprechaun Museum (both near city center) break up the start of the journey.
• Conwy: Conwy Castle (UNESCO World Heritage Site) is a short detour off the A55. Its massive walls and spiral towers fascinate children.
• Keswick: The Puzzling Place and the Derwent Pencil Museum entertain kids on rainy days.

Pet-friendly stops:

• Anglesey: Newborough Beach (dogs allowed year-round) is a 10-minute detour from the A55 near Llanfairfechan.
• Lake District: Castlerigg Stone Circle (open access, no charge) allows dogs on leads. Nearby cafés like the Round’s Table in Keswick welcome well-behaved dogs.

Hidden off-route spots (within 5 minutes from main highway):

• Bodfari, Wales: A tiny hamlet off the A55 with a 13th-century church and a community-run tea room. Look for the sign just after the St Asaph junction.
• Shap village, UK: Just off the A6 near the M6 junction 39, this village has a preserved railway station and a waterfall (Shap Beck) visible from the road.

The journey primarily uses the N6/M6 from Athlone to Dublin, then the M50 to Dublin Port. After the ferry, the A55 hugs the coast of North Wales before joining the A5 towards Shrewsbury.

From there, the M6 motorway takes you past Manchester and the Lancashire plains. At junction 40, exit onto the A66, which cuts through the Pennines and into Keswick.

Key infrastructure details:

• Road quality: Excellent on motorways; the A66 is a high-speed dual carriageway with some single-carriageway sections. Watch for livestock crossings in the Lake District.
• Toll roads: No tolls on the Irish side; in the UK, the M6 toll road near Birmingham is optional (cost ~£8). The recommended M6 free route adds 10 minutes.
• Fuel stations: Plentiful along M6 (every 20-30 miles). In Ireland, stations on the M6 are spaced roughly every 15 miles. Fill up before the A66, where stations are sparse.

As you leave Athlone, the flat Midlands of Ireland give way to the rolling hills of County Meath. The sky widens, and you glimpse the Irish Sea before reaching Dublin.

From Dublin Port, the ferry crossing offers a stark transition: the green shores of Ireland fade, replaced by the rugged coastline of Anglesey.

Once on the A55, Snowdonia’s peaks rise to the south. On clear days, Mount Snowdon (3,560 ft) is visible. The route then descends into the sandstone gorges of the Dee Valley.

Further north, the M6 skirts the western edge of the Peak District, eventually climbing over the Shap Summit on the M6. This exposed stretch offers views of the Eden Valley before dropping into the Lake District.

Local commerce highlights:

• Irish stops: At the Athlone retail park, pick up handmade Irish tweed or traditional sodabread from the market on Saturdays.
• Welsh delicacies: In Conwy, stop for fresh Welsh cakes and laverbread (seaweed) from the quayside stalls.
• Lake District produce: At the Keswick Farmer's Market (Saturday), buy Cumberland sausage and Grasmere gingerbread.

For more tips on finding unique stops, read our guide on how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.