Ireland’s home to a rather unique form of traffic. It causes mile-long tail-backs (pun-intended), moves at a snail’s pace and you’ll generally encounter it along the quietest of country roads.
It is, of course, the rush-hour-like pandemonium caused by the nation’s cows and sheep.
While this can be a cause of anger and frustration for some, it’s a delightfully unique experience for many visiting Ireland.
This is a real spur-of-the-moment type photo or video opportunity. You’ll never be able to plan it. It’ll either happen or it won’t.
Here’s a little glimpse of what it’s like to get caught up in an Irish traffic jam.
1 – The traffic on Achill Island off County Mayo is pretty heavy at times
2 – A very Irish showdown in County Donegal
3 – The beginning of some kind of sheep-like apocalypse along the Slea Head Drive in County Kerry
4 – Rush hour on the Dingle Peninsual in County Kerry
5 – ‘Ewe’ need to be careful when cycling along the Ring of Kerry… I’ll get my coat.
6 – Some view. The Mourne Mountains with some obligatory #sheep
7 – The lads off out to explore Conor Pass
8 – Blue skies and even bluer arses! A very Irish traffic jam
9 – “#ithoughtthisonlyhappenedinmovies” – getting up close and personal
10 – Chaaaaaaaaaaaarge!
11 – Some old-school traffic
Keith O’Hara has lived in Ireland for 35 years and has spent much of the last 13 creating what is now The Irish Road Trip guide. Over the years, the website has published thousands of meticulously researched Ireland travel guides, welcoming 40 million+ visitors along the way. In 2022, the Irish Road Trip team published the world’s largest collection of Irish Road Trip itineraries. Keith lives in Dublin with his dog Toby and finds writing in the 3rd person minus craic altogether.