‘This is truly one of the most beautiful drives in the world’

IMAGE Contributor and Kerry-native Edaein O'Connell embarks on a scenic adventure back home in the all-electric Volvo EX30, sharing her favourite haunts along the way.

When you come from the Kingdom of Kerry, you can take its majesty for granted.

In other words, you get used to it. The golden shorelines encompassing the land and the resplendent mountains towering over the horizon simply become part of your daily commute. Your eyes flicker to the image but your breath doesn’t catch because it’s simply what you have always known.

Having recently been exiled from my home county to our capital city, I’m not breathing in country air 24/7 or going on beach walks during my lunch breaks. So, coming home is a feast for my starved senses, an unadulterated explosion of natural beauty.

And so, as I parked the Volvo EX30 on the edge of Ballybunion Beach in North Kerry on a sparkling Saturday morning, I had to catch my breath. For the first time in a long time, I was awed, pinching myself that such a place existed and I was part of it, albeit for one brief weekend.

My excitement at finally being home was almost surpassed by my eagerness to drive the all-electric EX30. The small SUV is stylish, compact and high-tech. It’s also environmentally friendly and as I drove it around the winding landscapes of my home county, it felt good to know that I was in a vehicle that was doing more good than harm.

Designed to have the smallest carbon footprint of any Volvo car to date, the EX30 uses renewable and recycled materials in new ways, and this approach can be seen from the mechanics to its Scandinavian-inspired interiors. Approximately 25% of all the aluminium and 17% of all the steel and plastics used in the exterior are recycled.

Meanwhile, about 30% of the decorative components inside are made from recycled plastic, along with surfaces that feature both recycled and renewable materials. Even better, the entire car is aesthetically pleasing and it looked well placed amongst the postcard-like terrain as I zipped to each picturesque hotspot.

With the sun shining down on me through the panoramic glass roof, I took full advantage of some of the car’s excellent technological features as I drove the N69 from Listowel to Ballybunion for a morning coffee and acai bowl from Baking Wave cafe.

The 12.3” tablet-style centre display has all the information you need at one glance. From battery life to the speedometer to Google Maps (which are built-in), all of the important controls are on the same screen. Spotify is at your fingertips and cruising the country roads on a sunny day can only be complemented by one thing; good tunes. Then, to maximise the summer vibes, the car’s stylish soundbar takes every song to a new level.

My second pitstop of the weekend took me to picturesque Killarney, which is a must-visit for any trip to the land of green and gold. When travelling there, you have your pick of beautiful spots to choose from but my favourite has to be Ladies’ View. This is a scenic viewpoint on the Ring of Kerry tourist route about 19 kilometres from Killarney along the N71 road to Kenmare. Be warned the road can be windy and steep at times. Having never driven an electric car (or an automatic) before, I would be lying if I didn’t say I was nervous taking the Volvo along the rambling roads. However, I needn’t be, the car took every twist and turn with ease. The driver assistance technology and safety innovations meant I was alerted to cyclists and walkers along the route and ensured I remained within the narrow Ring of Kerry lanes.

Killarney town itself is not only a hub of activity and entertainment, it’s also dotted with a variety of charging stations. Such is the power of the Volvo EX30 battery, I made it to the town without needing to charge it. However, with a long drive ahead to get to Dingle and Slea Head, a quick recharge was a must and I wasn’t stuck for options.

Truly one of the most beautiful drives in the world, Slea Head Drive is a circular route that forms part of the Wild Atlantic Way. Beginning and ending in Dingle town, it provides close-up views of the famous Blasket Islands and a distant peek at the Skellig Islands on the southwestern horizon.

To truly enjoy the route, it’s best done slowly and when you have time to spare. Why? Well, there’s a photo opportunity around every turn and detours galore with hidden coves and beaches to discover. My advice is to start with a delicious coffee from the unique Stonehouse Café and Restaurant and begin the breathtaking drive from there. Take it at your leisure and soak it all in.

Soon the weekend was coming to an end. The weather had turned, the rain was pouring and the time had come to charge the car and make the long journey back to Dublin.

Truthfully, I didn’t want to leave Kerry or the EX30. The county and the car were a perfect pair. A match made in heaven if you will, because as the saying goes: “There are only two Kingdoms: the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Kerry.”

And I’ll never take its majesty for granted again.

Voted World Urban Car of the Year 2024, the new fully electric Volvo EX30 is the perfect car for summer road trips and city driving. It can now be yours to drive with a comprehensive offer for a limited time only. To learn more, visit Volvo Cars online.