Wild Atlantic way | Northwest | WEST | Southwest
Ireland's
Wild Atlantic Way
One Epic Road Trip
Northwest
aw natural beauty and unforgettable history amidst the headlands of the Wild Atlantic Way.
The West
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Hidden Gem
Eat
liffs and coves define this region of the Wild Atlantic Way.
Eat
Bring your appetite to County Sligo, and plan for a few stops along the Sligo Food Trail to satisfy your cravings and curiosity. This close to the ocean, seafood is a must, and fresh-caught lobster, oysters, mussels and crab are on the menu at Eithna's by the Sea in Mullaghmore. Explore the foodie scene of Sligo Town on a 3-hour Taste of Sligo tour with local chef Anthony Gray of Eala Bhan. To go even deeper, sign up for a seaweed identification walk with edible seaweed expert Prannie Rhatigan, author of "Irish Seaweed Kitchen."
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From the hearty fare with a local spin at Ard Bia, the freshly fried fish and chips at McDonagh’s or the Michelin Star musings of chef JP McMahon at Aniar, it’s hard to go wrong when mealtime comes in Galway. All that good food fuels this energetic city. Galway knows how to have a good time – toe-tapping during a trad music session at a local pub or shopping the stalls of a Saturday market or celebrating one of the several festivals that headline the summer calendar (our fave: the Galway International Oyster Festival in September).
See
he Wild Atlantic Way hugs the western coastline of Ireland from Inishowen in County Donegal to Kinsale in County Cork. These 1,500 memorable miles of soaring sea cliffs, hidden beaches, charming villages and stunning landscapes have long inspired poets and painters. This is where travelers will find the best of Ireland – welcoming locals, delicious cuisine, vibrant culture and epic history.
There’s so much to experience that you may not get to all of it in one trip. So we’ve grouped the Wild Atlantic Way into three smaller pieces, with our recommendations on what to eat, see and do while you explore, plus iconic can’t-miss stops and hidden gems. And of course, leave plenty of time along the Way for “the craic”, a Gaelic term for fun and enjoyment.
Begin your Wild Atlantic Way journey with a direct flight to Shannon Airport – nonstop flights from New York and Boston start in the spring of 2022. Press the Green Button on your own getaway by checking out these exclusive deals.
Dublin
Galway
Shannon
Kinsale
Eat
See
Do
Slieve League in County Donegal is one of the most dramatic settings on the island of Ireland, and perhaps in all of Europe. These towering sea cliffs stand sentinel over the crashing surf of the Atlantic Ocean below. And at three times the height of the Cliffs of Moher with about one-tenth the visitors, it's a perfect spot to take in unspoiled panoramic sea views.
Pick up takeaway from a nearby pub (smoked salmon on brown bread, anyone?) and enjoy a leisurely lunch from the on-site picnic tables. If the weather is good, experienced hikers may want to try the Pilgrim's Path for more stunning scenery.
Tucked into the rolling hills of County Donegal are some of Ireland’s best golf courses, where the wind and demanding links layouts test the mettle (and the irons) of serious golfers. One of the two championship links courses at Rosapenna Golf Resort was designed by Old Tom Morris (of St. Andrews fame) in 1893 and has remained pretty much untouched since; the other plays 700 yards longer and opened in the 21st century.
Neighboring Narin and Portnoo, Ballyliffin and Cruit Island Golf Club are also not to be missed on a golfing adventure in the Northwest.
The wild beauty of the Inishowen Peninsula in County Donegal. Carved by the crashing waves of the North Atlantic, this stirring landscape was the backdrop for several scenes in the Star Wars: The Last Jedi. For a breathtaking view, climb the hilltop near Burt to visit the Grianán of Aileach, a stone ringfort with commanding views of Lough Foyle, Lough Swilly and the Seven Sisters of Donegal. Head north to catch a sunset at the Sand Dunes at Lagg, some of the highest dunes in Europe. Then as night falls, finish your journey up to Malin Head, the northernmost point in Ireland. On a clear night you’ll see an incredible array of stars, and if you’re lucky, you may even get to see the Northern Lights dance across the horizon.
See
Properly fueled from your earlier eating exploits in Sligo, park your car at Luke’s Bridge near Drumcliffe village for the moderate hike to the top of the majestic Benbulben massif. Sometimes referred to as “Ireland’s Table Mountain”, Benbulben’s plateau summit rewards hikers with a bird's-eye view of "Yeats Country", the land that inspired poet and native son WB Yeats. While hiking, look for the Fringed Sandwort and Tea Leaf Willow, plants that predate the Ice Age and are not found elsewhere in Ireland. If the weather has been especially rainy, take advantage and visit the Glencar Waterfall, featured in Yeats’ poem "The Stolen Child." Or you’re especially ambitious, trek to Devil’s Chimney. At nearly 500 feet, it’s Ireland’s tallest waterfall.
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Counties Mayo, Galway & Clare
Hidden Gem
Downpatrick Head juts out from the shoreline of County Mayo, with the 150-foot-tall Dun Briste (Broken Fort) sea stack seemingly just out of reach from the sea cliffs. (The rocky arch collapsed into the sea about 700 years ago.)
In addition to the impressive views, Downpatrick holds a special place in Irish history. This is the place where St. Patrick chose to establish a church; a stone cross and holy well remain for pilgrims to visit. More recently, it was one of 83 spots around the island that served as lookout posts during World War II. You can still visit the restored building as well as the letters EIRE marked into the grassland to help Allied aircraft know they'd reached the Irish Coast.
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The Cliffs of Moher stretch for five miles over the coastline of County Clare, with a sheer drop of 700 feet to the Atlantic Ocean below. One of Ireland’s most-photographed spots, go early in the day if you want to see the cliffs shrouded in the moody morning fog or in late afternoon to see the west-facing cliffs in the golden light of the setting sun.
Within the same UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Burren National Park is less visited, but no less stunning. Derived from the Irish world “Boireann”, or rocky place, the Burren is one of the few places on the Emerald Isle that isn’t predominantly green. The limestone gray landscape is nevertheless dotted with flora, especially in the summer months. Staying in the village of Doolin will put you a good spot to see both icons.
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Kylemore Abbey in County Galway. The grounds include a Neo-Gothic church with beautiful stained-glass windows, a Victorian walled garden and a magnificent lake-side country house. The elegant estate was a labor of love, built by a successful 19th-century businessman after his wife commented how beautiful the area was during their honeymoon. You can see that beauty when you explore the wild terrain of nearby Connemara National Park, which includes bogs, woodlands, lakes and grassy hills, in addition to the Twelves Bens, a series of small mountains perched above this scenic expanse.
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Go for a bike ride or hike on the Great Western Greenway in County Mayo. Voted one of the top three cycle trails in the world by the New York Times, the one-time railroad bed begins in the seaside town of Westport, with a gradual grade over a 30-mile ride across bogs, forests, farmland and villages before reaching Achill Sound. You'll be riding in the shadow of the Croagh Patrick, considered Ireland's holiest mountain with stunning views of Clew Bay.
WHAT'S THE CRAIC?
Some of Ireland’s greatest writers – including WB Yeats, George Bernard Shaw and J.M. Synge – used Dunguaire Castle, a 16th century tower outside the village of Kinvara, as a meeting place. Currently on hold due to Covid, there have been seasonal Dunguaire Castle Banquets featuring dinner and literary readings.
Hidden Gem
Reaching out brazenly into the swirling Atlantic Ocean, Mizen Head feels like the edge of the known world. It’s home to the Mizen Head signal station, built over a century ago to help ships avoid the dangerous rocks along the Irish coastline.
A well-regarded maritime museum is part of the visitor’s center, and from there you walk the coastal path surrounded by striking scenery to the Mizen Head Bridge. Don’t be afraid to look down as you cross the foaming sea, you may spot seals, dolphins or humpback whales in the waters below. Once at the signal station, look out over the water to see the Fastnet Lighthouse perched on a rocky islet.
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The Ring of Kerry is a scenic drive around the Iveragh Peninsula through rugged coastal landscapes and picturesque seaside villages. The drive takes around 3.5 hours to complete if you don’t stop – but what’s the fun in that? The drive starts in Killarney, taking you through the 26,000-acre Killarney National Park. Stop at the Muckross House & Gardens to see the 19th-century country home of Queen Victoria, then pick up the scenic loop for a 4-mile hike to the 70-foot Torc Waterfall. Later on, you may want to stop at the Ladies View, an overlook with an excellent view of Lough Leane and the surrounding Kerry landscape.
After passing through Moll’s Gap, you’ll eventually come upon the waterfront town of Kenmare. Pick up some world-renowned lace while you’re there (it’s popular with the Pope). The ring road continues through quirky towns and villages, past rocky coastline and hidden beaches.
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ostcard-perfect peninsulas, charming coastal towns and epic drives in this colorful corner of Ireland.
Southwest
Kinsale in County Cork is the southern end of the Wild Atlantic Way, but one of the first places you should go to eat, as it's considered the gourmet capital of Ireland for its annual Food Festival started in 1976. You’ll find plenty of fruits de mer (mussels, oysters and lobster) on menus across the harbor town, including at award-winning chef Martin Shanahan’s Fishy Fishy (order the fish pie). For a little local guidance, book with Kinsale Food Tours for a taste of some of the town’s most delicious dishes, served with a side of history. To explore West Cork further, take the coast road west to the Old Head of Kinsale lighthouse, then continue to Clonakilty (called “Clon” by locals) to pick up some black pudding for a picnic and walk along nearby Inchydoney Beach. Finish the day with night kayaking in the surreal biolumniscent salt waters of Lough Hyne.
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The charming villages and dramatic scenery of Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry. Start in Dingle town, a bustling bohemian burgh with colorful shops, charming pubs (order a Dingle Gin or pint of Tom Crean’s beer) and fishing boats docked in the harbor. Make a beeline to Murphy’s for a sea-salt ice cream sandwich. From there, venture out for the twists and turns of the 30-mile Slea Head Drive along the Kerry coastline. Keep an eye out for the Fahan beehive huts that were once homes for medieval Irish monks (and more recently, Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars Episodes VII and VIII). Off in the distance, may catch a silhouette of Skellig Michael rising from the Atlantic surf. Walk the windswept sands of Coumeenoole beach, carved from the black rocks by the persistent Atlantic surf. Continue to Dunquin, the westernmost village in Ireland, and take the winding path down to Dunquin Pier to catch a ferry over to the deserted Blasket Islands.
See
Visit King John’s Castle in the heart of medieval Limerick City, where you can experience interactive exhibitions like CGI animations and costumed guides, medieval courtyard games like quoits (ring toss) and tug o’ war, as well as stunning views of the River Shannon and the city.
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Counties Limerick, Kerry & Cork
WHAT'S THE CRAIC?
Every August 10-12, a wild male goat is crowned king of Ireland’s oldest festival, Puck Fair in Killorglin, and worshipped for two days; the tradition has its roots in 4th century pagan Ireland. (In pagan times, the goat would have been sacrificed, but today, he is referred to as “King Puck.”) There is even a bronze statue of King Puck in the town.
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Counties Donegal & Sligo
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Donegal
Donegal
Galway
Limerick
WHAT'S THE CRAIC?
This area of Ireland is known for surfing, from Ireland's surf capital Bundoran in Donegal to the big waves of Sligo's Mullaghmore Head.
Westport
Northwest
Southwest
The West
The West
Southwest
Northwest
Sligo
Mayo
Clare
Kerry
Limerick
Do
Sligo
Galway
Wild Atlantic way | Northwest | WEST | Southwest | DEALS
Wild Atlantic way | Northwest | WEST | Southwest | DEALS
Wild Atlantic way | Northwest | WEST | Southwest | DEALS
Wild Atlantic way | Northwest | WEST | Southwest | DEALS
he Wild Atlantic Way hugs the western coastline of Ireland from Inishowen in County Donegal to Kinsale in County Cork. Along these 1,500 memorable miles of soaring sea cliffs, hidden beaches, charming villages and stunning landscapes that have long inspired poets and painters, travelers will find the best of Ireland – welcoming locals, delicious cuisine, vibrant culture and epic history.
There’s so much to experience that you may not get to all of it in one trip. So we’ve grouped the Wild Atlantic Way into three smaller pieces, with our recommendations on what to eat, see and do while you explore, plus iconic can’t-miss stops and hidden gems. And of course, leave plenty of time along the Way for “the craic”, a Gaelic term for fun and enjoyment.
and can’t wait to share the island again with vaccinated travelers. Begin your Wild Atlantic Way journey with a direct flight to Shannon Airport – nonstop flights from New York, Boston and Philadelphia start in the spring of 2022. Press the Green Button on your own getaway by checking out these exclusive deals.
Not only is Ireland open, but with a vaccination rate of over 90%, the island can give you peace of mind. A warm welcome awaits you -- for the latest up-to-date Covid-19 travel information, click here.
Westport
Shannon
Dingle
Kinsale
Shannon
Kinsale
Shannon
Dingle