If you have a more time to dedicate to your Wild Atlantic Way Donegal road trip, you could easily squeeze in a hike up Mount Errigal (the tallest peak in Donegal standing at an impressive 2,464 ft.) and Glenveagh National Park. So it’s important to make sure you stop to see the incredible sites, go on some adventures, and get into the local culture. Mizen Head, the Most Southernly Point of West Ireland (County Cork). Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way takes on the status of one of the longest coastal drives in the world at 1,600 miles. There is no entrance fee for the Aran Islands, you will just need to pay for your ferry and bicycle hire. We again stayed the night in this area (Achill Island Hotel) before forwarding towards the borders of County Galway. From Malin Head in County Donegal, the country’s most northerly point, to Mizen Head in County Cork, the most southerly point, the route weaves and winds across 2,500km of beautiful Irish coastline. Conventional wisdom states that the Wild Atlantic Way begins just off the Ring of Kerry, so it makes sense to begin your Wild Atlantic Way road trip … Starting Point: Killyhevlin Lakeside Hotel. ... the Southern Peninsulas of the Wild Atlantic Way are awe-inspiring! With roads winding up and around some rather scenic coastal hills and mountains. It might not hug the coastline as strictly as California’s Highway One, but this road takes in over 1,550 miles of scenery that make for the perfect road trip. The county really just got a dud deal in being the cutoff, without the same exposure as its neighbours, although this means it is quieter and less explored. Wild Atlantic Way: Road Trip - See 2,698 traveller reviews, 1,700 candid photos, and great deals for Galway, Ireland, at Tripadvisor. It encompasses over 2,400 km of rugged, untamed beauty waiting to be explored all along the west coast of Ireland.. Stretching from Cork right through to Donegal, the Wild Atlantic Way is Ireland's showcase scenic route and the ultimate road trip you can have on the island. The Wild Atlantic Way runs the entire west coast of Ireland, over 1500 miles. We also travelled during the Covid Pandemic (September 2020) meaning all attractions are outdoors and easy to explore while social distancing. I do prefer the inland routes of Connemara with empty and vast landscapes of hills, lakes and peat bogs. In fact many of the landscapes along the Causeway Coastline have featured on the Game of Thrones incl. From here it is roughly 1 hour to the Causeway Coast, then 1 hour again to reach the borders of Donegal and Ireland and the official Wild Atlantic Way route begins. It is also found just next to our coming destination as it sits on the border of County Clare. But many must-see attractions are also found along the way, and while the west coast of Ireland is ridiculous scenic at times, a road trip of neverending seascapes will become a tad monotonous for many. The Wild Atlantic Way is one of Europe’s great undiscovered secrets, even though it runs for 1,500 spectacular miles from Donegal to Cork. The meandering path that is the Wild Atlantic Way. Follow the one main road, criss-crossed by quiet boreens (narrow country roads), and you're at the place where the sheltered Shannon Estuary meets the Atlantic Ocean. Hit the road. I do know this region well having studied at University nearby (UU) and lived in Portstewart, and a couple personal highlights include the Old Bushmills Whiskey distillery (for obvious reasons) and a trip out to Rathlin Island. We then pass through Limerick, a county which hits the coastline, and makes a convenient starting point for the North West region via Shannon Airport. It is an absolutely incredible coastal drive that spans 2,500 km across the west coast of Ireland. Share on pinterest . you'll love this one. Renowned for its unforgettable hospitality and jaw-dropping landscape, the Emerald Island has it all. The Wild Atlantic Way of Ireland is the longest Coastal Route in the World making for a great road trip snaking up the West Coast of the Country. Ideally, you would travel across the fourteen different sections over three weeks. The Wild Atlantic Way is the world’s longest defined coastal touring route. 161 were here. Where to stay on the Wild Atlantic Way route. The Cliffs of Moher are found on the coastline of the Burren and I do recommend following the route from Galway (and this is why we doubled back). Ireland’s 2,600km coastal driving route known as the Wild Atlantic Way stretches from the north of County Donegal, down the west coast to the southern tip of County Cork.These roads have always been favoured by locals and tourists alike for generations even before they became known collectively as The Wild Atlantic Way Route. When it comes to road trips the Wild Atlantic Way has to be among the best in the world. this in no way means the coastline lacks the same natural beauty, the same exposure as its neighbours, although this means it is quieter and less explored. Incredible places to see. The Wild Atlantic Way is a sensational journey of soaring cliffs and buzzing towns and cities, of hidden beaches and epic bays. This signposted route stretches 2,750 km (1,700 miles) along the remote winding west coast of Ireland from Kinsale in Co. Cork in the south to Co. Donegal in the north where it connects to the Causeway Coastal Drive and onto Belfast. We are now in Inishowen peninsula which is the largest peninsula in all of Ireland as we continue along the Wild Atlantic Way travelling up towards Malin Head and the most northerly point of the island of Ireland. So it’s just impractical. Otherwise there are other inland excursions possible, Glenveagh National Park well worth considering, but we decide to follow on the coast and Wild Atlantic Way. The Wild Atlantic Way offers plenty of places to stop and enjoy the nightly show, but perhaps the best viewpoints are along the Cliffs of Moher, two and a half hours south of Croagh Patrick in County Clare (and about 90 minutes south of Galway city), roughly halfway along the Wild Atlantic Way route. In fact, we are now on a mission to find some sheep which is an obsession with Fanfan. DAY 1 : … We are now in Connemara which, to simplify it, is the name for the region west of Galway City (there is probably more to it). It tastes a bit like licking the hearth. Renowned for its unforgettable hospitality and jaw-dropping landscape, the Emerald Island has it all. Benbulben (County Sligo). The Wild Atlantic Way Poetry and beauty, weirdness and song - what happens when you take an epic 1,200km road trip down the length of the dramatic Wild Atlantic Way, one of the best places to visit in Ireland , in a Mini Cooper S Clubman If you want the perfect Irish road trip along the Wild Atlantic Way then you need to include the Aran islands! Along the coast it is rugged and mountainous and Croaghaun makes a good example as the highest sea cliffs, not only in Ireland, but Great Britain as well (third highest in Europe). As technically the Wild Atlantic Way only include destinations on the west coast of Ireland. Take to the open road and drive the Wild Atlantic Way, a true bucket list trip packed with stretches of vast coastline, golden strands and majestic landscapes, check out the amazing views on the Wild Atlantic Way. Planning a Wild Atlantic Way Itinerary can be very hard. There's an amazing amount of things to do if rain briefly interrupts your trip on the Wild Atlantic Way. #KatesRoadTrip Blog is the personal take of our travel blogger Kate who will be visiting each of the Wild Atlantic Way Discovery Points starting in Cork and working her way up the coastline to Donegal.. WILD ATLANTIC WAY ROAD TRIP … So for me Waterford is like the finish line of the Extended Wild Atlantic Way, and the Cliff House Hotel in Ardmore is without a doubt the winning trophy at the end of it all. Monday, 21 January 2019. What is the Wild Atlantic Way? ), Ireland is an essential destination. Best of County Kerry: Ring of Kerry, Carrigafoyle Castle, Nun’s Beach, Rossbeigh Strand, Valentia Island Lighthouse, Skelligs Island Lighthouse, Com An Chiste (Coomakista), Derrynane Bay, Barfinnihy Lake, Ladie’s Viewpoint, Killarney National Park, Killarney town, Ross Castle. As so, we do not feature many restaurants to be safe or museums which were closed. 1 Beautiful Donegal . F rom the wind-whipped tip of Malin Head to the safe haven of Kinsale Harbour, wrap yourself in the wilderness of the west coast of Ireland on the world's longest defined coastal touring route.. B&Bs Our accommodation of choice. So this was quite possibly the highlight of the Wild Atlantic Way to date, even though we managed to miss the lesser known attraction in the area with Father Ted’s house. In my mind, the Wild Atlantic Way for the old folks in coaches is 800km long, for car drivers it’s about 2,500km, for the all road lusting adv biker it’s closer to 4,500km. Entrance fee. I recommend strolling downtown on foot and exploring this vibrant city. As we travel to the cliffs we pass some of the most magnificent coastal scenes with crashing waves and cliffside roads. The three historic stone bridges on route R374 from Bealadangan-Welshpool-Lettermore-Lettermullan have stood strong for a very long time. Just look for the blue wave signs below. The Wild Atlantic Way wraps around the topsy-turvy coastline of this Gaelic-speaking region. And just a road trip in Ireland, without the inclusion of Northern Ireland and the Causeway Coast, is wrong (despite being different countries, with different tourist boards, and Northern Ireland is not really on the Atlantic coast). At the same time it still has traditional Irish charm with cobblestoned streets, boutique shops and winding alleys. ), Ireland is an essential destination. However, it can be so much better when removing the limitations of borders and restrictions of inland attractions. Along the way you'll see stunning sea cliffs sandy stretches of beach, countless ruins and old and opulent grave yards. The Wild Atlantic Way of Ireland is the longest defined coastal driving route on earth. Another must stop on the Wild Atlantic Way road trip, is to the picturesque town of Roundstone in Connemara. We set our GPS to Rosses Point which is one of the popular beach resort areas of the region and is in fact familiar to me from past family holidays. Wild Atlantic Way: Road Trip at a Glance. Weekend road trips on the Wild Atlantic Way. This area for me is fascinating with its karst landscape, vast cracked pavements of glacial-era limestone, cliffs and caves, fossils, rock formations and archaeological sites (Wikipedia). Along the way we skip through County Leitrim (sorry Leitrim) and begin travelling inland towards Benbulben, which is a large rock formation found in County Sligo. Monday, 21 January 2019. At 2500km (1600 miles) The Wild Atlantic Way is the longest defined coastal drive in the world. It passes through nine different counties and is where many of Ireland’s most popular attractions can be found. We would then take on short overnight stays and weekends covering individual sections of the Extended Wild Atlantic Way. On a return this area would be a really nice area to stay (The Burren Hotel here) but instead we double back to meet again with the coastal route. Set off on your adventure from the Causeway Coast and explore the first of the six Wild Atlantic Way regions; the Northern Headlands (County Donegal), Pass through the Surf Coast (Counties Donegal and Sligo) and spend the day exploring the best that the Bay Coast has to offer (Counties Mayo and Galway), Head in-land to experience hidden gems on the Mayo / Galway border, before making your way down towards the Cliff Coast (Counties Clare and Kerry), Hope for clear skies as you experience the beautiful cliffs of County Clare and make a day of it by taking the ferry to explore the Aran Islands, Drive the scenic driving route of Slea Head from Dingle and onwards to Valentia Island where you'll get an unforgettable glimpse of the Skellig Islands, On the last day explore the best of the Southern Peninsula by making your way along the Beara Way driving route and on to your final destination - Kinsale, Join the conversation and share your open-road adventure along the Emerald Isle with fellow travellers, Enhance your Wild Atlantic Way open-road adventure with these Slieve League would be the main attraction on Donegal’s Atlantic coast with sea cliffs so big I had to photograph in a panoramic setting. These aren’t so easy to find in sleepy rural and coastal towns. The Wild Atlantic Way route begins far, far away from Dublin, but that’s where consensus about its parameters ends. On Achill Island many are wild and left to run around as they please. Wild Atlantic Way: Road Trip at a Glance. From Malin Head in County Donegal, the country’s most northerly point, to Mizen Head in County Cork, the most southerly point, the route weaves and winds across 2,500km of beautiful Irish coastline. From abandoned castles, to quaint seaside villages, to majestic mist-covered landscapes, the winding coastal route showcases many of the top things to do in Donegal. Best of County Mayo: Downpatrick Head, Rosserk Abbey, Achill Island: Granuaile’s Tower, Sheep!, Keel Beach, Keem Bay, Croagh Patrick, Doolough Valley. It’s also roughly half-way through the Wild Atlantic Way route, so it does make sense to take a break to enjoy some city experience, culture and shenanigans. One of the most beautiful places in Europe (just look at these pics from my last trip! Check out these five amazing weekend road trips on the Wild Atlantic Way. This route is more like a run for the finish line (or the starting point when coming from Dublin). I don’t even think busses could fit on these windy roads. The meandering path that is the Wild Atlantic Way. F rom the wind-whipped tip of Malin Head to the safe haven of Kinsale Harbour, wrap yourself in the wilderness of the west coast of Ireland on the world's longest defined coastal touring route. The Wild Atlantic Way is a sensational journey of soaring cliffs and … With lots of travels in between. Follow the one main road, criss-crossed by quiet boreens ... Take a boat trip with Dolphinwatch at Carrigaholt, and see these wonderful creatures (and perhaps a few grey seals) in their natural habitat. Weekend road trips on the Wild Atlantic Way. Pick up an official B&B Ireland catalogue at the tourist office. Costs Aside from natural attractions, the Wild Atlantic Way also passes by some of the country's most significant historical sites, including castles, monasteries, lighthouses, and ruins. There really is a lot to see here and we unfortunately didn’t have much time. Where to stay along the Wild Atlantic Way. This 7-Day Road Trip Itinerary packs in the best that the Wild Atlantic Way has to offer. The Wild Atlantic Way, the longest touring route in the world, is helping to increase the number of visitors heading to the West of Ireland Try the world’s longest road trip … The Wild Atlantic Way is the world’s longest defined coastal touring route. Instead of Connemara we decide to stay in Galway City which is an easy winner for the must-see city break along the way. Hotel has easily the best sea views of any hotel in Ireland. But I will forever recommend a stop at Killarney, and to explore the sights of the connecting National Park, and maybe climb to the Gap of Dunloe given time. Explore all things to do. Enniskillen is the ideal base for exploring the beautiful North West Ireland and unique Fermanagh Lakelands. They also ask, out of respect, for tourists not to turn up unexpectedly for photos, so we of course skip past (we couldn’t find it). Crossing over to County Galway we start at Leenane (Leenaun) a beautiful valley village found between mountains and the shore of Killary Harbour fjord, a famous inlet which forms a natural border between Galway and Mayo. Glencolmcille is located on the Slieve League Peninsula at the south-west point of … This includes wild horses on mountains and hairy cows on the roads. Like any road trip, the Wild Atlantic Way is as much about the time you spend outside the car as in it. Top 10 Galway City Day Trips. Ballintoy Harbour, Murlough Bay, Cushendun Caves. There’s really some beautiful sands along this side of Donegal and a night on the west coast works well (list of hotels here) before continuing on to Slieve League. I plan to add more specifics at some point, but I have covered some of the areas in our Top 10 Northern Ireland Attractions. Belfast City Airport), with cheap and easy car hire, and the start of the northernmost point in Donegal (Malin Head) is just 2 hours away. At over 1,500 miles (2,750 kilometers) in length, the Wild Atlantic Way is the longest defined coastal touring road in the world. From here on it is all south as we follow on the opposite coastline stopping at a stretching sand beach called Five Finger’s Strand. Just the name Wild Atlantic Way sounds romantic doesn't it? not-to-be-missed experiences dotted along the route, You will be using Google Maps to plan your route day-to-day between each of the key locations on the itinerary. Dublin Airport, on the other hand, is on the east side of Ireland, and it’s more than two hours to reach the nearest point of the Wild Atlantic Way. At around 1,550 miles (2,500 kilometers) long — the same distance from Brussels, Belgium to Moscow — the coastal drive also warrants plenty of stops along the way. Having overindulged on coastal views over the past days we decide to travel inland for a bit, as we travel towards Connemara National Park, and Kylemore Abbey which was founded by Benedictine Nuns who fled Belgium in World War I. Kylemore Abbey, along with its surrounding Victorian walled gardens, would be the highlight of this area although the landscapes across Connemara are hard to beat. There is so much to choose from it can be overwhelming to narrow down your options. The Wild Atlantic Way has been named the “ultimate road-trip” by international travel guide Lonely Planet. In this guide we have come up with a 5 day Wild Atlantic Way itinerary to help you plan your own trip. Otherwise it’s more of a quick pass through into County Kerry, where one of the highlights would be Dingle, although we rushed past on this itinerary. If you have 1.5 to 2 weeks, you really have a chance to soak in the magnificent views! Wild Atlantic Way Ireland Road Trip We recently visited Ireland with my parents who were visiting from Australia. It joins the ranks of other great coastal roads like Nova Scotia’s Cabot Trail, Big Sur, Maui’s Kaekili Highway, and South Africa’s Garden Route.. Drive down narrow one-lane roads to see secret beaches, towering cliffs, ancient stone architecture and more. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Wild Atlantic Way Itinerary (North to South), Sligo hotels here for those planning to stay, offer tea and home-made baking by appointment, Best National Trust Properties in Northern Ireland, Five Star Sea Views: The Cliff House Hotel, The Unofficial Tourist Website for Bangor NI (Case Study). In size, Galway City is still a smallish harbour city, found where the River Corrib meets with the Atlantic coast. Our Wild Atlantic Way road trip began with a three hour drive from Dublin to Donegal Town. So for me Waterford is, like the finish line of the Extended Wild Atlantic Way, and the. The Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland’s 1,500-mile (2,414-kilometre) touring route has a lot more to offer than just breathtaking sceneries. Fanfan takes nice photos. For there, following east along the southern coastline for 20 minutes or so, finds Brow Head, and the Southernmost Point of Ireland. Wild Atlantic Way Road Trip! The Wild Atlantic Way Trip Guide We started in Dublin where you will most certainly want to spend a few days. But we were lazy and just put the drone up to get some nice views from above instead. Wild Atlantic Way: Road trip - See 2,701 traveler reviews, 1,703 candid photos, and great deals for Galway, Ireland, at Tripadvisor. Which is more geographically interesting than anything, however, the views and scenery on the approach to the Mizen Head visitor centre are again worth it. Fly into Dublin for a night or two before venturing off to the other side of the country and starting your Wild Atlantic Way road trip. Galway City has a reputation for being a student city and almost always has a lively night scene. In this guide we have come up with a 5 day Wild Atlantic Way itinerary to help you plan your own trip. Asia based food and travel bloggers at 'Live Less Ordinary'. Where there are large airports (e.g. Ireland may be a small country, but it would take at least 4 to 5 days to properly see just a piece of the Wild Atlantic Way. The Wild Atlantic Way – Ireland's spectacular coastal route The Wild Atlantic Way, 1600 miles (2600 km) in length, is one of the longest defined coastal route in the world. Travel on a budget and get to know locals. Glencolmcille. We barely pass another vehicle in the hours of being there, yet we’re in one of the busiest tourist areas of Ireland. I have therefore put together my own itinerary, called the Extended Wild Atlantic Way, which brings together some of the better coastal and inland sights along the way. This is Loop Head, where the views stretch out to the Blasket Islands in Kerry, and spotting dolphins, whales, seals and seabirds is commonplace. If the sleek Atlantic Bridge Road in Norway is your kind of road trip, then you must do this section of the Wild Atlantic Way. Experience the untamed west coast of Ireland and the Wild Atlantic Way: an adventure you will want never to end. One of the best road trips to do in Ireland has to be the Wild Atlantic Way. The Wild Atlantic Way is 1,600 mile scenic road trip stretching from County Donegal to County Cork. The Burren. Anyway, it’s a great place for jars of Guinness, double Jimmy’s (Jameson’s Whisky) and craic (the Irish equivalent of banter). Take to the open road and drive the Wild Atlantic Way, a true bucket list trip packed with stretches of vast coastline, golden strands and majestic landscapes, check out the amazing views on the Wild Atlantic Way. Get up early. Kate’s Wild Atlantic Way Road Trip. It could well be said that Donegal puts the Wild into the Wild Atlantic Way. We only saw a portion of it called the “Cliff Coast” but definitely want to go back for another trip exploring the full route. It is an absolutely incredible coastal drive that spans 2,500 km across the west coast of Ireland. If you’re not familiar with the Wild Atlantic Way, it is a 1600 mile long coastline starting from Northern Ireland at Co. Donegal and ending in Co. Cork. I was very young at the time and I can only remember a day running through endless sand dunes, and returning to the car to finding my Easter Eggs had melted inside. After driving across from Dublin, my Wild Atlantic Way road trip kicked off in the village of Lisdoonvarna, southwest of Galway. ". With few landmarks along the way we set our GPS sat nav to the Burren Perfumery, and it brings us through some of the most fascinating landscapes we’ve come across. Sligo is a popular beach resort area and is great for short breaks and escapes. The Wild Atlantic Way has been named the “ultimate road-trip” by international travel guide Lonely Planet.