There’s little doubt about it: Eire’s Wild Atlantic Approach is likely one of the greatest highway journeys on the earth. A pleasant amalgamation of wind-warped cliffs, emerald hillsides, historical historic websites and quintessentially Irish coastal cities, this 1500-mile journey takes you thru most of the island’s superlative locations.
Observe our itinerary as we take you up the Wild Atlantic Approach county-by-county, an exhilarating route that encompasses adventurous mountaineering trails, scenic overlooks, foodie stops, historical past from the Bronze age to WWII, and naturally, loads of alternatives to sip a creamy pint of Guinness on the finish of the day.
You’ll be able to hit most of the highlights in eight or 9 days, however with two weeks or extra you’ll be able to savor the expertise from begin to end.
From our companions: Eire’s Wild Atlantic Approach
We advocate flying into Shannon Airport exterior of Limerick reasonably than arriving in Dublin; from this gateway to the Wild Atlantic Approach it’s a straight shot to the south coast and the pleasant coastal city of Kinsale. Stretch your legs and seize a pastry from a comfortable cafe (like Seeds Bakery) or pop over to a few close by castles – James Fort and John Charles Fort sit a stone’s throw away.
From right here, head west alongside the winding roads of County Cork, making a pit cease at Drombeg Stone Circle, a megalithic burial website overlooking a mind-bendingly inexperienced piece of Irish countryside. The positioning is dated between 152 BCE and 127 ACE, and it’s one of many island’s most well-preserved stone circles.
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Additional west you’ll discover Skibbereen, a market city that serves as a very good base for exploring western Cork; from right here it is a fast hop to the coast, the place you’ll be able to hit the water with outfitters like Atlantic Sea Kayaking in Lough Hyne and H2O Sea Kayaking, which explores close by Sherkin Island. Down the highway is bohemian Ballydehob, residence to bar/music venues like Levis Nook Home, artwork studios, cafes and crafters areas (don’t miss Kilcoe Studios or Artichoke).
Proceed west to see Mizen Head, Eire’s southernmost level, or minimize north by way of the hill-flanked harbor city Bantry and the neighboring Caha Mountains to Kenmare, a buzzy burg that serves as an ideal introduction to County Kerry; when you’re in want of refreshment, cease into Kenmare Brewhouse for espresso, meals and conventional tunes within the evenings.
Both spend the evening right here or head as much as Killarney.
From our companions: Wild Atlantic Approach in Cork
For a lot of, County Kerry is essentially the most lovely area in a land teeming with magnificence – encompassing a deep roster of signature sights that fill itineraries far and huge.
Begin your pilgrimage to this treasured nook of Eire in Killarney, a well-rounded city adjoining to Killarney Nationwide Park, the island’s first nationwide park and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. This expansive protected land incorporates medieval ruins (Muckross Abbey), polished estates (Muckross Home) and miles of trails tracing historical forests and imposing mountains, all abutting the scenic lakes that run by way of its core.
After you’ve soaked up the park’s vistas, head for one in all Eire’s most famed routes, the Ring of Kerry, to dig into the countryside. Discover villages and seashores alongside the best way (we’re a fan of Sneem and Derrynane Seashore), earlier than following the slim, walled roads of the Skellig Ring. Right here, you’ll expertise the frenzy of standing on the towering Cliffs of Kerry and the views of the galactically well-known Skellig Islands – as pictured in Star Wars: The Pressure Awakens and Star Wars: The Final Jedi.
Make your method again onto the Ring of Kerry and head across the peninsula to entry the stone forts close to Cahersiveen, that are considered from the Iron Age or the Early Historic Interval. From there, drive north and swing onto the Dingle Peninsula, crashing in pleasant Dingle City earlier than commencing the following leg of your journey. Store for artwork from native makers and seize some seafood from The Fish Field or Michelin-recognized Out of the Blue earlier than bedding down for the evening.
From our companions: A visit across the Ring of Kerry
Dingle Peninsula has every little thing – epic coasts, sweeping inexperienced hills, tons of cultural stops – and you may pattern all of it on a single, comparatively quick loop generally known as the Slea Head Drive.
Issues begin relaxed with Ventry Seashore and some historic websites (together with beehive huts), however the peninsula places on a present when you cross the oft-photographed white cross at its southwestern nook: cease at Coumeenoole Seashore and Dunquin Pier to admire the dramatic rock faces and the close by Blasket Islands. Don’t miss the Blasket Heart, a lovingly curated museum highlighting the island village that existed on Nice Blasket till the Fifties; the neighborhood was well-known amongst linguists as an necessary enclave for the Irish language, and regardless of its tiny dimension, it churned out a number of revealed authors.
The loop’s return takes you again to Dingle city – from there you’ll swing north throughout the spectacular Conor Cross, Eire’s highest mountain cross (the most effective picture op is on the parking zone on the Dingle facet). After which its onwards to County Clare, hooking again up previous Limerick and over to the island’s greatest identified part of shoreline, the Cliffs of Moher. Some issues are favorites for a motive, and the cliffs’ scalloped silhouettes undoubtedly wow you; plus, it’s attention-grabbing to see how they examine to the Cliffs of Kerry and Sliabh Liag (extra on that one later).
A number of close by cities provide respite after a protracted day of driving. We like Ennistymon, an enthralling city centered round a tiered waterfall with the elegant Falls Resort at its base.
From our companions: 72 hours in Eire’s gorgeous southwest
From Ennistymon, it’s on to the area generally known as the Burren. An historical seabed revealed and formed by the weather, this limestone panorama ripples and folds prefer it was molded by magical forces. It’s residence to 70 p.c of Eire’s plant species (together with 23 forms of orchid), and these tiny miracles reveal themselves between the cracks within the stone: purple orchids, cowslip, purple gentian, shrubby cinquefoil and extra. Hike the paths of Burren Nationwide Park to expertise this area in excessive definition; the view from Mullaghmore Peak is wondrous.
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After you’ve skilled the magic of the Burren on the paths, head to Burren Perfumery, which makes unique fragrances impressed by the area’s flora. Spend some additional time right here to pattern treats from the lovely tearoom, which serves tea made with garden-grown herbs, top-tier sweets and a brief lunch menu – order the pistachio rose cake instantly.
The Burren area can be residence to plentiful remnants of human historical past relationship to the Stone Age; stops embrace stone forts like Caherconnell (value a go to for its sheepdog demonstration, too), passage tombs just like the well-known Poulnabrone Dolmen and medieval ruins like moody Corcomroe Abbey, constructed in 1194.
From there, make your strategy to the spirited cultural hub of Galway metropolis – spend a while decompressing alongside the canal, pattern the fish truffles and oysters at Hooked and settle in for a night of conventional music on the well-known Crane Bar.
From our companions: The Burren
We’re off to the famed mountains of Connemara, a area identified for its inexperienced marble, its distinctive breed of ponies and, after all, its beautiful panorama.
Head west from Galway, stopping in on the Spiddal craft village to fulfill potters, jewellery makers and conventional basket weavers. In step with the craft theme, loop round this lake-studded a part of Eire till you get to the seaside city of Roundstone, residence to Roundstone Music & Craft; right here you’ll meet native legend Malachy Kearns, a drum maker who has been constructing bodhráns (conventional Irish drums) for almost 50 years. He’s a born storyteller, so keep some time and study how he labored with Riverdance creators to develop the manufacturing’s signature drum.
It is a quick drive to the center of the Connemara area – cute Clifden gives a staging level for biking on the scenic Sky Highway or round Erislannon, the place you can even trip the well-known Connemara ponies. The city can be a brief hop from Kylemore Abbey, a castle-turned-monastery that gives day by day excursions by way of its manicured grounds.
If you wish to get nearer to the mountains themselves, make your strategy to Connemara Nationwide Park; the climb as much as Diamond Peak reveals sweeping views of the mountain-bog combo that defines the ecology of this space. You gained’t be alone on the path, however the firm doesn’t detract from the views.
There are a number of choices for overnighting shut by: head again to Clifden or go for B&Bs in Letterfrack and Renvyle.
From our companions: Connemara
Hope you bought a very good evening’s sleep – it’s an enormous day! Hit the highway to County Mayo, a scenic route across the mountain-lined Killary Fjord that takes you up by way of the Doo Lough Valley, an space of immense pure magnificence.
When you exit the valley, circle again on nation roads to the wonderful Silver Strand; a stroll throughout the flat expanse of sand reveals rocky promontories residence to tidepools filled with thriving critters. Silver Strand is one in all Mayo’s many sandy seashores; when you’ve received a versatile schedule, take your time discovering all of them.
Subsequent is the drive north to Westport, a colourful city that sits on the coronary heart of a classy bike community – you’ll be sharing the highway with numerous cyclists, so keep alert on the wheel. Seize lunch (like the stunning beetroot sandwich at Kaska’s) and leap again within the automobile to make your strategy to Achill Island. Half seashore resort, half historical past museum, half nature park, Achill has one thing for everybody: try the Kildavnet Tower (an outpost belonging to Grace O’ Malley, Eire’s famed “Pirate Queen”), spot a basking shark on the cliff-lined Keel and Keem seashores, or wander the ghostly stays of a village vacated in the course of the famine of 1845-1852.
Drive again as much as the mainland and hit N95, which takes you up the Ballycroy facet of the Wild Nephin Nationwide Park. For those who’ve received vitality left, go for a brief stroll on the stunning Claggan Mountain Coastal Path, a well-kept boardwalk hovering over Eire’s coastal boglands.
In a single day in or round Sligo for the right place to begin in your subsequent leg.
From our companions: Discover from Westport, County Mayo
After protecting some severe actual property by way of County Mayo, you’re due for a extra relaxed day and the world round Sligo is simply the ticket. Strandhill, simply quarter-hour from Sligo’s middle, delivers wonderful surf city vitality; sit on the plaza wall to look at surfers glide alongside the waves, or seize a board your self and hit the water with Strandhill Surf Faculty. In search of one thing extra low-key? Go full mermaid and e-book a seaweed tub at Voya Seaweed Baths, a neighborhood custom relationship again lots of of years.
Pop into Sligo city to get your bearings earlier than making the quick drive to Drumcliffe Church; one in all Eire’s most well-known sons, WB Yeats, is laid to relaxation right here, and the atmospheric churchyard has been lovingly preserved; there’s additionally an ethereal cafe and native artwork store on website. From right here, we advocate the Benbulben Forest Stroll, a leisurely path with staggering views of the enduring flat-top mountain that defines the area’s “skyline;” the trail additionally takes you thru wondrous sections of forest and gives top-down vistas of the coast.
For those who can’t get sufficient of the area’s distinctive mountain surroundings, take a spin over to Gleniff Horseshoe, a prehistoric-feeling valley encased in vertical cliffs straight out of a fantasy world. Drive across the one-lane loop at its coronary heart and pop into the Gleniff Barytes Mill Website, an enthralling cease that pulls double responsibility as a historic website and sculpture park – see if you will discover the fairy doorways.
Donegal city is your remaining vacation spot for the day. For those who’re a historical past buff, arrive with sufficient time to tour the Donegal Citadel; customers, make a beeline for Magee 1866 for a chunk of your individual iconic Donegal tweed. There are lodging choices on the town, however we advocate testing the B&Bs round close by Lough Eske for a scenic place to relaxation your head.
From our companions: County Sligo
As we enter the dash to the end on the Wild Atlantic Approach, County Donegal pulls out all of the stops. From Donegal city, head west to Sliabh Liag, Eire’s tallest accessible cliffs and this author’s absolute favourite. The almost 2,000-foot-tall cliffs boggle the thoughts – each the roadside stroll to the perspective and the path winding up and over the cliff faces ship Donegal writ giant.
When you come down out of your Sliabh Liag-induced adrenaline spike, make your method by way of the astonishing Glengesh Cross to Maghera Seashore, residence to its namesake caves and among the most lovely seashore views on the Wild Atlantic Approach. Be aware: carry €3 for parking and don’t discover the caves with out checking the tides first, as they’re solely secure to entry when the tide is out.
From right here, head inland to the northernmost nationwide park on Eire’s western facet: Glenveagh Nationwide Park. Located round a glaciated valley within the Derryveagh Mountains, the park is a serene place to discover – historical past buffs will get pleasure from Glenveagh Citadel, accessible by park shuttle booked upon arrival, whereas hikers can select from just a few completely different trails that wind by way of the glen and its hillsides.
Close by Letterkenny is the county’s largest city and a very good place to base your self in your remaining day on the highway: seize dinner at The Yellow Pepper and cease in for some music at McGinley’s.
From our companions: Donegal’s northern headlands
That is it: your final day on the Approach. Head north to 5 Finger Strand in your remaining glimpse of Eire’s signature windswept seashores earlier than crossing the end line at Malin Head, the island’s northernmost level. Stroll the paths of the promontory to see the Atlantic crash in opposition to weather-ravaged cliffs, and loop again as much as the sign tower relationship from the early 1800s for a dose of historical past. You’ll spy the “Ireland 80” signal that was positioned right here to let WWII pilots know they have been passing over impartial Eire.
After you’ve had your fill of ultimate Atlantic views, it’s time to circle again right down to Shannon and Limerick for departure, a five-hour drive. As soon as there, say goodbye to your epic journey with a pint at Treaty Metropolis Brewing, positioned within the city’s fascinating Medieval Quarter adjoining to King John’s Citadel, and a meal overlooking the River Shannon at The Curragower.
From our companions: Uncover King John’s Citadel
Issues to find out about driving the Wild Atlantic Approach
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Eire is spectacular to go to any time of 12 months, however touring in fall normally means fewer crowds, delicate climate, gorgeous landscapes and comfy stops.
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Double verify your automobile insurance coverage earlier than heading out – you could have to buy further insurance policies out of your rental firm upon arrival.
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Sections of the drive are on slim nation roads that characteristic some blind corners. That’s a part of the enjoyable! However drive with care.
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Make sure to high up your tank everytime you get the prospect. American drivers: unleaded gasoline is labeled inexperienced whereas diesel is labeled black, reverse to the colours at residence.
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