In an already-enchanted land, there’s an enchanted lane called the Wild Atlantic Way. It hugs the western coastline, from Donegal to Cork, and offers heaping doses of magic upon magic.
Along your travels, you’ll be greeted by ancient castle ruins, former watchtowers, giant lighthouses, soaring puffins, and some of the friendliest locals in the world.
You could easily spend six months – or even a year – exploring the Wild Atlantic Way. But, if we had to narrow it down to 15 stopping points, this is a great starting point for what’s guaranteed to be the most transformative journey of your life.
Mayo Dark Sky Park
If you’ve ever stargazed in a land without any light pollution, you’ll know there’s nothing else like it in the world. At night, especially in the winter months, the night sky in Mayo rolls out like a blanket of stars and reveals all of nature’s truths to you.
With your woolen sweater on, a hat, and a pair of gloves, be sure to take this walk one evening so you can tuck this memory in your back pocket for life. Perhaps you’ll re-read W.B. Yeats’ Cloths of Heaven while you’re there:
Had I the heavens’ embroidered cloths,
Enwrought with golden and silver light,
The blue and the dim and the dark cloths
Of night and light and the half-light,
I would spread the cloths under your feet.
The Cliffs of Moher
After you’ve been kissed by the stars, it’s time to let the wind comb through your hair. One of the best places to do this is at the world-famous Cliffs of Moher. At just over 700 feet in the air, you’ll soar like an eagle – or, in this instance, a puffin – over the Atlantic Ocean and breathe in the beauty of nature once again.
This region is your golden ticket to spend a night in a castle-turned-luxury hotel. You have Ashford Castle, as well as Dromoland Castle. If that’s always been your dream, check out this list of castle hotels that will make you feel like royalty.
Doolin
The tiny little village of Doolin, with a population of just over 300 people, has somehow become the mecca for live Irish music, or trad. If you come in the summer months, it’s brimming with busloads of visitors who are coming here just for that.
With a pint and a barstool, you’ll be amazed at how easily it is to transport yourself back to another time when cell phones and TVs didn’t matter. It was all about the camaraderie, heartfelt music, and a momentary sense of community.
Fanore Beach
Not far from Doolin, you have another blink-and-you’ll-miss-it village, Fanore. The drive to Fanore from Doolin hugs the coastline perfectly and opens up to sweeping panoramas of the sea on one side and cottages coloring the hills on the other.
The magic of Fanore lies in its orange-colored beach backed by limestone hills. It’s one of the most unique beaches in the world. Perhaps, while you’re there, you’ll re-read Seamus Heaney’s poem about a nearby beach, Flaggy Shore:
And some time make the time to drive out west
Into County Clare, along the Flaggy Shore,
In September or October, when the wind
And the light are working off each other
So that the ocean on one side is wild
With foam and glitter, and inland among stones
The surface of a slate-grey lake is lit.
Gleninagh Castle
Hidden behind a curtain of trees, there’s an ancient watchtower on the road from Fanore to Ballyvaughan. See if you can find it along your drive. There’s an eerie feeling to it – something along the lines of, “I’m not supposed to be here.” While you’re there, it’ll tower over you, wondering why you’ve disturbed its peace, and leave you with a haunting sense of curiosity about who and what used to live there.
The Burren
Next, it’s time to get lost in the Burren. This is a unique, rocky stretch of land with more unique wildflowers than anywhere else on Earth. There are so many flowers they even manage to grow through the rock formations.
Seek out a pretty little castle called Newtown Castle and see if the door creaks open for you. When it does, you can step into an ancient watchtower and see how people used to live during these damp and dark times. Climb the winding stone staircase, gaze out from the top floor, and see if your knight in shining armor just so happens to appear.
Connemara
The next region to get lost in is Connemara. Known for its beautiful marble, this is a unique land that gives way to some of the most beautiful mountains and valleys. It’s also home to those quintessential thatched cottages that everyone searches for when they’re roaming free in Ireland.
You can put Connemara National Park in your GPS, just as a point of direction, but the best way to explore both the Burren and Connemara is to go wherever the wind blows.
Galway City
If you loved what you saw in Doolin, you can enjoy it on a much larger scale in Galway City. Head to Quay Street, a pedestrian-only main street, for the best food and live music. Quay Street Kitchen is the spot for a heart-warming bowl of soup and brown bread.
At five o’clock, people slide back the chairs at their desks, pull their fiddles out from underneath, and gather around in the pubs – no invitation needed. In no time at all, someone with a flute will join in, then a guitar, and, before you know it, you’ll be watching music notes float through the air that were most certainly sent down from heaven.
Ennis
For another unique town – somewhere between the size of Doolin and Galway – check out Ennis. Filled with antique shops, bookstores, and cute little cafes, it’s a nice way to get the feel for a medium-sized city in this colorful land.
Be sure to check out Tony Honan’s antique shop when you’re there. It’s filled from floor to ceiling with every antique under the sun. You’ll find ancient fiddles hanging from the walls, fantastic furniture, glittering jewelry, glassware, crystal, and so much more. It’s a great way to wander through the past.
The Ring of Kerry
Dipping further south along the coastline, County Kerry needs to fill up your itinerary just as much as County Clare and County Galway. The Ring of Kerry is a unique drive past rolling green hills and sparkling blue lakes.
The roads are tight and winding, so beware if you’re not used to the whole driving on the other side of the road thing. Once you’re comfortable, though, you’ll be rewarded with rivers, lakes, streams, waterfalls, grand houses, and castles. There will also be bleating sheep mocking you as you try to find third gear.
A famous stopping point in the Ring of Kerry is the Gap of Dunloe, a narrow mountain pass forged between MacGillycuddy’s Reeks and Purple Mountain by glacial flows. It’s a must-see if you’re able to swing it.
Killarney
The Ring of Kerry starts and stops in the gorgeous town of Killarney. In fact, you could even make this your home base for your Kerry explorations. Here, you’ll take in those famous colorful facades, enjoy gourmet meals, and meet locals who will greet you like they’ve known you all their lives.
Some nearby sites that are worth a visit include Ross Castle, Muckross House, and Killarney National Park. Therein, you’ll want to keep an eye out for the Lakes of Killarney, a trio of glistening shorelines happy to dance in the breeze for you.
Dingle
Speaking of colorful facades and even more colorful locals, Dingle also needs to be on your list. Dingle is the main town on a peninsula by the same name with plenty of activities on offer.
Of course, you’ll get your evening dose of trad. There’s also Murphy’s ice cream for some of the creamiest vanilla swirls you’ve ever tasted. Pop into the Dingle Bookshop for a few more poems by Yeats and Heaney. Or better yet, the bookstore An Café Liteartha might have even more of the classics on their shelves.
For something a little more touristy but oh-so-fun, book a tour with Dingle Dolphin Boat Tours to see if you make the acquaintance of a few families of dolphins or a cliffside full of sweet little puffins.
Fastnet Rock
Once you leave Kerry and head for Cork, your time along the Wild Atlantic Way is coming to an end. The best way to enjoy one or two more seaside embraces is to see if you can rent a kayak and sail over to Fastnet Rock.
It’s also known as “Ireland’s Teardrop” because it was the last sight emigrants would see as they departed Ireland for America. Amazingly, on such a tiny little island, the nation’s tallest rock lighthouse is standing tall and proud, happy to give you a little wink as you pass by its shoreline.
Even though our time along the Wild Atlantic Way is coming to an end, you don’t have to leave this enchanted land. Here are 25 additional destinations you can take aim at once you wave goodbye to the Wild Atlantic Way.
Kinsale
We’ve talked a lot about colorful towns, but Kinsale might have all of them beat. You’ll know exactly what we mean as soon as you arrive. Like many of these coastal towns, seafood simply must be on the menu. Somehow, in the midst of all this culinary greatness, Kinsale has emerged as the mecca for gourmet foodies.
The restaurant Fishy Fish is a definite winner, as is The Black Pig and The White Lady. Check out Kinsale Crystal while you’re here, as well as a local artisan who runs a shop called Kinsale Leather. She handmakes the finest leather goods that will last you a lifetime.
Cobh
Finally, we’ll end where life ended for many of the passengers on board the Titanic. Cobh was the ship’s last port of call before it made its maiden and doomed voyage. Of course, the museum here in its honor is well worth a visit. You can also see the actual White Star Line building that former passengers passed through.
There’s also a famous street here called the Deck of Cards. On an impossibly steep hill, you’ll find a colorful row of houses that look like a bowl full of candy. See if you can walk along this street as you make your way to St. Colman’s Cathedral. It’s still a working church, built in 1919. If you have a moment, be sure to light a candle for a loved one before going on your way.
The Wild Atlantic Way Will Steal You Away
We hardly scratched the surface with the wonders of the Wild Atlantic Way. But these are excellent stopping points along your travels. You won’t be hard-pressed to find a beautiful Airbnb or classic B&B when you’d like to rest your weary soul.
Whether you’re sticking close to Ireland or heading further abroad, know that we have a destination guide on deck to help you curate the perfect trip. Here’s hoping we meet you along the Flaggy Shore someday.