Ireland beckons visitors from all over the world, seeking its stunning landscapes, vibrant culture, ancient history, thrilling folklore, and enchanting music. You could visit some of the inland cities like Limerick or Kilkenny and be astonished by every sight you see. Or, you could travel the coastline and let the healing waves of the Atlantic steal your breath and restore your soul.
Together, let’s take a journey along the coastline of the country and see what we can do to start that soul-healing experience. We’ll begin up in Donegal, which is still part of the Republic of Ireland, and work our way down around this most magnificent island.
Donegal
In a country filled with sweeping landscapes, it’s tough to single out one country for its majesty. But, if we had to make a list, Donegal deserves to be at the top. It actually features the longest mainland coastline of any county in the country.
Yet, if you move just a little bit further inland, you’re faced with towering mountains and glistening lakes. This county truly is a wonder. If you’ve read about or visited Ireland, you’ve probably heard of the Cliffs of Moher. Without question, they are impressive, towering 700 feet over the Atlantic.
Yet, the Slieve League Cliffs in Donegal are often overlooked, standing 1,900 feet in the air. When you’re here, you can base yourself out of Donegal Town where you’ll be warmly greeted by friendly locals, have plenty of dining options, dip in and out of a 15th-century castle, and take a tour of this rugged and regal land.
Donegal also started a famous roadway called the Wild Atlantic Way. We’ll actually be sticking pretty close to it throughout this journey. But here’s a little more on this coastal road before we begin.
Sligo
Sometimes, it feels like Sligo is a bit of a forgotten county, yet it has so much to offer. The actual town of Sligo is a dream because it straddles the Garavogue River as it meets Sligo Bay. You could aimlessly walk around and never run out of sights to see.
If you love poetry, this was where W.B. Yeats spent much of his childhood, and he’s been properly memorialized in the Sligo County Museum. You can also let the winds of fate comb through your hair in the ruins of the 15th-century Sligo Abbey.
Another area worth exploring is Strandhill. Locals call this beach their little secret and it really is a gem in a jewel box. It’s known for its stunning sunsets and, truthfully, the peace that you will find here cannot be surpassed. Even though Yeats wrote The Lake Isle of Innisfree for the tidy little island in the area, you can still savor his words while watching the sunset at Strandhill:
I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,
And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made;
Nine bean rows will I have there, a hive for the honey bee,
And live alone in the bee-loud glade.
And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow,
Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings;
There midnight’s all a-glimmer, and noon a purple glow,
And evening full of the linnet’s wings.
I will arise and go now, for always night and day
I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore;
While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements gray,
I hear it in the deep heart’s core.
Achill Island
Let’s move on from poets to pirates. All you have to do is cross a small mainland bridge over the Achill Sound to feel as though you’ve driven through a portal in time. With megalithic tombs, ancient forts, and beaches galore, this place truly is a wonder.
One of the most notable watchtowers on the island is the former residence of Grace O’Malley, a 17th-century pirate who commanded fleets of men and was brave enough to go toe to toe with Queen Elizabeth I.
After you’ve spent some time getting to know Grace, you might want to wander the beaches, particularly Keel Beach or Keem Bay. Keel is a lovely coastal town, so don’t forget to wander there, as well. The Beehive Craft and Coffee Shop has a fine menu if you’re there around lunchtime, as well as spectacular views of the sea and cliffs.
Galway
Next, we arrive in Galway. Where does one begin with such a colorful, vibrant, and music-filled city? Well, you can set sail for the heart of downtown Quay Street. There, you’ll find a pedestrian-only lane brimming with local shops, restaurants, and pubs. The Quay Street Kitchen is the best place to go for a heartwarming cup of soup.
At the foot of Quay Street, you have the gateway to the Claddagh Region, filled with lovely walks along the water until you arrive in Salthill, another showstopping sunset spot. Galway Cathedral is worth a look inside. You can light a candle for a loved one. Then, at night, it’s all about the pubs along Quay Street for some live Irish music or trad.
Doolin
Speaking of trad, we must mention the tiny village with a population of just over 300 people that’s known all throughout the country for precisely that – music sessions by the peat fire. With annual music and writers’ festivals, somehow, Doolin has become the mecca for Irish folk music and the arts at large.
Tuck into one of the many B&Bs in the area and prepare to have your senses astounded as you listen to talented artists play their fiddles and flutes and sing ballads until your heart melts.
The three main pubs where this magic takes place deep in the night are Gus O’Connor’s, McGann’s, and McDermott’s. There’s also the beautiful, eco-friendly Hotel Doolin with an attached pub, Fitz’s, that will be more than happy to welcome you home.
Galway and Doolin are fairly central points on the west coast of Ireland. So, if you have a mind to continue your journey, even beyond this coastal adventure, here’s a list of 25 additional destinations to add to your itinerary.
The Aran Islands
The Aran Islands are a small trio of islands accessible by ferry from Galway or Doolin. You have Inishmore, Inishmaan, and Inisheer. Inishmore is the largest and Inisheer is the smallest. While Inishmore attracts the most visitors, Inisheer is a charmer.
There, you’ll find the sunken ruins of a 10th-century church, as well as O’Brien’s Castle, a 15th-century tower house. Life here is completely different from the mainland. You won’t find a lot of cars; everybody knows everybody, and the ocean breezes feel a little bit different.
You can walk along the shoreline to your heart’s content until you find Inisheer Lighthouse or the rusted-out hull of a shipwreck named Plassey. At night, all you need is a barstool beside the peat fire in Tigh Ned where, you guessed it, the trad will touch your soul.
Dingle
Off to one of the southwesternmost peninsulas on this magical land. Dingle is bright, cheerful, colorful, and bustling with activity. In the summertime, you might find it a little overcrowded. So, if you can come in the off-season, you’ll have a better chance of getting to know the locals.
Filled with festivals all throughout the year, you could time your visit right, especially if something like the November Literary Festival strikes your fancy. You’ll also want to take a drive on Slea Head, a glorious coastal road that will make you feel as though you’re flying. Inch Beach is equally miraculous with its golden, sandy shorelines.
One thing to mention is that each of these coastal towns is sure to have some of the freshest seafood – and Dingle does not disappoint. After a hearty meal, you know the drill. It’s time to go find some live Irish music. In which case, neither An Droichead Beag on Main Street, McCarthy’s Pub on Goat Street, or O’Flaherty’s on Bridge Street will disappoint.
Kinsale
There’s another harbor town, Kinsale, in County Cork, that will steal your heart away. Even though we just mentioned that each of these coastal towns serves up the finest seafood, Kinsale has somehow emerged from the crop as the leader in gourmet cuisine.
You have Fishy Fishy just waiting to delight you, as well as Man Friday and the Blue Haven. Handmade artistry also abounds in this town, including Kinsale Crystal and Kinsale Leather. You can wander from a coffee shop to a book shop to an artisan shop as you make your way down to the harbor or Kinsale Beach to gaze upon some of the clearest blue waters this lovely country has to offer.
Cobh
You might recognize the name, as Cobh was the last port of call for the ill-fated Titanic. When you’re here, it’s well worth visiting the local museum, The Titanic Experience. Eerily, you’ll even see the White Star Line building, where certain passengers pass through.
But, there’s so much more to this lovely coastal town than the sadness surrounding that story. What you’ll want to do is grab a bite to eat on Westbourne Place, overlooking the water.
Then, once you’re well-fueled, you’ll want to check the fit of your walking shoes and climb the world-famous “Deck of Cards” street, filled with a colorful array of houses. Your hike will be rewarded when you find St. Colman’s Cathedral and gaze out over the entire town.
Light a candle for your loved ones and then return to the city center for further exploration, seaside strolls, and some live Irish music when the sun goes down.
Wicklow
We started with the rugged terrain of Donegal and we’ll end in a place called the “Garden of Ireland.” Wicklow was generously awarded that nickname because it’s said to have the most beautiful terrain in the entire country. That’s really saying something.
Wicklow is just beneath Dublin. So, if Dublin is your last “port of call” before you fly home, be sure to make some time for the Garden of Ireland.
Here, you have the Wicklow Mountains, an expansive national park spanning over 85 square miles. When you’re there, you simply must seek out the historic Glendalough monastic site, dating back to the 6th century, and touch a true piece of ancient history.
Then, there’s the lovely Powerscourt Estate with 47 acres of gardens. You’ll also want to seek out Powerscourt Waterfall, the highest in the nation. It’s nestled into the foothills of the Wicklow Mountains. In terms of where to stay, you might enjoy the town of Bray. In a nation brimming with pubs, The Harbour Bar was once voted the best pub in the World by Lonely Planet.
In the end, Wicklow will whisk you away and stand as the perfect way to put a cap on your coastal tour of iconic Ireland.
A Journey for the Soul
Your casual explorations along the coastline of Ireland will, indeed, be a cleansing journey for the soul. There’s something about the vibrant green terrain and cleansing coastal waters that puts everything back in balance.
Whether you’re sticking to this magical land for a little while longer or heading further abroad, we have a destination guide already prepared to help you craft the itinerary of your dreams. As the Irish blessing goes, “May the road rise up to meet you, and may the wind be always at your back.”