Launched in spring 2014, the Wild Atlantic Way is a 2,500 km coastal route that invites the visitor to explore Ireland’s dramatic western seaboard.
Flagged as ‘the world’s longest coastal drive’, thanks to the many headlands and inlets that beg to be investigated along the way, it aims to highlight the most dramatic landmarks and attractions while also making it easier to find the interesting little out of the way places that might otherwise be by-passed.
It can be joined at any point and is divided into five sections, the first being Donegal in the north, with the other four (Donegal-Mayo; Mayo-Clare; Clare-Kerry; Kerry-Cork) leading you right down the Atlantic seaboard to the southern counties of Cork and Kerry.
A simple route map is available on discoverireland.ie where full information on each section is given, including activities and key ‘discovery points’.
The very distinctive bright blue ‘wave’ road signs make it virtually impossible to get lost - and we have plenty of suggestions for the best places to eat, drink and stay along the way, many of which are run by people who know the west coast back to front and will help visitors to find a genuine sense of discovery along this beautiful and fascinating coastline.
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10 below.
This famous hotel has an attractive exterior, with its name emblazoned in blue and white stained glass above the entrance and flags hanging from poles, giving it a cosmopolitan look. Since 2004 this landmark hotel has been in the caring ownership of th ...
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Kinsale, Co. Cork
Guesthouse
This fine boutique guesthouse in the centre of Kinsale is just a few steps away from the Blue Haven Hotel, which is in common ownership.
It is very golf-friendly and the newly renovated guestrooms include two spacious and beautifully designed suites; ...
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Letterfrack, Co. Galway
Preserves / Restaurant
Providing you are tolerant of tour buses and high season crowds, this dramatically located Abbey offers a surprising range of things to see: a brief stroll from the abbey along the wooded shore leads to the Gothic church, for example, which is a fascin ...
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Riverstown, Co. Sligo
Country House
Undoubtedly one of the most delightful and superbly comfortable Georgian houses in Ireland, this sturdy granite mansion was built to withstand the rigours of a Sligo winter but it’s a warm and friendly place.
Peacocks wander elegantly on the cro ...
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Galway City, Co. Galway
Baking/Bakery / Bar / Hotel / Restaurant
Despite recent development at this seaside village, Barna has retained some of its old charm around the harbour area – and its location, handy to both Connemara and Galway City, is a huge attraction. And so is Fergus O’Halloran’s uniq ...
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Sligo, Co. Sligo
Baking/Bakery / Café / Producers Shop
Anyone visiting Sligo should make a point of calling into the magnificently traditional Lyons Department Store, in business since 1835 and still with its original shopfront. It’s a joy to find a quirky owner-run store these days and, on the first ...
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Limerick, Co. Limerick
Classes/Courses / Hotel / Restaurant / Speciality Store
A stunning property occupying a large corner site on the city’s most gracious Georgian square - overlooking a leafy park and only a minute’s stroll away from the City Art Gallery - this is the luxurious boutique hotel that discerning visito ...
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Carrigaholt, Co. Clare
Pub / Restaurant
Way out in west Clare, halfway out along the Loop Head pensinsula and overlooking the Mouth of the Shannon, is the picturesque little fishing village of Carrigaholt. It’s a charming place, untouched by the over development of recent times and wel ...
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Athenry, Co. Galway
Baking/Bakery / Restaurant
An attractive stone building in the centre of the lovely old walled Heritage Town of Athenry, The Old Barracks has only been a restaurant since it was opened by Fiona King and her late husband Cathal O'Malley in October 2010, but it is proving to be a ...
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Annascaul, Co. Kerry
Meat & Game / Online Shop
Renowned for its smooth, dense texture, Annascaul Black Pudding has been made here by hand since Ashe's shop was established in 1916 and, unusually nowadays, it is made with fresh blood.
Still made to the original recipe a century later, it is also jo ...
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