About Your Tour
The Wild Atlantic Way is a 1500 mile coastal drive from Kinsale in County Cork (in the far south of Ireland) to Malin Head in County Donegal (the northernmost point in Ireland) and has been referred to by many in the global tourism industry as one of the most stunningly beautiful dedicated coastal drives in the world – many believe, rivaling California’s Pacific Coast Highway.
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Old Head Of Kinsale
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Mizen Head
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Coomakista Pass
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Inch Beach
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Cliffs Of Moher
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Kylemore Abbey
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Downpatrick Head
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Mullaghmore
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Sliabh Liag
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Malin Head
Day 1:
Pickup at preferred Dublin location (airport or hotel)
Travel to Kinsale (Start of the Wild Atlantic Way)
After morning Dublin pickup, our travels take us to the Rock Of Cashel (also known as the Rock of Saint Patrick – once the seat of the Kings of Munster.) After lunch, we begin the southern journey to visit the famous Blarney Castle (home of the Blarney Stone). Then it’s off to Kinsale – The official start of the Wild Atlantic Way!
Overnight in Kinsale
Day 2
Travel to Kenmare
Today we start in Kinsale with a visit to Charles Fort, a beautifully renovated star-shaped fort, followed by a visit to the nearby Old head of Kinsale for some spectacular panoramic coastal photos. We then continue westward along the coast to Mizen Head – the southernmost point of Ireland. After Mizen Head, we travel through the town of Glengarrif and enter the Beara Peninsula. Having traveled halfway down the Beara Peninsula, we take the mountain road through the Famous Healy Pass, crossing from County Cork into County Kerry. The photos from the top of the Healy Pass will be among the most stunning of your journey! The last leg of today’s journey takes us into the lovely town of Kenmare.
Overnight in Kenmare.
Day 3
Travel to Dingle
We start today with a drive to Molls Gap where we enter the world-famous Ring Of Kerry. Our first photo stop of the day will be at the spectacular elevated viewpoint of Coomakista Pass. From one side we will have splendid views (weather permitting) of the famous Skellig Islands (the largest of which, Skellig Michael, was used in the filming of Star Wars) and from the other side, there are epic views of Valentia Island and Portmagee. Then we drop down into Waterville, a quaint old seaside town famous for its golf clubs and its association with the actor Charlie Chaplin. We continue along the Ring Of Kerry through Caherciveen, and Killorglin before entering the Dingle Peninsula and a visit to the awe-inspiring Inch Beach. We then complete our final leg of today’s journey by arriving at Dingle.
Overnight in Dingle.
Day 4
Travel to Galway
After Breakfast this morning, we take the Connor Pass road towards Tralee, stopping at the top of the Connor Pass for photos. We make our way north towards the Tarbert Car Ferry Terminal to take the 20-minute ferry ride to Killimer in County Clare. From here, we follow the coastal route up to the world-famous Cliffs Of Moher. Again, we follow the coastal route through the Burren – a magnificent geological wonder resembling a lunar landscape, until we reach Galway.
Overnight in Galway
Day 5
Full-day Connemara tour
Today we head out west to Connemara. After a quick panoramic driving tour of Galway, we will pass through Salthill and follow the coastal route through the seaside towns of Spiddal, Inverin, and Costelloe before arriving at the famous cottage of Irish revolutionary and writer Patrick Pearse. From here, we make our way through Maam Cross and on into Clifden, perhaps for an authentic Irish Pub lunch! Then we head for the picturesque Kylemore Abbey and Gardens. From here we make our way into Leenane with a photo stop at Ireland’s only Fjord – Killary Fjord. The final leg of today’s journey will be a beautiful drive through the Mamturk mountains and on into Westport.
Overnight in Westport.
Day 6
Travel to Donegal
Our first stop today will be at the Ceide Fields – one of the oldest field systems in the world, dating to approximately 5500 years ago! Close by is the spectacular photo stop of Dun Bhriste (the Broken Fort) at Downpatrick Head. Then it’s on to Drumcliffe Cemetery to visit the grave of the famous Irish writer William Butler Yeats. Then it’s a short drive for another classic photo stop, one which epitomizes the “Wild Atlantic Way” – Mullaghmore. We finish today’s travels with a drive to Donegal Town.
Overnight in Donegal.
Day 7
Travel to Derry
Today is all about the Scenery! First, we travel through the fishing town of Killybegs and out to the magnificent Sliabh Liag. At 2100 feet above sea level, they are the highest sea cliffs in Europe with none of the modern touristic trappings of the Cliffs Of Moher (although they are 3 times higher!). We then take the drive through the busy town of Letterkenny and on up to Malin Head, the Northernmost Point of Ireland and the official end to the Wild Atlantic Way. Finally, we make our way to Derry for the night
Overnight in Derry.
Day 8
Travel to Dublin
We return to Dublin today. En route, we can visit the amazing Ulster American Folk Museum outside Omagh. This is an impressive museum dedicated to the story of Irish Emigration to America with lifelike recreations of what life was really like at the time. Time permitting, we could include a visit to Newgrange before continuing the journey to Dublin.
Overnight in Dublin (possibly at an Airport Hotel)
Day 9
Depending on flight times – Hotel shuttle service to Airport or Airport transfer from Dublin Hotel.
Pricing
Our listed tours, while perfectly workable and tried and tested, are sample tours and should be used as templates for building your own unique touring experience. We will work with you to develop a customized tour itinerary based on your particular wishes and available touring dates. The result will be a custom-built tour itinerary, unique to you and your group!
Prices for Extended tours are available on request, simply click here for a quote! Included in the price is the daily service of a qualified tourist guide/driver and the use of a luxurious touring vehicle, including all associated transportation costs and driver daily and overnight expenses. Complimentary bottled water and Wifi are also included
Not included are accommodation, meals, excursion entry tickets, or gratuities.
All-inclusive package deals are available on request.
Click here for all payment, cancellation, and refund questions
Click here for frequently asked questions.
Click the link below to start planning your next Great Irish Adventure!
WILD ATLANTIC WAY
FAILTE IRELAND
GLENBEG TOURS
