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.
Found 518 matches, showing 101 -
110 below.
Just a short drive from Donegal town, in the foothills of the stunning Blue Stack Mountains and tucked in beside the grassy banks of the pretty Lowerymore River, Biddy’s O’Barnes is a historic rural, family-owned pub that dates back to 1870 ...
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Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare
Café / Producers Shop
Visitors to this 2-million-year-old cave will see more than the amazing illuminated tunnels and waterfalls, for there is also much of interest to food lovers.
Cheese-making demonstrations show how the local Burren Gold cheese is made and, even if the ...
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Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare
Baking/Bakery / Café
Approached from the harbour side through a lovely front garden, this delightful stone restaurant dates back to 1790, when it was built as a residence for 'coast security officers'. Nearly two centuries later it was bought in a derelict condition by the ...
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Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare
Hotel
Open fires in public areas create the welcoming atmosphere for which the Hylands Burren Hotel is famous - and, owned by the Quinn family, who are local with many years in business in Ballyvaughan village, it has the personal touch that only hands-on fa ...
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Bunratty, Co. Clare
Character Pub / Restaurant
Although often seriously over-crowded with tourists in summer, this famous and genuinely characterful old pub in the shadow of Bunratty Castle somehow manages to provide cheerful service and consistently above-average food to the great numbers who pass ...
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Carron, Co. Clare
Café / Producers Shop
When touring Clare you will be pleased to find this charming spot - the perfumery is beautifully laid out, with a herb garden (where many native plants are grown - and later used in the organic herbal teas), pleasing old buildings and lovely biodynamic ...
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This ivy-clad former manor house dates back to the 18th century and, set in its own gardens, is an oasis of calm in the bustling centre of Ennis. The Old Ground was bought by the Flynn family of hoteliers in 1995 and has been sensitively extended and ...
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Ennis, Co. Clare
Hotel / Restaurant
This family-owned hotel was built in the mid '90s on the site of a 19th century convent, to a design that retains the older features including a church.
Existing Gothic themes have been successfully blended into the new throughout the hotel, creating ...
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Ennistymon, Co. Clare
Restaurant
Located in a brightly painted period house at the top of this old market town, Byrnes is a stylishly laid back restaurant with views of Ennistymon's famous cascading river from the airy restaurant and an extensive outdoor dining area at the rear.
The ...
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One of the most famous music centres in the west of Ireland, traditional Irish music and set dancing at Vaughan's pub and (previously thatched) barn attract visitors from all over the world. In recent times it has also attracted fans of Father Ted, as ...
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