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 199 matches, showing 31 -
40 below.
Letterfrack, Co. Galway
Baking/Bakery / Café / Preserves / Restaurant
Providing you are tolerant of tour buses and high season crowds, this dramatically located Benedictine 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 ...
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Kenmare, Co. Kerry
Café / Deli / Speciality Store
High up at a famous viewing point on the Ring of Kerry, this outpost of the Pratt family's County Wicklow weaving company sells its fine range of clothing and crafts.
Upstairs, in a first floor self-service restaurant with stunning views, it offers co ...
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This unspoilt roadside traditional pub and grocery shop was established in 1897 and the original owners would be proud of it today.
Very much the centre of local activities, Leonard’s has a large dining area behind the pub, where all the area&rs ...
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Westport, Co. Mayo
Café / Deli / Restaurant
This attractive daytime restaurant has been a welcoming presence on the harbour front in Westport for quite a few years and, although it has changed hands several times, each owner has opted to keep the name which - referring to the traditional wicker ...
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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 this unique hotel which, although on ...
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Bantry, Co. Cork
Baking/Bakery / Food Market
Sisters Hannah and Rachel Dare run this bakery and healthfood store near the centre of Bantry town.
Until the Covid-19 lockdown in spring 2020 it was also home to a much-loved vegetarian café but, although Hannah and Rachel decided to close the ...
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Kilkee, Co. Clare
Baking/Bakery / Restaurant
On the main street, painted soft green with a long double traditional Kilkee bay window, this lovely bakery and restaurant is one of the very good reasons why so many families come to Kilkee for the holidays. It's perfect for self-catering as you can c ...
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Bandon, Co. Cork
Café / Deli / Food Market
People come from all around the area (and a stop en route to holiday in west Cork has become de rigeur) to shop at Ruth Healy’s stylish, modern culinary store on the river: a kitchen shop, deli, foodstore and café, it offers a unique combi ...
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Enniscrone, Co. Sligo
Café / Historic House
Re-opened in 2014 following a five year closure, Lissadell is the brightest historical and cultural gem of the north-west and a must-see destination for anyone visiting Sligo or planning a trip along the Wild Atlantic Way.
It's the former home of the ...
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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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