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 195 matches, showing 41 -
50 below.
Claremorris, Co. Mayo
Restaurant / Wine Bar
The opening of La Casa brought a joyful new arrival to Claremorris in late 2023 - and, having hit the ground running, it soon became the go-to place for the area's lovers of Mediterranean food and hospitality.
And that should be no surprise, as - havi ...
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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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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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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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Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare
Country House / Hotel / Restaurant
John and Martina Sheedy run one of the west of Ireland's best-loved small hotels - it offers some of the best food in the area and quite luxurious accommodation, and yet it still has the warm ambience and friendly hands-on management which make a hotel ...
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Ahakista, Co. Cork
Character Pub / Pub
Margaret Whooley runs one of the most relaxed bars in the country: known affectionately as "the tin pub" after its corrugated iron roof, it has a lovely rambling country garden going down to the water at the back, where children are very welc ...
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Ballydehob, Co. Cork
Character Pub
The Levis sisters, Julia and Nell, ran this 150-year-old bar and grocery for as long as anyone can remember.
Although both have now died, younger members of the family have stepped into their legendary shoes and, while the experience is certainly rath ...
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Maurice O’Donovan's well-named bar in Bantry is a cosy and welcoming place, bustling with life and ideal for a wholesome bite at moderate prices.
Maurice is the chef and takes pride in using local produce and giving value for money; his menus fe ...
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Butlerstown, Co. Cork
Character Pub
Butlerstown is a pretty pastel-painted village, with lovely views across farmland to Dunworley and the sea beyond.
Mary O'Neill's unspoilt pub is as pleasant and hospitable a place as could be found to enjoy the view - or to admire the traditional mah ...
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Castletownbere, Co. Cork
Character Pub
Dating back to the 1870s, and currently run by Adrienne MacCarthy, this famous old pub and grocery store really is the genuine article - and the family history is both intriguing and inspiring (just ask about her father's Japanese sword - or buy the bo ...
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