10 Places you must see along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way

A 2,500-kilometre long coastal route stretching from County Donegal to County Cork, hugging a spectacular coastline, passing through picturesque towns and medieval villages, with a castle or two thrown in―that’s Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way for you. This is the world’s longest designated coastal touring route, offering opportunities of scenic drives, hikes through rugged terrains, bike rides, kayaking and more. Sample local, artisanal fare along the Gourmet Greenway, go island hopping, explore some of Europe’s highest cliffs―there’s never a dull moment along the Wild Atlantic Way. Of course you can just drive along the route and soak in the untamed vistas of the Atlantic madly crashing against the coast. But if you really want to explore deeper, pick a stretch of the route, or explore one of the counties. Some suggested itineraries include County Donegal, Donegal to Mayo, Mayo and Galway, Mayo to Clare, Clare to Kerry, and Kerry to Cork. The itinerary below covers Mayo and Galway (with a bit of Clare included), beginning with Ballina, which is 230 kilometres from Dublin, a drive that will take just about three hours.