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Have you ever dreamt of
embarking on a journey of
discovery, to hidden places and
secret worlds where all kinds of
enchantment lie in wait? Well
now you can, along the wildest,
most captivating, longest
defined coastal tourism route in
the world at 2,500kms Ireland’s
Wild Atlantic Way. Tucked
away in little villages and towns
that snuggle into the coastline
are delightful little nuggets of
treasure in the form of food,
activities, cultural, attractions
and so much more! Here are just
a few to whet your appetite.
Main attractions:
FANAD LIGHTHOUSE
Standing between idyllic Lough
Swilly and Mulroy Bay beach
Fanad Head Lighthouse has
been voted one of the most
beautiful lighthouses in the
world. Give yourself plenty
of time here - take in the
spectacular scenery, explore
the wild and wonderful natural
world and learn more about the
lighthouse in the visitor centre.
STRANDHILL
Take a bike tour from the
seaside village of Strandhill
around beautiful Knocknarea
Mountain and through the
striking lowlands and coastal
roads with stunning views of
Sligo Bay, the Dartry Mountain
Range and Coney Island.
Stop off to see the megalithic
tombs at Carrowmore, picnic
in the giant sand dunes south
of Strandhill and, if you’re
lucky, catch a glimpse of the
local seal population. Finish
up at Strandhill Village with a
relaxing soak in the famous Voya
Seaweed bath.
PEARSES COTTAGE
Visit historic Pearse’s Cottage
(Teach an Phiarsaigh) a small
restored cottage overlooking
the breathtaking lakes and
mountains of Connemara,
County Galway. The cottage
was used by Patrick Pearse
(1879-1916), leader of the 1916
Rising, as a summer residence
and summer school for his pupils
from St Enda’s in Dublin.
CLIFDEN
This beautiful coastal town is
located in Galway’s picturesque
Connemara area. Nestled
between mountains, the Atlantic
Ocean and bog land area,
Clifden is one of Ireland’s most
popular towns and has many
shops, bars, cafes, restaurants,
hotels and B&B’s which makes
it a great stop off point on the
Wild Atlantic Way.
CLIFFS OF MOHER
No visit to Ireland is truly
complete without a visit to one
of Ireland’s most popular and
picturesque tourist destinations,
the Cliffs of Moher. The cliffs
are Ireland’s most visited natural
attraction and offer the most
spectacular views you will see
anywhere in Ireland.
SKELLIG MICHAEL
A designated UNESCO World
Heritage Site, Skellig Michael
Island is renowned among
archaeologists as the site of a
well preserved monastic outpost
of the early Christian period.
This monastic site is reached by
climbing more than 600 steps
on a 1,000-year-old stairway.
Stone beehive huts where the
monks lived and prayed cling to
cliff edges alongside oratories,
a cemetery, stone crosses,
holy wells and the Church of
St Michael. These remains
demonstrate the spartan
conditions in which the monks
lived until they left the island in
the 13th century.
DURSEY ISLAND
A trip to Dursey Island off the
west coast of Cork is a must for
the adventurous, accessible from
Ireland’s only cable car. Take a
10 minute ride out to the island
and enjoy the waves and water
crashing below you as you go.
MIZEN HEAD
Mizen Head is based in the
most southern part of Ireland.
If you’re looking for adventure,
climb down the steps at the
edge of the peninsula and
journey along the arched
suspension bridge to hit the
point at which you can go no
further. Look out at the sea
and enjoy the wonderful view
and noise that is created by the
waves crashing off the cliffs.
DERRYGIMLAGH
Take the signposted looped walk
(5km/3 miles) at Derrygrimlagh
in the heart of Connemara
through a landscape of
outstanding beauty and learn
the story of this remarkable
place told across 7 stop points
at locations of former landmarks
such as Marconi’s Condenser
House where Marconi achieved
the first successful commercial
wireless transmission of Morse
code across the Atlantic in 1907.
Activities:
Take it slow with
meandering coastal walks,
scenic cycle routes, a spot
of kayaking and world
heritage sites.
Try a faster pace with sheer
cliff face climbing, a surf
lesson, hike up a mountain
or take a dive.
Relax with some star gazing
at the Dark Sky Reserve
in Kerry or marvel at the
Northern Lights in Donegal.
For sample itineraries and details
of upcoming events see
www. wildatlanticway.com19
EXTEND YOUR STAY ON
THE WILD ATLANTIC WAY