// Knocknarea to Shells Cafe 11-minute drive (leave Knocknarea at 16:40, arrive at the cafe for 16:51) //. we have been traveling the "wild and lonely" places in Europe for 20 years now - from Greece to Portugal, from Finland to Iceland - if you can name it - we have been there. He and his family first visited the town in 1959 and came back every year for over ten years. (Avoid the crowds but also have half-decent weather) Known as the Doolin Chocolate Shop, its actually a sister company of Wilde Irish Chocolates where theyve been perfecting their craft since 1997. It's an incredible county, but I think you'll stretch yourself too thin, so dedicate the day to Connemara. Im going to recommend that you stay in a B&B called Brannens, which is right in the center of the town. Walk the ancient streets of Dublin, kiss the Blarney Stone in Cork, visit the famous heritage town of Killarney, take in breathtaking views of the Cliffs of Moher, and revel in the energy of bohemian Galway. // Louisburgh to Westport 26-minute drive (arrive around 15:25) //. Take a bus (#51) from Cork Bus Station in Cork Parnell Place to Cahir. // Tra na Rossan view to the Singing Pub 6-minute drive (leave the viewing area at 13:40, arrive at the pub for 13:46) //. The mountainous, ever-changing landscape that youll pass through over the course of this stretch of road is simply superb. For those that fancy giving this a shot, the entire circuit of the Lower and Upper trails measures around 7km and should take between 2.5 3 hours. drive for about 5 minutes. Enjoy every second. // Healy Pass to Allihies 58-minute drive (were going to allow for 2 hours for this final stretch of todays trip leave Healy Pass at 15:20, arrive in Allihies for 17:20) //. The Doolin Cave is home to the largest free-hanging stalactite in the Northern Hemisphere. If you visit Ireland during the winter months when the sun sets early, leave this drive until the morning. Our next stop is just one kilometer from Assaranca Waterfall Maghera Strand. On a busy day, thisll be a nervous drivers nightmare, but just take your time and drive carefully. Bask in the silence. Our second stop of the day takes us to Dunree Head to check out Dunree Fort and the military museum. And walk up the grassy hill to your left. Cork 5. So, Ive never known what this drive is called Ive spent time Googling it, but I cant tell if its officially called the Burren Drive or not. Rome2rio displays up to date schedules, route maps, journey times and estimated fares from relevant transport operators, ensuring you can make an informed decision about which option will suit you best. For this trip, Im going to recommend Foyles Hotel as its extremely central, the reviews are exceptional and a bed for the night and a full Irish in the morning will set you back around 99. Set the bar high in your head theyre going to be a mind-blowing 48 hours as we make our way around one of the most breath-taking corners of our little island. For those of you that have watched The Field, you may recognise Gaynors pub in Leenaun as the pub that featured so frequently in the movie. https://www.irishrail.ie/en-ie/train-timetables, https://journeyplanner.irishrail.ie/webapp/#!P|TP!histId|0!histKey|H111568, https://www.expressway.ie/routes-and-timetables, Travel Insider: Top Japan travel tips by Beatrix Holland, Travelling to and around Russia for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven and St Nicholas, Green Acres Self Catering Claremorris to Galway. Day 1: Cork City to Clonakilty. The surface is good at all stages and very steep for several short distances. Unsurprisingly, given its coastal location, Kinsale is renowned for its seafood. Reply. Make sure and stock up on coffee before leaving weve a long, lovely journey before we reach our final destination for the night. And dont be afraid to deviate off the itinerary and take any and every road and notion that captivates you. If youre looking for a map of the Wild Atlantic Way, jump into the one below. Hi Keith, My husband and I are travelling to Ireland from Toronto Feb 10-20, its our very first time there and were superr excited(despite all the rain were guaranteed)! Kick-back, relax and just soak up what lies before you. Choose one of the following options for the Cork to Galway route: Michelin recommended, fastest, shortest or economical. Kick-back in a hammock and listen to the crackle of the fire from your wood-burning stove. It begins on the Inishowen Peninsula in Co. Donegal and goes through the counties Leitrim, Sligo, Mayo, Galway, Clare, Limerick and Kerry, finishing in Kinsale, County Cork. // Leenaun village to Aasleagh Falls 5-minute drive (spend 30 minutes in Leenaun more if youre eating and aim to get here for around 13:00) //. For . There are two viewing points where you can get out at and admire the scenery that surrounds you; the first is on the north side and here cliffs dominate. After a long walk along the cliffs, a trip to the Doolin Cave is a perfect follow up. Just nature, as it was intended. . Galway 7. Ive visited here a handful of times in the past and am always blown away by the sheer lack of people that you meet. Take some time to kick back and relax while gazing out at the waves. // Slieve League to Malin Beg 37-minute drive (leave Slieve League at 10:00, arrive for 10:37) //. The Museum is positioned in a wonderful setting that overlooks Lough Swilly on the on the Inishowen Peninsula. Our 4th stop of the day takes us out of Kerry, and on to the next coastal county that well be diving into Clare. Galway's got one of the liveliest pub scenes on the island. Expect to see the Twelve Bens mountain range, Tully Mountain and Mweelrea to the North. Fun fact: the town was a favourite holiday spot of Charlie Chaplin. This 120-mile route takes the N70, N71 and R562 roads and encounters some of Ireland's finest landscapes, a breathtaking mosaic of rugged, storm-bashed coast, steep mountains, velvety green fields, historic sites, slate-coloured glacial lakes and welcoming towns and villages. Our next stop is a beach that youll regularly hear people state to be the best beach in Ireland. Your trip begins in Cork, Ireland. As you can see from the video above, is insanely tight but its amazing. Connemara. Our Itenerary is below, this site has been an incredible resource so far and it would be a huge help if we could get some guidance/POV on this - are we trying to do too much, any major point that were missing? April/May? Note: If you want to plan your own route, hop into our guide to each of the counties of Ireland or nip into our Ireland itinerary planner. This is arguably one of the best beaches in Kerry. In the afternoon, soak up the park's heritage at Muckross House. // You should arrive in Bantry for 1:45 hungry, a little jaded from the driving, but full of the giddiness that accompanies a drive like Sheeps Head. Fuel up and have a ramble around the town before heading back to the car. The only advice I can give you during this drive is to take your time and stop and stretch your legs as often as possible. Citylink operates a bus from Cork, St. Patricks Quay to Eyre Square, Galway Bus Station every 4 hours. Galway // Glenveagh to Gweedore 20-minute drive (leave the park at 18:00 and arrive for 18:20) //. Soak up the sights and sounds. drive for about 30 minutes. One-way. Weve another adventure-packed day planned for today as we start to really explore the Dingle Peninsula. As Ireland's popularity as a travel destination reaches an all-time high, the lesser-known inland counties can provide a quieter and some would say . Keep an eye out for a plain stone cross it stands as a memorial to the Doolough Tragedy which took place in 1849. Get some breakfast into you and prepare your mind for the beauty that awaits. The route is signposted from here.. Tip: Theres limited space to park at the top of the hill, and the road up. // Portsalon Luxury Camping to Grianan of Aileach 1-hour drive (arrive for 9) //. Literally. Although I only spent 2 nights here, the place holds a lifetime of happy memories for me. For food, were heading straight for Dough Bros. Its pizza. The 19th-century mansion is surrounded by manicured grounds and inspirational gardens; visitors can enjoy freshly made soups, scones and sandwiches in the Garden Restaurant conservatory. So, were on to our final lap of the Donegal stretch of our road trip as we move into day 11. Therefore the 12:05 from Dublin Airport will set down customers at Bus Stop 4183 on Upper Dargle Road. Ive done a reasonable amount of travelling outside of Ireland, and there are very few places that Ive been to that offer a view as spectacular as the Geokaun Mountain and Cliffs. Private car transfer. There are 303+ hotels available in Galway. Get fed and then head to Enniscrone Beach for a stroll to let the food settle. // Assaranca Waterfall to Maghera Strand 4-minute drive (leave the waterfall at 13:55, arrive at the strand for 14:00) //. Get out of the car. The scenery youll be treated to as you spin along the Sky Road will etch itself upon your mind. A cracking end to a long, eventful day. The guided Doolin cliff walk is a unique and active way to experience the Cliffs of Moher and is run by local expert Pat Sweeney. When you reach the island, have a ramble around and enjoy spectacular views of the gorgeous Beara Peninsula. The waterfall looks like something that youd find on a prehistoric island from a land that time forgot. After youre full to the brim, take a walk towards the Citys bustling Latin Quarter, take in the colourful pubs and shops, and bask in the Citys soundtrack that is chatter mixed with a good dash of street music. The first time I visited here, we found it by complete fluke. Tip: Read our guide to visiting the Cliffs of Moher to avoid getting scammed before/when you visit. For this trip, were going to go for the ferry that cruises beneath the Cliffs of Moher on the return journey from Inis Orr. And just be curious and inquisitive. // Rossbeigh Beach to Inch Beach 49-minute drive (leave beach 1 around 14:30, arrive at beach 2 for 15:20) //. Spend 3 nights in Dublin Theres plenty of great restaurants in Kenmare to nip into when you arrive. // Kinvarra to Galway City 45-minute drive (leave Kinvarra at 13:30, arrive in Galway City for 14:15) //. The minute you step out of the car and start to soak up the view, youll understand why so many people recommended adding it to your itinerary. Find cheap Business class flights from Cork to Galway. Dun Chaoin Pier is the departure point for the Blasket Island Ferry, and youll find it at the northern end of a small secluded bay enveloped by rocky cliffs. Wild Atlantic Way Itinerary Day 1: West Cork Day 2: More West Cork and on to Kerry Day 3: Kerry Day 4: Kerry and Clare Day 5: Clare Day 6: Galway Day 7: Galway and Mayo Day 8: Mayo and Sligo Day 9: Donegal Day 10: Donegal Day 11: Donegal Watch: Here are some of the places you'll visit on this Wild Atlantic Way road trip Day 6 - Drive to Cork and spend day exploring Cork city Tonight, were staying in Benbulben Farmhouse B&B. Gus OConners pub is the perfect spot to recharge the batteries. Next, were heading to Lowrys Bar for drinks and live music. Spend 2 nights in Limerick Armed with a chunk of chocolate thatll knock you sideways, grab a cup of coffee in the little caf in the visitor center first, and rest your legs a little. // Waterville to Portmagee (via the Skellig Ring) 44-minute drive, but were allowing for 2 hours leave Waterville at 16:30, arrive in Portmagee for 18:30) //. Clare is an absolutely magnificent county that often gets overshadowed by its biggest attraction the Cliffs of Moher. For any fans of the movie Ryans Daughter, you may recognise Coumeenoole Beach as it was one of the locations used in the film. The Slea Head Drive is a circular route that begins and ends in Dingle. Galway railway station is adjacent to Eyre Square. Day 3 - lot of driving on this day. // Westport to Achill 52-minute drive (leave Westport at 16:55, arrive on Achill for 17:47) //. It tastes even better than it sounds. // Malin Head to the tavern 4-minute drive (leave Malin Head at 14:30, arrive for foooood at 14:34) //. Right: Lucky Team Studio/shutterstock. Bus Eireann offer a service running from Busaras bus station in Dublin city . Day 4 : Cork. The best ways to spend 4 days in Ireland: recommended itineraries overview. // Benbulben Farmhouse to Slieve League 1 hour and 45-minute drive (leave the b&b at 7:00, arrive for 8:45) //. From facials to massages to intense relaxation sessions in the thermal suites, you'll leave rejuvenated and ready to continue your journey to your final destination of the day. On the day that I visited, I took a book with me and chilled for an hour or so. Tolls - Expect to encounter a couple of toll roads on the route. Start the drive at 9:00) //, @ Tourism Ireland photographed by Tom Archer. You may have heard me raving about Brow Head before its justified, trust me! Ah, Valentia Island easily one of my favourite places in Ireland. Just writing about Donegal has given me an itch to book a couple of nights there over the next few months! Rome2rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. In the West of Ireland, you can visit the medieval city of Galway. you need to be extremely careful of tides and strong currents check locally regarding the best time to visit. At the summit, youll be treated to panoramic views across all of Connemara. I love the narrow country roads that you encounter across Ireland, and Im never (normally) in any way apprehensive about driving along them. King John's Castle is also worth seeing. Shop Now at The Irish Store. This is arguably one of the more unique things to add to your Wild Atlantic Way itinerary. Ireland's Smallest Comedy Club: Great night out. Youre in for another early-morning treat. Cork and Galway are both tour-worthy destinations. 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