Wild Atlantic Way
3
Day Itinerary •
Ireland
Three days on the Wild Atlantic Way covers the most dramatic stretch of the world's longest defined coastal drive. The extraordinary Cliffs of Moher rising 214 metres above the Atlantic, the remarkable Burren karst landscape, the wild Connemara coast and the extraordinary Slieve League cliffs in Donegal, taller than the Cliffs of Moher and almost entirely without crowds, make three days of extraordinary driving. This focused route runs from the Cliffs of Moher north through Connemara to the extraordinary Slieve League cliffs in Donegal, covering the three most dramatic highlights of the Wild Atlantic Way in three days of extraordinary Irish coastal scenery, traditional music and Atlantic wilderness.
Best Time To Visit
May to September
Getting There
Fly Shannon (SNN) or Knock (NOC)
Getting Around
Rental car essential throughout
Budget Per Day
Approx 90 to 160 EUR per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, coastal cliff walking
DAY 1
CLIFFS OF MOHER AND THE BURREN
MORNING
THE CLIFFS OF MOHER
The Cliffs of Moher rise 214 metres above the Atlantic on the Clare coast, their extraordinary 14km sheer face with the Aran Islands visible offshore on clear days making them the most visited natural attraction in Ireland. O'Brien's Tower at the highest point gives the finest view north along the cliff face. The cliffs are most dramatic in a westerly wind when the Atlantic waves crash at the base. Arrive before 9am to avoid the tour coaches. Entry approx 8 EUR. Drive: 15 min drive
MIDDAY
THE BURREN LIMESTONE LANDSCAPE
The Burren of County Clare, the extraordinary 250 square kilometre expanse of grey limestone pavement, has the most remarkable flora in Ireland: Mediterranean, Arctic and Alpine plants growing together in the crevices of the extraordinary karst. The Poulnabrone Portal Tomb, a remarkable 5,700-year-old megalithic dolmen on the open pavement, is the finest prehistoric monument in Clare. In May the wildflowers are outstanding. Free. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
DOOLIN VILLAGE AND MUSIC
. Free to walk.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Cahercommaun stone fort near Carron in the Burren, a remarkable Iron Age triple-walled fort on a gorge cliff edge, is the finest and most dramatic prehistoric site in Clare and is almost entirely unvisited. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Doolin B and B or hotel Early start for the Cliffs before 9am. | Lunch: Cafe at Cliffs visitor centre or Burren picnic Simple lunch in the extraordinary karst landscape. | Dinner: McGann's Pub, Doolin The finest traditional music pub in Clare with outstanding seafood chowder.
DAY 2
CONNEMARA, ACHILL ISLAND AND WESTPORT
MORNING
CONNEMARA SKY ROAD AND COAST
drive Drive north along the Wild Atlantic Way through the extraordinary Connemara coast. Stop at Clifden for the remarkable Sky Road, the finest coastal loop drive in Ireland. Drive anticlockwise from Clifden town for the most extraordinary Atlantic views, bog landscape and the Twelve Bens mountain backdrop at every turn. Continue north through the remarkable Connemara coast to Achill Island. Free. Drive: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
ACHILL ISLAND AND KEEM BAY
Achill Island connected to Mayo by road has the finest beaches in the west of Ireland. Keem Bay, at the far western tip of the island, is the most extraordinary horseshoe-shaped beach in Ireland, its remarkable turquoise water in the sheltered bay entirely enclosed by cliffs with no development. Basking sharks are frequently visible from the cliff path above in summer. The remarkable deserted famine village of Slievemore on the island is outstanding. Free. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
WESTPORT AND CROAGH PATRICK
Westport is the finest Georgian town in Connacht, its extraordinary tree-lined Mall and the remarkable octagonal town centre outstanding. Croagh Patrick, the holy mountain rising 764 metres above Clew Bay, is the finest viewpoint in Mayo, the extraordinary panorama of Clew Bay with its 365 islands visible from the summit. The pilgrimage mountain is climbed by over one million people annually. The mountain and town together are extraordinary. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Keem Bay on Achill Island is the finest horseshoe beach in Ireland. Basking sharks are frequently visible from the cliff walk above the bay in summer. The beach has no facilities and is almost always less busy than the car park suggests. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Doolin hotel or drive north Early start for the Connemara and Achill drive. | Lunch: Achill island cafe or picnic at Keem Bay Eat on the finest horseshoe beach in Ireland. | Dinner: The Helm, Westport The finest seafood restaurant in Mayo. Outstanding local catch.
DAY 3
DONEGAL: SLIEVE LEAGUE AND MALIN HEAD
MORNING
SLIEVE LEAGUE, THE TALLEST SEA CLIFFS IN EUROPE
Slieve League in County Donegal rises 601 metres above the Atlantic, three times the height of the Cliffs of Moher, making them the tallest sea cliffs in Europe. The extraordinary cliff walk from the Bunglass upper car park gives the most dramatic coastal walking in Ireland. The One Man's Pass, a remarkable knife-edge ridge on the cliff top with the ocean far below on both sides, is extraordinary. Almost entirely without crowds. Free. Drive: 2 hours drive
MIDDAY
GLENCOLMCILLE IRISH LANGUAGE VILLAGE
Glencolmcille in the Donegal Gaeltacht is the most remote and extraordinary Irish-speaking valley in Ireland. The remarkable Folk Village with its reconstructed thatched cottages from 1700 to 1900 and the extraordinary community that survived where other rural Irish communities failed are both outstanding. The coastal walk from Glencolmcille to the Donegal cliffs is remarkable. Entry folk village approx 5 EUR. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
MALIN HEAD, THE MOST NORTHERLY POINT IN IRELAND
Malin Head at the tip of the Inishowen Peninsula is the most northerly point on the island of Ireland, its extraordinary cliff headland with the remarkable Banba's Crown watchtower giving the finest view of the open Atlantic. The extraordinary remoteness, the remarkable Celtic cross and the wild headland are the finest farewell to the Wild Atlantic Way. The drive back south from Malin gives the full Donegal and Inishowen landscape. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Grianan of Aileach, a remarkably preserved Iron Age ring fort on a hilltop above Lough Swilly, gives the finest view of Donegal and Derry from any accessible point in Ulster. Entry free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Westport hotel Early start for the long Donegal drive north. | Lunch: Pub in Carrick near Slieve League Simple Irish lunch before the cliff walk. | Dinner: Final dinner, Donegal or Letterkenny Farewell to the Wild Atlantic Way.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Doolin, Night 1 Best base for the Cliffs and Burren. Approx 80 to 140 EUR per night. Westport or Achill, Night 2 Mayo coast base. Approx 80 to 150 EUR per night. Donegal area, Night 3 For Slieve League and Malin Head. Approx 80 to 140 EUR per night.
Top Tips
1. The Cliffs of Moher are most dramatic in a westerly wind when the Atlantic crashes below.
2. Slieve League is three times the height of the Cliffs of Moher and far less visited. Go.
3. The Burren wildflowers in May are extraordinary. Arctic, Mediterranean and Alpine species together.
4. Keem Bay on Achill Island is the finest horseshoe beach in Ireland. Basking sharks visible in summer.
5. Doolin traditional music sessions are authentic and extraordinary. Start at McGann's Pub.
6. The Wild Atlantic Way route markers are blue with a wave. Follow them to stay on the coast.
Total Budget
145 to 255 EUR/day