Road Tripping: The Wild Atlantic Way
This year’s 10th anniversary of the designation of the Wild Atlantic Way – Ireland’s sweeping west coast – is perfect road trip inspiration. During many trips from my home in California this past decade, I’ve been lucky to experience various stretches of the glorious 1,600-mile route. And with something wonderful at every turn, from historic sights to natural wonders to an endless stream of fascinating people, the Wild Atlantic Way is, in fact, multiple adventures in one. Famous stops abound, though so many more stops are oneof-a-kind discoveries. Need inspiration? Here are five of my favourite stops along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way.
The Dingle Peninsula
The views are breathtaking on this southern stretch of the Wild Atlantic Way. There’s great whale- and bird- watching here, and many adventurers travel across its undulating landscapes and winding coastline on foot or by bike. On our first family visit here last summer, we did the Slea Head Drive, a circular route that begins in, and brings you right back to, beautiful downtown Dingle. Take it leisurely – give yourself at least a half day – and keep an eye out for secluded beaches, tucked-away towns and myriad islands. The vistas are so stunning, films like Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Ryan’s Daughter were filmed here. The town is home to several stellar restaurants. Our stay at the award-winning Castlewood House was top-notch, with a scrumptious house-made breakfast menu.
Ashford Castle
It’s amazing how top-tier luxury and approachability come together at the Ashford Castle estate, right on the County Mayo-Galway border. Once owned by the
Gabe is a U.S.-based expert on travel trends and destinations. A visitor to Ireland several times a year, he is a regular guest in top TV markets, including New York City, Los Angeles, Dallas, Boston and San Francisco,and he’s regularly quoted in top-tier publications. Gabe is also a longtime food and wine writer and lives in Los Angeles with his wife and three children.
By Gabe Saglie
Guinness family, the property boasts more than 800-years of history and oers five-star stays at the 83-room castle and four-star accommodations at the Lodge at Ashford Castle. This is a destination resort to-besure, with a roster of activities to keep you busy and entertained for days, from fishing to falconry and historic boat rides on Ireland’s second biggest lake, Lough Corrib. The wine program here, housed in an underground stone cellar, is world-class, and the dining sublime. But the resort’s biggest asset is its sta, a team with an inimitable ability to curate and personalize your stay. We loved walking into picturesque Cong Village, which still embraces its calling card as the filming location for The Quiet Man with John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara.
Fishing in Galway
Galway’s reputation precedes it, of course – one of the landmark stops along the Wild Atlantic Way. A lively pub scene and live music on the streets keep the town buzzing. And the eating is great; Chef JP McMahon’s Michelin-starred ‘Aniar’ is phenomenal and the team at Galway Food Tours did a fantastic job of introducing me to the best spots for locally sourced oysters, cheeses and spirits. One of the standout experiences here, though, exists right on the water. To see the hooker boats up close is stunning – the legendary vessels, with their recognizable rusty red sails, which have been used by fishermen here for centuries. I loved my trek into the waters with the team at Galway Bay Boat Tours, a familyowned enterprise that taught me all about the local lobster that, from the decks of their small boats, make it onto the plates at local eateries the same day.
King John’s Castle
Set in the heart of medieval Limerick City, and on the banks of the River Shannon, King John’s Castle almost feels frozen in time. Walking the open courtyard, where sword battles once took place and walking across the tunnels and turrets, brings this castle’s 800-year history to life. And yet 21st-century technology also plays a role here, thanks to fascinating touch screens, 3D models and interactive displays. Over the years, I’ve been lucky to witness various re-enactments by teams of passionate people who help preserve this snapshot in Irish history. I love the fact that King John’s is in the heart of town, walking distance to popular pubs and breweries – Treaty City Brewery is a must – and several great hotels. King John’s Castle is open seven days and, even for travellers who are not heading inside, its Siege Café oers tasty food and drink items.
Slieve League Cli s
The famous Clis of Moher usually take the spotlight, which makes dramatic Slieve League, located 200-miles further north in Co. Donegal, one of the Wild Atlantic Way’s best kept secrets. They win on sheer size alone: the Slieve League clis tower 2,000-feet (610m) above the Atlantic, almost three times higher than its more famous cousins. The views are wide-reaching and stunning and the area oers an idyllic hiking destination. There are several noteworthy heritage sites here, too, including early Christian monastic sites and ancient monk dwellings. A large formation at the base that looks a lot like a thrown, known as the Giant’s Desk and Chair, makes for great pictures. And there’s a dedicated Slieve League gift store in the area, too, featuring a bevy of locally made and handcrafted Irish gifts.
There’s no wrong stop along the Wild Atlantic Way – see you on the road!