Seven Jaw-Dropping Wonders Of The Waw
WONDERS OF THE WILD ATLANTIC WAY
Get in gear for some of the most spellbinding destinations on the 1,500 mile/2,500 km wave-lashed, Wild Atlantic Way
The Islands along the Wild Atlantic Way
Unique, friendly and steeped in traditional culture, Ireland’s islands are full of exceptional landscapes, prehistoric forts, Irishspeaking communities and a real sense of escape. There are those that can be easily accessed, connected by bridges to the mainland at islands such as Achill, County Mayo, and Valentia, County Kerry, or abandoned gems such as Inishmurray off County Sligo and the Blasket Islands off County Kerry.
Which island should I visit?
There’s an Irish island for every taste. Fancy a thrill? Take the cable car to West Cork’s Dursey Island, where the resident population is said to be just three. Clear blue waters meet secluded beaches on Inishturk, County Mayo; culture vultures can try a few words of Irish on Tory, County Donegal; and Inis Mór in County Galway is perfect for families.
The Cliffs of Moher County Clare
Towering 702 ft/214 metres above the crashing Atlantic waves, County Clare’s iconic cliffs offer incredible views out over the ocean. The cliffs are more than 300 million years old, and the walks they offer, the teeming birdlife and the interactive visitor centre make for an unforgettable few hours.
What is there to do nearby?
The Cliffs of Moher are close to the Burren National Park, a wonderland of karstic limestone formations. On your coastal drive, plan a stop in the lively music town of Doolin (where you can also catch a ferry to the Aran Islands) and, for a more remote Atlantic experience, take a car or bike around Loop Head, an aweinspiring headland where you can spot dolphins and whales, as well as the Loop Head Lighthouse, which dates back to 1854.
Skellig Michael County Kerry
Skellig Michael lies over 11 km off the coast of Kerry’s Iveragh Peninsula, a shard-like rock capped by a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a difference. Close to its peak sit several beehive-shaped huts in a monastic site that dates back to the 6th century, with sensational views of the Irish coast. As seen in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, history, myth and stunning scenery collide with monumental effect at this wilderness site – but come prepared with food and water (there are no facilities). Boats, both to the island and around the island, run from May to October, and are weather-dependent. There are also wonderful views of the islands to be had from the Kerry Cliffs.
What is there to do nearby?
The Ring of Kerry is Ireland’s iconic touring loop around the Iveragh Peninsula, or try the Dingle Peninsula for seafood, the Slea Head Drive and a celebrity dolphin called Fungie.
Downpatrick Head County Mayo
Downpatrick Head is one of the wildest, most glorious places on the island of Ireland. It may look modest on the map, but those who venture out from nearby Ballycastle, County Mayo, are rewarded with stunning views of the Dún Briste sea stack, rugged coastal scenery and wildlife. Dún Briste means “broken fort” in Irish, and this piece of rock is believed to have broken away from the mainland in 1393. St. Patrick is also said to have founded a church on a headland where you’ll find a holy well and stone cross perched above the mighty Atlantic Ocean.
What is there to do nearby?
Visit the oldest known stone-walled farmlands in the world at Céide Fields; view the Staggs of Broadhaven – a set of five rocky islands off the shore of Mayo’s Benwee Head; take a walk around Sligo’s Mullaghmore Peninsula (in winter, watch the big wave surfers); or catch a wave yourself at Strandhill Beach.
Old Head of Kinsale County Cork
Stretching nearly 3 km into the Atlantic off the coast of West Cork, this dramatic headland is one of Ireland’s most exceptional geographical formations. Although the tip of Old Head is now a private golf course, visitors can still take a stunning 4 mile/6.5 km walk around the base of the peninsula – or discover your adventurous side with a sea-kayaking tour. In 1915, German U-boats famously torpedoed the Lusitania offshore, and a 30-metre lighthouse guides ships to Kinsale Harbour.
What is there to do nearby?
Explore the foodie town of Kinsale (bring an appetite), which is packed with craft shops, pubs and seafood restaurants; take a tour of the starshaped Charles Fort, dating from the late 17th century; or travel west for a mosey around Clonakilty. Its colourful shops, restaurants and nearby Inchydoney beach make this a firm favourite with visitors.
Killary Harbour County Galway
Located within the wilderness of Connemara, Killary Harbour stretches 16 km inland from the Atlantic to its head below the Aasleagh Falls, and serves up some of the most dramatic views in Ireland. Cleaving the border between counties Galway and Mayo.
Activities in Killary range from sea kayaking to sightseeing boat tours. There’s a stunning 19th century road here too – the Green Road hugs the coastline tight above the waters of the fjord and is a leap into breathtaking scenery.
Take a Drive to Westport through the awe-inspiring Doolough Valley, set between the Connemara mountains; visit the charming villages and towns of Cleggan, Clifden, Letterfrack and Roundstone; and don’t miss Kylemore Abbey. This Benedictine Abbey, which casts a breathtaking reflection in its lake, is set on a 1,000acre estate and is home to Ireland’s largest walled garden.
Malin Head County Donegal
Want the ends of the earth? Ireland’s most northerly point is every bit as elemental as you would expect, with rock formations, ancient ruins and some of Europe’s largest sand dunes. Crowning the Inishowen Peninsula, Malin Head’s natural wonders include basking sharks and exotic birdlife.
You might even see the Northern Lights, which are known to make an appearance in the skies above the peninsula. Steeped in myth and history, the area also boasts Banba’s Crown, a clifftop tower dating from 1805, and the ominously titled Hell’s Hole, where the Atlantic waves dramatically crash against cliffs.