UK STAYCATION #2

WILD ATLANTIC WAY, IRELAND

When to go: in spring, when the wildflower meadows and pastures are at their prettiest.

How long to go for: Take a couple of weeks to properly explore.

1,700 miles of coastal highway makes up Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way – the world’s longest defined coastal touring route. The craggy cliffs hug the western shoreline from County Donegal in the north, all the way down to the south coast and County Cork.

The route twists past some of the most beautiful places in Ireland. It’s a long road, so this is a trip to take some time over, rather than a quick weekend jaunt.

Start in Donegal, which has some of Ireland’s best beaches (Port Arthur near Derrybeg is one of the most glorious, while Bundoran is the area’s surfing capital).

Driving down the coast, the road winds through Sligo, the country which most inspired Yeats (and more recently, of Normal People fame), and into Connemara. It’s a rocky stretch of countryside and national park that sits right on the Atlantic, dotted with waterside castles and traditional pubs that hum with live music.

Places you may want to spend a bit more time in between Donegal and Sligo include:  Malin head, Fanad Head, Sliabh Liag and Mullaghmore Head.

Next, Galway – possibly Ireland’s most creative city right now, known for its quirky tone and innovative food scene – before driving past the towering Cliffs of Moher, which have some of the best views on the route.  

From Sligo to Galway some stunning places to visit include:  Downpatrick Head, Keem Bay, Kallary Harbour, Derrigimlagh Bog and Rossaveal.

Finally, The Wild Atlantic Way finishes in the pretty fishing town of Kinsale in County Cork.

Some of the amazing places to visit between Galway and Kinsale include:  Cliffs of Moher, Loop head, Bellybutton, Ballybunion, (you could and probably should call into Limerick while you are so close), Ionad an Bhlascaoid Mhóir (and we will be checking your pronunciations later), Skellig Michael, Dursey Island, Mizen Head, Old Head of Kinsale and finally on to the town of Kinsale. 

If you are dropping your car at Cork airport, jump onto the R600 in Kinsale and the airport is about 20kms from there, just one road.

Brush up on your Irish before you go …

S’Craic – How are you doing

Grand – Alright

Goosed – to be in trouble

Jacks – toilet

Gaff – house

Seisún/Hooley – music gig

Aye – yes

Messages – To get the shopping

Tayto – crisps

Banjaxed – broken

Dodder – waste of time

Manky – very dirty

Lashing – raining heavily

Odds – loose change

Hooley – party

I will in me ring – I will not!

Pointa Guinness – pint of Guinness – potentially the most important words of all!

Taisteal sona agus fanacht sábháilte!

Source: cntraveller.com & wildatlanticway.com