Ireland is a country with impressive nature, friendly people and beautiful music. I have been a fan for years and loved my visits to Dublin and Belfast and my road trip in the South West of Ireland. When I received an invitation to explore Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way, I packed my bag immediately. I open the doors of our car with the steering wheel on the right side, help (!), and we start this road trip on the west coast of Ireland. If you follow me on Instagram, you have probably seen some photos and stories already. These are the best stops, hotels and discovery points for the Wild Atlantic Way Ireland!

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Slieve League | Wild Atlantic Way Ireland

The Wild Atlantic Way Ireland: the full route

The Wild Atlantic Way Ireland runs for over 2,500 kilometres along the entire west coast, from Malin Head in County Donegal in the north down to Kinsale in County Cork in the south. Most people drive a section rather than the full route. The 3 main sections are the North (Westport, Sligo and Donegal), the Central (Dingle, Clare and Galway) and the South (Cork, Kerry and Dingle). Each takes at least a week to do properly. The complete route needs two to three weeks minimum.

My trip covers the northern section from Sligo to Donegal. But the whole coast is worth knowing about, and below I cover the highlights of the other sections too so you can plan your own route.

The route is well-signposted with distinctive Wild Atlantic Way wave signs. Every discovery point has free parking. Before you leave, download the Atlantic Way Explorer app or pick up the Wild Atlantic Way Pocket Map by Collins, which fits in a jacket pocket and covers the entire route.

Wild Atlantic Way Ireland: where to start

Our Wild Atlantic Way Ireland route starts in Sligo and ends in Donegal, in the north of Ireland. On the way we stop at unique hotels, accommodations and country houses. Our first stop is Temple House. We find our zen at this huge country house, set in land that has been in the same family for centuries. The trees on the estate are old enough to have their own personality. At night we enjoy dinner with the other guests and the food is very good. A famous Dutch cookbook writer likes to stay here too and I can see why. Dinner and breakfast are with the other guests, sitting at a large table. You are part of the family here.

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Discovery points Wild Atlantic Way: what are they?

Along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way, you will find over 2,500 discovery points: official stopping places marked with a distinctive wave-shaped sign. These range from dramatic cliff viewpoints and hidden beaches to historic ruins and tiny fishing villages. They are the backbone of any Wild Atlantic Way Ireland road trip and the best way to make sure you do not miss the highlights along the route. Some of our favourites on the Sligo and Donegal stretch are Knocknarea, the Slieve League Cliffs and Carrickfinn Beach, all of which are official discovery points worth every minute of your time.

Carrickfinn Beach & Glenveagh NP | Wild Atlantic Way Ireland

Recommended stops near Sligo

There is so much to see and do while exploring the Wild Atlantic Way Ireland, but we only have 4 days, so we have to skip some of the recommended stops. These are the highlights near Sligo worth adding to your route: Eagles Flying for impressive birds of prey. Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery, the largest and oldest cemetery in Ireland with graves that date back thousands of years. Queen Maeve’s Grave at Knocknarea, a not too intense hike to the burial mound on top, from where you have a panoramic view over the area and Ben Bulben. Ben Bulben itself, Ireland’s flat-topped mountain. Strandhill, a small surf town where you should have lunch at Shell’s Café, try a seaweed bath next door and grab an ice cream at Mammy Johnston’s.

If you spend the night close to Sligo, visit restaurant Knox. Hargadon Bros. is a famous pub in the area.

Heading north: Mullaghmore and Donegal

While driving on the left side of the road, with a sweaty moustache that is finally starting to disappear, we are heading north. We stop at Mullaghmore, where we try the mussels and oysters at Eithna’s by the Sea, including a glass of champagne. A small restaurant worth knowing about.

Harvey’s Point: best hotels on the Wild Atlantic Way Ireland

After a long day of impressive landscapes, we arrive at our second hotel: Harvey’s Point. This hotel has won many awards, including best hotel in Ireland. When we open the door to our room, our jaws drop. A huge suite, a jacuzzi and little cakes in the bedroom. The rooms at Harvey’s Point are very well priced for what you get. Try the cheese board at dinner. Breakfast is very good too. I think I need a gym when I get home.

ROOMS & RATES AT HARVEY’S POINT

Eithna’s by the sea | Wild Atlantic Way Ireland

Lough Eske Castle and Slieve League Cliffs

After checkout, we visit Lough Eske Castle next door. Lunch is not what we had hoped for, but it is a beautiful spot for a drink and worth a visit for the setting. I finish my Bellini and we continue to the Slieve League Cliffs, one of the most spectacular discovery points on the Wild Atlantic Way Ireland. The cliffs drop over 600 metres to the Atlantic below. My drone finally wakes up and I take some shots while the sun goes down.

ROOMS AND RATES LOUGH ESKE CASTLE

Hotel Caisléan Oir: comfort food and live music

We arrive, later than expected, at hotel Caisléan Oir. After dumping our bags, we enjoy a meal at the hotel restaurant. The nachos with cheese and huge scallops with mozzarella are very good. After an Espresso Martini After Eight we have another drink at the pub. There is live Irish music; a full band on weekends and the menu has over 30 different whiskeys. A proper Irish night out.

ROOMS & RATES AT HOTEL CAISLEAN OIR

Day 3: Carrickfinn and Glenveagh National Park

Our first stop is Carrickfinn Beach, one of the most photogenic discovery points on the Wild Atlantic Way Ireland. Large rocks, wild sky and almost no one else there. A thunderstorm is coming our way and the sky turns dark grey within minutes, so we drive to Glenveagh National Park. We have lunch at the Thyme Out café in the park. You can walk to the castle from the parking or take a bus. Other tourists told us to skip the castle tour and enjoy the gardens instead. The land around the castle is beautiful and there are several good walking trails through the mountains and woodland.

Rathmullan House: the perfect last night

It is our last night in Ireland and we spend it at a beautiful country house: Rathmullan House. Our room has a fireplace and I relax in an old fashioned bath tub with legs. Dinner is very good and the wine list is one of the better ones I have seen on this trip. The prices are a little higher than average, but staying here is a genuine treat. A good way to end a road trip.

Also travelling to other parts of Ireland? Read all about my South West Ireland road trip, my Belfast City Guide and my Dublin City Guide for more inspiration!

After a breakfast with apple cider vinegar tea and pancakes with blueberries, we drive back to Dublin in 3 hours and 45 minutes. Take your time for Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way. There are so many beautiful stops along the way and we were very lucky with the weather. Goodbye Ireland, you made me love you even more.

When to visit the Wild Atlantic Way Ireland

The west coast of Ireland has a meaning for different types of travelers depending on the season. Summer (June to August) is the driest and warmest time, with the longest days. That said, “dry” is a relative term in Ireland; pack a rain jacket regardless of what the forecast says. The landscape turns a deep green after rain, which is part of the whole point. May and September are the best months if you want fewer people and lower hotel rates. Winter is dramatic: storms roll in off the Atlantic, the cliffs are at their most raw and you will have most discovery points entirely to yourself. The way I thought about it: there is no bad time to drive this route. There is only a different version of it.

Wild Atlantic Way South: Cork, Kerry and Dingle

The southern section starts in Kinsale, County Cork, which is considered the food capital of Ireland. From there the route takes you around the Mizen Peninsula, past Mizen Head with its suspension bridge over the Atlantic, through the Beara Peninsula and into County Kerry. The Ring of Kerry is the classic drive here: a loop around the Iveragh Peninsula with views of the Skellig Islands, two rocky outposts in the Atlantic that were used as a filming location for Star Wars. Book your boat trip to Skellig Michael well in advance; visitor numbers are strictly limited.

The Dingle Peninsula is where the southern section gets quieter. The Slea Head Drive is one of the best coastal drives in Ireland, with views of the Blasket Islands and fields that drop into the sea. Killarney National Park is worth at least half a day: the lakes, Ross Castle and the Gap of Dunloe. Best beaches in this section: Barley Cove (Cork), Derrynane and Inch Beach (Kerry) and Coumeenole (Dingle).

Harvey’s Point Hotel | Wild Atlantic Way Ireland

Wild Atlantic Way Central: Dingle, Clare and Galway

The central section covers the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare, Connemara National Park and Galway City. The Cliffs of Moher are the most visited discovery point on the entire route: go early or late in the day to avoid the crowds at the visitor centre. Connemara is 2,000 hectares of bog, heather, mountains and coastline that genuinely looks like nowhere else. Galway City is the natural base for this section: good food, live music in the pubs on the Latin Quarter streets and a lot more energy than the rest of the route. Best beaches here include Lahinch in Clare (a surf beach), Dog’s Bay and Gurteen Bay near Roundstone, and Silver Strand near Galway.

Doolin in County Clare is the place for traditional Irish music, played nightly at McDermott’s Pub. It is not performed for tourists; it is just what happens there in the evenings.

Slieve League | Wild Atlantic Way Ireland

Best accommodations on the Wild Atlantic Way Ireland

These are all the unique hotels and country houses on our Wild Atlantic Way Ireland route.

– Click on the names for rooms and rates –

Harvey’s Point: award-winning hotel in Donegal with large suites and a very good breakfast.
Lough Eske Castle: a castle hotel next to Harvey’s Point, worth visiting for a drink or dinner.
Markree Castle: one of Ireland’s oldest inhabited castles, now a hotel near Sligo.
Rooms at 32: my personal favourite for a characterful stay on the route.
Caisléan Oir: good comfort food, live Irish music and 30+ whiskeys on the menu.
Coopershill House: a Georgian country house with a personal atmosphere and good land for walking.
Ashford Castle: one of Ireland’s most celebrated castle hotels and worth the splurge.
Temple House: a unique country house with communal dinners and old trees surrounding the estate.
Rathmullan House: a country house with fireplace rooms and a good wine list.
Finn Lough Resort: sleeping in a dome, with nature and the night sky above you.

Best Wild Atlantic Way Ireland tours and day trips

Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way passes some of the most dramatic landscapes in Europe. These are the experiences worth booking in advance.

Discovery points Wild Atlantic Way Ireland: Cliffs of Moher

The Cliffs of Moher are one of the most visited discovery points on the Wild Atlantic Way Ireland. The easiest way to see them properly is on a guided tour. From Galway, this full day trip to the Cliffs of Moher and The Burren combines both highlights in one go. If you are coming from Dublin, this guided day trip via the Atlantic Edge to Galway City is a good way to see the west coast in a single day.

Wild Atlantic Way day tours from Galway: Connemara and the Aran Islands

Connemara is one of the wildest parts of Ireland, with boglands, mountains and coastline that look like a different country. This Connemara and Connemara National Park day trip from Galway covers the best of the region without needing a car. For something more special, this Aran Islands and Cliffs of Moher tour with cruise combines a ferry crossing with views of the cliffs from the water. One of the best experiences on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way.

Wild Atlantic Way Ireland: renting a car

A rental car is essential for the Wild Atlantic Way Ireland. Public transport barely covers the route and the best discovery points and country houses are all off the main roads. You will also want the flexibility to stop whenever a landscape demands it, which happens every few kilometres on this stretch. Before you leave, download a Wild Atlantic Way Ireland map so you have the route and discovery points available offline. Book easily via Discover Cars. Driving is on the left side of the road and the roads in Donegal can be narrow, so a smaller car is the sensible choice.

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Wild Atlantic Way Ireland: frequently asked questions

How long does the Wild Atlantic Way Ireland take?

The full Wild Atlantic Way Ireland stretches over 2,500 kilometres from Donegal to Cork. Most people drive a section rather than the full route. Our trip from Sligo to Donegal took 4 days, which felt like the right pace for that stretch.

What are the discovery points on the Wild Atlantic Way?

The Wild Atlantic Way Ireland has over 2,500 official discovery points, marked with a distinctive wave sign along the route. They range from dramatic cliff viewpoints to hidden beaches and historic ruins. The most visited ones include the Cliffs of Moher, Slieve League, the Aran Islands and Connemara National Park.

Do you need a car for the Wild Atlantic Way Ireland?

Yes. Public transport barely covers the route and the best discovery points are all off the main roads. Book via Discover Cars for the best comparison rates.

What is the best hotel on the Wild Atlantic Way Ireland?

Harvey’s Point in Donegal is our absolute favourite, winning the award for best hotel in Ireland multiple times. For something more intimate, Rooms at 32 is my personal top pick on the route.

What are the practical tips for driving the Wild Atlantic Way Ireland?

Driving is on the left side of the road. If you are not used to this, spend ten minutes practising in a quiet car park before joining the main road. The roads vary considerably: the main N-roads are wide and easy, but many of the best discovery points are reached via single-track coastal roads, particularly on the Beara Peninsula and parts of Donegal. A smaller car makes life noticeably easier on these stretches. Take a waterproof jacket regardless of the forecast. The weather changes quickly on the west coast and that is not a cliché.

What are the best stops on the Wild Atlantic Way Ireland?

The Slieve League Cliffs, Glenveagh National Park, Carrickfinn Beach and Malin Head (the most northerly point of Ireland) are the highlights on the northern section. Achill Island in County Mayo is worth adding if you have time: Keem Beach there is one of the best on the entire route. Further south, the Cliffs of Moher, the Ring of Kerry and Connemara are the discovery points that attract the most visitors. Book this guided Cliffs of Moher day trip if you want to combine both in one go.

MY ROAD TRIP IN THE SOUTH WEST OF IRELAND

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