What is the Wild Atlantic Way?

The Wild Atlantic Way is the worlds longest signposted coastal driving route! Quite a mouthful and it certainly is quite an amazing Irish adventure.

The beauty of this route is that it appeals to everyone. The Wild Atlantic Way was launched by our national Tourist agency to better promote awareness of the simply spectacular scenery of the Western seaboard of Ireland. It is wild, rugged and untamed from the highest sea cliffs in Europe to the many wonderful islands that ache to be explored. The route is a whopping 2,500 km of coves, cliffs, inlets, beaches and colourful villages. Less is definately more and our advice is to not to try and see it all unless you’re here for a month or more! Consider a private tour with your very own chauffeur guide.

Beginning at Kinsale in the south to Donegal in the North one has the sea directly to the left as one drives thus maximizing the enjoyment of the vistas. The route is clearly signposted and there are discovery points and signature points along the way. The roads can get narrow and windy so be forewarned. A private tour of Ireland is ideal for this this storm battered coast which has been relentlessly sculpted over millennia one can see some of Europe’s wildest beaches with pristine stretches of sand and water. Dotted along the this coast are the beautiful beacons which testify to the rawness of this seascape – Lighthouses such as the superb Mizen Head lighthouse and visitor centre in Co. Cork.

The Wild Atlantic Way features food trails and a phletora of artisan food producers that benefit from the rich bounty of this landscape. Enjoy a food tour, visit a farm,see a salmon smokehouse or watch the age old process of cheese making. There are many food festivals here such as the Dingle food fesitival – seafood at its best!

Skip from one village to another and bask in the laidback ambience, at night retreat to a local hostelry to foot tap away to the sound of traditional Irish music by a distinctive turf fire. For the more adventurous there are some excellent activities to partake in or just meander along reveling in the sumptuous views at the edge of Europe! “Next parish Manhattan” as they say. Take a boat out to the UNESCO world heritage site of Skellig Micheal – a place not of this world! Take a cable car to Dursey Island on Irelands only cable car and visit this former Viking slave depot. A journey to the Islands which sprinkle our coastline are often the highlight of many a visitors vacation in the Emerald Isle. The Aran Islands are sublime, the Blaskets Islands evocative, Clare Island dramatic, Sherkin Island gorgeous, Heir Island tranquil and the list goes, on each one with its own unique feeling, history and identity.The Wild Atlantic Way region was where the Irish language, customs and culture thrived until the devastation brought on by the Great Famine, the culture still remains and in the Gaeltacht areas are communities of native Irish speakers. 

So whatever your after whether it be castles, pubs, scenery, heritage and history food or just to get away from it all then the Wild Atlantic Way is calling out to be experienced on a Private Tour!

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For information on a Private Tour of Ireland and the Wild Atlantic Way Contact Us