Launched in spring 2014, the Wild Atlantic Way is a 2,500 km coastal route that invites the visitor to explore Ireland’s dramatic western seaboard.
Flagged as ‘the world’s longest coastal drive’, thanks to the many headlands and inlets that beg to be investigated along the way, it aims to highlight the most dramatic landmarks and attractions while also making it easier to find the interesting little out of the way places that might otherwise be by-passed.
It can be joined at any point and is divided into five sections, the first being Donegal in the north, with the other four (Donegal-Mayo; Mayo-Clare; Clare-Kerry; Kerry-Cork) leading you right down the Atlantic seaboard to the southern counties of Cork and Kerry.
A simple route map is available on discoverireland.ie where full information on each section is given, including activities and key ‘discovery points’.
The very distinctive bright blue ‘wave’ road signs make it virtually impossible to get lost - and we have plenty of suggestions for the best places to eat, drink and stay along the way, many of which are run by people who know the west coast back to front and will help visitors to find a genuine sense of discovery along this beautiful and fascinating coastline.
Found 180 matches, showing 1 -
10 below.
Liscannor, Co. Clare
Character Pub / Restaurant
The Vaughan family's traditional bar has great character, with open fires and lots of memorabilia - it was our Pub of the Year in 2006 and it's just the place for some seriously good seafood at fair prices, either in the bar or in the restaurant area a ...
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Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare
Country House / Hotel / Restaurant
John and Martina Sheedy run one of the west of Ireland's best-loved small hotels - it offers some of the most luxurious accommodation and the best food in the area, yet it still has the warm ambience and friendly hands-on management which make a hotel ...
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Baltimore, Co. Cork
Character Pub
Everyone feels at home in this famous old bar, especially visiting and local sailors. It's choc-a-bloc with genuine maritime artefacts such as charts, tide tables, ships' clocks, compasses, lanterns, pennants et al - but it's the Bushe family's hospita ...
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Blarney, Co. Cork
Character Pub / Restaurant
In a quiet, wooded setting just a few minutes’ drive from Blarney, this pretty riverside pub is run by John and Anne Blair and their sons Duncan and Richie, a warmly hospitable family who take real pride in welcoming visitors. This is the real Mc ...
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Castletownbere, Co. Cork
Character Pub
Dating back to the 1870s, and currently run by Adrienne MacCarthy, this famous old pub and grocery store really is the genuine article - and the family history is both intriguing and inspiring (just ask about her father's Japanese sword - or buy the bo ...
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Castletownshend, Co. Cork
Character Pub / Restaurant
The pub is as old as it looks, going back to 1846, and has been in the energetic and hospitable ownership of Fergus and Patricia O'Mahony since 1988; they have loved it and maintained it well (it is not unusual to find Fergus up a ladder with a ...
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Clonakilty, Co. Cork
Character Pub / Guesthouse / Restaurant
The O’Crowley family has owned this characterful bar and restaurant since 1979: it’s always been a friendly, well-run place and, although it can be very busy at times, their reputation for good food is generally well-deserved.
An Sugan is ...
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Gougane Barra, Co. Cork
Hotel / Restaurant
In one of the most peaceful and beautiful locations in Ireland, this delightfully old-fashioned family-run hotel is set in a Forest Park overlooking Gougane Barra Lake (famous for its monastic settlements).
The Lucey family has run the hotel since 193 ...
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This famous hotel has an attractive exterior, with its name emblazoned in blue and white stained glass above the entrance and flags hanging from poles, giving it a cosmopolitan look. Since 2004 this landmark hotel has been in the caring ownership of th ...
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Kinsale, Co. Cork
Restaurant / Wine Bar
One of the most popular Kinsale restaurants, Tom Kay's evening venue,The Supper Club opened on Cork Street in 2016 and then moved around the corner to Main Street a couple of years later.
You should be able to look forward to good food and good compan ...
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