My Wild Atlantic Way Journey

By this point, you’re probably thinking, ‘Why is this girl telling me about some rusty signs?’ Well, let me introduce myself. My name is Liz, and I am an American Expat working and living in Ireland for the last 5 years. After moving to this lovely little island, all I wanted to do was explore and uncover its beauty.

From venturing around the Connemara Mountains in County Galway to touring the coastal peninsulas of County Kerry and Donegal, I got an idea: I wanted to visit all the discovery points along the Wild Atlantic Way.

​With a passion for planning, an interest in travel, and a love for Ireland, I thought, what better way to explore my new home?

Now, that was going to be a bit easier said than done. It can be difficult to find a list of the locations. If you want to tackle this bucket list item yourself, I recommend visiting a local An Post (Post Office) to purchase a map with the list of points and a passport book. Each point has its own unique stamp that accompanies it. To obtain the stamps, visit the Failte Ireland’s Tourist Offices located within each area.

The points are also scattered and often located in remote areas of Ireland, accessible only by car. Sometimes you could drive for 20 minutes down the side of a mountain, just to tick off one point, but it’s the stunning places you end up and the incredible journey to get there that makes ticking off one by one so satisfying.

​My holidays are now often staycations to different sections of the Wild Atlantic Way, and my days are filled with driving around with my (very accommodating) boyfriend being my chauffeur. And as I mentioned my love for planning before, I’ve now carefully curated a Wild Atlantic Way of my own using Google Maps.

Driving, cycling or walking are some of the best ways to see The Wild Atlantic Way. For Kinnagoe Bay, I definitely recommend the stunning drive or cycle, but be prepared for a challenge with the winding roads and steep hills.

Kinnagoe is situated at the base of a large mountain and accessed by small country roads, but it’s these breathtaking mountains that shelter this unassuming paradise of a cove. With a history tied to the Spanish Armada and a coastline of sweeping sands and dramatic surf, it’s no wonder there are a couple of shipwrecks just off the shore. Kinnagoe Bay is a true hidden gem and well worth a visit in north Donegal.

To learn more about the ‘Forgotten County’ of Donegal, read the complete travel guide here.

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The Dingle Peninsula, known for its incredible scenery, was once quoted by National Geographic as ‘The most beautiful place on earth’, and it’s no secret as to why.

Not only is the entire peninsula incredible, but no place feels more ‘Irish’ to me than Dingle and County Kerry in general. The colourful town, the welcoming people, the bustling pubs, the varied culture; it is genuinely the idyllic place that everyone makes it out to be. Dingle, the Slea Head Drive (where you can find Ceann Sléibhe) and countless other discovery points are well worth exploring, with dramatic landscapes and charming local experiences around every turn.

There’s so much to explore on the Dingle Peninsula, from its gorgeous coastal views to the quaint musical towns. Find out more about what’s awaiting you in our travel guide.

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