Wild Ireland Tour: Intrigue of the Atlantic Isle

When searching for spectacular coastal scenery, you cannot do much better than Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way. You will fly into Shannon Airport in County Clare, collect your rental car, and head to Connemara in County Galway. The Cliffs of Moher are on your route and should not be missed. The scale of the cliffs is impressive, and the views of the Aran Islands and the mountains of Connemara are inspirational. This city of Galway is also worth a stop. Here, you can tuck into some of the city's history and vibrant music scene.

Oscar Wilde described the Connemara district as having a “savage beauty," which has been captured in the paintings of Paul Henry. There is much to explore in this region, so you can take your pick today. If the mountains beckon, you will find tranquility in the Twelve Bens. For something unique to the Irish landscape, you can try Derrigimlagh Bog or Roundstone Bog. For a taste of history and romance, you should seek out Kylemore Abbey.

The Aran Islands are a place almost out of time. The spirit of Gaelic Ireland is embodied here in the heritage, culture, and language. You can reach the largest island of Inishmore by ferry or by air. Whether you decide to explore by private car, bike, or on foot, you can seek out the great stone fortress of Dun Aonghus to feel like you are in the time of the Celts and early Christians. Eventually, you will have to return to the mainland and the village of Cong in County Mayo.

By driving out of County Mayo, you will reach County Sligo and the resting place of William Butler Yeats, who took inspiration from the lake and woodland scenery of this part of Ireland. You can visit his grave at Drumcliffe Cemetary before surfing at Strandhill and continuing to County Donegal. The wild coastline here is punctuated by gold-sand beaches, and the landscape is spectacular.

Today, you will explore County Donegal at your leisure. You can seek out local crafts and Irish tweed in Donegal town. You can get a peek into traditional Irish life and language in the village of Glencolumbkille in addition to taking in the dizzying heights of Slieve League, whose cliffs are five times higher than the Cliffs of Moher.

Today, you can visit Glenveagh National Park for the peace of sculpted Glenveagh Gardens, which appears as an oasis in this otherwise rugged and wild landscape. You should seek out the answers to the mysteries that surround the Poisoned Glen in addition to appreciating the sweeping valleys and sparkling lakes under the gaze of Mount Errigal.

Today, you can let someone else do the driving as you indulge in a food tour to find the best local producers and chefs in the region. You can bask in the views from Letterkenny to Carrigart on the seaside and savor the local flavors before washing them down with local beer and gin.

Today, you will depart from the Wild Atlantic Way and drive to Dublin. The drive is not too long and passes through the Boyne Valley, so you will have time to visit the UNESCO World Heritage archaeological site of Newgrange. You can first stop at the Brú na Bóinne interpretive center to understand the significance of Ireland’s best-known prehistoric monument. The Stone Age passage tomb of Newgrange predates both Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids of Egypt.

On this journey, you will have seen some of the most spectacular sites along the Wild Atlantic Way. It is time to return your rental car to the Dublin Airport and say farewell to the Emerald Isles.