5 Unmissable Spots on the Wild Atlantic Way

No Irish bucket list can be complete without exploring the beautiful Wild Atlantic Way. 

Stretching 6200 kilometers all the way from the Inishowen Peninsula in Co Donegal to Kinsale in Co Cork, Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way offers one of the best coastal driving routes in Europe and arguably the entire world!

Here are 5 unmissable spots to mark on your route traveling from north to south:

1. Slieve League, Co Donegal

The Sliabh Liag (Slieve League) cliffs are located on the north west of Ireland and are the highest accessible cliffs in Europe. Sliabh Liag directly translates as “Grey Mountain” in Gaeilge (Irish) and the cliffs impressively rise up over 600m above the ocean below (The Wild Atlantic Way Online Guide, 2023). There is a viewing platform that offers panoramic views over the Atlantic ocean, Donegal Bay and the Sligo Mountains. 

Image: arrivalguides.com

2. Downpatrick Head, Co Mayo

Downpatrick Head should be an unmissable stop on the Mayo leg of your journey. The Downpatrick cliffs themselves are majestic but the real jewel in the crown is the Dún Briste sea stack which towers almost 50 meters above the Atlantic below.

Legend has it that the sea stack was formed by St Patrick himself when a local pagan chieftain refused to convert to Christianity. St Patrick struck the ground with his staff breaking off the sea stack from the mainland leaving the chieftain on top of it!
In actuality, the real story is just as dramatic. The sea stack was split from the mainland during a wild storm in 1393 that left people who survived the weather event stranded upon the rock. They were later rescued with the help of ship ropes that were used to lower them to sea level. It became known as “The Broken Fort” or Dún Briste ever since. (Mayo North, 2019)

Image: discoverireland.ie

3. The Cliffs of Moher, Co Clare

Though not as tall as the cliffs of Slieve League, the Cliffs of Moher are just as impressive and unmistakably more well known. In fact, they are the top visitor site on the western coast year upon year. Sitting astride the contrasting limestone landscape of the Burren and the mighty atlantic, the cliffs trace the coast of Clare for almost 14 kilometers. There is a cliff walk that you can do for part of this length and also a visitor centre to explore, making it the perfect stop-off point on your Wild Atlantic road trip.

Image: cliffsofmoher.ie

4. Dunquin Pier, Co Kerry

Dunquin acts as one of the ferry crossing points to the famous Blasket Islands. The tiny pier cannot be viewed directly from the road meaning you will have to park up and take a short winding stroll down towards the water’s edge to capture that picture perfect view. The dramatic shapes of the jagged rocks and views out towards the Blaskets are sublime. 

Try and park up for sundown to take in one of the most romantic sunsets on the Irish west coast.

Image: blogger’s own

5. Lough Hyne, Co Cork

Lough Hyne is a tranquill piece of heaven on the southern end of the Wild Atlantic Way. It is a salt-water lake that is connected to the sea via a narrow tidal channel. The area is a popular spot with swimmers and kayakers alike but still maintains a gorgeous sense of calm and peacefulness. It is also the perfect place to go for a walk with the elevated nature trail offering stunning views over the lake and surroundings. 

Image: wildatlanticway.com

How many places have you been to on the Wild Atlantic Way? Is there anywhere you would add to our list? Leave your comments below and share your tips for other travelers. 

Blogpost by: Eila (Ireland)

#Ireland #wildatlanticway #coastalireland #Irishroadtrip #wildatlanticway #CoDonegal #CoMayo #CoClare  #CoKerry #CoCork 

Reference List:

The Dún Briste Sea Stack Climb (2019) Mayo North. Available at: https://www.northmayo.ie/the-dun-briste-sea-stack-climb/ (Accessed: March 28, 2023). 

Slieve League - A Wild Atlantic Way Signature Discovery Point (no date) The Wild Atlantic Way Online Guide. Available at: https://www.wildatlanticwayonline.com/map-of-donegal-wild-atlantic-way/discovery-points/slieve-league/ (Accessed: March 28, 2023).