The Wild Atlantic Way tour.
Introduction
Arguably one of the most popular tours that we at All Ireland chauffeur tours offer. Donegal and the area north of a line between Galway and Dublin is geographically part of the north American continent that drifted in ancient times.
Between Donegal and Mayo lies Sligo Bay (near Coney Island) . Achill Island sight of among the highest cliffs in Europe, where after five glasses of Irish whiskey (the world’s oldest and best) Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty emerge from the Atlantic mist.
The Kingdom of Kerry, where people are so laid back, they often fall over, this is the land of the “Cute Whore”, an expression used by the Kerry folk to describe a devious character and has absolutely no connection with an attractive hooker!
The Unesco world heritage site of Skellig Michael , a 6th century monastic settlement , situated on the top of undersea mountains, 16 miles off shore, the very edge of Europe.
Nearby on the ring of Kerry has been designated the clearest skies in the northern hemisphere , where the constellations shine brilliantly from pristine unpolluted skies.
Eastwards along the coast of west Cork which is inundated with tiny hidden beaches and headlands beautifully interspersed with picturesque villages we head for Kinsale, one of Ireland’s gourmet capitals.
After the Jameson distillery and the historical seaside village of Ardmore where Saint Declan , who first brought christianity to Ireland, is buried lies the magnificient Lismore and its Castle.
The Irish seat of the Duke of Devonshire, in the early 60’s James Falconer Junior drove Fred Astaire, whose sister Edel was married to the brother of the Duke.
The copper coast stretches eastwards to Tramore’s 3 mile beach, the cliffs of Dunmore east forms the entrance to Waterford’s harbour where all of Ireland’s invaders entered from Pre Celtic, Celtic, Roman, Viking, Norman, Elizabethan, Cromwellian and Victorian.
Hook in Co Wexford , The Greek geographer Ptolemy, who visited Ireland in the 3rd century A.D recorded a brazier /beacon on the hook making it the oldest lighthouse site in western Europe.Hook is where the Atlantic ocean collides with the Irish sea, making it the definite beginning and end of The Wild Atlantic Way.
Day 1
Dublin
Your chauffeur will be at your hotel waiting for you or if you wish we can arrange for you to be collected in the arrivals terminal in the airport of your choice.
You will be taken to your city centre hotel where you can check in refresh and perhaps take a tour of the city, allowing you to see all the sights from the comfort of your car.
I would recommend while you are there that you stay near Grafton street.
Graton Street is a wonderful shopping area with lots of street acts and restaurants and bars. It is very central and I would also recommend that you take a stroll through Saint Stephens green and Trinity college, which is nearby.
Here are some great pubs and restaurants I can recommend and if you wish I can make reservations for you.
Upmarket
Day 2
Northern Ireland
Your Chauffeur will be at your hotel and will bring you through the Boyne Valley where you may wish to stop at New Grange , a prehistoric passage tomb that predates the Egyptian Pyramids by over 500 years.
You would then travel to Northern Ireland to visit the relatively new Titanic museum. I can source these tickets for you if you wish.
The North Antrim coast is a real treat with one of the world’s great wonders, The Giants Causeway after which you could visit the oldest whiskey distillery in the world and overnight in the idylic Bushmills Inn.
Day 3
Would see your chauffeur at your hotel at a time of your choice and you would tour of the now famous Wild Atlantic way would begin in earnest as you travel to Donegal and Ireland’s most northern part, Malin head. You will tour the Inishowen peninsula, Culdaff beach and the Mamore gap and Grianan of Aileach.
You would then travel along the epic wild and roughed Atlantic coastline savouring the scenery before arriving at the beautiful Lough Eske.
Day 4
On this day you travel from Donegal to Sligo to where the famous poet, William Butler Yeats is buried. Then to Mayo where you would tour the Ceide fields, the incredibly beautiful Achill island, Crough Patrick and Clewbay, Westport,Cong and Ashford castle.
Ashford would be the Hotel that I would recommend if you want to stay at least one night in a castle. It is however very expensive to stay here, but on the grounds of Ashford, and also owned by Ashford is the boutique hotel, Ashford lodge.
Day 5
On this morning you may like to take a boat tour of the lake at Ashford or indeed experience an hour of Falconry and at a time of your choice your chauffeur will take you to where Oscar Wilde described as “The Savage beauty” that is Connemara. The Sky road, arguably one of the most scenic drives in Ireland, visit Kylemore Abbey and arrive in the vibrant city of Galway with its traditional culture, music, finest food and atmosphere. We can arrange for you to experience Trad on the prom, a real traditional Irish evening if you wish.
Day 6 and 7
Your tour begins with a real treat, the wild landscape that is the Burren, with its narrow winding roads, wild flowers and sheep staring curiously in the middle of the road at any given turn.
The Wild Atlantic Way doesn’t get much wilder than the Cliffs of Moher. These County Clare goliaths rise above the ocean at Hag’s Head and continue on for eight kilometers, reaching a height of 214m (702 feet).
Your chauffeur will then take you by ferry across the Shannon and into “The Kingdom of Kerry” as it is fondly known. Here you will tour a place that National Geographic once called “the most beautiful place on earth”: the Dingle Peninsula.
Dingle a town showcasing the best of both possible worlds. Blessed with an arty bohemian vibe (local weavers, cheesemakers, potters and jewelers call the town home), Dingle at the same time maintains a traditional heart that never seems to erode (unparalleled traditional pubs and friendly locals speaking beautiful Irish are two of Dingle’s claims to fame.
The Ring of Kerry, The Gap of Dunloe, Killarney National park, Mucross house, Killarney and Kenmare but to name a few of the other must see places. We would recommend that you stay in either Kenmare or Killarney and we have a variety of accommodation options for you to choose. If at all possible a two night stay in Kerry is recommended. We can arrange for you to horse ride or golf with some of the best Equestrian and Golf clubs in Ireland within a short distance.
Day 8
On this day your chauffeur will be waiting for you at a time of your choice and a full day of touring will begin of the southwest coastline.
From Glengarriff and the unique garden island of Garinish, to Bantry Bay and onto Ireland’s gourmet capital Kinsale, where you can stop for lunch in the renowned seafood restaurant “The Fishy Fishy café “. Your tour will include Charlesfort, Blarney castle, The English market, The Irish whiskey distillery, Jameson and Cobh, which was the last port of call for the doomed vessel, The Titanic.
You would then travel along the coast to Ardmore, one of the oldest Christian settlements in Ireland, where Saint Declan, who first brought Christianity to Ireland (before Saint Patrick) is buried.
If castles are of interest to you then we would highly recommend the historical town of Lismore and its spectacular castle, where
The Duke of Devonshire still resides for part of the year. The castle cannot be toured but the gardens can and are magnificent and there is a wonderful art gallery on the grounds.
I would recommend staying in either Ardmore in the 5 star cliff House hotel or in the traditional Irish country home, Richmond house.
Day 9
After a traditional Irish breakfast your chauffeur can take you along the copper coast drive from Dungarvan to Fenor with its idyllic villages, harbours, white washed cottages and traditional shop fronts. The drive hugs the coastline and in our opinion it is arguably one of the most scenic drives in Ireland with views of the coast, pebbled beaches and wildlife that are breath taking.
The copper coast stretches eastwards to Tramore’s 3 mile beach, the cliffs of Dunmore east forms the entrance to Waterford’s harbour where all of Ireland’s invaders entered from Pre Celtic, Celtic, Roman, Viking, Norman, Elizabethan, Cromwellian and Victorian.
In Waterford you may visit its medieval museum as well as the world famous House of Waterford Crystal before travelling across to Wexford by Ferry.
Hook in Co Wexford, The Greek geographer Ptolemy, who visited Ireland in the 3rd century A.D recorded a brazier /beacon on the hook making it the oldest lighthouse site in Western Europe. Hook is where the Atlantic Ocean collides with the Irish Sea, making it the definite beginning and end of The Wild Atlantic Way.
I would recommend that you stay in Dunbrody house or Monart and perhaps visit and tour the Famine ship “The Dunbrody” and if you have an interest in The Kennedy’s then a visit to their homestead in New Ross is a must.
The End
