Ireland and wild Atlantic way

[Newuser75]

Hi, we are planning on visiting Ireland next year in our campervan with two kids and one dog. Looking at the wild Atlantic way (although not stuck to this) and wondering what have been your best things to do if you have visited.

Particularly after some unusual things to look at/do such as watching sheepdogs in action, horse drawn caravans that kind of thing.

We also love castles, a beautiful beach, waterfalls.

There seem so many to pick so thought recommendations may work!

Maybe ask MNHQ to move this to Craicnet for the Irish posters?

I’m Irish and I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a sheepdog in action and whilst there’s horse and buggy rides in Killarney, I wouldn’t say it’s a big thing. Ireland is really known for scenery, pubs, music and food. But not nearly as dog friendly as UK so your dog won’t be welcome in most restaurants and I’d say majority of pubs, which might affect things. Plenty of gorgeous walks and towns to visit. Kerry, West Cork and Galway and Connemara are stunning. Donegal has in my opinion some of the most beautiful unspoilt beaches in the world.

I'm not familiar with the whole route and even with the bits I know, I'm not sure I'd know where to start. You'll be overwhelmed by the choice of castles, beaches and waterfalls. Do make sure you put in some time just to mooch and follow your nose.

One thing that immediately came to mind was, if you are down at the far southern end, visit Bantry House. The house isn't very interesting to be honest but they have terraced gardens and if you can puff your way all the way top the view is just amazing. My family are from the area and I'd been many times but had never done this. I'd seen many wonderful views and seascapes there but this blew me away).

That's interesting about the dog thanks. It's not a deal breaker for her to stay at home if it's going to make things tricky.
It was more of the traveller type caravans I was meaning. Connemara is definitely at the top of the list for visiting as is Donegal. Thanks!

Thanks, I've had a quick look and it looks lovely!

@ForPearlViper I agree with it being overwhelming! We did the NC500 and I found it much easier to decide where we would visit. I'm sure it will come together eventually!

Dingle is a lovely town, though the resident dolphin Fungi has been missing for some time and presumed dead.

The Ring of Kerry has some stunning views.

My brother has a holiday let near Cahirsiveen and it's very rugged . It's close to Valencia island and Blasket islands which are beautiful. There's also a very nice chocolate factory/shop/cafe there (name escapes me!). If you want a quiet, relaxing holiday it's lovely.

I'd recommend one of the motorhoming Facebook groups to get specific advice.
Agree that Ireland isn't very dog friendly. It would help if you can mostly self cater and if your dog is OK staying alone in your campervan.
Disagree about Bantry house - we enjoyed the house as well as the grounds.

Skelligs chocolate factory! That's what i was thinking of. Well worth visiting,.

We are happy to self cater and dog is fine left for a bit but we will have a think whether to leave or bring her along.
Chocolate factory sounds good!

Also agree with other posters about caravanning advice as lots of car parks have height restrictions and I wouldn’t say there’s a huge choice of stopping or camping places, it’s not like Scotland for example.

Thanks! It's just a little campervan we have. Just like a small van. Fits into a normal parking space. Would that be ok do you think?

It's not the size it's the height. How are you with height barriers where you live? A standard VW will get under some of them, but not all! High top, much fewer.

@Tomorrowisyesterday it's not a high one but that's again something I hadn't considered thanks!

Whale watching in West Cork is great. We went from Baltimore.

Loads of beautiful beaches - Inchydoney for example

Hi OP. If you get down far enough South in West Cork, the views on the Beara Peninsula are spectacular. I think some parts of it are within the Wild Atlantic Way.

Horse drawn carriages aren't really a thing, they do them for the tourists in Kerry, it's a small ride around but that's it, this isn't Far and Away and we do have cars.

Where are you starting from? https://www.discoverireland.ie/wild-atlantic-way?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwpvK4BhDUARIsADHt9sTXuPzpGDSkwu9vMRpEIoxWzn6vXcaXMrR95vgxFVMlJx0fP96Qt9caAoiXEALw_wcB

If you head down to West Cork there are castles on the way (do a quick Google search of castles in Cork). You could do the penisulas taking in the lighthouse at Mizen Head and then Dursey Island cable car - literally the equivalent of garden shed dangling off a wire - (island dwellers and animals get priority) - with the Atlantic below. It's fun but you can find yourself waiting quite a while for the return journey. There are lovely beaches that way too. Be aware that there are stretches of the Wild Atlantic Way where you can't actually see the sea! I'd also recommend going over the Healy Pass - stopping at the top - on the mountains dividing Cork and Kerry. Breathtaking scenery. You'll see signs along the way for activities you could do - horse riding (near Bantry), kayaking (in Adrigole) etc etc. Once in Kerry you could do Ring of Kerry and/or do Killarney National Park - there's a stately home there and a village showing the houses that people lived in the past. It's a great day out. Enjoy!!

My recommendation would be to get the ferry into rosslare and travel east: Wexford, Waterford, cork, Kerry, Clare and into Galway.

Some fun things to do

• Museum of time in Waterford: loads of clocks etc sounds random but is cool.around the corner is Reginald tower site of a Viking wedding.

-East Cork: get a boat trip out to the lighthouse in Bally cotton (get food in Sea church restaurant!) Also worth a boat trip is Spike Island a converted prison.

• Go Llama walking in West Cork (Drimoleauge) or visit a Donkey Sanctuary in North Cork.

-Glangarrif and Garnish Island in West Cork are stunning.

• Definitely Dingle , go dolphin spotting.

-

"It's not the size it's the height. How are you with height barriers where you live? A standard VW will get under some of them, but not all! High top, much fewer."

Good point. There are height barriers in a lot of the carparks.

This is amazing thanks! The kind of unusual thing I was hoping for!

How long are you staying for, and what port are you arriving at? I ask because the WAW is massive, going from North Donegal to East Cork.

You seem to be interested in Donegal and Galway (Connemara) so you have a treat on your hands! Try not to be too ambitious as it is a huge drive and if you rush it, you won't enjoy it much TBH.

So you can arrive at Rosslare, Dublin or Larne (Northern Ireland), but the arrival port will depend on where you are driving from in UK I suppose!.

Anyway, let's say you start in Donegal, the following are not to be missed - (You can reverse the route depending on where you arrive in Ireland).

Slieve League cliffs
All the coastal route from Port Salon down to Donegal Town. Go to Glenveagh National Park if you can make it. Just pootle along the rest of it, as overplanning can spoil things you might just find when out and about.

Then from Bundoran to Sligo. I think you will be amazed at the mountain scenery especially Ben Bulben in Sligo. If you can get to Glencar Waterfall, all the better. Strandhill is a lovely beachside village, full of surfers and great food/cafes. Rosses Point and Mullaghmore great too.

And on to North Mayo. Really wild there, and around the coast is gorgeous. Don't miss Achill Island which is reachable by causeway, and Westport Town. Plenty more, but I'd be here all day!

And on to Galway. the drive from Westport around the coast is stunning especially Killary Harbour Fiord. You will find your favourite things all through Connemara, there are so many.

AND.... just for you, there are sheepdog demonstrations in Galway. 🤗

Sheep Dog Herding Demonstrations in Connemara and Galway (glengowlamines.ie)

Have a great time. Do come back and let us know how you get on.

That's amazing thanks so much!! And bonus points for the sheepdogs 😂.
I'm so glad I asked now as all very helpful!

Oh and I reckon about 2 weeks. Would arrive in Dublin and don't have our heart set on doing the whole wild Atlantic way, figured we would decide what we wanted to do and go from there.