12 Day Wild Atlantic Way RoadTrip

12-Day Ireland Itinerary

Day 1: Cork City

Details: Fly into Cork, Ireland’s second city. Spend the afternoon exploring this lively city, which serves as a great introduction to Ireland.

Stay: Cork City

  • Options:
  • Cork Food Tour (walking tour)
  • Golf at Fota or visit local gardens
  • Boat trip on Cork Harbour
  • Train to Cobh (Titanic’s last port of call)
  • Visitor Attractions: Cork Public Museum, Nano Nagle Centre, Shandon Bells, Blackrock Castle
  • Instagram Spots: English Market, Blarney Castle, Daly’s Bridge

Day 2: West Cork

Details: Pick up a hire car and start your Wild Atlantic Way adventure. Visit Kinsale, Clonakilty, and Skibbereen, enjoying beaches, guided walks, and local activities.

Stay: West Cork

  • Options:
  • Kinsale: Visit Charles Fort and Old Head of Kinsale, explore the town
  • Clonakilty: Whiskey tasting, Michael Collins Museum, beaches
  • Skibbereen: Heritage & Famine Centre, Lough Hyne, ferry to an island
  • Activities: Night kayak trip, boat trip around Fastnet Lighthouse
  • Instagram Spots: Streets of Kinsale, Clonakilty, Mizen Head Lighthouse

Day 3: West Cork

Details: Drive to Mizen Head, Sheep’s Head, and the Beara Peninsula. Explore Bantry House and Mizen Head Lighthouse for stunning views.

Stay: West Cork

  • Options:
  • Drive: Schull and Mizen Head, Bantry Market
  • Activities: Boat trips, island visits, guided hikes
  • Visitor Attractions: Bantry House
  • Instagram Spots: Fastnet Lighthouse, Sheep’s Head Lighthouse

Day 4: West Cork to Kerry

Details: Drive the Beara Peninsula and stop at Castletownbere, Allihies, and Kenmare. Explore gardens, stone circles, and ancient heritage sites.

Stay: Kerry

  • Options:
  • Drive: Beara Peninsula via Healy Pass
  • Activities: Rib boat rides, garden visits, golf
  • Visitor Attractions: Mines Museum, Ireland’s only cable car to Dursey Island
  • Instagram Spots: Colourful villages, Dursey Cable Cart

Day 5: Kerry

Details: Drive the Ring of Kerry or Skellig Ring. Visit Valentia Island and enjoy beaches, boat trips, and traditional pubs.

Stay: Kerry

  • Options:
  • Boat trips around Skellig Islands
  • Walk Bray Head or Slea Head Peninsula
  • Visitor Attractions: Skellig Experience, Slate Quarry
  • Instagram Spots: Portmagee village, Ring of Kerry route

Day 6: Kerry and Clare

Details: Take the car ferry to Clare and explore the Cliffs of Moher, Burren area, and colorful towns like Kilkee and Lahinch.

Stay: Co. Clare

  • Options:
  • Drive along Loop Head to Lahinch and Ennistymon
  • Activities: Surfing, Pollock Holes natural pools, golf, boat trips under Cliffs of Moher
  • Visitor Attractions: Ailwee Caves, Poulnabrone Dolmen
  • Instagram Spots: Cliffs of Moher, Poulnabrone Dolmen

Day 7: Clare and Galway

Details: Drive the Galway Bay coast to Galway City. Explore the Latin Quarter and head west to Connemara villages.

Stay: Connemara

  • Options:
  • Drive the Clare Coast
  • Activities: City walking tour, castle visits
  • Visitor Attractions: Galway City Museum
  • Instagram Spots: The Quiet Man Bridge, Galway Latin Quarter

Day 8: Galway and Mayo

Details: Visit Kylemore Abbey, Killary Fjord, and the Lost Valley in Co. Mayo. Explore Westport, a vibrant coastal town.

Stay: Westport, Co. Mayo

  • Options:
  • Drive Killary Fjord to Westport
  • Activities: Walk in Connemara National Park, climb Croagh Patrick
  • Visitor Attractions: Kylemore Abbey, Westport House
  • Instagram Spots: Kylemore Abbey, Lost Valley views

Day 9: Mayo and Sligo

Details: Drive Clew Bay to Achill Island and take the Atlantic Drive. Visit Dún Briste and Yeats Country in Sligo.

Stay: Donegal

  • Options:
  • Drive Atlantic Coast
  • Activities: Walk in Wild Nephin Park, seaweed bath
  • Visitor Attractions: Ceide Fields, Lisadell House
  • Instagram Spots: Ben Bulben Mountain, Mullaghmore Village

Day 10: Donegal

Details: Explore Donegal Bay, Sliabh League, and nearby beaches. Enjoy local whiskey or boat tours.

Stay: Donegal

  • Options:
  • Drive Donegal Bay, Mamore Gap, Fanad Head Lighthouse
  • Activities: Climb Mount Errigal, distillery tours
  • Instagram Spots: Sliabh League, Grianan an Aileach

Day 11: West Donegal

Details: Stay close to the airport in West Donegal for international connections.

  • Instagram Spots: Donegal Airport as you depart