Wild Atlantic Way

Cliff Coast Tour

Tour Details

On this tour you will visit the following sites:

  • Westport
  • Galway
  • Lahinch
  • Dingle
Day 1 Dublin to Westport

Leaving Dublin today we drive North West through counties, Kildare, West Meath, Roscommon & Mayo. Stopping for a Whiskey tasting at Locke’s distillery in Kilbeggan, which has a licence to distil Whiskey since 1757. On to Strokestown House in Roscommon, This Palladian House was the family home of the Pakenham Mahon family and is built on the site of the 16th-century castle, home of the O Conor-Roe Gaelic Chieftains. The Landlord Major Denis Mahon was assassinated in November 1847 at the height of the Great Famine of Ireland and it is fitting that the National Famine Museum was established at Strokestown. Then on to Westport, Westport is a Failte Ireland Heritage Town and it is easy to see how it regularly tops tidy town and community award lists with colourful shop fronts married with attractive pubs and cafes, not to mention the tree-lined streets along the banks of the Carrowbeg river. Dinner at An Port Mór Restaurant and round the day of with a pint in Matt Malloy’s Pub listening to some traditional Irish music.

Overnight Westport Co Mayo

Day 2 Westport to Galway

Leaving Westport, we drive west along The wild Atlantic Way passing Clew Bay, through Louisburgh and The Doolough Pass scene of the 1849 tragedy. 

Following the shoreline of Killary harbour and on to Kylemore Abbey & The Sky Road just outside Clifden. A visit to Derrigimlagh bog where Alcock & Brown crash landed in June 1919 on the first trans Atlantic flight. Driving on through the heart of The Connemara Gaeltacht (Irish speaking area) via the picturesque town of Roundstone and maybe a stop at bodhrán maker Malcchy Kearns workshop. On to Rosmuc with a visit to Pearse cottage where Padraig Pearse leader of The 1916 Easter Rebellion had a cottage. Pearse was hugely fond of peaceful Rosmuc.

Then on to Galway City is a thriving, bohemian centre on the western coast of Ireland famous for its festivals, culture and characters. Known as the “City of the Tribes” and is a joy to explore with its maze of cobbled streets and colourful shop facades.

Overnight Galway City

Day 3 Galway to Lahinch

Today we keep moving south along The Wild Atlantic Way, passing Dunguire Castle a 500-year-old Castle, one of Ireland’s most picturesque strongholds situated on the shores of Galway Bay. Then we explore The Burren in County Clare a region of outstanding significance in terms of its geology, geomorphology, natural history and archaeology. A visit The Burren Perfumery and Floral Centre has been a family run business for more than four decades. A traditional soap, creams and perfume centre which uses oils and plants from across the world. It is situated in Carran, County Clare in the heart of the Burren, one of the most beautiful and spectacular floral landscapes in the world.

Then on to The iconic Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland’s most visited natural attractions. Stretching for 8km along the Atlantic coast of Clare, the cliffs reach 214m at their highest point at Knockardakin. Midway along the cliffs, you’ll find the environmentally friendly visitor centre set into the hillside. Here, you can also discover O’Brien’s Tower, a 19th-century viewing tower, and access 800m of protected cliff-side pathways with viewing areas. There are many vantage points from which to admire the awe-inspiring Cliffs of Moher. From the main platform, you can see the south cliffs toward Hag’s Head, a natural rocky promontory that resembles a seated woman. From the North Platform, you can spot An Branán Mór sea stack, home of guillemots and razorbills.

Overnight Lahinch Co Clare

Day 4 Loop Head Peninsula

Today we follow the coast to Loop Head Peninsula. A shining beacon since 1854, Loop Head Lighthouse is a major local landmark. From its soaring cliff top position you can enjoy 90m high views out over The Shannon Estuary, Kerry Head & Dingle. At the very end of the peninsula there is also a relic from WWII: large white letters spelling É-I-R-E, which let pilots know they were entering neutral airspace. This area is a wildlife haven too, with thousands of seabirds making their nests on the rock ledges and an estimated 160 bottlenose dolphins living in the mouth of the Shannon River. Then the lesser known Cliffs at Kilkee. Lunch at The Strand Seafood Bistro is always welcome owned by Johnny (the Chef) and Caroline Redmond and Family. The Redmond’s are the fourth generation of a family that have been in the business of catering and hospitality for visitors to Kilkee for practically 160 years.

Overnight Lahinch Co Clare

Day 5 Lahinch to Dingle

Today we drive further south into County Kerry, crossing The river Shannon on the Tarbert Ferry.

25kms away is beautiful Ballybunnion a seaside resort with a golden sandy beach, also famous for its two golf links courses. Not far from Ballybunnion lies The Bromore Cliffs rising 180ft out of The Atlantic. You can enjoy a walk along the precipice, the cliffs are home to an array of wildlife.

Lunch at The Tankard established nearly 40 years ago by the O’Sullivans is a family run business with a great reputation, especially for seafood. Truly amazing views right on the waters edge of Tralee Bay overlooking the mountains provide the breathtaking scenery with delicious locally sourced food. It is rare that you can have a pint and food with such dramatic scenery.

Then on to Dingle crossing over The Conor Pass in the stunning mountains of the Dingle peninsula the Conor Pass links Dingle Town on the south coast of the peninsula with the settlements along the north. The views from the road are breathtaking, as the glaciated landscape of mountains and corrie lakes comes into view. From the scenic car park at the summit there are views as far north as the Aran Islands off County Galway.

Overnight Dingle

Day 6 Dingle

Today we explore The Dingle Peninsula & Slea Head rich with archaeological sites & history not to mention its spectacular views. One of the most famous landmarks on Dingle is Gallarus Oratory a thousand years old and resembles an upturned boat. Our drive brings us back to Dingle via Ballyferriter and Brandon Creek the starting point of St Brendan’s voyage to America sometime between 512-530AD, a little before Columbus. A stop & tasting at The Dingle Whiskey Distillery, which is not in the business of creating megabrands, nor do they distil for anyone else. Their scale is modest, their approach to what they make is essentially artisan and they have rekindled the tradition of independent distilling in Ireland. Two hundred years ago, this small island had over a hundred officially recognised distilleries; by the turn of this century there were two.

When the first spirit trickled from the stills here in November 2012 it represented a milestone in the history of distilling in Ireland, and now their unique Dingle Whiskey continually matures in the mild, moist climate of Ireland’s south-west coast while those first spirits are bottled into a magnificent single malt whiskey.

You can also enjoy the fruits of their labours in the form of Dingle Original Gin and Dingle Distillery Vodka.

Back in Dingle time to explore the the craft shops and a pint in Foxy John’s Hardware Store??

Overnight Dingle

Day 6 Dingle to Dublin/Shannon

A leisurely start today before been transferred back to Dublin to Shannon.

Cost

  • MPV (3-6 pax)  €4690.00
  • Sedan (1-3 pax)  €4270.00

Costs include:

  • Your vehicle, our vehicles are all current models and have all appropriate licenses & insurance to operate as a private hire vehicle in Ireland they are also maintained to the highest standards, fuel and all local taxes & tolls.
  • Your trained driver-guide who will be with you for the duration of your tour.

Costs do not include:

  • Your accommodation, we are happy to advise and recommend hotel and B&B options for your tour we are also happy to book your accommodation for you.
  • Lunches and Dinners are not included in the above costs.
  • Entrance fees to non OPW heritage sites are not included in the cost for your tour.
  • Gratuities, we do not automatically add a gratuity for your Driver-Guide to your invoice, that said your driver-guide will do everything in his power to enhance your stay in Ireland and will be happy to recommend restaurants and bars for dinner, organise falconry, spa treatments, fishing or horse riding so a gratuity is always gratefully received. We would recommend 15%-20% as a guideline.

Cancellation Policy:

  • All booking deposits are non refundable.
  • All payments less actual transactions charges will be refunded up to 30 days before the tour.
  • 50% refund between 30 days and 7 days before a tour.
  • No refunds within 7days of a tour.
  • Customers who don’t show up on the day of a tour are also liable for the full cost of the tour.

Tour Photos

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