The Wild Atlantic Way is an extensive driving route that spans from the Inishowen Peninsula in Donegal to Kinsale in County Cork, making it Ireland's first long-distance driving route. This scenic drive offers something for tourists of all ages and preferences, from picturesque coastal villages and historic cities to cliff top views and excellent hiking opportunities. Additionally, the Wild Atlantic Way is a popular destination for surfing enthusiasts, with some of the world's best surfing spots located along the route.
Covering a distance of 2,500km, the Wild Atlantic Way includes 156 discovery points, with hundreds of other hidden gems to be discovered by curious individuals. The route also features 15 designated 'Signature Experience' points, with three of them located in Co. Galway. These include trekking across sands on a Connemara Pony, listening to the echoes of history in a sea-swept blanket bog, and exploring Inis Oirr by pony and trap.
Exploring Connemara's blanket bog is an excellent opportunity to uncover two remarkable events of the 20th century history. The area is home to the world's first permanent trans-Atlantic radio station, built by Marconi more than a century ago, and burned to the ground during the Irish War of Independence. Visitors can also witness a white aeroplane wing-shaped memorial to Alcock and Brown, who crash-landed into Derrigimlagh Bog in 1919, completing the first non-stop flight across the Atlantic.
Inis Oirr, the smallest of the Gaeltacht Aran Islands, can be explored in a day by pony and trap, an authentic experience that offers a glimpse into the island's unique culture and way of life. Visitors can trot along the narrowest of lanes, between stone walls, beside wide white sand beaches, passing clover-covered hills and tiny fields. Catching a ferry back to the West Clare music-hub of Doolin is highly recommended, especially during sunset, when the Cliffs of Moher are beautifully illuminated, offering a breathtaking view of this iconic landmark.