wild atlantic way campervan blog

The ideal time to set aside for this road trip - if you want to do the whole thing and see every sight - would be 4 weeks so that you aren’t rushing and can really live the experience. Check out our guide to ferry routes, or advice for taking your motorhome abroad. He has been in the area for around 32 years and according to experts, he has a lifespan of between 40 and 50 years. We’re heading straight for the café in Kylemore Abbey in Connemara for coffee and cake (if you’re feeling peckish). It finishes up in Kinsale in Cork. It has 78 hard standing pitches, all with electricity and the grass pitches are on a sandy base, so they don’t get muddy in the rain. You need to be on the road for 8:30 – we’ve a long, wonderful day ahead. Home shop Blog Keep us on the road Collaborations Back - Van Build . For any fans of the movie ‘Ryan’s Daughter’, you may recognise Coumeenoole Beach as it was one of the locations used in the film. Note: It only covers the route in this guide. This is hands-down one of my favourite places to visit in Mayo. It’s like my subconscious arranges every trip to Kerry so that one way or another, I just end up there. Conquering these mental obstacles is the key to success. This groundbreaking book focuses on the most important and overlooked piece of equipment of all- the gear between one's ears. A friend who is unfortunately no longer with us took me here many years ago. It is accessible from both Doolin (The Cliffs of Moher) and Rossaveal (Galway / Connemara). You’ll find the waterfall a stone’s throw from Leenane village on the River Erriff, just before the river meets Killary Harbour. What do you think? Tired? It’s not all fun and games all the time. One of the places that stood out for me along Cork's Wild Atlantic Way was the beautiful view of Glandore and the yachts at the harbour. You’ll pass breathtaking views, awesome beaches, rugged mountains and picturesque fishing bays, reaching the most northerly point of mainland Ireland at Malin Head. We’ve another tonne of things to do today, so we’re going to take some time to eat up in the gorgeous town of Westport. But packed in the best possible way. Standing proudly between Lough Swilly and sandy Mulroy Bay, Fanad Head Lighthouse has been voted one of the most beautiful lighthouses in the world. Ah, no way! I was driving by here and it was the name that caught my eye, so I decided to head up to see what it was all about. The town is also famous for ‘Fungie,’ a bottlenose dolphin who has called the surrounding bay home 1983. So, we’re on to our final lap of the Donegal stretch of our road trip as we move into day 11. // Dursey Island to Kenmare – allow for 2 hours (leave Dursey Island at 10:40, arrive in Kenmare for 12:40) //. Ireland’s Tourism Organisation has painstakingly taken small, single-lane, and sometimes dangerous coastal roads, and marked them out for all the world to come and drive. We specialise in the hire of motorhome .s and we hope to exceed your expectations in terms of customer service, comfort and reliability. Stay there, and don’t worry about finding a restaurant or a room that evening – you decide the schedule and it needn’t be changed for meals and sleep. This is one of the best beaches in Donegal for good reason. We’re about to travel along an 18km route that links Waterville to Portmagee via Ballinskelligs (read our guide to driving the Skellig Ring in style!). - Begins in Kinsale, County Cork and ends at Irelands most northernly point, Malin Head, County Donegal. The second overlooks Dunfanaghy with Muckish and the Derryveagh mountains providing the perfect backdrop. Check-in and chill for the evening. So, I didn’t realise how close to the border of Kerry the Healy Pass actually is – it’s literally kissing it. // Doolin Cave to Doolin Pier – 10-minute drive (leave the cave at 13:30, arrive at the pier for 13:40) //. Of course, you can do it the other way, too! Whether looking for ideas for weekend adventures or visiting from abroad you will find everything you need within this guide. Grab a cup of coffee to go from one of the cafes in Clifden and drive along the Sky Road at your leisure. The Doolin Cave is home to the largest free-hanging stalactite in the Northern Hemisphere. Keep an eye out for a plain stone cross – it stands as a memorial to the Doolough Tragedy which took place in 1849. We’ll just leave that there. The tour itself packs a punch, taking visitors to the natural entrance of the cave, a stream sink at the base of a cliff face, through the main chamber where a guide turns on a light to illuminate the Great Stalactite. You can fit up to 4 campervans/motorhomes here. Welcome to our no-bullsh*t-super-detailed 11-day Wild Atlantic Way itinerary guide for 2020 and beyond. Otherwise, on the itinerary below, we highlight our favourite motorhome-friendly spots for each leg of your journey. Thanks. Note: If you’re looking to do the Wild Atlantic Way in 5 days, you could easily plan your trip up until this point. Armed with a chunk of chocolate that’ll knock you sideways, grab a cup of coffee in the little café in the visitor center first, and rest your legs a little. Keep reading. // The Quiet Man Bridge to Clifden – allow an hour with stops, but take longer if needed (leave the bridge for 17:10, arrive in Clifden at around 18:10) //. This is coastal living at it’s best – cooking, eating and living the Irish way. In this book Myles and Jane want to share their food adventures with you. The lads serving on the day were a bit of craic and more than happy to chat away, offering a good dollop of local knowledge along with a decent feed. The road that’ll take you to Kenmare is a long and beautiful one, with an ever-changing tapestry of mountains, colourful towns (stop in Eyeries for a gander) and craggy coastline. I can vouch for the vegetable soup and coffee both being class. It’ll take longer. Hey there, how much did this roughly cost or how much would you budget for to complete this as someone who lives in Ireland, thanks ? Leenaun is hands-down one of my favourite little (and I mean ‘little’) villages in Ireland. Today is pretty packed. Galway boasts some of the most remote coastal scenery in the country, a vibrant city, and island communities where Irish remains the first language. You can take boats for a sail from the yacht club or go on exciting boat tours to see the coastline from the water and get to know its natural history. The local distillery make fantastic whiskey and gin, so you should stop in for a tour. Thanks for this guide! The Ring of Kerry. If you’re parking on the beach be aware of the tides. This place has been rocking since 1832 – a welcome sight for many a weary traveller returning from a day of exploring. The facilities are pretty flashy, too. It should be an immersive journey; not a series of dots to be connected but a flowing line to be drawn on the mind's map of experience. You may have heard me raving about Brow Head before – it’s justified, trust me! This site exists to inspire and guide you on an Irish adventure that’ll give birth to a lifetime of memories (sounds very arsey altogether, I know!) Who cares how long. The long route is divided into 14 stages for easier orientation. Found insideAll of this is interspersed with beautiful photos, handy maps and quirky travel writing from the king of camper vans and motorhomes, Martin Dorey. I’m going to recommend that you stay in The Moorings Guesthouse, which is at the heart of the lovely little village of Portmagee. Thank You for answer (and sorry for my bad english, I have used an automatic translator), Hi Thanks for sharing your wonderful journey along the WAW. When you’re finished here, take the short spin to Portsalon Beach and have a ramble or just kick-back and take it all in. Comments like this make it worth writing them! // Rossbeigh Beach to Inch Beach – 49-minute drive (leave beach 1 around 14:30, arrive at beach 2 for 15:20) //. The 3-hour walk kicks off from Fisher Street in Doolin, just outside O’Connors Pub. Then over to Dublin for one night, fly out next morning. It’s superbly located with awesome views, just beside the beach and near to local pubs. I’ve visited here a handful of times in the past and am always blown away by the sheer lack of people that you meet. Waterville is lovely. Those who explore it in its entirety will visit Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Mayo, Galway, Clare, Limerick, Kerry and Cork. We have done almost all of this tour, but over many visits, and taken scores of diversions off-track and found some absolute gems. Hop back into the car and head in the direction of the Doolin Cave. The first time I laid eyes upon Glenevin Waterfall it mustered up images in my mind of the first Jurassic Park movie. Enter Malin Head along the west side of the Wild Atlantic Way's Inishowen Peninsula and continue to the tip called Banba's Crown (named after a mythical Irish queen). Tonight, you’re glamping in Portsalon Luxury Camping, which is nestled on a hillside and enjoys spectacular views of Lough Swilly, Mulroy Bay, Knockalla mountain and the Inishowen Peninsula. Ok, so this isn’t really a stop. The beach is to the left, down the little winding hill, and then to the right you have a path that, if you take it, will offer spectacular views of the surrounding area. // Kinvarra to Galway City – 45-minute drive (leave Kinvarra at 13:30, arrive in Galway City for 14:15) //. But, drive carefully and be warned: some roads are steep, narrow, and make for a thrilling (but not impossible!) If your holiday itinerary allows for only a few days or up to several weeks look no further, as the Wild Atlantic Way route has it all. Donegal. It’s just you, the mountains, the wind and the waves. There are 2,000 hectares of mountains, bogs, grassland and forest. Driving along the Wild Atlantic Way you will encounter moments of magic, myths and passion. We’ve another adventure-packed day planned for today as we start to really explore the Dingle Peninsula. Spend a few days, a week or longer - there is a huge amount to see and do and places to explore in the Rebel County -Cork. We’re going to skip Keel beach on this occasion, but here’s a picture I took on a recent trip to give you a sense of what it’s like (feel free to stop here if you like). This would be a pity as 'Lovely Leitrim' has much to offer. Just soak up the magic of Connemara. The magnificent stone-walled fields, which extend over thousands of acres, are a whopping 6,000 years old. Check out free camping in Ireland, or check out our favourite campsites in Ireland. Tourists in Ireland have told us that Newcastle Co.Down is one of their favourite destinations with our caravan spending many weekends in Tollymore and Castlewellan Forest Parks. It might be a late night out, with many nice pubs and restaurants and live music everywhere, so be respectful to your fellow overnight campers! Cheryl. Remote. If you want to catch some traditional Irish music, go to Matt Molloy’s in Westport. It sounds like you’d driven around a lot of Ireland already. The bar is famous for its nightly jam sessions. // Bantry to Healy Pass – 48-minute drive (leave Bantry at 14:45, arrive at Healy Pass for 15:35) //. Here he shares some advice for anyone thinking of touring the Wild Atlantic Way in a camper van or RV. //. Caravan, Campervan, Motorhome & Camping Sites on Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way. Take the roads that tickle your fancy. Take some time for hill walking  - the Twelve Bens/ Garrun Complex is just across the road and it’s a short drive to Connemara National Park. The route is 2,500km long and includes 156 discovery points along the way but the route itself has hundreds of others for individuals to discover by themselves. Jutting out of the ocean and rising roughly 40m above the wild Atlantic waves, Downpatrick Head treats visitors to unparalleled views of the enormous Sea Stack known as Dún Briste. When I visited recently, I met 2 or 3 other cars, max, and from talking to people who live in the area, it’s easily missed/over-looked. It’d be tempting to add in some other locations, but those extra few days should give you some nice cushion time to chill and explore. // Lough Salt to Fanad head – 40-minute drive (leave Lough Salt at 15:40, arrive to Fanad for 16:20) //. Nov 19, 2019 - Explore discoverireland.ie's board "Wild Atlantic Way", followed by 1186 people on Pinterest. The drive up to Grianan of Aileach is worth the trip alone. Explore Campers are now the natural choice in 4x4 adventure tours of Ireland's new and exciting Wild Atlantic Way and Scotland's new North Coast 500 route. The wind crashes against you from every angle and the thunder of the waves smashing against jagged cliff is like music to the ears. The tight, narrow road snakes alongside the mountain and weaves its way along sharp cliff faces on one side and an enormous drop to the other. It’s reasonably sheltered and boasts a natural harbour, and there’s a lifeguarded on duty during the summer months. The larger town of Ballina offers plenty of choices when it comes to accommodation and refreshment, so you can catch your breath here before heading on to the more rugged parts of your Wild Atlantic Way itinerary. Also, explore the magical expanse of Clew Bay, where pirate queen, Grace O’Malley, once ruled the seas. Sligo is becoming a foodie and cultural hub in the North West, and there are plenty of bars and restaurants to enjoy. When I visited here in early 2018, I checked into the Seaview Guest House (super value for money and lovely clean and comfortable rooms) – you can stay where you want but I’d 100% recommend this place! May 2, 2019. Be sure to see Malin Head, the Gap of Mamore, and Lenan Bay. Stay at Carrowkeel Camping and Caravan Park for a comfortable rest in the heart of County Mayo next to the Clydagh river. Itinerary: Galway - Achill island (5h) on Wild Atlantic Way. I’m excited for any of you that are doing this drive for the first time. Our next stop is the Folk Village in Glencolmcille. The mountainous, ever-changing landscape that you’ll pass through over the course of this stretch of road is simply superb. // Healy Pass to Allihies – 58-minute drive (we’re going to allow for 2 hours for this final stretch of today’s trip – leave Healy Pass at 15:20, arrive in Allihies for 17:20) //. Along the Wild Atlantic Way there are so many beautiful spots to spend the night (the pier on Old Head, Achill Island, making a fire by Cleggan lake, Malin beg area watching the sun go down, Killary fjord, walk down on Spanish Armada view point, Ardara, Croagh Patrick hike for great view of the bay area islands and the Happy Camper cafe . After dumping my bags I strolled the short distance to O’Neill’s pub and grabbed some food and a pint – you should definitely do the same! So, it would probably be a good idea to put the next stop on your trip into your GPS or Google Maps as you go. If you want a full itinerary, read our previous blog on the Ring of Kerry road trip! In this blog, we explore your potential road trip with a caravan in Cork - Ireland's largest county with over 1,000km of coastline. The year after the book was published he put his royalties to good use by buying a beautiful 1989 Volkswagen LT31. Get out of the car. Ireland West Motorhomes is THE Wild Atlantic Way campervan and motorhome rental specialist. If you can, pull in at the side of the road after you come up the hill just before the bay comes into view (there’s limited parking on either side – literally enough space for one car). No Wild Atlantic Way itinerary (or Ireland itinerary, for that matter) is complete without a spin over to Achill. You can pull in at the side of the road before the pass and admire the views around you. This part of the drive could take you one or a few full days depending how much time you have, as the Ring of Kerry is 112 miles long and includes inland locations like Killarney National Park, that are worth a visit if you can veer slightly off the Wild Atlantic Way map. Just above the Atlantic, it has spectacular views and is open from March to mid-October. Stay at Creveen Lodge Caravan and Camping Park, where the family team can offer you a civilised base from which to get the salty wind of the Atlantic in your hair and the Irish wilderness in your sights. These are the dog-friendly Camping, Touring Caravan, Campervan & Motorhome sites we've confirmed so far, starting on Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way. There are various bodies that certify registered campsites of high quality, such as Fáilte Ireland and the Camping and Caravanning Club. Opened in 1980, the West Highland way was Scotland's first long distance walking route. 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