Driving Ireland’s coastal route

Experiencing the whole 2,500km of the Wild Atlantic Way, the longest defined coastal touring route in the world stretching from Inishowen in Donegal to Kinsale in West Cork, in one go might be a bit ambitious for most of us (although you are welcome to try!). But, if you’re looking to get in as much as you can, we’re here to help.

Below, we guide you on how you can prepare and get the most from your road trip along the Wild Atlantic Way:

Choose your base location

This all depends on the areas you most want to see, but make sure to base yourself close to the Wild Atlantic Way. Why not plan your accommodation in Co Galway, right in the centre of the west of Ireland and drive along from there choosing a number of gems to explore each day? Galway City is the only city located directly on the route, so it’s a great starting location.

Try settling into The Galmont Hotel & Spa, Galway which was recently refurbished and overlooks Galway Bay. It is close to many other sights of the west, as a hop in the car will take you past Co Clare’s coast, the Cliffs of Moher, and Keem Bay in Co Mayo.

Plan your route

Sure, you can just take off and travel to as many random places as you’d like. But you’ll find yourself driving down dead-end paths and end up in small housing estates with definitely no surfing to be seen! So, it’s always best to plan your route before embarking on your adventure, especially if you have kids in the back.

Have your licence and up-to-date tax disc, along with a copy of your car insurance policy and your car’s manual – because you never know when it might come in handy!

You can use Google Maps or the oldfashioned paper map to plan your route. Have a passenger guide you or use a handy phone holder which you can install on your dashboard. There are plenty of other road trip apps, such as Ireland Travel Guide, to help you find sights and things to do on your way. The AA app can be used to report a breakdown and track traffic. Or even use Camping Ireland to help you find campsites.

Some drivers prefer to take the back roads for the more scenic view, or you can try to find the quickest way possible to your destination. Some of the more rural areas in the west can have tricky roads, or smaller lanes only fit for one car at a time, so planning ahead is usually the best decision to avoid any potential problems.

Look after yourself

A road trip on the Wild Atlantic Way can take many hours, so you need to ensure you care for yourself and any passengers in the car. On a longer trip, always plan to take a break every couple of hours or every 100 miles or so. This shouldn’t be difficult, as there are so many places to stop and take in the surroundings. Taking a break, stretching your legs, and relaxing your eyes will make you a more alert and safer driver. And if you ever feel too tired to drive, pull into a rest area and take a nap, plus a strong coffee.

Keep entertained

If on a long car journey, you need to keep entertained between stops! This is especially