The Wild Atlantic Way‌ Wild. Rugged. Liberating.
The Journey of a Lifetime… An intriguing convergence of land and sea – the longest defined coastal touring route in the world. 2,500 Km of magnificent West of Ireland coastline from the Inishowen Peninsula in Country Donegal to Kinsale in County Cork. The Route The route of the Wild Atlantic Way is 2,500 Km long and includes 156 viewing or ‘Discovery Points’ along the way. At this stage the route comprises a main spine but over the coming years, a series of looped itineraries will be developed to further enrich and deepen the experience for visitors. The aim is to have all the directional signage along the main route in place for the launch of the project in March 2014. The map of the route can be viewed at www.failteireland.ie/ wildatlanticway
The Discovery Points Fáilte Ireland is working with a range of partners to ensure as many as possible of the 156 Discovery Point locations are ‘visitor-ready’ for March 2014. The map on the right illustrates where some of these Discovery Points will be located. While some of these viewing points are already accessible and have great facilities in place, the remainder will be worked on in advance of the launch in March 2014.
Wild Atlantic Way... Highlights • Europe’s last Atlantic frontier • W ild and rugged untamed natural beauty • Dramatic land and seascapes • World famous views and sites • Unique and ancient heritage • A living traditional Gaelic culture – evidenced in music, games, dance and crafts • Defiant settlements and strongholds • Creative and inspiring natives • Cultural festivals and celebrations • Captivating Experiences • A n abundance of quality, local food experiences
2. Fanad Head
1. Malin Head
• I nvigorating land and water based activities • A passionate and welcoming Irish tourism industry • Unique, great value experiences • E xcellent Access – Air, Ferry, Road and Rail
3. Sliabh Liag 4. Mullaghmore Head
5. Downpatrick Head
6. Keem Strand, Achill Island
7. Killary Harbour (South) 8. Derrigimlagh
9. Cliffs of Moher
10. Loop Head
11. Bealach an Bhlascaoid
12. Skelligs Viewpoint
13. Dursey Island
15. Old Head of Kinsale
14. Mizen Head
Sample Discovery Point Locations 1. Malin Head, Donegal 2. Fanad Head, Donegal 3. Sliabh Liag, Donegal 4. Mullaghmore Head, Sligo 5. Downpatrick Head, Mayo 6. Keem Strand, Achill Island, Mayo 7. Killary Harbour (South), Galway 8. Derrigimlagh, Galway 9. Cliffs of Moher, Clare 10. Loop Head, Clare 11. Bealach an Bhlascaoid, Kerry 12. Skelligs Viewpoint, Kerry 13. Dursey Island, Cork 14. Mizen Head, Cork 15. Old Head of Kinsale, Cork
Why the Wild Atlantic Way? •
At 2,500 Km the Wild Atlantic Way is the longest coastal touring route in the world
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Integrated Road Signage and breath-taking Discovery Points bring the dramatic land and seascapes to life
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A unique and vibrant Gaelic Culture evidenced in dance, music, crafts and language
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Immersive Experiences – an exhilarating range of land and water based activities
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Over 2,000 Tourism Providers offering a great Irish welcome along the way!
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A continuous flow of new and exciting experiences and opportunities
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Great Access – Air, Ferry, Road and Rail
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A new opportunity to partner with us and grow your business
It’s for the long term… •
The Wild Atlantic Way Development was informed by extensive consumer research and significant additional visitor volume is expected
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The Irish State and Irish Tourism industry are committed to a continuous process of product development – there will always be new Wild Atlantic Way stories and experiences emerging
Selling the Wild Atlantic Way Fáilte Ireland will be working very closely with Tourism Ireland throughout 2013 to bring the Wild Atlantic Way experience to market and to support you, our Trade partners in selling it. A Sales Toolkit, comprising mapping, imagery, video etc. is currently in development to help you benefit from the business opportunity this exciting new experience will present and will shortly be available from your Tourism Ireland Market Office.
Potential Consumer Segments ROAD TRAVELLERS • A mazing roads that hug some of the wildest Atlantic coastlines in Europe • A mazing views, coastal landscapes and panoramic seascapes
• S tunning sunrises and sunsets, among the most spectacular in Europe • Mysterious and ever changing skies and light LANDSCAPE EXPERIENCE SEEKERS • T he routes of the Wild Atlantic Way take you to, and through, wild Irish landscapes with a wide variety of flora and fauna that can be studied at close quarters • O n, and by, the Wild Atlantic Way there are a number of wildlife centres for those who want to understand how the Western Seaboard of Ireland was formed • T hese centres provide a range of exploration programmes, courses and events for special interest visitors OUTDOOR ACTIVITY SEEKERS • O n or near the Wild Atlantic Way are a wide range of places to explore and experience wild and rugged Irish land and seascapes
• A wide range of outdoor adventure centres offering a variety of activities - hiking, surfing, sailing, equestrian, kayaking, diving and angling in challenging and naturally beautiful landscapes • E xploring this adventurous landscape and participating in fun outdoor activities will leave you feeling renewed, liberated, fitter and healthier CULTURE & HERITAGE EXPERIENCE SEEKERS • T he routes of the Wild Atlantic Way pass through many places of historic interest-Neolithic settlements, defiant remains of forts, strongholds and castles • T he routes of the Wild Atlantic Way take in a wide range of cultural events covering Irish literature and writing, craft making, traditional dancing, music and song • A wild and varied selection of quality Irish food festivals and events
For further information contact: Fáilte Ireland, 88 – 95 Amiens Street, Dublin 1, Ireland. T: + 353 1 8847700 E: waw@failteireland.ie Tourism Ireland, 5th Floor, Bishop’s Square Redmond’s Hill, Dublin 2, Ireland T: +353 1 476 3400 E: corporate.dublin@tourismireland.com