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Have you ever dreamt of

embarking on a journey of

discovery, to hidden places and

secret worlds where all kinds of

enchantment lie in wait? Well

now you can, along the wildest,

most captivating, longest

defined coastal tourism route in

the world at 2,500kms Ireland’s

Wild Atlantic Way. Tucked

away in little villages and towns

that snuggle into the coastline

are delightful little nuggets of

treasure in the form of food,

activities, cultural, attractions

and so much more! Here are just

a few to whet your appetite.

Main attractions:

FANAD LIGHTHOUSE

Standing between idyllic Lough

Swilly and Mulroy Bay beach

Fanad Head Lighthouse has

been voted one of the most

beautiful lighthouses in the

world. Give yourself plenty

of time here - take in the

spectacular scenery, explore

the wild and wonderful natural

world and learn more about the

lighthouse in the visitor centre.

STRANDHILL

Take a bike tour from the

seaside village of Strandhill

around beautiful Knocknarea

Mountain and through the

striking lowlands and coastal

roads with stunning views of

Sligo Bay, the Dartry Mountain

Range and Coney Island.

Stop off to see the megalithic

tombs at Carrowmore, picnic

in the giant sand dunes south

of Strandhill and, if you’re

lucky, catch a glimpse of the

local seal population. Finish

up at Strandhill Village with a

relaxing soak in the famous Voya

Seaweed bath.

PEARSES COTTAGE

Visit historic Pearse’s Cottage

(Teach an Phiarsaigh) a small

restored cottage overlooking

the breathtaking lakes and

mountains of Connemara,

County Galway. The cottage

was used by Patrick Pearse

(1879-1916), leader of the 1916

Rising, as a summer residence

and summer school for his pupils

from St Enda’s in Dublin.

CLIFDEN

This beautiful coastal town is

located in Galway’s picturesque

Connemara area. Nestled

between mountains, the Atlantic

Ocean and bog land area,

Clifden is one of Ireland’s most

popular towns and has many

shops, bars, cafes, restaurants,

hotels and B&B’s which makes

it a great stop off point on the

Wild Atlantic Way.

CLIFFS OF MOHER

No visit to Ireland is truly

complete without a visit to one

of Ireland’s most popular and

picturesque tourist destinations,

the Cliffs of Moher. The cliffs

are Ireland’s most visited natural

attraction and offer the most

spectacular views you will see

anywhere in Ireland.

SKELLIG MICHAEL

A designated UNESCO World

Heritage Site, Skellig Michael

Island is renowned among

archaeologists as the site of a

well preserved monastic outpost

of the early Christian period.

This monastic site is reached by

climbing more than 600 steps

on a 1,000-year-old stairway.

Stone beehive huts where the

monks lived and prayed cling to

cliff edges alongside oratories,

a cemetery, stone crosses,

holy wells and the Church of

St Michael. These remains

demonstrate the spartan

conditions in which the monks

lived until they left the island in

the 13th century.

DURSEY ISLAND

A trip to Dursey Island off the

west coast of Cork is a must for

the adventurous, accessible from

Ireland’s only cable car. Take a

10 minute ride out to the island

and enjoy the waves and water

crashing below you as you go.

MIZEN HEAD

Mizen Head is based in the

most southern part of Ireland.

If you’re looking for adventure,

climb down the steps at the

edge of the peninsula and

journey along the arched

suspension bridge to hit the

point at which you can go no

further. Look out at the sea

and enjoy the wonderful view

and noise that is created by the

waves crashing off the cliffs.

DERRYGIMLAGH

Take the signposted looped walk

(5km/3 miles) at Derrygrimlagh

in the heart of Connemara

through a landscape of

outstanding beauty and learn

the story of this remarkable

place told across 7 stop points

at locations of former landmarks

such as Marconi’s Condenser

House where Marconi achieved

the first successful commercial

wireless transmission of Morse

code across the Atlantic in 1907.

Activities:

„

Take it slow with

meandering coastal walks,

scenic cycle routes, a spot

of kayaking and world

heritage sites.

„

Try a faster pace with sheer

cliff face climbing, a surf

lesson, hike up a mountain

or take a dive.

„

Relax with some star gazing

at the Dark Sky Reserve

in Kerry or marvel at the

Northern Lights in Donegal.

For sample itineraries and details

of upcoming events see

www. wildatlanticway.com

19

EXTEND YOUR STAY ON

THE WILD ATLANTIC WAY