The Wild Atlantic Way

While driving around the peninsula take in some of the small harbours like Greencastle or Leenan and the larger towns of Buncrana and head north to the village of Malin and if the weather is good stroll along Five Finger Beach before viewing Ireland’s most northerly point.

The shortie gives a quick preview of the south west of Donegal.

Bundoran’s waterfront is a relaxing sight. With the delightful ocean breeze and the splendid scenery, it has become a popular seaside resort for tourists.

Walk along the coastline and watch the waves hit the shore as you explore Bundoran. Near the waterfront, you will find various activities to try, such as waterslides, amusements and of course golf.

In fact, it is best for surfing; Bundoran was recognized by National Geographic Magazine as one of the World’s Top 20 Surf Towns.

Its beach is also popular among tourists every summer. Actually, Bun Dobhrain which is the original name in Irish literally means “the little water”.

Ballymuldory is west of Lissadell and its beaches were favourite haunts of Yeats. Though the south beach is dangerous for swimming due it its frequent rip tides. The more westerly beach is a mixture of shingle and sand. The beaches are separated by Raghly head.

Glencar Valley, is a U shaped valley, with mountains, forests and a large lake. It is approx 10 km north east of Sligo town. It is well worth a visit for trails, walks, bird watching and photography with its spectacular scenery.

With an area of over 100 square km, the park boasts of having the largest expanses of peatland in Europe. The boardwalk alongside the bay allows the visitor easy access to the peatland. Of particular note are the ancient stumps of trees, which date to before the formation of the bog, some of which are visible from the boardwalk.

Starting in Mularanny there is an interesting drive/cycle around Corraun Pninsula that follows close to the shore, which offers great views across the bay to south Mayo, Clare Island, Achill Island and the Sound, on a clear day. The road just west of the hotel is well marked as a left turn by the Atlantic Way signage.

On the way from Killary Harbour to Louisburg, after passing Finn Lough at the head of Delphi Valley, the vista opens again as the road passes through a mountain gap. Doo Lough or Black Lake lies ahead. This is one of the deepest lakes in Ireland.

The Twelve Pins or Twelve Bens are a series of mountain peaks located in the mountain range north of the Cliden to Maam Cross road and west of the Inagh Valley. Binn (Ben) Bhan (White) is the highest of the peaks rising to just below 730 metres.

Walking<br>The area is ideal for walking, particularly with the excellent Western Way traversing the area. The Western Way stretches from Mayo right down to Galway. A good place to pick up the walk is close to the Lough Inagh Lodge Hotel.

While walking in the mountains it is advisable to take precautions, wear suitable boots and clothing as the weather and visibility can change quite quickly.

If you are the more energetic kind you could try running up all twelve peaks in a day.

Killary Harbour enters the Atlantic in Killary Bay under the shadow of the Mweelrea Mountains Mayo. The Mweelrea are the highest mountains in County Mayo.

The dramatic sea and mountainscape views of Killary Bay and Mweelrea Mountains are best seen while travelling the Renvyle Peninsula Loop Drive or from Rosroe at the head of the Fjord.

The village of Roundstone lies at the foot of Errisbeg Mountain and on the shores of Bertraghboy Bay.

The village makes a great base for exploring the surrounding countryside. The loop road along the coast from Clifden, through Rounstone and back over the bog, with its amazing views of the Twelve Bens is one of the best loops for cyclists and motorists in Connemara.

Rounstone has a small but working harbour. The local fishermen can be seen working on their boats or returning with their lobster and fish catches.

The village has a number of good restaurants and pubs and of course are very welcoming to visitors throughout the season but dont go looking for the Round Stone, as the town takes its name from Cloch na Ron or Seal Rock.

Further west from Barna lies the small village of Spiddal. As you pass through Barna you enter region known as the Gaeltacht. A place where the mother tongue is Irish and an area of revival for the Irish Language and Culture.

Spiddal is one of the main Gaeltacht centres – and hosts a large number of students through the summer months who come solely to learn the Irish Language.
If you make a bit of an effort to say Conas Ta tu (Hello) or Dia Guit (Good day)– people will respond positively and be more  welcoming.

There are a number of fine pubs and restaurants in the village.

Close to the village there are a number of great beaches and the village has its own small harbour, from where the local fishermen set out in their small boats to catch crab and lobster.

There are a number of prehistoric forts with spectacular sea views on the island.

Dún Aonghasa or Dun Aengus is the best preserved and most well-known and visited. The fort can be accessed easily whether you are touring on bicycle, horse and cart or tour bus.

The round trip of the island taking in Dun Aonghasa and the other principle sites can easily be done by bike, though a bit far on foot.

It is unknown when Dún Aonghasa was built but it is thought to be over two thousand years old and probably dating to 200BC. The fort – originally a circular fort – though actually now a semi- circle, backs dramatically right onto the edge of the cliff with a 100m sheer drop below.

The fort was built as semi-circle to take advantage of the high cliffs . The fort covers an area of 15 acres and has a number of out protective walled semi – circles. Surrounding the outer wall there is a fine example of Chevaux de fries or jagged upright stake like rocks which form an impenetrable barrier.

The inner circle’s walls are over 5 metres thick and are thought to have been almost 7 metres high.

The reason for the large flat rocked platform at edge of the cliff in the inner circle is unknown but it is thought to have played a role in ceremonial practices though thoughts differ as to whether it was a sacrificial platform with victims being sacrificed to the ragging gods below.

Visitors to the fort and to the Islands should come prepared with proper strong foot ware as enjoyment of the fort and sea cliffs is limited in sandals and fashion shoes.

Galway Harbour lies tucked in close to Spanish Arch and Quay Street. Nearby there is a hotel and holiday apartment accommodation. The harbour can accommodate vessels up to 10K tonnes.

The castle was built in the 16th century as a tower house which offered a commading view of the area. The castle is built on a mound part surrounded by the sea and protected by an outer wall. The castle has been well restored and is open to the public.

The Burren is a lanscape unque in Europe, with its clints and grykes, underground rivers, swallow holes and dolmen. The best example of a dolmen or portal tomb is at Poulnaborne dating back to Neolithic times.

A great way to view the Cliffs of Moher is from below, by taking a trip on one of the ferries that operate from Doolin. The ferry takes you right underneath the cliffs and close to Branaunmore a large sea stack. The round trip time is about an hour.

The northside of the Loop Head peninsuala falls away into the Atlantic in a dramatic fashion. The cliffs are hundreds of metres high with an almost vertical drop into the Atlantic below..

Skellig Michael is the largest of the islands. It was inhabited by monks for about 5 centuries, from the 7th to the 12th.

The homes of the monks are still in liveable condition, provided of course that you are a monk, and like to live in perfect isolation. Though both broadband and mobile service are now available.

The island rises to about 200 metres. While trekking up to the monks village you will pass below the highest point and be able see the most remote dwelling on the island, perched almost on top of the conical shaped peak.

The monks monastery sits on a ledge high up the mountain top. Monks first settled here in the 6th century and built a cluster of 6 beehive huts and two little churches.

While the cliffs at Black Fort are lower than the cliffs at Dun Aonghosa, they nevertheless drop dramatically to the sea.

From the fort on a clear day you can see the cliffs as they stretch north and south and the Atlantic breakers thunder far below as they roll and foam against the massive cliffs.

Follow the route of the Slea Head drive from Dingle - along the rugged coast line, past the Blasket Islands, through Ballyferriter and back to Dingle

Slea Head
A tour of Slea Head whether by self drive or tour operator must include a visit to Dunbeg Fort, the Beehive Huts, a stop to see the Blasket Islands and Coomeenole ( coo meen ole ) strand and of course the little church at- Gallurus.

Dunbeg Fort
Perched on the edge of a cliff for about 2000 years, a visit to Dunbeg offers a glimpse back in time. Much of the fort remains in tact – despite visitors walking on top of the walls.

Make your way via Crookhaven and Barley cove and see the most westerly lighthouse in Ireland.

The harbour is well sheltered and provides protection from summer storms.

During the steam ship era, Crookhaven was the last point of contact for ships crossing the Atlantic to America.

From Baltimore village, the walk to the beacon takes about twenty minutes. From the top, you have excellent views of the harbour, Sherkin Island and the south coast.

During May and June, the waters around the south coast abound with Basking Sharks.

On a ferry crossing to Clare island you maybe lucky to see sharks in the open waters. Inside Baltimore harbour dolphins are often seen.

On a clear day the Fastnet lighthouse is clearly seen in the distance from the beacon. The lighthouse is about 20 km off shore.

The inner harbour runs along the edge of the town, bounded on the east by Scilly Hill. It is less busy than the harbour area around the sailing club and small docks.