Ireland - Wild Atlantic Way
Discussion
You may get glimpses of the road by watching this
https://www.itv.com/itvplayer/wild-ireland/series-...
which, despite the presenter, is a very good programme
https://www.itv.com/itvplayer/wild-ireland/series-...
which, despite the presenter, is a very good programme
This may help too
http://www.wildatlanticway.com/home/?gclid=CNDfj5j...
I've only driven the Ballyshannon to Donegal area and from memory the roads were pretty good.
http://www.wildatlanticway.com/home/?gclid=CNDfj5j...
I've only driven the Ballyshannon to Donegal area and from memory the roads were pretty good.
I've recently done bits of it around the Clifden area. I never found any good driving roads, there was a fair bit to see, but the roads left me underwhelmed. Nearly always stuck behind something, no good overtaking places, couple of negative camber corners where some skid marks go straight, you don't know how much of a corner it is until you are halfway around it, then you find a campervan coming towards you..
The new motorways over there are brilliant for just getting from one place to another, fast, smooth, empty!
When it decides to rain over there, it never stops.... in a week up and down the west coast, we had one night that was semi dry.
The new motorways over there are brilliant for just getting from one place to another, fast, smooth, empty!
When it decides to rain over there, it never stops.... in a week up and down the west coast, we had one night that was semi dry.
The only section I have done is anti-clockwise from Ballyshannon to Sligo, Balina, and Achill Island and from there via Clifden to Galway.
My car has less ground clearance than a GT3 and I had no issues. That said, it's much more about taking in the views than speed.
The pace of life is different over there. Take it easy and chill out.
Achill Island has some superb vistas.
The last two photos are of Keem Bay where the road peters out at an unspoiled deserted sandy beach with just a car park, toilet block, and a kiosk selling drinks and snacks (which wasn't open when we went in mid September). The only people there were a couple, a family with two young children and our group.
Another thing to remember that over there animals tend not to want to get out of the way. Each car in turn was carefully inspected!
Finally, sudden unexpected traffic jams can occur on main roads (IIRC this one was on the N59 and that bend was sharper than it looks in the photo)!
My car has less ground clearance than a GT3 and I had no issues. That said, it's much more about taking in the views than speed.
The pace of life is different over there. Take it easy and chill out.
Achill Island has some superb vistas.
The last two photos are of Keem Bay where the road peters out at an unspoiled deserted sandy beach with just a car park, toilet block, and a kiosk selling drinks and snacks (which wasn't open when we went in mid September). The only people there were a couple, a family with two young children and our group.
Another thing to remember that over there animals tend not to want to get out of the way. Each car in turn was carefully inspected!
Finally, sudden unexpected traffic jams can occur on main roads (IIRC this one was on the N59 and that bend was sharper than it looks in the photo)!
Talking of cows.
If you are getting stuck and cows are passing by
close your windows immediately!
I love the WAW and it is quite a task doing it all.
But it is more for senic driving and enjoying the view.
Not really fast road fun at all.
That´s why I have never been tempted to ever take a TVR.
Many bad roads and also a lot of chipping in progress in summer.
I prefer the Defender for doing it and you have a better view over the stone walls also.
I'm holidaying in Ireland, staying on the Beara peninsula, as I write this. I also did some of the more northern parts of the west coast about 3 years ago. Both times on motorbikes (currently a BMW r1200st, complete with full luggage and my wife as pillion).
Having been here a couple of times now I cannot recommend it for the roads. The surface is truly awful and there are very few legal overtaking opportunities, even when the traffic is light. If you want dramatic scenery and decent roads, Scotland is a much better bet. If you want a relaxing holiday with friendly locals and a laid back pace then it's nice, but if I come again I'll likely fly and hire a car...
Having been here a couple of times now I cannot recommend it for the roads. The surface is truly awful and there are very few legal overtaking opportunities, even when the traffic is light. If you want dramatic scenery and decent roads, Scotland is a much better bet. If you want a relaxing holiday with friendly locals and a laid back pace then it's nice, but if I come again I'll likely fly and hire a car...
I drove about 60% of the WAW from North to South last Summer.
I agree with what others have said. 5-10% of it was a fast driving or technical road. It really is more for cruising and seeing the scenery if it doesn't rain. A lot of the road is far away from the coastline and scenic points so a decent map will help you to travel to these. Part I enjoyed the most (in a non-PH fully laden Mazda 5 MPV) was County Donegal. Worst bit: Coming over the horizon and seeing the Cliffs of Moher and it's toll booths and vast car park full of tourists and coaches.
I agree with what others have said. 5-10% of it was a fast driving or technical road. It really is more for cruising and seeing the scenery if it doesn't rain. A lot of the road is far away from the coastline and scenic points so a decent map will help you to travel to these. Part I enjoyed the most (in a non-PH fully laden Mazda 5 MPV) was County Donegal. Worst bit: Coming over the horizon and seeing the Cliffs of Moher and it's toll booths and vast car park full of tourists and coaches.
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