Wild Atlantic Way
Discussion
Hello there
We live in Scotland, and along with a few friends,are taking a trip in late April from the Belfast ferry up to Letterkenny, to Sligo, to Galway, to Limerick and then due to time constraints, back up to Athlone then to the ferry in Belfast for a return trip to Scotland. We have four overnight stays booked and five days for the trip. We hope to take in as much of the Wild Atlantic Way as possible in various Porsches and experience as much culture and scenery as possible. We'll be covering an average 250 km each day - so relaxed with plenty of time for stops along the way. Hopefully we'll return for the second part around the south west next year.
Just wondering if anybody has taken a similar trip and could offer a few tips to help with our planning?
Thanks in advance
Taffy
We live in Scotland, and along with a few friends,are taking a trip in late April from the Belfast ferry up to Letterkenny, to Sligo, to Galway, to Limerick and then due to time constraints, back up to Athlone then to the ferry in Belfast for a return trip to Scotland. We have four overnight stays booked and five days for the trip. We hope to take in as much of the Wild Atlantic Way as possible in various Porsches and experience as much culture and scenery as possible. We'll be covering an average 250 km each day - so relaxed with plenty of time for stops along the way. Hopefully we'll return for the second part around the south west next year.
Just wondering if anybody has taken a similar trip and could offer a few tips to help with our planning?
Thanks in advance
Taffy
Hi - I live on the Derry/Donegal border and have a house in NW Donegal. I've driven most of the roads on the route - a lot of them well before the WAW idea was hatched - in a variety of machinery, from a LR Defender to a 981 GTS.
I'd recommend doing the Inishowen loop (Malin Head) on the way to Letterkenny and if you have time doing both sides of Mulroy Bay that day too (Fanad Head).This would take you down Knockalla - check out Kris Meeke doing it as a rally stage.
I'd recommend doing a loop of the R251 - Glenveagh castle is worth a look, but it's a great mountain driving road, before going on round through Dunfanaghy - make sure you go round the Atlantic Drive and Horn Head and the Donegal coast.
I would probably aim to stay further west than Letterkenny, but I'm not sure of your timings.
Be warned, the 'N' roads are generally good, but some of the 'R' roads are quite narrow and we have plenty of sheep and tractors.
If you want you can head back to Letterkenny and go to Sligo via Ballybofey, which takes you through Barnesmore Gap which is a sweeping wide road - watch out for speed cameras on the straight bits.
Heading to Sligo you have Sliabh Liag which is pretty spectacular and then you go round Westport and Connemara via Clifden to Galway.
I think the website covers the main highlights and I see you have accommodation sorted - I can recommend restaurants if you want.
Hopefully I'll catch sight of you - you might drive past the house. I did meet the Lotus owners club at Fanad Lighthouse - I was in my GTS, so they weren't overly affable, but it was good to see an Esprit V8 again. We get lots of classic club runs, probably Bentley being the most impressive, though seeing a Lagonda and a Bugatti from the 1930s following a Massey Ferguson tractor from the 1970s is a favourite memory.
Finally, if you don't like Guinness we have a great local beer.
I'd recommend doing the Inishowen loop (Malin Head) on the way to Letterkenny and if you have time doing both sides of Mulroy Bay that day too (Fanad Head).This would take you down Knockalla - check out Kris Meeke doing it as a rally stage.
I'd recommend doing a loop of the R251 - Glenveagh castle is worth a look, but it's a great mountain driving road, before going on round through Dunfanaghy - make sure you go round the Atlantic Drive and Horn Head and the Donegal coast.
I would probably aim to stay further west than Letterkenny, but I'm not sure of your timings.
Be warned, the 'N' roads are generally good, but some of the 'R' roads are quite narrow and we have plenty of sheep and tractors.
If you want you can head back to Letterkenny and go to Sligo via Ballybofey, which takes you through Barnesmore Gap which is a sweeping wide road - watch out for speed cameras on the straight bits.
Heading to Sligo you have Sliabh Liag which is pretty spectacular and then you go round Westport and Connemara via Clifden to Galway.
I think the website covers the main highlights and I see you have accommodation sorted - I can recommend restaurants if you want.
Hopefully I'll catch sight of you - you might drive past the house. I did meet the Lotus owners club at Fanad Lighthouse - I was in my GTS, so they weren't overly affable, but it was good to see an Esprit V8 again. We get lots of classic club runs, probably Bentley being the most impressive, though seeing a Lagonda and a Bugatti from the 1930s following a Massey Ferguson tractor from the 1970s is a favourite memory.
Finally, if you don't like Guinness we have a great local beer.
Hi Pete
Thanks for taking the time to reply and for the info. That's really helpful. Any recommendations for any suitable restaurants or cafes for lunch around half way Letterkenny to Sligo and/or Sligo to Galway would be greatly appreciated and any in the vicinity of each, being our overnight destination.
Thanks for taking the time to reply and for the info. That's really helpful. Any recommendations for any suitable restaurants or cafes for lunch around half way Letterkenny to Sligo and/or Sligo to Galway would be greatly appreciated and any in the vicinity of each, being our overnight destination.
If you have time, do the Antrim coast road to Bally castle, head towards portrush, portstewart quick lap of the nw200. Coleraine to be one for a quick drive on the beach then ferry to green castle.
From greencastle you can either head to letterkenny or on up round the coast towards Malin head.
From greencastle you can either head to letterkenny or on up round the coast towards Malin head.
i also live on derry / donegal border and have done most sections of the waw in the 996 turbo and can echo a lot of advice pete has given, i wouldnt miss the opportunity to gather at the ring fort of grianan of aileach between buncrana and letterkenny, spectacular views.
fanad head is spectacular.
again can only echo what pete has said, and that is to make sure you do not skip the atlantic drive when you come to carrigart. the drive and road out around downings, horn head is unreal, i never get tired of it, and we spend most of our summer down there every year. big fan of the food at the singing pub on that loop, but it would probably be too early to stop for lunch, if it isnt make sure you stop.
again what pete says is very true, the drive past glenveagh national park, errigal and dunlewey is probably better than the coastal road.
not sure if you are following the waw from galway to limerick, but if you are and time permits, i would really recommend skipping part, and coming down through the burren to the cliffs of moher. the burren is worth seeing, amazing views, extreme hair pins, and megalithic tombs
again time permitting taking the car ferry across the shannon from kilimer to tarbet, and back up through foynes to limerick is much more fun, although part of fun may be i am always racing to make the ferry
fanad head is spectacular.
again can only echo what pete has said, and that is to make sure you do not skip the atlantic drive when you come to carrigart. the drive and road out around downings, horn head is unreal, i never get tired of it, and we spend most of our summer down there every year. big fan of the food at the singing pub on that loop, but it would probably be too early to stop for lunch, if it isnt make sure you stop.
again what pete says is very true, the drive past glenveagh national park, errigal and dunlewey is probably better than the coastal road.
not sure if you are following the waw from galway to limerick, but if you are and time permits, i would really recommend skipping part, and coming down through the burren to the cliffs of moher. the burren is worth seeing, amazing views, extreme hair pins, and megalithic tombs
again time permitting taking the car ferry across the shannon from kilimer to tarbet, and back up through foynes to limerick is much more fun, although part of fun may be i am always racing to make the ferry
Thanks to all for the replies and good advice. We'll be sure to work this into our plans along the way.
We're really looking forward to the trip now which will be a welcome relief from being 'cabined up' since last Tuesday due to the snow here. It was fun for the first couple of days but a 5 mile walk through the snow to find there's no milk in the shops is not :-(
We're really looking forward to the trip now which will be a welcome relief from being 'cabined up' since last Tuesday due to the snow here. It was fun for the first couple of days but a 5 mile walk through the snow to find there's no milk in the shops is not :-(
Several years ago wife and I went to a wedding at Naas which we followed with a week on the west coast based at Clifden. It was a memorable week partly because of the stunningly good weather throughout.
Two memorable things:
1. Sky Road north west out of Clifden. Not too long and a great evening away for spectacular sunsets.
2. Achill Island, County Mayo. We were recommended to visit by the hotel. A long day out but spectacular. Drove up to Westport then headed west to cross the bridge on to the island. Almost immediately, took a left turning on to the coast road (L1404). Just a wonderful part of the world. We parked up for quite a while and for the first time we saw sea otters. Here’s a pic:
On the return we stopped for dinner at Leenane at the Portfinn Lodge. Just excellent and well timed! Not sure this place still serves meals. After Leenane the road runs alongside the Killarly Fjord, more sea otters and spectacular scenery…and sunset!
R.
Two memorable things:
1. Sky Road north west out of Clifden. Not too long and a great evening away for spectacular sunsets.
2. Achill Island, County Mayo. We were recommended to visit by the hotel. A long day out but spectacular. Drove up to Westport then headed west to cross the bridge on to the island. Almost immediately, took a left turning on to the coast road (L1404). Just a wonderful part of the world. We parked up for quite a while and for the first time we saw sea otters. Here’s a pic:
On the return we stopped for dinner at Leenane at the Portfinn Lodge. Just excellent and well timed! Not sure this place still serves meals. After Leenane the road runs alongside the Killarly Fjord, more sea otters and spectacular scenery…and sunset!
R.
ooo000ooo said:
If you have time, do the Antrim coast road to Bally castle, head towards portrush, portstewart quick lap of the nw200. Coleraine to be one for a quick drive on the beach then ferry to green castle.
From greencastle you can either head to letterkenny or on up round the coast towards Malin head.
This.From greencastle you can either head to letterkenny or on up round the coast towards Malin head.
Definitely start with this.
High mountain/cliffs on your left, blue green sea on your right.
Sunny day, stunning.
Regards
Fy
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