Irish Coastal Road Trip September 2025

I'm currently thinking that this September that myself and Mrs C will hit the road and do an Irish coastal road trip taking in all the usual sites along the way
Probably will end up been a good two week trip maybe close to three and will more then likely staying in hotels and B&B's along the way
The main reason is we've never really done the WAW and it's been years since we've seen a lot of the attractions around the country
I plan on getting the OPW Heritage Card so as to visit some of the sites and keep costs down some what down
And I'm also thinking that we might try and "wing it" in sofar as not booking any hotels or B&B's in advance
The route will be something similar to this persons trip in counter clockwise starting with the first night in Belfast



So I'm kind of looking for opinions of places to stay and attractions to see along this route that people have been to or have avoided??
I'm thinking September as It would be a lot quieter than August but would October be better??
I know the OPW heritage card will be a good investment or there others to suggest that I might find useful??
Is "winging it" in September the way to do it or is it a recipe for disaster and I should set an itinerary and book in advance??

Thanks in advance for any thoughts your willing to share

The websites of the Wild Atlantic Way and the Causeway Coastal Route would be a good start for attraction information.

Also Heritagemaps.ie app looks good.

Nevins near Newport, Mayo is a nice roadside place for lunch. You can stretch your legs along its nearby Greenway.
I think they have a small number of B&B rooms also.
'Pirate Queen' Grace O'Malley's castle is a short drive away.

Banna beach near Ardfert, Kerry is a nice spot with good food option in Kate Brownes Pub/Restaurant in Ardfert.

Letterkenny is a good base from which to explore beautiful Donegal.

The Mount Erigal hotel in Letterkenny is a nice hotel and would recommend highly.

Glenveigh National park and house is definitely worth a visit.

Rathmullan beach rarely gets a mention but always worth a visit, from here the Earls took flight and its a lovely to go for a walk on.

Ramelton (Heritage town) which is on the way to Rathmullan is also worth a visit.

Bellmullet tidal pool, trip to Inishkea Islands, plenty of walks up that way. Amazing beaches if you get the weather.

It might be a good idea to arrange accommodation in advance in key/busier locations along the way. This should secure a better deal while guaranteeing a bed for the night.
You might also consider self-catering for a few nights to control the costs of eating out.
We did a similar trip to what you're planning, although in two stages. Overnights on stage one were Valentia, Kilkee, Cong, Westport and Glenties. Stage two was Dunfanaghy, Derry, Cushendall and Carlingford.
Great memories. Have a great trip.

I was going to suggest treating yourselves to 2 nights at Fanadlighthouse dot com, but the 2 person cottage is booked out until mid November.

Ah well, another recommendation for not winging it I suppose.

Heron's Cove in Goleen, West Cork is a nice spot for B&B/restaurant - super cycling routes.

Try to spend a bit of time in Gussy O'Connors in Doolin Co. Clare, if trad music is your thang, and at the Cliffs of Moher - spectacular. They're on the WAW itinerary. Manys the night, etc, etc,

Explore West Cork

This on its own could take some significant time. Dip in and see what suits, bhoyyyy! Hopefully they won't be too cranky after losing the hurling to Tipp!

With apologies to @Montbretia and above all enjoy!!

A visit and tour of the Dunbroody in New Ross is well worth it. The tour goes through pre boarding and the ship itself.

From Waterford to Wexford I'd get the car ferry from Passage East to Ballyhack and spin down to Hook Lighthouse.

Include The Norman Way https://thenormanway.com/ in your trip. Visit Jack Meades pub in Cheekpoint https://www.jackmeades.com/.

Skellig, if you can manage it. Availability and weather dependent......but worth it. Our 2022 trip was cancelled on the last weekend of the season. Made it out in June 2023 on a perfect calm ,sunny day.
Inis Meáin, unspoiled, more accessible. Good to cycle around in a day. Inis Mór if you want to see tragedy of commons in action and where taste and architecture go to die.

Do you need a driver / bag carrier? this sounds like a great trip. I’d wing it but keep an eye for a night or two ahead.
Few places in Sligo I’d recommend - ladies Brae, Gleniff horseshoe, queen Maeve trail at Knocknarae.
Enjoy.

michaelm said:

From Waterford to Wexford I'd get the car ferry from Passage East to Ballyhack and spin down to Hook Lighthouse.

Click to expand...

Should also get the Tarbert ferry to avoid Limerick.

Seeing as you mentioned Waterford, Waterford castle hotel is on an island and is a lovely place to stay/visit.

Not sure how anyone can do all of Ireland in two weeks. One of my children did the wild Atlantic way last year, but they stayed in tents ! With the odd B&B along the way, ending up in the car one windy rainy night in Kinsale.

Would need to be careful about accommodation in hotspots like Killarney and Galway, or when there are events on in a place such as the races, festivals....

Bronte said:

Not sure how anyone can do all of Ireland in two weeks

Click to expand...

Would have to be American Friend told me a story of his two children laughing their heads off listening to an American bus group being told at breakfast that they were taking too many 'pit stops' and they would just have to keep on goin' if they wanted to see Ireland in a couple of days.