Irish Coastal Road Trip September 2025

Thanks guys for all the suggestions
A couple of them were all ready on the list like Hook head Lighthouse where I used to spend weekends away scuba diving but never got inside the lighthouse and Ardfert where one of Mrs C's friends lives now, so that will probably end up been one of our overnight stays
So yes, going to be spending the next week or so picking out all the attractions that I'd like to see/visit along the way

Bronte said:
Not sure how anyone can do all of Ireland in two weeks.
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The map I posted is from another persons road trip which took them 18 days with each of the red dots representing an over night stay
So I'm guessing with with a bit of fine tuning the whole coast could be easily done in under two weeks
but it will all depend on the amount of stops or attractions you want to see each day which is why I'm giving 2 to 3 weeks for this
And then also it's not just the attractions that we will visit, there is also the driving element of this type of holiday
Over the years we've done a lot of road trips across America and Europe and the journey by road between our destinations has been some of the most memorable moments of those holidays
niceoneted said:
Do you need a driver / bag carrier?
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Your more then welcome to apply for the job but guaranteed after a day or two you'd be begging us to let you off at the nearest train station ;)

Sue Ellen said:
Would have to be American....
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Our first American road trip in 2010 was a Californian one and wasn't really thinking about the size of the state or the journey we were about to undertake but I always will remember fondly the first time I entered our destination into the sat-nav and what it informed us
"In 203 miles turn right" and in 17' we managed to get a turn right in 350 miles :eek:
 
Another vote for couple of previously mentioned spots:

-Dunfanaghy in Donegal. Amazing beaches, horn head drive, Glenbeigh national park, Jazz festival in September.
-Achill island & Westport - Keel, Keem beach,
-Doolin in Clare
-Killarney & ring of Kerry, visit skelligs
-West Cork, Mizen head, Barley cove, Clonakilty
 
West Cork, I would recommend sitting outside O’Sullivans Pub in Crookhaven for lunch. There is a little cafe at the end of Sheep’s head that you can also sit outside for a tea and a scone. Monks in Ballyvaughan in Clare is another spot. And Murphy’s pub in Brandon. And there is a list, it may be out of date because Bunnyconnellans in Cork is closed.

I just love stopping for food with a sea view when I am by the coast.
 
Bronte said:
Not sure how anyone can do all of Ireland in two weeks.
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This 100%. You could spend 2 weeks on the West coast alone and still feel rushed. For Donegal, recommendations would be Inishowen, taking in Malin Head, Glenveagh national park, Errigal mountain if you fancy a hike to some of the finest views in Ireland, any of the beaches from Dunfanaghy, Falcarragh, Gaoth Dobhair, Carrickfin, Kincasslagh, take your pick, they are all fantastic. Highly recommend Danny Minnies in Annagry for a dinner.
But honestly, if you're doing the whole country in 2 weeks you're missing the best of it as you'll be on the road for most of it.
 
Ceist Beag said:
if you're doing the whole country in 2 weeks you're missing the best of it as you'll be on the road for most of it.
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Thanks Ceist Beag for the recommendations
but I'm getting the feeling that you and Bronte have a different opinion of what a "Road Trip" is compared to what I think it is
For me with this type of holiday, first and foremost it is about the road I'm going to drive, where each days drive is the main focus
and not necessarily the destination or the attractions along the way although they are an important part of the trip
It's kind of like in my mind the differences between a tourist and a traveller
 
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Cervelo said:
For me with this type of holiday, first and foremost it is about the road I'm going to drive, where the each days drive is the main focus
and not necessarily the destination or the attractions along the way although they are an important part of the trip
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That's fair enough Cervelo. There's no doubt that when you're driving the WAW the drive will certainly need all of your focus! ;)
 
You won't have enough time to stop at places at that kind of pace.

I''d stick to half the WAW over the same period and leave yourself wanting to come back for more.

I don't think you'll have problems with accomodation if you're willing to use B&Bs either.

CCW is a good shout so you're driving on the sea-side of the road.
 
"And some time make the time to drive out west
Into County Clare, along the Flaggy Shore ......."

I walked the Flaggy Shore loop this afternoon Cervelo. Definitely worth considering if you haven't done it before. You'd want 2 hours or so walking at a leisurely enough pace.

Mr. Heaney sure had a way with words. He nailed it.
 
Cervelo said:
Thanks Ceist Beag for the recommendations
but I'm getting the feeling that you and Bronte have a different opinion of what a "Road Trip" is compared to what I think it is
For me with this type of holiday, first and foremost it is about the road I'm going to drive, where each days drive is the main focus
and not necessarily the destination or the attractions along the way although they are an important part of the trip
It's kind of like in my mind the differences between a tourist and a traveller
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Well each to their own of course, it sounds like hell to me ! So you are correct it's a different experience you are after. Do keep us posted on your trips though. Would love to know how you feel about the views and roads. Ireland is a very beautiful country.
 
I’ve been wondering about this road-trip too like @Bronte and I can understand why the driving is the main focus rather than journey destinations. Something like this for 14 days needs good planning and much focus on timing to allay more expense, at least. The unknown is a challenge too. But, it’s a potential amazing adventure. I reckon there’s too little scope over the fortnight to explore off the beaten track. Following the Wild Atlantic Way is great, but off the WAW is challenging when you are on a stopwatch. If you visit Schull in West Cork and are happy you’ve experienced it, you likely will not explore nearby coastal side roads which are not generally travelled by tourists and will miss out on some of beautiful hidden Ireland. Ireland has loads of under travelled places.
 
Personnaly, I'd do Garnish Island in Cork and avoid Kinsale (totally overrated). Likewise Ardmore is good for a walk, Cliff House does amazing corn beef Blaas but the rest of the food is over-rated.

Ballycotton in Cork is lovely for a walk, stop in Ballymaloe for lunch or the farmers marker in Midleton on a Saturday. Dungarvan is good for food as well.

No point in stopping in Limerick City and Galway City to me is a glorified traffic jam with some good pubs and nothing else.

You should check to see what festivals are on in an area before heading off. For example, Puck Fair will be coming up, Listowal races later in year, the Rose, etc. All impacts on accomadation and costs
 
Leper said:
Something like this for 14 days needs good planning
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Guys, I'm not been "passive aggressive" when I say this but go back and read my opening post where I gave a time frame for this trip
Cervelo said:
Probably will end up been a good two week trip maybe close to three
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What I meant by this, is it's going to be a 16 to 18 day trip but could stretch to 21 days,
I even made reference to the map I posted that that persons trip took 18 days, so it is very doable in the time frame I'm thinking

Over the last 20 years we've done I'd say about a dozen of these type holidays across Europe and America of varying distances and time
The biggest was our 26 day road trip from Washington DC to New Orleans to Key West and then back up to Washington via the coast road
There's a huge amount of things to see and do along that 4932 mile route but you don't have time to see everything and even if you did you'd soon get to a situation where your brain gets overloaded

And it will be the same with this trip, lots of it I've seen before and don't necessarily need to see again, like in Northern Ireland
I don't want/need to see the Giants Causeway, Carrick a Rede Rope Bridge or Dunluce Castle but I do want to do The Gobbins and Derry City
and that will probably be all that I'll pencil in for that leg of the trip other then stopping at certain vista points along the way
And again there's very little I want or need to see along the road from Cork and up the east coast of the country as I seen most of it

So that leaves at least a "good two weeks" to do the WAW which is more then enough time to drive 2500km and take in all the attractions and sights along the way that my little brain can absorb :)
 
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niceoneted said:
Few places in Sligo I’d recommend
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Heading south into Sligo is beautiful too. Mullaghmore is definitely worth a stop. There's a lovely cycle from Grange to Streedagh beach. All the while, the stunning Ben Bulben & the Dartry Mountain range are keeping you company. There's a lovely coffee shop - Vintage lane at Drumcliffe...perfect stop if you're cycling too
 
The way things are going with all the suggestions etc @Cervelo could be on the road for months and if he keeps a journal of the trip there could be a best-selling book coming. Come to think of it, a readable book on the subject is probably needed these days. The secret in West Cork is not to drive roads with a crew-cut of grass bisecting the road. There may be a problem if there is a vehicle coming in the opposite direction.
 
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