Have a wild Atlantic way-cation!

When planning a staycation in Ireland, it’s hard to look beyond the Wild Atlantic Way when it comes to raw beauty and guaranteed adventure.

Starting on the Inishowen Peninsula in Donegal, this epic 2,600 kilometre route passes through Leitrim, Sligo, Mayo, Galway, Clare, Limerick and Kerry, before finishing (or starting depending on your per spective) in our own lovely Kinsale.

According to its official website, the Wild Atlantic Way is one of the longest defined coastal routes in the world and is divided into 14 stages for easier orientation.

Last year, prestigious international travel guide Lonely Planet placed the Wild Atlantic Way at number 21 on its Ultimate Travel List 2020, naming it “Ireland’s top experience”.

With 15 jaw-dropping Signature Points, including Cork sites Dursey Island, The Old Head of Kinsale and Mizen Head, and over 180 Discovery Points to plan your trip around, you’ll be hard-pressed to see it all in one lifetime.

Some of the highlights on the Cork portion of the route include the beautiful Inchydoney Beach, Garnish Island, the Kinsale harbour cruise, Bantry House and Gardens, Dursey Island with Ireland’s one and only cable car, and the most southern tip of the country.

That of course is Mizen Head where Fastnet Lighthouse has stood firm against the elements since the 19th century.

Launched as Ireland’s first long-distance touring route back in 2014 by then-Minister for Tourism and Sport Michael Ring, the project received an initial investment of €10 million from Fáilte Ireland with hopes of increasing tourism and creating jobs along the seaboard.

Since then, the Wild Atlantic Way has cemented itself as an unmissable experience, not just locally or nationally, but on a global level. It’s been a huge success.

Is it any surprise that Ireland’s favourite route leads to Cork? Doubtful.