Till Mueller
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- New ITINERARY.md: complete day-by-day from Aug 4 Walldorf to Sep 2 home. Includes exact ferry departure/arrival times for all 4 crossings, recommended hotel departure times on driving days, timed daily schedules. Key findings: IoM→Larne (not Belfast) every 2-3 days, Aug 10 sailing fits; Galway→Dingle via Killimer-Tarbert car ferry saves 90km vs Limerick. - IoM restored to 3 nights (Aug 7-10) to fit ferry schedule - Belfast updated: arrival from Larne, not Belfast direct - All section dates corrected; README updated with ITINERARY.md link
5.8 KiB
5.8 KiB
Wild Atlantic Way — Overview
Type: Long-distance scenic drive + hiking route Total length: ~2,500 km (full route) Direction: North to south (Donegal → Kerry) Best for: Driving, coastal scenery, day hikes, cliffs, peninsulas, Gaeltacht culture
What Is It
The Wild Atlantic Way is a signed coastal route along Ireland's entire west coast — the world's longest defined coastal route. The west coast is the windward side of Ireland: constantly changing light, dramatic cliffs, remote peninsulas, and Irish-speaking (Gaeltacht) communities.
Rough Timeline: Aug 10 → Aug 30
Deadline: Wicklow Aug 28–29, Dublin morning Aug 30.
| Dates | Base | Nights | Drive from prev. | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 10 | Belfast | 2 | — (ferry from Larne, 35min drive) | Titanic; Causeway Coast + Black Cab Tour |
| Aug 12 | drive only | — | 2h 45min / 155km | Belfast → Donegal Town (via Derry) |
| Aug 12–13 | Donegal Town | 2 | — | Slieve League, Glenveagh day trips |
| Aug 14 | drive only | — | 1h 45min / 90km | Donegal → Sligo (stop: Drumcliff/Yeats grave) |
| Aug 14–15 | Sligo | 2 | — | Benbulben, Strandhill, Carrowmore |
| Aug 16 | drive only | — | 2h / 105km | Sligo → Westport (stop: Céide Fields optional) |
| Aug 16–18 | Westport | 3 | — | Achill Island, Croagh Patrick |
| Aug 19 | drive only | — | 1h 30min / 75km | Westport → Clifden (stop: Kylemore Abbey) |
| Aug 19–20 | Clifden | 2 | — | Sky Road, Connemara NP (Diamond Hill) |
| Aug 21 | drive only | — | 1h 20min / 70km | Clifden → Galway |
| Aug 21–23 | Galway | 3 | — | Aran Islands day trip (Aug 22); Clare day trip (Aug 23) |
| Aug 24 | drive only | — | 2h 40min / 140km | Galway → Dingle (via Killimer–Tarbert ferry) |
| Aug 24–25 | Dingle | 2 | — | Slea Head Drive; Skellig boat or Ring of Kerry |
| Aug 26 | drive only | — | 1h 30min / 55km | Dingle → Killarney |
| Aug 26–27 | Killarney | 2 | — | Ring of Kerry (counterclockwise); Torc Waterfall |
| Aug 28 | drive only | — | 1h 30min / 85km | Killarney → Cork |
| Aug 28 | Cork | 1 | — | English Market; Shandon; evening in the city |
| Aug 29 | drive only | — | 3h / ~230km | Cork → Wicklow (via M8/N81; stop: Rock of Cashel) |
| Aug 29 | Wicklow | 1 | — | Glendalough + upper lake walk |
| Aug 30 | drive to Dublin | — | 1h 15min / 65km | Via Powerscourt if time allows |
| Aug 30 | Aviva Stadium | — | — | 🏈 College Football |
Why this structure works
- Longer stays — Westport (3 nights) and Galway (3 nights) are the anchors; everything else is 2 nights minimum
- Clare as a Galway day trip — Doolin and the Cliffs of Moher are 75km from Galway (1h 25min each way). No need to move accommodation for 2 nights — do it in a day from Galway, leave early, beat the Cliffs crowds
- Dingle + Killarney split — Kerry is split across two bases so neither feels rushed; Skellig boats leave from Portmagee (45min from Killarney or Dingle)
- Cork 1 night — just enough for the English Market morning and an evening in the city; Kinsale becomes a day trip from Killarney on day 2 instead (40min drive), or skip it
- No nights under 1 — every stop has at least 1 proper night; most have 2+
What gets cut vs. the longer version
- Donegal: Malin Head skipped (add a day if you have it)
- Connemara: Inishbofin island ferry skipped
- Clare: no overnight in Doolin — do it as a long day from Galway
- Cork: Kinsale day trip either moved to a Killarney detour or dropped
Optional east coast extension (Cork → Dublin via coast)
If you have an extra day or two, the route Cork → Dublin via the east coast is worth considering: Waterford (Viking city, crystal heritage), Wexford (medieval town, good beaches), and the Wicklow Mountains (Glendalough monastic valley, the "Garden of Ireland"). The east coast is gentler and greener than the west — a nice contrast after the Atlantic. Currently not in the itinerary as there's no room, but if you shave a day elsewhere this is the extension to add.
EV Strategy Summary
| Section | Situation |
|---|---|
| Donegal | Sparse — worst section. Base in Donegal Town for day trips. |
| Sligo | Reasonable. Sligo town has fast chargers. |
| Mayo | Patchy. Charge fully in Westport before Achill. |
| Connemara | Gap: Clifden ↔ Westport (~90km coast road, no charger mid-route). |
| Galway | Good. Tesla SC + ESB rapids. Full recharge stop. |
| Clare | Reasonable. Charge in Ennis before Cliffs of Moher. |
| Kerry | Good in towns. Full battery before Ring of Kerry circuit. |
See individual section files for detailed charger locations.
Practical Notes
- Getting around: Drive between sections; park up and walk or take short day hikes at each stop
- Bike rental: Available in Galway, Westport, Clifden, Killarney, and Dingle for day rides — worthwhile on Achill Island and Inis Mór where roads are quiet and flat-ish
- Hiking gear: Bring trail runners or light boots — Croagh Patrick, Slieve League, and Diamond Hill all reward a proper walk
- Weather: August is best but pack waterproofs — Atlantic squalls arrive without warning
- Food: Never more than 20km from a pub serving hot food. Pubs stop food service around 9pm.
- Gaeltacht: Connemara, north Mayo coast, and Donegal are Irish-speaking. Signs are Irish-first. Any attempt at Irish is met with delight.
- Workation bases: Galway and Dublin are the best for heavy work days. Westport, Killarney, and Dingle for lighter days.