Roadtrip/locations/06-wild-atlantic-way.md

# 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.

## Links
- [Wild Atlantic Way official](https://www.wildatlanticway.com)
- [Discover Ireland — WAW](https://www.discoverireland.ie/wild-atlantic-way)
- [ESB ecars map](https://esb.ie/ecars/charge-point-map)
- [Zap-Map Ireland](https://www.zap-map.com/charge-points/ireland/)