Trip Highlights — Top 15 Experiences

The must-not-miss moments across the whole trip. Each links to the full stop file.

Unmissable Views

⭐ Slieve League Cliffs, Donegal — The highest accessible sea cliffs in Europe, three times the height of the Cliffs of Moher, with a fraction of the crowds. Walk the One Man's Pass ridge for full effect.
⭐ Snaefell Summit, Isle of Man — The only place on earth where you can see five countries (England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Isle of Man) from one spot. Take the mountain railway up.
⭐ Keem Bay, Achill Island, Mayo — A pristine turquoise beach sitting in a natural cliffside amphitheatre. One of the most dramatic coastal landscapes in Ireland.
⭐ Cliffs of Moher at dawn, Clare — Go before 9am. The cliffs are the same; the crowd is not. Walk south to Hag's Head for the best elevated perspective.
⭐ Slea Head Drive, Dingle, Kerry — The westernmost point of Europe. Beehive huts, ruined forts, the Blasket Islands across the water, Connor Pass above. The definitive Atlantic edge drive.

⭐ Skellig Michael, Kerry — A 6th-century monastery on a sea stack 12km offshore. 618 stone steps, puffins, Star Wars. One of the most extraordinary places in Europe. Book the boat in advance.
⭐ Dún Aonghasa, Inis Mór, Galway — An Iron Age stone fort sitting directly on the edge of a 100m Atlantic cliff. No safety fence. The most dramatic ancient site in Ireland.
⭐ Giant's Causeway, Causeway Coast — 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns formed by ancient volcanic activity. UNESCO World Heritage Site. Day trip from Belfast — go early.
⭐ Castle Rushen, Isle of Man — One of the best-preserved medieval castles in Europe, built by Norse kings. More impressive inside than it looks from the outside.
⭐ Book of Kells, Trinity College Dublin — A 9th-century illuminated gospel manuscript and the Long Room library — one of the most beautiful rooms in the world. Book ahead.

⭐ Traditional music session, Doolin, Clare — Three pubs, sessions every night in August. McGann's, Gus O'Connor's, McDermott's. The real thing — not a tourist performance.
⭐ Seafood in Dingle, Kerry — Out of the Blue and Ashe's are the picks. The freshest seafood on the Wild Atlantic Way, in the most atmospheric town.
⭐ Matt Molloy's, Westport, Mayo — The pub owned by The Chieftains' flautist. Traditional music nightly. One of the best pub nights in Ireland.
⭐ Tigh Neachtain, Galway — The traditional music epicentre of the Latin Quarter. Sessions most nights; Ard Bia nearby for the best meal in Galway.

⭐ Aer Lingus College Football Classic, Aviva Stadium, Dublin — Aug 30 — Notre Dame vs Navy in a 51,700-seat stadium in Dublin. One of the most unusual sporting events in the world. The whole city gets involved.