IoM ferry Aug 7–10, Belfast Aug 10–11, drive to Donegal Aug 12. Updated: WAW overview timeline table, all 7 section file date headers. Kerry Day 3 still ends with drive to Dublin in time for Aug 30 game.
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3.5 KiB
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61 lines
3.5 KiB
Markdown
# Wild Atlantic Way — Overview
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> **Type:** Long-distance scenic drive + hiking route
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> **Total length:** ~2,500 km (full route)
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> **Direction:** North to south (Donegal → Kerry)
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> **Best for:** Driving, coastal scenery, day hikes, cliffs, peninsulas, Gaeltacht culture
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## What Is It
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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.
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## Rough Timeline: Aug 10 → Aug 29
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**Deadline: Dublin by Aug 29** (game day Aug 30 at Aviva Stadium).
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| Dates (approx) | Section | Days | File |
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|----------------|---------|------|------|
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| Aug 10 | Arrive Belfast (ferry from IoM) | 1 | [05-belfast.md](../locations/05-belfast.md) |
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| Aug 11 | Belfast — Titanic, Causeway Coast day trip | 1 | — |
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| Aug 12 | Drive Belfast → Donegal Town | 1 | — |
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| Aug 12–14 | **Donegal** | 3 | [06a-donegal.md](06a-donegal.md) |
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| Aug 15–16 | **Sligo** | 2 | [06b-sligo.md](06b-sligo.md) |
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| Aug 17–19 | **Mayo** | 3 | [06c-mayo.md](06c-mayo.md) |
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| Aug 20–22 | **Connemara** | 3 | [06d-connemara.md](06d-connemara.md) |
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| Aug 23–24 | **Galway** | 2 | [06e-galway.md](06e-galway.md) |
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| Aug 25–26 | **Clare** | 2 | [06f-clare.md](06f-clare.md) |
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| Aug 27–29 | **Kerry** | 3 | [06g-kerry.md](06g-kerry.md) |
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| Aug 29 (eve) | Kerry → Dublin (drive ~3h) | — | — |
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| **Aug 30** | **College Football, Aviva Stadium** | — | [07-dublin.md](07-dublin.md) |
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If you want a full buffer day in Dublin before the game: compress Donegal to 2 days (skip Malin Head), which frees up Aug 29 as a rest day. Kerry is non-negotiable — don't compress it.
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## EV Strategy Summary
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| Section | Situation |
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|---------|-----------|
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| Donegal | Sparse — worst section. Base in Donegal Town for day trips. |
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| Sligo | Reasonable. Sligo town has fast chargers. |
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| Mayo | Patchy. Charge fully in Westport before Achill. |
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| Connemara | Gap: Clifden ↔ Westport (~90km coast road, no charger mid-route). |
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| Galway | Good. Tesla SC + ESB rapids. Full recharge stop. |
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| Clare | Reasonable. Charge in Ennis before Cliffs of Moher. |
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| Kerry | Good in towns. Full battery before Ring of Kerry circuit. |
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See individual section files for detailed charger locations.
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## Practical Notes
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- **Getting around:** Drive between sections; park up and walk or take short day hikes at each stop
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- **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
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- **Hiking gear:** Bring trail runners or light boots — Croagh Patrick, Slieve League, and Diamond Hill all reward a proper walk
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- **Weather:** August is best but pack waterproofs — Atlantic squalls arrive without warning
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- **Food:** Never more than 20km from a pub serving hot food. Pubs stop food service around 9pm.
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- **Gaeltacht:** Connemara, north Mayo coast, and Donegal are Irish-speaking. Signs are Irish-first. Any attempt at Irish is met with delight.
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- **Workation bases:** Galway and Dublin are the best for heavy work days. Westport, Killarney, and Dingle for lighter days.
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## Links
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- [Wild Atlantic Way official](https://www.wildatlanticway.com)
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- [Discover Ireland — WAW](https://www.discoverireland.ie/wild-atlantic-way)
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- [ESB ecars map](https://esb.ie/ecars/charge-point-map)
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- [Zap-Map Ireland](https://www.zap-map.com/charge-points/ireland/)
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