Dublin to the Wild Atlantic Way

Pubs, bogland, sea cliffs and trad music

9 days through Dublin, Galway, Connemara, and beyond.

Dublin to the Wild Atlantic Way is a 9-day curated route with 4 destinations and 39 places to eat, see, and do. Preview stops and timing, then plan it in TripsCircle.

1
Destination 01
Dublin
10 places

Compact capital; stay 2–3 days for history, museums and pubs.
- Photo: The Book of Kells Experience · Google
  Book of Kells at Trinity College
  9th-century illuminated gospels, followed by the oak-vaulted Long Room library.
  Tip First slot of the day is the calmest.
  SeeCollege Green$$75 minOpening time
- Photo: Colin · CC BY-SA 4.0
  Kilmainham Gaol
  Former prison where leaders of the 1916 Rising were executed; guided tours only.
  Tip Tickets release 28 days ahead and sell out.
  SeeKilmainham$1.5 hrMorning
- Photo: Steven Lek · CC BY-SA 4.0
  Guinness Storehouse
  Seven floors on brewing history at St James's Gate, ending at the Gravity Bar view.
  Tip Book a timed slot online for a lower price.
  SeeThe Liberties$$$2 hrLate afternoon
- Photo: Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net). · CC BY-SA 4.0
  National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology
  Celtic gold, Viking finds and preserved bog bodies. Free entry.
  SeeKildare StreetFree1.5 hrRainy day
- Photo: Dominik Kučera · Google
  Howth Cliff Walk
  Loop around Howth Head with sea views and a lighthouse, 30 minutes by DART.
  Tip Finish with fish and chips on Howth pier.
  OutdoorsHowthFree3 hrClear morning
- Photo: Denzillacey · CC BY-SA 4.0
  Glendalough
  Monastic site and twin lakes in the Wicklow Mountains, about an hour south.
  Tip Walk the Spinc trail for views over the Upper Lake.
  OutdoorsWicklow MountainsFree4 hrWeekday
- Photo: William Murphy · CC BY-SA 2.0
  Chapter One
  Michelin-starred Irish cooking beneath the Dublin Writers Museum.
  Tip Book well ahead; lunch is better value.
  EatParnell Square$$$$2.5 hrDinner
- Photo: antonf · CC BY 2.0
  Leo Burdock
  Dublin's oldest chipper, frying cod and chips since 1913.
  Tip Takeaway only; eat in nearby Christ Church gardens.
  EatChristchurch$30 minLunch
- Photo: The Long Hall · Google
  The Long Hall
  Victorian pub with dark wood, mirrors and chandeliers, unchanged in decades.
  DrinkGeorgian Quarter$$60 minEvening
- Photo: Harold Strong derivative work: Nikthestunned · CC BY-SA 2.0
  The Brazen Head
  Pub dating its license to 1198, with trad music every night.
  Tip Arrive before 8pm for a seat near the music.
  DrinkMerchants Quay$$1.5 hrNight
2
Destination 02
Galway
10 places

Lively harbor city; 2 nights for pubs, the Latin Quarter and an Aran Islands day trip.
- Photo: Mattia Bianchini · Google
  Latin Quarter and Quay Street
  Pedestrian streets of buskers, pubs and shops running down to the river.
  DoLatin QuarterFree1.5 hrEvening
- Photo: ajith k thomas · Google
  Spanish Arch and Galway City Museum
  16th-century arch on the Corrib with a free museum beside it.
  Tip Watch the river from the Long Walk opposite.
  SeeSpanish ArchFree60 minAfternoon
- Photo: Gail Suratt Davis · Google
  Galway Cathedral
  Stone cathedral finished in 1965, with mosaics and a large copper dome.
  SeeCity CentreFree30 minMorning
- Photo: Emma Kubecka · Google
  Salthill Promenade
  Two-mile seafront walk over Galway Bay; locals kick the wall at the end.
  Tip Walk at sunset toward Blackrock diving tower.
  OutdoorsSalthillFree60 minSunset
- Photo: Arun Nethrasigamani · Google
  Inis Mór
  Largest Aran Island; cycle to the cliff-edge fort of Dún Aonghasa.
  Tip Ferry leaves Rossaveal; shuttle buses run from Galway.
  DoAran Islands$$8 hrCalm day
- Photo: John Geddert · Google
  Galway Market
  Weekend market beside St Nicholas Church with crafts and street food.
  Tip Saturdays are biggest.
  ShopLatin Quarter$60 minSaturday morning
- Photo: McDonagh's · Google
  McDonagh's
  Family-run fish and chip bar and seafood restaurant on Quay Street.
  EatLatin Quarter$$60 minDinner
- Photo: Peter Wortmann · Google
  Ard Bia at Nimmos
  Café and restaurant in an old stone customs house by the Spanish Arch.
  Tip Weekend brunch is popular; book.
  EatSpanish Arch$$1.5 hrBrunch
- Photo: Blaithnaid · CC BY 4.0
  Tigh Neachtain
  Corner pub with snugs and a painted front, known for music and conversation.
  DrinkLatin Quarter$$60 minEvening
- Photo: Peter C Grew · Google
  The Crane Bar
  West End pub with trad sessions in the upstairs room.
  Tip Sessions start around 9:30pm.
  DrinkWest End$1.5 hrNight
3
Destination 03
Connemara
9 places

Lakes, bog and mountains; base in Clifden for 2 nights.
- Photo: Alvesgaspar · CC BY-SA 4.0
  Kylemore Abbey
  Lakeside castle-style abbey with a Victorian walled garden.
  Tip Allow time for the 6-acre garden, a shuttle ride away.
  SeeLetterfrack$$2.5 hrMorning
- Photo: Misik Péter Neo7 · CC BY-SA 3.0
  Connemara National Park
  Moorland park with free trails; Diamond Hill gives views to the islands.
  Tip The full Diamond Hill loop takes 2.5–3 hours.
  OutdoorsLetterfrackFree3 hrDry morning
- Photo: Saulius · Google
  Sky Road
  Loop drive west of Clifden on high ground over Atlantic inlets and islands.
  Tip Stop at the upper viewpoint car park.
  DoClifdenFree60 minLate afternoon
- Photo: Killary Fjord Boat Tours · Google
  Killary Fjord
  Long sea inlet between mountains; cruises run from Nancy's Point near Leenane.
  OutdoorsLeenane$$2 hrSummer
- Photo: Tomasz Gil · Google
  Dog's Bay
  White shell-sand beach curving around a narrow headland near Roundstone.
  Tip Pair with lunch in Roundstone village.
  OutdoorsRoundstoneFree1.5 hrSunny afternoon
- Photo: Duncan Roe · Google
  Derrigimlagh Bog
  Bog loop walk past the 1919 Alcock and Brown landing site and Marconi station ruins.
  OutdoorsBallinaboyFree1.5 hrMorning
- Photo: Christine D. · Google
  Mitchell's Restaurant
  Seafood restaurant with open fires; fish arrives daily from local boats.
  Tip Closed in winter months; check dates.
  EatClifden$$$1.5 hrDinner
- Photo: Guys Bar Clifden · Google
  Guys Seafood Bar
  Busy pub kitchen for chowder, crab claws and mussels.
  EatClifden$$75 minLunch
- Photo: Lowry's Music & Whiskey Bar · Google
  Lowry's Bar
  Music and whiskey bar with a long Irish whiskey list and trad sessions.
  DrinkClifden$$1.5 hrNight
4
Destination 04
Doolin & the Cliffs of Moher
10 places

Music village on the Clare coast; stay 2 nights for cliffs and the Burren.
- Photo: Bjørn Christian Tørrissen · CC BY-SA 3.0
  Cliffs of Moher
  Sea cliffs rising over 200m above the Atlantic, with a visitor centre and path.
  Tip Book the visitor centre online; late afternoon light is best.
  OutdoorsLiscannor$$2.5 hrLate afternoon
- Photo: HOPA 1963 · Google
  Doolin Cliff Walk
  Guided or self-led walk from Doolin along the clifftop to the Cliffs of Moher.
  Tip Guided walks with local farmers cover private land.
  DoDoolin$3 hrMorning
- Photo: P.hammer · CC BY-SA 3.0
  Doolin Cave
  Cave tour to the Great Stalactite, one of the longest free-hanging stalactites.
  SeeDoolin$$75 minRainy day
- Photo: marabout ski · Google
  Poulnabrone Dolmen
  Neolithic portal tomb on the bare limestone of the Burren.
  SeeThe BurrenFree30 minEarly morning
- Photo: David Heath Williams · Google
  Burren National Park
  Limestone pavement and wildflowers; waymarked trails at Mullaghmore.
  Tip Start at the park info point in Corofin.
  OutdoorsThe BurrenFree3 hrMay–June
- Photo: Patrick Murtagh · Google
  Inisheer
  Smallest Aran Island, 30–40 minutes by ferry from Doolin Pier.
  Tip Rent a bike or pony cart at the pier.
  DoAran Islands$$6 hrCalm day
- Photo: Homestead Cottage · Google
  Homestead Cottage
  Michelin-starred cottage restaurant near Doolin with a short tasting menu built on Clare produce.
  Tip Books out weeks ahead; reserve before you set your Doolin dates.
  EatDoolin$$$$2.5 hrDinner
- Photo: Wild Honey Inn · Google
  Wild Honey Inn
  Michelin-starred pub restaurant in Lisdoonvarna with set menus of local produce.
  Tip Book far ahead; check opening days.
  EatLisdoonvarna$$$$2.5 hrDinner
- Photo: Gus O'Connor's Pub · Google
  Gus O'Connor's Pub
  Fisher Street pub with trad music sessions nightly through the year.
  Tip Grab a table before 9pm.
  DrinkDoolin$$2 hrNight
- Photo: Tony Vincent · Google
  McGann's Pub
  Small pub up the road known for sessions and seafood chowder.
  DrinkRoadford$$1.5 hrNight

The moments that shape this trip.

01Book of Kells
02Kilmainham Gaol
03Kylemore Abbey
04Connemara National Park
05Cliffs of Moher
06Inis Mór

Planning Dublin to the Wild Atlantic Way.

Begin in Dublin with the Book of Kells at Trinity College, Kilmainham Gaol and a pint at The Long Hall. Cross the country to Galway for its Latin Quarter pubs and a day trip to Inis Mór in the Aran Islands. Head into Connemara for Kylemore Abbey, the Sky Road above Clifden and a climb of Diamond Hill. Finish in Doolin, walking the cliff path to the Cliffs of Moher and catching trad sessions at Gus O'Connor's.

Good for Travelers who want pub culture, coastal drives and wild walking with a city start.

When to go

May to September has the longest days and running ferries; June is often the driest month. Expect rain any time, and some rural restaurants close from November to February.

Getting around

Use trams and walk in Dublin, then take the train to Galway and pick up a hire car there. A car is needed for Connemara and the Burren; roads are narrow and you drive on the left.

Tips for your crew

Book Book of Kells and Kilmainham Gaol tickets online days ahead; Kilmainham sells out in summer.
Pack a waterproof jacket and layers even in July; Atlantic weather turns fast.
Aran Islands and Inisheer ferries depend on the sea; keep a spare day in your plan.

Dublin to the Wild Atlantic Way

9 days through Dublin, Galway, Connemara, and beyond.

Dublin

Book of Kells at Trinity College

Kilmainham Gaol

Guinness Storehouse

National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology

Howth Cliff Walk

Glendalough

Chapter One

Leo Burdock

The Long Hall

The Brazen Head

Galway

Latin Quarter and Quay Street

Spanish Arch and Galway City Museum

Galway Cathedral

Salthill Promenade

Inis Mór

Galway Market

McDonagh's

Ard Bia at Nimmos

Tigh Neachtain

The Crane Bar

Connemara

Kylemore Abbey

Connemara National Park

Sky Road

Killary Fjord

Dog's Bay

Derrigimlagh Bog

Mitchell's Restaurant

Guys Seafood Bar

Lowry's Bar

Doolin & the Cliffs of Moher

Cliffs of Moher

Doolin Cliff Walk

Doolin Cave

Poulnabrone Dolmen

Burren National Park

Inisheer

Homestead Cottage

Wild Honey Inn

Gus O'Connor's Pub

McGann's Pub

The moments that shape this trip.

Planning Dublin to the Wild Atlantic Way.

When to go

Getting around

Tips for your crew

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