Cork & Kerry

Wild Atlantic Way 
Cork & Kerry 

The Route:

The Wild Atlantic Way begins or ends in Kinsale we will start our journey here and make our way west and north.

Kinsale: This charming little town in Co Cork, packed Galleries, Artisanal Stores, and fabulous restaurants that can be explored as you meander through its narrow streets. The once British Admiralty town is worth the time to explore.

Kenmare: The first large town on the Kerry side and beginning of the journey north, it is also the end or start point of The Beara Peninsula & The Ivergah Peninsula, more known as the famous Ring of Kerry. The town itself is a planned town one of only a handful in Ireland. Laid out in a triangular shape it is brimming with small craft stores, great restaurants and pubs for traditional music in the evening.

Killarney: The birthplace of Irish tourism over 260 years ago, the town sits on the edge of three lakes at the foot of the highest mountain range in Ireland. Muckross Park, Irelands largest National Park fringes the town, and there are so many activities its hard to list them all. Packed with great restaurants and pubs, it is always a hive of activity. If it's October a trip into the Park is a must to watch the native red deer during rutting season. 

Dingle: A fantastic little town, brimming full of restaurants and pubs with traditional Irish music all evening. Dingle sits at the start of the Slea Head Drive, which is a stunning mountain and ocean drive. Craft shops are abundant, from Knitwear designers to jewellers there is no shortage of local artisans that bring the aspects of Ireland to life in their work. When the bulk of tourists leave in the late afternoon, the town takes on a more relaxed and homely feel.   

Tralee: The largest but less touristy town in this region, Tralee is more geared towards local tourism than the overseas visitor, yet still has plenty of restaurants and pubs. In late August it is home to the Rose of Tralee Festival, and the town is a hive of activity during the world-renowned pageant. No visit is complete without a walk through to the rose garden, dedicated to the festival.   

Cork & Kerry

Hints & Tips:

Don't be afraid to go off the beaten path a little; you will never really get lost. The only thing you will lose is time, but you will gain experiences.

Mizen Head: its a beautiful drive and worth the walk to Irelands most southerly point.

Cape Clear Island: take the day and explore the island. Bring your walking shoes and make sure you visit Cape Clear Distillery.

Mountain passes: as you cross the Beara Peninsuala you have a choice of taking the Healy or Caha Pass,Caha is the main route but Healy is a beautiful drive and a little more challenging.

The Dingle Peninsula offers you the Camp Scenic Drive which then links across to the Conor Pass, both are a challange but the scenary of Tralee Bay to one side and Dingle Bay to the other make the Conor Pass worth the. Its narrow and can be busy, but spectacular. 

Some of our favourites:

Drombeg Stone Circle in West Cork, a narrow drive down to this hidden gem.

Mannings Food Emporium in Ballylicky offer a taste or West Cork and the many local producers, a visit to the shop and deli and yiou have the contents of  a great picnic.

Kerry Cliffs just outside Portmagee and the Skelligs Drive back to the Ring of Kerry are worth the drive if you are doing the Ring of Kerry.

Dingle Goldsmiths make beautiful handcrafted pieces inspired by local heritage, Gerry would be happy to personalise a piece for you or someone special in the old Celtic Ogham a unique gift for somebody special.

Some recommendations

to get the best experience possible

A shared local knowledge of some of our favorite experiences and recommendations to help you make the most of your Irish Experience.

From places to eat, drink, and maybe enjoy a Trad Session, places to see, and things to do with a sprinkling of some of our favorite shopping places or craftspeople. 

Share by: