Craggy, wave-lashed peninsulas, dramatic cliffs that plunge into the Atlantic Ocean and butter-coloured strands that seem to go on for miles – the Wild Atlantic Way has to be seen to be believed. Launched a decade ago, its success has proved infinitely inspiring to locals along 2,500km of coastline and 2025 is set to be one of the most exciting years yet.
From the Inishowen Peninsula in County Donegal in the north down to Kinsale in County Cork, you can enjoy everything from cool crafts to Zen-inspired forest bathing. Here’s what to look out for.
County Donegal
With some of the most epic landscapes on the island of Ireland, Donegal has long attracted nature lovers. But while the scenery is a big draw in this county of cliffs and castles, Donegal is also a hub for craft, particularly tweed.
Hanna Hats, founded in 1924, was inspired by the Wild Atlantic Way to transform a stockroom into a truly unique experience. “We’ve got two glass windows where people can stand and watch the staff on the machines cutting and making our hats and caps,” says Eleanor Hanna, who is co-director of Hanna Hats alongside her brother John Patrick. It’s a great way to see this remarkable tradition up close.
For those seeking “ceol agus craic” (music and fun), Tatter Jack Music Tours offers traditional Irish music sessions on day tours. And if you’re looking for a great base from which to explore everything Donegal has to offer, then the elegant Sweeney’s Hotel in Dungloe is just the ticket.
Hanna Hats, Donegal Town, Co Donegal
County Sligo
Sligo is a buzzing wellness destination, with the Voya Seaweed Baths in Strandhill and the Kilcullen Seaweed Baths in Enniscrone being two of the most popular destinations, but the county also offers great opportunities for outdoor adventure.
The newly opened National Surf Centre in Strandhill is perfect for those wanting to hop on a surfboard, offering a choice of surf schools and the chance to experience some of the area’s famed waves. Land-based activities are also available at the centre, including foraging for seaweed with Nourished in Nature, a local family-run company.
While in Sligo, it’s also worth seeing the newly developed Queen Maeve Square, which recently underwent a €4 million investment, to snap a pic of its colourful freestanding Sligo sign.
County Mayo
There’s more exhilaration to be found year-round at the Westport Adventure Park on the grounds of Westport Estate – it boasts the largest net park – a high-flying playground – in Ireland.
Croagh Patrick, Ireland’s holy mountain, where St Patrick fasted for 40 days in 441AD, has been popular with pilgrims for hundreds of years. Now, a new sustainable trail to the summit is set to transform the experience for climbers. The two-metre-wide path was built using materials found on Croagh Patrick and runs from the statue of St Patrick at the mountain’s base to the church at the top of the Reek.
Outdoor adventurers can also stay at a restored “bothy” (small cottage) in the magnificent surroundings of Wild Nephin National Park in Letterkeen, one of the most remote areas of Ireland. The park’s new trails offer a perfect way to connect with Ireland’s wild landscapes.
County Galway
Galway is a culture-lover’s dream, with several new Wild Atlantic Way experiences. Galway Girl Cruises combines traditional music sessions and maritime stories on cruises past landmarks such as the Black Head Lighthouse in neighbouring County Clare.
Foodies should check out Galway Food Tours’ new walking tour, which showcases the hidden gems of Woodquay and the Westend. Or, to explore further, hop on an electric bike and take a sightseeing city tour with WeWheel.
Margaret Leahy of Fable Tours highlights local producers and artisan fare on great food tours in beautiful Connemara. Scenic flights with Aer Arann to the Aran Islands showcase Galway’s sandy beaches and ancient forts from the air. And eco-conscious travellers should hotfoot it to Fernwood Organic Farm. With wild forest bathing, sustainable practices and a gorgeous lakeside sauna and plunge pool, it’s perfect for immersing yourself in nature.
County Clare
The Burren National Park in County Clare covers 1,800 hectares of some of the most unusual landscapes in Ireland. The word Burren in Irish means “rocky place” – an apt description given the exposed limestone rock that covers most of the area. One of the recent additions to Clare is the Burren Discovery Trail, a 148km circular route to help visitors get the most out of this gorgeous part of the country. At each of the 12 select locations, a Corten Steel doorway is the sign to stop and take a moment to learn about the area’s mythology and folklore.
Visitors can also learn about the county’s magic, folklore and heritage with Balor Otherworld, a storyteller tour guide with a uniquely engaging style.
The blooming Vandeleur Walled Garden in Kilrush is a must-visit thanks to a recent €4m investment. With 170 hectares of native woodlands, walking trails, a café and walled garden, it’s a family-friendly visit for green-fingered types and history buffs.
The Burren, Co. Clare
County Limerick
As a main city on the Wild Atlantic Way, Limerick is the perfect base for a trip any time of the year. Highlights include King John’s Castle, which has developed immersive storytelling and animated tours.
There’s also the Foynes Flying Boat & Maritime Museum, which celebrates how Foynes became one of the world’s great aviation hubs and tells the story of Irish coffee (which was invented here). A recent €5m upgrade includes a new Aviation Museum, a 100-seater cinema, seaplane flight simulators, an archive research centre and library, and a Maureen O’Hara exhibition.
New accommodation highlights include luxury pods at Greenway Glamping in the heart of the Limerick Greenway, showing that Limerick has many sides to it.
County Cork
West Cork is a foodie’s playground, and a tasty new addition can be found amidst the untamed beauty of the Beara Peninsula. A Bite of Beara Food Tour has been launched by local food expert Karen Coakley, and helps visitors discover award-winning local producers and sustainably sourced food.
For those who want a mindful moment, there’s the new temple at Dzogchen Beara Buddhist Retreat Centre on the Beara Peninsula, perched high on cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean near the village of Allihies. For the more adventurous, the Dursey Island Cable Car – which links the mainland and the island of Dursey – has been newly renovated. Meanwhile, Dursey Boat Trips has launched a new Discover Allihies Tour, focusing on how a vein of copper transformed life in Allihies.
Exciting new accommodation options include Wild Atlantic Glamping on Bere Island, offering sea views and a private front porch. And for a local tipple just outside Kinsale, Blacks Brewery and Distillery offers tours at its new state-of-the-art facility.
Portmagee, Co. Kerry
County Kerry
In the small fishing village of Portmagee is Portmagee Whiskey, opened in 2023 by brothers John and James Murphy alongside business partner Stuart McNamara. Their flagship Spirit of the Sea Experience is a 360-degree geodesic dome experience exploring the history of Portmagee village, its smuggling past, fishing culture and the story of the iconic Seine Boat.
“Portmagee is a wonderful place to visit 12 months of the year,” says John Murphy. “It’s a great place to bring families, but also to come down for a bit of fun and to get away from the day-to-day stresses of normal life.”
At nearby Valentia Island, Aqua Terra Boat Tours’ new vessel Skellig Bounty offers unparalleled comfort as visitors take in the stunning coastal views. Also new in Kerry is Killarney Photo Tours, run by award-winning photographer Micheál O’Sullivan, and Dingle Film Walks, a guided looped walk in Dunquin where Maurice Galway shows off sights from films such as Ryan’s Daughter and Disney’s Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
New accommodation in Kerry includes the boutique James Hotel in Tralee. Plus, the iconic Dick Mack’s pub in Dingle has just opened a new brewhouse, where it offers tours and artisan food trucks.
