The Wild Atlantic Way
We arrived in Dingle in the evening hours after spending the majority of the day in Killarney National Park. On our way to Dingle we stopped at Inch beach and it made for some dramatic photos as a storm was edging its way inland. After enjoying Inch beach, we made our way to our Airbnb to drop off our luggage and get some dinner. We were recommended by some locals to eat at Neligans, a traditional Irish pub that has live music every night in Gaelic. We enjoyed some delightful music and hearty food and then settled down for the night excited about driving along the coast the next day.
It is imperative that you drive the Dingle Peninsula, also known as the Wild Atlantic Way. As mentioned in my previous blogs about Ireland, be prepared to stop a lot. The coast of Ireland is truly awe inspiring and mesmerizing. Do not rush this leg of the journey as it will be one of the most beautiful drives that you ever take in your life.
One of my favorite stops along the Wild Atlantic Way was Dunquin Pier. This is an iconic spot along the Dingle peninsula and for good reason. It is a snaking pathway that winds down to the ocean. It makes for a truly remarkable photo, just make sure to get there early in the morning. I hear that it can get quite crowded during peak tourist season. This stop, hands down, resulted in the absolute best pictures in the entire trip. Take your time here and meander down to the beach to snap some more photos.
Once you have had your fill here, hop back in your car and continue your journey along the Wild Atlantic Way. If a spot looks good, then stop. If you see a bunch of cars pulled over, then chances are it will be worth your while. All in all, it took us 3+ hours to drive along the Wild Atlantic Way.There are so many places to stop along this route, so make sure to do your research so you can get the most out of this drive.
In the evening we arrived in the quaint, charming town of Doolin. This town is most famous for the Cliffs of Moher. We chatted with our Airbnb host about the best time to visit the cliffs, and was told that it is best to see the cliffs in the evening as the sun is setting. This was not our original plan, but wanting the best experience possible, we quickly made our way to the cliffs before the sun set. Turns out, the cliffs are amazing at sunset. I would recommend walking the cliff trail that edges beside the cliffs. Be careful not to get too close to the edge if the wind is particularly strong that day. If you are a Harry Potter fan, then you will know there was a scene shot here that was used in the Half Blood Prince. Enjoy the walk, but make sure to be back at the main entrance as the sun is setting, as this will give you the best view of the cliffs during prime time golden hour.
After sunset, we made our way to another local pub, known for its live music. If you are not eating at a pub every night in Ireland and staying in Bed and Breakfasts, then you are doing Ireland wrong. They have some great pubs in Doolin, so you can’t go wrong in whatever pub you choose. After eating our fill we made our way back to our Airbnb and settled down for the night, excited about seeing another National Park the next day.
