The Atlantic, at your own pace
Begin in Donegal and follow 24 editorial chapters south towards Cork. These are chapters to browse, not a 24-day timetable or an official route-stage classification.
County guides and coastal journeys for days away and longer stays.
Before you set off
Choose a manageable stretch and check current access, opening times and travel conditions with the operators linked in each story. Plan walks, crossings and driving connections individually.
Chapters 1–6
Chapter 1 · Donegal
Inishowen and Malin Head
Start in Donegal with a headland, a coastal museum and enough time to explore Inishowen properly.
Chapter 2 · Donegal
Fanad, Rosguill and Mulroy Bay
A lighthouse visit and a drive around Mulroy Bay introduce another side of northern Donegal.
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Chapter 3 · Donegal
Dunfanaghy, Ards and western Donegal
Move between a town’s history, woodland by the coast and the communities of the Donegal Gaeltacht.
Chapter 4 · Donegal
Sliabh Liag and south-west Donegal
Visit the cliffs with a clear plan, then give south-west Donegal’s towns and communities some of your time.
Chapter 5 · Leitrim
Leitrim’s coast at Tullaghan
Between Donegal and Sligo, leave a little room for Leitrim’s small share of the Atlantic shore.
Chapter 6 · Sligo
Mullaghmore and Streedagh
A harbour village and a long strand make North Sligo worth a day of its own.
Chapters 7–12
Chapter 7 · Sligo
Rosses Point, Strandhill and Sligo
Use Sligo as a town break, a coastal base or a combination that leaves time for both.
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Chapter 8 · Mayo
Downpatrick Head and North Mayo
Make Downpatrick Head the focus of a North Mayo day, with a base chosen around the journey.
Chapter 9 · Mayo
Belmullet and Erris
Build an Erris visit around Belmullet, a coastal outing and an interest in local making.
Chapter 10 · Mayo
Achill and Westport
Give Achill’s coast and a Westport town stay their own places in a Mayo itinerary.
Chapter 11 · Mayo, Galway
Killary, Letterfrack and Connemara
Choose a national-park visit or an abbey-and-garden day as the journey enters Connemara.
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Chapter 12 · Galway
Clifden, Sky Road and Roundstone
Build a western Connemara stay around Clifden, then choose a coastal drive or a village afternoon.
Chapters 13–18
Chapter 13 · Galway
An Spidéal, Galway and Kinvara
Follow Galway Bay from a Gaeltacht village to a city stay and a harbour-town pause.
Chapter 14 · Clare
the Burren and Doolin
Choose a Burren outing, then make Doolin a place to spend time rather than simply pass through.
Chapter 15 · Clare
the Cliffs of Moher and west Clare
Give the cliffs a considered visit, then follow your interests towards Kilkee and Loop Head.
Chapter 16 · Clare, Limerick, Kerry
crossing the Shannon or following the estuary
Choose the Killimer–Tarbert ferry or make a longer journey around the Shannon Estuary.
Chapter 17 · Kerry
Ballybunion and North Kerry
Begin the Kerry stretch with a coastal stop, then choose a base for the next part of the journey.
Chapter 18 · Kerry
Dingle and the Blasket story
Use Dingle as a peninsula base and visit the mainland centre that tells the story of the Blasket Islands.
Chapters 19–24
Chapter 19 · Kerry
Iveragh and the Ring of Kerry
Choose the part of Iveragh that interests you most, with a separate day for Killarney if you want one.
Chapter 20 · Kerry, Cork
Kenmare and Beara
Pause in Kenmare before exploring a peninsula that reaches into both Kerry and Cork.
Chapter 21 · Cork, Kerry
Beara to Bantry
Follow your chosen Beara route towards Bantry, with time for a house-and-garden visit.
Chapter 22 · Cork
Mizen Head
Make time for the signal-station visit at Mizen, then plan the next West Cork stretch.
Chapter 23 · Cork
Baltimore and Skibbereen
Combine a harbour visit with a deeper look at local history in this part of West Cork.
Chapter 24 · Cork
Clonakilty to Kinsale
Finish the north-to-south journey with a West Cork town stop and a heritage visit near Kinsale.