Once you’ve arrived in Dublin’s fair city you’ll check into your hotel to unwind after your journey. Or if you’re feeling energetic, head straight out to start exploring this beautiful city. Perhaps you’ll find a live music session – just follow the sounds of the music tumbling onto the street from a traditional Irish pub and your evening’s entertainment is taken care of!

Your accommodation:  A contemporary boutique B&B or a luxury city centre hotel – the choice is yours!

Spend today discovering some of Dublin’s many cultural and historical highlights. You may like to visit one, or both, of the city’s historic cathedrals, or take a leisurely walk on St Stephens Green before calling in at the unusual Little Museum of Dublin. A walk round the famous Trinity College campus is not complete without a visit to see the magnificent Book of Kells. If you’re a Guinness lover then you’re likely to enjoy a trip to the Guinness Storehouse where ‘the black stuff’ was born!

Head west today to County Clare, a distinctive county on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way. You may wish to take a small detour into Galway city for lunch and soak up the atmosphere of this ancient and artistic city. As you enter County Clare you’ll pass through the barren, other-worldly limestone landscape of The Burren. Beyond that lie the famous Cliffs of Moher. You can walk the path to marvel at this spectacular coastline and pop into the engaging visitor centre tucked away in the hillside.

Your accommodation:  A charming, traditional country inn with Michelin-star dining.

To explore a little more of the rocky Clare landscape today, take a drive through the Burren National Park and visit the Burren Perfumery where a small group of local artisans hand make organic lotions and perfumes – it’s also the perfect place to enjoy a spot of lunch or some afternoon tea and cake! Or check out the wild Loop Head peninsula to the south stopping off to sample some freshly landed seafood. Alternatively, you could take a trip to one of the Aran Islands, a group of islands with fascinating religious and cultural history, numerous ancient monuments and where the locals speak Gaelic as well as English!

Optional: Allow for an extra night and stay over on one of the Aran Islands to immerse yourself in island life!

Today you’ll journey on south by road and sea, taking a short ferry crossing into County Kerry and on to the beautiful Dingle peninsula. En route you can visit the pretty town of Tralee and take a stroll through the town’s park to see the famous rose garden and the statue to the original Rose of Tralee, Mary O’Connor. Then you’ll head on towards Dingle by way of the panoramic Conor Pass and settle in to your B&B before venturing out to sample one of Dingle’s excellent restaurants.

Your accommodation: A luxury boutique Bed & Breakfast with wonderful sea views on the edge of Dingle town.

Take time to explore this ruggedly beautiful area today, with its breathtaking coastline. You might like to drive around the peninsula at your leisure, pausing to walk its wild Atlantic beaches, following in the footsteps of film stars who’ve worked on location here. Or take a boat trip in search of local marine life and enjoy an ocean wave’s perspective of the area before heading back to delightful Dingle town for dinner followed by live music in one of the town’s many traditional pubs.

Travel on to Kenmare today by way of the Ring of Kerry, to experience the staggering sea views on this famous route. There are also historical sights to see along the way including ancient stone ring forts and the impressive ruins of Ballycarberry Castle; or you can visit Derrynane House, the home of the 19th century Irish politician Daniel O’Connell. For an epic day to remember, why not take a boat trip to the remote Skellig Islands to see the astonishing and well-preserved 6th century monastic settlement built into the rocks, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then make your way to your last hotel on the west coast for a luxurious finalé to your trip.

Your accommodation: A sumptuous 5-star hotel near Kenmare with 2 AA rosette restaurant offering superb accommodation, dining and service in a tranquil waterside setting; or an historic, award-winning country house Bed & Breakfast offering a warm welcome and fine hospitality – you choose!

You’re ideally situated today to explore the scenic Killarney National Park with its hidden valleys and dramatic mountain passes; you may even like to take an old-fashioned pony and trap ride through the park! Muckross House and Gardens were once visited and admired by Queen Victoria and are well worth a visit today too! You’ll also want to make time to meander through the nearby Heritage town of Kenmare with its shops, galleries, pubs and restaurants. Renowned for its gastronomy, you’ll be spoilt for choice if you decide to dine out this evening – but then again, your hotel may very well beckon you back home too!

It’s time to make your way back to Dublin today but en route there’s a range of highlights to choose from. You may decide to stop and see the sights of cosmopolitan Cork city, or to kiss the legendary Blarney Stone at nearby Blarney Castle. Further north the impressive medieval site, the Rock of Cashel, may be somewhere you’d like to experience. Or if you simply can’t get enough of Dublin, head straight on back and make the most of your time there!

Your accommodation: A contemporary city centre B&B, or a luxury 5 star retreat in the surrounding countryside – the choice is yours!

Optional: How about spending a night in Cork on your return journey to experience more of this county?

Begin your journey home today, re-living the memories from your Wild Atlantic Way experience as you go.