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Ireland's Ancient East & Wild Atlantic Way
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Posted 26/04/2019
Wild Atlantic Way & Ireland’s Ancient East
Ireland has some of the best natural beauty spots in the world. It is a dream tourist destination with a multitude of things to do across the island. Very few tourists venture outside of Dublin when visiting but there are some fantastic things to see and do in the Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland’s Ancient East.
Eternally Irish have taken a look at both the Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland’s Ancient East to review and make some recommendations for tourists.
Wild Atlantic Way
The Wild Atlantic Way is a 2,600km (1,600 miles) coastal trail that travels through nine counties. The road covers the whole western side of the island and features both breath-taking views and exciting experiences.
The attractions on the Wild Atlantic Way caters for all interests. You can take part in thrilling adventure sports, relax in world-class accommodation, take in some of Ireland’s amazing historic sites or visit some famous locations from your favourite movies and television shows.
In reality you can surf all along the western coast of Ireland but for the best experience you should visit the Surf Coast. This stretches from Donegal town all the way down to Erris in Co. Mayo. Catch some waves at the amazing Bundoran beach or the sandy red Strandhill.
You can also visit County Cork’s Haven Coast all the way down at the southern tip of the island. This stretches all the way from Bantry Bay to the heavenly Kinsale. You can enjoy beautiful vistas and wonderful scenery.
Highlights of The Wild Atlantic Way
Cliffs of Moher
The Cliffs of Moher have been voted Ireland’s favourite tourist attraction for 2019 by the Irish Independent. Situated in County Clare, the Cliffs are part of a UNESCO Global Geopark. The Cliffs rise to over 700 ft and stretch over 8 kilometres and their rugged beauty has been shaped by the waves of the Atlantic Ocean for over 350 million years. There is also a wonderful Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre. The Cliffs exhibition brings the story of the Cliffs of Moher to life.
Connemara
Take in a day in this breath-taking area of County Galway. Here you can visit the Twelve Ben Mountains, see the spot where Brown and Alcock crash landed in 1919 after the first transatlantic flight at Coral Beach and enjoy the history of Kylemore Abbey. You can make a short hop east to Cong, Co. Mayo to see where John Wayne filmed his famous film ‘The Quiet Man’.
Ireland’s Ancient East
Ireland’s Ancient East stretches all the way from Carlingford on the border with Northern Ireland down to Cork City in the south. It takes in monuments and villages that predate the Pyramids of Giza.
You can learn about Ireland’s Viking history, our maritime traditions and one of the most important and troubling parts of Ireland’s history, the Famine. You can stay in award-winning accommodation like County Kilkenny’s Mount Juliet or Druids Glen Hotel & Golf Resort in the Wicklow Mountains.
Highlights of Ireland’s Ancient East
Newgrange
Newgrange is a passage tomb built circa 3200 B.C, making it older than the Pyramids of Giza and Stonehenge. The large rounded monument has a 19 meter long passage. The mound is surround by 97 large kerbstones that are engraved with stunning megalithic art.
Newgrange is best-known for the illumination of the passage and chamber during the Winter Solstice on the 21st December. This remarkable feature has baffled historians for years. The roof box at the entrance of the tomb is perfectly aligned to let the sun beams light up the passage. An unmatched experience.
Glendalough & Powerscourt
County Wicklow, just south of Dublin, is known as the Garden County and it is home to two of the most stunning parks in the country. People have been visiting ‘the valley of the two lakes’ at Glendalough for years. You can take in the stunning scenery of the lakes and forest and enjoy the history of the monastic sites like the Glendalough Round Tower.
Powerscourt Estate is another of Ireland’s favourite tourist destination. It has been voted the No.3 Garden in the World by National Geographic and is home to Ireland’s largest waterfall. There is 47 acres of garden to explore and you can indulge yourself at the Avoca Terrace Café.
