Famous route

Wild Atlantic Way

The Wild Atlantic Way follows Ireland's west coast for 2,500 km, from the Inishowen Peninsula in Donegal to Kinsale in Cork. It is a signposted route, not a single numbered road.

Length: 2,500 km
Start / end: Inishowen (Donegal) – Kinsale (Cork)
Established: Launched 2014
Region: West coast of Ireland
Best season: Late spring to early autumn

Before you go

The route was launched in 2014 and runs through the counties of Donegal, Mayo, Clare, Kerry and Cork, among others. It is divided into several sections.
There is no single road number. You follow the Wild Atlantic Way signs along many different roads, so a map or navigation set to the route helps.
Several islands need a ferry, including the Aran Islands, Inishturk and Inishbofin. Dursey Island is reached by Ireland's only cable car. Check vehicle rules with each operator.

The drive

The route runs about 2,500 km from the Inishowen Peninsula to Kinsale. Discovery Points mark places to stop; sources give different counts, so rely on the official map for the current list. Ferries to the Aran Islands leave from Rossaveal and Doolin, to Inishturk from Louisburgh and to Inishbofin from Cleggan. Allow extra time for coastal roads and stops.

Camping

In Ireland there is no general right to camp: permission from the landowner is normally needed, including on public land, and national parks set their own policies. Ask about motorhome parking at Fáilte Ireland and the local authority of each county. Look up overnight rules before parking outside a campsite, and check height and width limits on narrow roads and at ferry terminals.

FAQs

How long is the Wild Atlantic Way?

About 2,500 km, from the Inishowen Peninsula in County Donegal to Kinsale in County Cork. It is a signposted route, not a single road. Plan for more days than the distance suggests.

Which road number is the Wild Atlantic Way?

There is none. The route uses many roads and is marked with its own signs. Use the official route map or navigation and follow the signs, especially where roads are narrow or junctions are unclear.

Can I reach the islands with my vehicle?

Not necessarily. The ferries to the Aran Islands, Inishturk and Inishbofin and the Dursey cable car have their own rules. Check with each operator whether vehicles are carried before you plan.