Top 12 Activities Along Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way

Out at the very edge of Europe, the Wild Atlantic Way stretches 1500 miles alond Ireland's western seaboard. From Malin Head in Co Donegal to Kinsale in Co Cork, through regions like Connemara, Galway Bay and Kerry, it's the longest defined coastal drive in the world!

With so much to see and do along Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way, its hard to decide! Here are the top 12 activities to experience along the way!


Angling: cast your line in the Atlantic swell, feel the salty surge beneath your feet, hook your catch, sail for deserted shores, cook your feast.

Water Activities: Experience the mighty swell of the Atlantic with a plethora of spine-tingling water activities ranging from surfing to windsurfing and kiteboarding or scuba dive in crystal clean waters to check out the abundant sea life.

Cafes: Meander into warm cosy cafes dotted like pots of jam along the western seaboard; recharge with organic cheeses, artisan breads and charcuterie, wolfed down with tea or Fairtrade coffee from across the ocean.

Christian and Spiritual Ireland: discover the uplifting beauty of this wild, rugged and sometimes penitential landscape peppered with monastic settlements; pilgrim walks and churches; learn why St. Patrick came, converted and stayed.

Cycling: freewheel along the edge of Europe where few cars go. Meander along country lanes, skirt jagged cliffs, croppy outposts of rocks and sparkling beaches; cool off in forest glades. Stop only to rest awhile amidst the salt filled Atlantic air.

Equestrian: if John Wayne could do it so can you! Ireland... the Land of the Horse caters for leisurely hackers, cross country show jumpers as well as those who simply want to ride high in the hills above the Atlantic waves.

Nature and Wildlife: Experience a myriad of colors all in one day; smell the salty Atlantic landscape after sun and rain; discover flowers amidst the crevices of the limestone plateaux; spot a Golden Eagle along the North Western seaboard; hoops of dolphins off Loop Head or the black hump of a whale in West Cork.

Pubs and Bars: at the end of the day or even if you're halfway through its nice to stroll in and sample a craft beer or the local brew; have a chat with locals; perhaps listen to a tin whistle or two.

Walking Trails: so many paths to take; through landscapes of velvet green hills; dappled forests meeting shy fawns; crossing silver streams and pristine beaches pounded white by the swell of the Atlantic.

Tracing Your Ancestry: Reconnect with your past to discover new places of old.

Golf: Perfect that swing on magnificent parklands and links courses rated amongst the Top 10 courses in the world!

Restaurants: The day is done, hunger succumbs, step into a unique array of contemporary or traditional eateries; sample seafood caught that day or hand-reared beef, smokey back and organic vegetables from local farmers or artisan cheese boards.

Try one of these top activities on your next vacation to Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way with Celtic Tours World Vacations

Hotel Spotlight: Kees Hotel & Leisure Club

Kees Hotel & Leisure Club 

Stranorlar : Ballybofey, Co. Donegal : IRELAND 

This historic hotel has been in our family since 1892, plenty of time to develop the tradition of hospitality and good service evident in every aspect of your visit to Donegal. We have grown and developed Kee's Hotel to meet the changing needs of the local community in Donegal and visitors from further afield. Now, in its fourth generation, the Kee family continues the day-to-day running of the hotel and looks forward to welcoming new guests and old friends.

Learn more about this Ireland Hotel. Travel to Ireland with Celtic Tours World Vacations

Take a Boat Trip - Experiences to Savor on Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way

Out at the very edge of Europe, the Wild Atlantic Way stretches 1500 miles along Ireland's western seaboard. From Malin Head in Co Donegal to Kinsale in Co Cork, through regions like Connemara, Galway Bay and Kerry, it's the longest defined coastal drive in the world!

Here is just one of the experiences to savor on Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way:

Take a boat trip round historic Kinsale's natural harbour: This will bring you past the famous headland Old Head, and out to where the transatlantic Lusitania was sunk by a German u-boat in 1915...a seismic event that brought the US into WW1. Onboard the Spirit of Kinsale, there's freshly brewed coffee, blankets to keep you warm and best of all -stories that will stay will you from skipper and historian Jerome Lordan.

Travel to Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way with Celtic Tours World Vacations

Hotel Spotlight: Dunadry Hotel and Country Club

Dunadry Hotel and Country Club 

2 Islandreagh Drive : Dunadry, Co. Antrim BT41 2HA : IRELAND

A grand and homey place is a true rarity, and Dunadry Hotel is unlike any other. A four-star hotel built on the site of an ancient fort and once home to both paper and linen mills, The Dunadry Hotel is rich with stories of times past.

Guest Rooms: The Dunadry Hotel has 83 bedrooms, each luxuriously appointed with en-suite facilities, offering guests the ultimate in comfort and luxury.

Location: The perfect location…only minutes from Belfast International Airport and convenient to Junction One Outlet Village. Belfast city centre and IKEA are only 20 minutes away and the Antrim Coast and Giants Causeway are only an hour away.

Restaurants: The Mill Race Bistro offers relaxed and informal dining in a modern upbeat restaurant incorporating many contemporary trends in cooking. Guests visiting the hotel over a weekend may sample the fine dining experience of The Linen Mill Restaurant. A traditional award winning restaurant overlooking the river, where guests can relax with the most delicious courses accompanied with the finest selection of wines. In addition to that, a sumptous and delicious Carvery lunch is available Monday to Friday at the Dunadry, offering a fantastic choice of salads, cooked dishes, roast meats as well as vegetarian dishes.

Learn more about this Dunadry Hotel. Travel to Ireland with Celtic Tours World Vacations

Hotel Spotlight: Maldron Cardiff Lane

Maldron Cardiff Lane

Cardiff Lane, Sir John Rogerson's Quay : Dublin 2, Co. Dublin
Located off the south banks of the River Liffey, close to the heart of Dublin city and in the centre of one of the most exciting re-development projects ever undertaken in Ireland, Maldron Hotel Cardiff Lane is a seven story, contemporary landmark building off Sir John Rogerson’s Quay in the Dublin Docklands, a stone’s throw from the city center. Learn more about this hotel in Dublin


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Hotel Spotlight: Ballsbridge Hotel

Ballsbridge Hotel

Pembroke Rd, Ballsbridge : Dublin 4, Co. Dublin : IRELAND

Located just minutes from Dublin city centre, Ballsbridge Hotel is a stylish and inviting Dublin hotel renowned for traditional Irish hospitality and quality service.

The hotel is near Aviva Stadium and the RDS, and just a short stroll to the O2 Arena and Bord Gais Energy Theatre. The Guinness Storehouse and Jameson Distillery are also easily accessible from the hotel as is the beautiful Dublin coastline.

Guest Rooms: Ballsbridge Hotel is one of the most popular hotels in Dublin. The hotel offers 392 classic guest rooms providing our guests with outstanding comfort and convenience for a Dublin City break. Ballsbridge Hotel offers an ideal place to enjoy a romantic stay for two or an active weekend in Ireland’s vibrant capital city. The excellent location of this Dublin City hotel also makes the perfect base while attending one of Dublin’s next big matches, shows or concerts.
Location: Ballsbridge Hotel is located in one of Dublin’s most prestigious post codes, Dublin 4, and yet is still only a few minute's walk from Dublin city centre. For hotels near Aviva Stadium, home to Ireland’s Soccer and Rugby International sides, look no further than Ballsbridge Hotel, as we are located right beside the stadium and The RDS, a venue that boasts some of Ireland’s top events and exhibitions is located minutes from the hotel.
Restaurants: Ballsbridge Hotel offers a host of dining experiences for you to enjoy during your stay. The Dubliner Pub, provides old world charm with leather couches and plush furnishings, and is the perfect location for an informal meal or a great spot to watch the match. Raglans Restaurant offers a fantastic dining experience combining fresh seasonal ingredients to create a selection of sumptuous Irish and Mediterranean dishes. Learn more about this Dublin Hotel. Travel to Ireland with Celtic Tours World Vacations

Historic Rudesheim am Rhine - a Germany must!

Lying at the foot of the Neiderwald, on the approach of the Lorelei, on the banks of the Rhine; a stop or overnight in Rudesheim is a must for any travelers to the Rhine area of Germany. Though a year-round tourist destination, Rudesheim maintains it's quaint and quintessential German feeling. Stroll along quaint cobble stoned Drosselgasse, discover the town's nook and cranny's and stop for a gelato overlooking the beautiful Rhine River. The feeling of Rudesheim is relaxing. Visit and relax.

Must Do's:

Georg Bruer: Sample local wine and champagne at Georg Bruer. The Bruer family cultivates over 33 hectacres of vineyards in Rudesheim and the surrounding areas. We recommend this to be your first stop in Rudesheim.

Middle Ages Torture Museum: Come and view the instruments used for torture in the middle ages. Learn about the methods of torture, witches, funeral piles, witch-hunts, witchcraft, the Inquisition, and the Medieval punishments.

Shopping: You will find a host of German craft shops in Rudesheim. You can be assured to find souvenirs of your time in Germany.

Cruise on the Rhine: If the weather is fine, there is nothing better than to take a cruise on the Rhine. You will see green mountainsides dotted with castle ruins along the entire Rhine.

Siegfried's Mechanisches Musikkabinett: Music-lovers and history buffs will delight in the collection at this wonderful museum. Visitors will find phonographs, music boxes, player pianos and more.

Niederwald Monument: This majestic statue, over 30 feet tall, sits atop Rüdesheim's National Monument. The ride up and the view is amazing!

Rheingau Wine Museum Broemserburg Castle: This medieval castle now serves as a museum of wine and local history.

Stroll the Drosselgasse: Less than 500 feet long, Drosselgasse is a narrow, pub-lined lane, which is abuzz with music and merrymaking from noon until well past midnight every day from Easter through October.

Benedictine Abbey of St. Hildegard: A very lovely abbey with nuns living here and running it. There is also a shop were you can buy things what are made here. The views you have from here are stunning.

Dinner at the Rudesheimer Schloss: Breuer's Rüdesheimer Schloss's restaurant serves food from the Hesse region. A variety of wines from the hotel's own winery can be tasted and purchased. In the summer, you are lucky to eat in the courtyard famous for it's glockenspiel. Live music plays daily. The food is fabulous and the atmosphere is amazing!

Rudesheim am Rhine is a must for any travelers to Germany, especially if you are visiting the Rhine region. It is an easy day trip from Frankfurt. But, Rudesheim is also a great base for exploring the Rhine region. We recommend staying at Bruer's Rudesheimer Schloss. The atmosphere is amazing!

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