The Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland

Kinsale, Ireland is the southern starting point of the Wild Atlantic Way, a tourism route in the Republic of Ireland. The Way meanders for 2,500 km along the west coast and includes some parts of the southern and northern coasts. It is definitely wild in its remoteness, its sparse population, and rugged landscape. 

The remote roads proved challenging to navigate. At one crossroads, while I was still consulting the map and GPS, Brian observed a small vehicle pulling a trailer loaded with sheep turn out of this road. He said, "If he can get through there, we can make it." And so we did, with fuchsia hedges eventually scraping the sides of the motorhome. I wondered aloud what would happen if we encountered an oncoming vehicle. Brian ignored my question and gleefully said, "Isn't this fun!?"

The scenery along the Wild Atlantic Way was stunning. We'd drive around yet another curve to a new vista of gorgeous landscape. The combination of mountains or gently rolling hills and the Irish Sea in its variations of green, blue, and gray did not disappoint.  

Brian drove on the left superbly, but even he needed a rest at the end of each day. One afternoon we stopped to eat lunch in our motorhome in the area of Allihies-Trawnferia, a rugged place along the southern part of the Wild Atlantic Way. We sat at our dinette table with the door open, soaking up the scenery. Copper mining was the industry here in the 1800s; some shafts can still be seen. If you enjoy remote and rugged landscape, put the Wild Atlantic Way on your list. Highly recommended!