Ireland’s Greatest Road Trips – the Causeway Coast and Wild Atlantic Way

Our favourite way to start is with an early ferry to Belfast – though arriving in Dublin is perfectly feasible – and  some time to experience this fine city. You won’t want to miss the Titanic Quarter and its multi award-winning museum, unlike any other in the world. Stroll across the QEII Bridge to the Cathedral Quarter for its abundance of traditional bars, shopping and the fabulous City Hall. Then head a little south to the Botanic Gardens and Edwardian Ulster Museum with its wonderful brutalist extension and absorbing collection..

Back on the road, take to the Causeway Coast and enjoy a wonderful two-hour, oceanside drive towards the Antrim Glens and your first base in the endearing seaside town of Ballycastle.

Your Accommodation in Ballycastle

Recently rescued and transformed by a local family, your accommodation in Ballycastle is in many ways the focal-point of the town. Set right at the seafront, locals love to while away an hour in the in-house cafe over a strong coffee and a bun, exchanging all the blethers of the day. Bedrooms are contemporary, clean and comfortable, and the bar/ bistro serves a tempting local menu throughout the day and evening.

What to See and Do in Ballycastle

Recently named ‘Best Place to Live in Northern Ireland’, Ballycastle is home to a vibrant food scene, with several independent dineries and specialist shops offering proudly local produce and homemade temptations. Follow the local heritage trail and take in the absorbing museum housed in the 18th-century courthouse and perhaps enjoy a pint in a local bar where you may be lucky to hear some live traditional music. Take to the coastal path and within a few minutes you’ll find yourself away from the world, amidst some of Ireland’s most beautiful scenery.

After breakfast, you’ll meet a local guide and board the ferry just across from your hotel for the short crossing to Rathlin island. Board the ‘Puffin Bus’ which cross-crosses the island on its way to the famous RSPB seabird centre at the ‘upside-down’ lighthouse, where puffins, guillemots, razorbills and kittiwakes swoop during the summer months. Later, stroll around Mill Bay before a visit to the two ancient churches by the harbour. Drink in Rathlin’s magnificent views: on clear days Donegal, the North Antrim coastline, the island of Islay and the Mull of Kintyre hove into view. At day’s end, your guide will usher you back via ferry to Ballycastle.

The non-stop coastal route to Derry takes only two hours, so today presents  a dawdlers’ dream, with exploration opportunities aplenty. Test your nerve at precipitous Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and make  photo-opp visits to  Ballintoy Harbour and the promontory fort of Dunseverick Castle. Clamber the basalt columns of perhaps the island’s most famous landmark, the Giants Causeway, before exploring magical Dunluce Castle and Mussenden Temple, as well as endless, golden strands at Portstewart and Portrush.

Your Accommodation in Derry

Perhaps a perfect measure of all that’s best about this much-transformed city, your accommodation in Derry/ Londonderry is a stylish and serene, family-owned hotel at the very heart of life here. Confident, contemporary elements fuse seamlessly with grand traditional architecture, with a champagne bar/ restaurant and library complimenting the cosetting bedrooms.

What see and do in Derry

Fill your day as you go armed with your Visit Derry Pass, allowing entry to 10 of the city’s most arresting attractions. Our first stop is always a guided walk on the ancient city walls (included with your pass) providing a historical perspective on the origins of the Walled City. Continue your Derry discovery via three fascinating museums, two cathedrals and the alarming and inspiring story of the Guildhall, perhaps rounding off with a fun visit to the Derry Girls Experience. Along the way, stop for refreshment at one of the city’s many fine inns, no doubt finding yourself engaged and welcomed by the disarmingly friendly locals.

The term ‘border’ in the context of Northern Ireland and the Republic means virtually nothing in physical terms. You’ll find no frontier and no barrier, the most obvious pointers being a change in the colour of road markings, and speed limits displayed in KMH  Vs MPH. Within moments of leaving Derry, you find yourself in Co Donegal,  heading north along the shores of Lough Swilly on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way. The distinctive ‘squiggle’ roadsigns begin to appear, easily marking the way along the entire length of this world-famous 2600km touring route, your first calling point Fanad Head for a guided visit to one of Europe’s finest lighthouses. Continue around Sheephaven Bay as you begin to drop south along the Donegal coast to your next base in the village of Dungloe.

Follow the Wild Atlantic Way south this morning, though some of Donegal’s most dramatic landscapes. In this area famous for its ancient tweed industry, perhaps stop in the village of Ardara to see production up close with a legend of the craft. Shortly, you’ll reach the fine visitor centre for Sliabh Liag, with its excellent coffee shop. Here, board the bus for a guided climb towards the cliffs’ highest point and wander along the path to give yourself first-hand experience of their scale. Sliabh Liag or Cliffs of Moher: which is greater? The debate will rage on forever. From Sliabh Liag, the direct route to your next stop in Donegal Town takes less than an hour, so you’ve plenty of time to meander along the coast, absorbing perhaps the village of Killybegs and the fabulous peninsula of St John’s Point.

Your Accommodation in Donegal Town

A pleasant few minutes’ stroll across the River Eske from ‘the Diamond’, your accommodation here is a contemporary independent property, perched on a hill overlooking the town. Again, local accents dominate the service here from friendly staff, while bedrooms offer a spacious and peaceful retreat, with breakfast and lunch served in the stylish in-house bistro.

What to see and do in Donegal Town

Regarded by the locals as one of Ireland’s best-kept secrets, there’s nowhere quite like Donegal Town. Take a serene trip on the waterbus, offering a fine perspective on the town’s surroundings, views of the seven Green Islands and even the 200-strong local seal colony. Later, wander the Diamond, the town’s centrepoint, taking lunch and a refreshment at one of the acclaimed local bars or brasseries, before discovering Red Hugh O’Donnell’s towering Donegal Castle.

A final dawdle on the Wild Atlantic Way today, the short hop to Sligo affording plenty of time to wander off the beaten track. The coastline between Donegal and Sligo teems with captivating features, from the drama of Mullaghmore Head and Classiebawn, to epic Streedagh Beach in the shadow of mighty Benbuilben and the blowholes at Raghly Cliffs. You’ll arrive in the town of Sligo ready for two nights here in the heart of the town.

Your accommodation in Sligo

In an impressive position looming over the Garravogue River, your accommodation in Sligo delivers everything you could wish for at the culmination of your trip. The location is simply perfect, with all of Sligo’s attractions within easy walking distance, while inside, the bar and restaurant are as popular with locals as they are with visitors, giving each a light and lively atmosphere. Bedrooms are recently upgraded and filled with every feature to make your stay as comfortable as possible.

What to see and do in Sligo

It’s easy to see why W.B Yeats took so much inspiration from Sligo and its surrounding countryside, whose mountains, lakes and megalithic tombs have promoted myth and folklore for centuries. There’s endless activity along its shoreline, including golf and horse riding, and if you’re in need of revitalisation, indulge in one of Sligo’s world-famous seaweed baths.

Sligo town bustles throughout, it’s easily walked streets home to many independent galleries, the fine County Museum and some excellent restaurants,  pubs and bars.

Perhaps the perfect way to wrap up your trip, today you enjoy a private oyster farm experience. Setting off from the farmers’ own cafe a few short steps from your hotel, ride along with your host on the short journey to Sligo Bay, location of the oyster farm run here for generations by the same family. In the midst of spectacular views of the bay and Benbulben, witness the farm during a busy working day and hear first-hand the history of oyster farming in this jaw-dropping location. What’s more, you’ll enjoy lunch of fresh oysters alongside local bread, cheese and a glass of something special before returning to the centre of Sligo.

Both Dublin and Belfast are a three-hour drive from Sigo; from whichever you choose to depart, we’ll provide fuss-free directions.