Wild Atlantic Way – Discover Cork & Kerry

Your first destination in this tailor-made Wild Atlantic Way touring holiday is the colourful village of Kinsale, within 30 minutes’ of Cork City.  Now firmly established as one of Ireland’s premier destinations for foodies, you’ll find a host of restaurants covering all styles and preferences. With its coastal setting, mouth-wateringly fresh seafood is particularly worth sampling.

Things to see & do in Kinsale

Time to explore the cobbled streets and quirky shops of this historic and very colourful village, or take a trip along the coast, where you’ll find plenty of beaches and welcoming villages.  Perhaps head into the nearby city of Cork and visit the world-famous English Market.

Your accommodation in Kinsale

In a splendid harbourside location at the gateway to the Wild Atlantic Way, your accommodation in Kinsale is a quietly stylish hotel, blending contemporary flair with an old-world nautical charm.

Subject to recent extensive refurb, there’s a bright and cheerful feel throughout, with whitewashed timbers setting off the splashes of colourful fabric, with exposed masonry adding a touch of brawn here and there.

Perched in the oversized bed with a morning brew, looking out across the River Bandon towards watchful James Fort is a perfect way to start the day.

Breakfast is unhurried, and served in the first-floor restaurant overlooking the harbour, while in the evening the in-house tavern – planned by an acclaimed local yacht designer – brings a new twist to the traditional Irish pub, a cocktail on the terrace the perfect precursor to dinner in the well-regarded in-house restaurant.

Known as ‘Ireland’s foodie capital,’ with more cafés and restaurants per head than anywhere else on the island, you’ll want to discover some of the tastiest food in the country for yourself. Stroll the ancient cobbled streets with a pub on every corner, peals of traditional music adding to the atmosphere, or make your way just outside town to mighty Charles Fort or the Old Head peninsula, home of the moving Lusitania Museum.

Now continue into West Cork, where your base is the village of Baltimore, with its bustling natural harbour a haven for yachts and ferries to local islands. You’ll find a range of excellent restaurants and friendly bars.

Your accommodation in West Cork

Just on the outskirts of Baltimore, this traditional inn features a bar area crammed with memorabilia of years gone by leading into a bright and airy restaurant.  Eat sumptuously-fresh seafood as you gaze out to the boats bobbing on the water, or chat over a Murphy’s with the locals.  Rooms are extremely spacious and neatly decorated with splashes of cheery colours.  A feeling of being beside the seaside pervades the place and the welcome is every bit as friendly as you’d expect.

Time to explore on your own, maybe heading further west to the village of Schull with its colourful craft shops. Take a drive to Mizen Head, visit the imposing Bantry House and estate, or enjoy one of the numerous coastal walks in the Baltimore area, including a visit to the dramatic white beacon that stands sentry over the lough entrance.

Your journey now takes you further west with options to explore one or more of the fingers of land at the south of Ireland – including the Bere peninsula – before reaching the famous Ring of Kerry and your next base in the colourful town of Kenmare.

Your Hotel in Kenmare

In the vivacious little Kerry town of Kenmare, this hotel simply oozes relaxed comfort and easygoing Irish charm, with a distinct twist of fun thrown in for good measure.

Family owned and run for many years, there are just 22 rooms here, each of which is a stylish haven from the town’s natural fizz, with bespoke fittings skilfully set alongside handcrafted creations commissioned from local artisans.

One of our favourite things here is the dining; take as long as you wish over a traditional Irish breakfast as it’s served till 11am, the homemade bread, pastries and preserves serving as tempting accompaniments. Perhaps enjoy a light tapas-style lunch in the bar, or a more substantial evening meal in the restaurant – an allowance for dinner on your first night is included. Should you wish to dine out, Kenmare’s streets are awash with choices mere moments from the front door.

By night, the bar comes alive, attracting locals and visitors with traditional music helping create a uniquely Irish atmosphere.

Many will take this chance to drive the famous Ring of Kerry, the 120-mile circular route and one of the country’s most popular tourist trails.  Although busy, there are plenty of options to avoid most of the crowds and still enjoy the open views of the mountains, coast and islands of the area. Weather-permitting, the boat trip to view the dramatic island monastery at Skellig Michael is highly recommended and there are also plenty of walking trails around. Dawdle your way around the jagged coastline ad on to the Dingle peninsula, home of the final stop on your Wild Atlantic Way adventure.

Your accommodation in Dingle

This longstanding hotel with spacious rooms and a traditional bar and restaurant sits in a prominent location in the centre of town. Staff are only too happy to give any information you might need, to help you get the most from your visit to this colourful and fascinating corner of Ireland.

Peace and tranquillity are synonymous with the Dingle Peninsula. Life moves at an unhurried pace in this Gaeltacht area (with Irish spoken widely), but the local people are quick to offer you the opportunity to share their unique culture and heritage. The Dingle Peninsula or Corca Dhuibhne stretches 30 miles into the Atlantic Ocean and is dominated by the range of mountains that form its spine, running from the Slieve Mish range to Mount Brandon, Ireland’s second highest peak. The coastline consists of steep sea-cliffs, broken by sandy beaches, with two large sand spits at Inch in the south and the Maharees to the north. There are colourful villages, ancient historic sites, great beaches and crafts a plenty to enjoy.

Your return journey could be from Shannon airport, or cross country to Dublin or the ferry ports of the east coast. This tour of the southern section of the Wild Atlantic Way works equally well in reverse.