Trade Manual For Group Organisers CONTENTS 1 IntRODUction .................................................................. 3 2 BREAKDOWN OF AccommoDAtion BY CLAssiFICAtion ALONG THE WiLD AtLAntic WAY .... 4 3 OVERVIEW OF AttRActions ALONG tHE WiLD AtLAntic WAY ................................................. 4 4 MAP OF THE WiLD AtLAntic WAY ROUte AND DiscoVERY Points.................................................. 5 5 EXPERiences to SAVOUR ON IRELANd’S WiLD AtLAntic WAY ......................................................6-9 6 ActiVities ON OFFER ALONG tHE WiLD AtLAntic WAY ............................................... 10 7 NORTH West MAP ............................................................11 • Major Towns in The norTh wesT ........................ 12-13 • CoaCh Parking in The norTh wesT .......................... 14 • Large CaPaCiTy Attractions in The norTh wesT ................................................... 15-17 8 West MAP ..........................................................................19 • Major Towns in The wesT ......................................20-21 • CoaCh Parking in The wesT ........................................ 22 • Large CaPaCiTy Attractions in The wesT .........23-25 9 MIDWest MAP .................................................................. 27 • Major Towns in The MidwesT ...............................28-29 • CoaCh Parking in The MidwesT .................................30 • Large CaPaCiTy Attractions in The MidwesT .........................................................31-33 10 sOUTH West MAP ........................................................... 35 • Major Towns in The souTh wesT .........................36-38 • CoaCh Parking in The souTh wesT ..................... 39-40 • Large CaPaCiTy Attractions in The souTh wesT ...................................................41-42 11 OPW Sites ALONG THE WiLD AtLAntic WAY ........43-51 12 TOURist INFORMAtion OFFices ALONG tHE WiLD AtLAntic WAY ............................................... 53 • ConTact InforMaTion ........................................... 54-55 FRONT coVER - beACH IN West coRK HIKING IN URRis, inisHOWen CONTENTS 1 IntRODUction .................................................................. 3 2 BREAKDOWN OF AccommoDAtion BY CLAssiFICAtion ALONG THE WiLD AtLAntic WAY .... 4 3 OVERVIEW OF AttRActions ALONG tHE WiLD AtLAntic WAY ................................................. 4 4 MAP OF THE WiLD AtLAntic WAY ROUte AND DiscoVERY Points.................................................. 5 5 EXPERiences to SAVOUR ON IRELANd’S WiLD AtLAntic WAY ......................................................6-9 6 ActiVities ON OFFER ALONG tHE WiLD AtLAntic WAY ............................................... 10 7 NORTH West MAP ............................................................11 • Major Towns in The norTh wesT ........................ 12-13 • CoaCh Parking in The norTh wesT .......................... 14 • Large CaPaCiTy Attractions in The norTh wesT ................................................... 15-17 THE WILD ATLANTIC WAY STORY 8 West MAP ..........................................................................19 • Major Towns in The wesT ......................................20-21 Out at the very edge of Europe, the Wild Atlantic Way stretches for 2,500 km (1,500 miles) along Ireland’s western • CoaCh Parking in The wesT ........................................ 22 seaboard. From Malin Head in Co. Donegal to Kinsale in Co. Cork, through regions like Connemara, Galway Bay and Kerry, • Large CaPaCiTy Attractions in The wesT .........23-25 it’s the longest defined coastal drive in the world. 9 MIDWest MAP .................................................................. 27 Here, the ocean’s force has carved a coast of wild, raw beauty. Huge Atlantic rollers crash and churn, shaping jagged • Major Towns in The MidwesT ...............................28-29 ocean crags, archipelagos and inlets, sea loughs, surfing strands, and the sheer granite walls of cliffs that are amongst • CoaCh Parking in The MidwesT .................................30 some of the highest in Europe. Rare sea eagles circle over glacial mountains, dolphins leap the waves, seals bask on the • Large CaPaCiTy Attractions shore, puffins nest on cliff faces and geese gather in great estuaries. And lighthouses safeguard sailors all the way up the in The MidwesT .........................................................31-33 coast – from Fastnet to Malin Head. 10 sOUTH West MAP ........................................................... 35 • Major Towns in The souTh wesT .........................36-38 Right along this spectacular drive you’re aware of the elemental power of the Atlantic Ocean, turning from grey to green • CoaCh Parking in The souTh wesT ..................... 39-40 to azure blue as great weather fronts roll in and through. You’ll drive on routes that ring great peninsulas, reaching out • Large CaPaCiTy Attractions into the ocean. Tiny roads hug the shoreline then switch back high above the Atlantic swell. Cloud-shadows race across in The souTh wesT ...................................................41-42 sea and land, followed by shafts of sunlight. You’ll probably see a lifetime’s rainbows in just one trip. 11 OPW Sites ALONG THE WiLD AtLAntic WAY ........43-51 You’ll want to stop often at the many small settlements and towns along the route. Every few miles there are places to 12 TOURist INFORMAtion OFFices ALONG stretch your legs and have a bite to eat. Maybe you’ll hunker down and stay a night or two to get to know the places and tHE WiLD AtLAntic WAY ............................................... 53 the people… to climb cliffs, surf waves and ride bikes. You could join in the craíc at sessions and festivals, go • ConTact InforMaTion ........................................... 54-55 island-hopping and visit ancient sites or sit by turf fires in traditional pubs, where you’ll eat the freshest seafood and hear the Irish language, songs and stories. Out here in the west coast’s remote Gaeltacht regions, Irish is the mother tongue for many folk – and they’ll tell you “fáilte romhat isteach – you’re most welcome here”. You could drive the whole route in one go – but you don’t have to. Instead, you may want to slow down, and dive in deep … For it’s out on these western extremities – drawn in by the constant rhythm of the ocean’s roar and the consistent warmth of the people – that you’ll find the Ireland you’ve always imagined. This Wild Atlantic Way Trade Manual is designed to act as a source of information on the principle Visitor Attractions, Towns, Discovery Points and Heritage Sites along the Wild Atlantic Way. It aims to provide you as a group organiser, or your travel trade partners with all the practical information you will need when planning trips or excursions along the spectacular Wild Atlantic Way. 3 BREAKDOWN OF ACCOMMODATION BY CLASSIFICATION ALONG THE WILD ATLANTIC WAY Accommodation Approved 1* 2* 2*& 3* 3* 3*& 4* 4* 5* Total hotels 13 37 112 73 5 240 guesthouses 8 17 56 21 102 registered group self Catering schemes 1 1 30 14 67 113 Listed self Catering units 11 9 13 150 303 1 487 B&Bs 78 407 144 9 638 historic houses 10 10 Pubs with accommodation 7 restaurants with accommodation 6 activity holiday accommodation 6 Caravan and Camping 1 14 14 13 42 university accommodation 1 2 3 some of the units of this group scheme are classified at 2* and some at 3* some of the units of these group schemes are classified at 3* and some at 4* OVERVIEW OF AttRActions ALONG THE WiLD AtLAntic WAY Attractions Number Churches, abbeys and Monasteries 39 art galleries 55 Blue flag Beaches 53 historic houses and Castles 50 gardens 37 Museums and attractions 100 national & forest Parks 7 Visitor farms 9 Total 350 4 5 EXPERiences to SAVOUR ON IRELANd’S WiLD AtLAntic WAY 1 MOVILLE PotteRY, GLencROW, MOVILLE, CO DoneGAL Circle Ireland’s far north at Malin Head: There’s drama out at Malin head – Cionn Mhálanna. The tip of the inishowen Peninsula is mainland ireland’s farthest northerly point. The wild atlantic has carved deep crevices into the rugged headland, like hell’s hole – a dramatic long, deep and narrow chasm where the swells roar and churn. and birds flock here, blown in on the atlantic winds: regular visitors from iceland, greenland and north america; and rarer exotic creatures from further afield. Mythical queen Banba has given her name to the peninsula’s tip – Banba’s Crown. it’s here that guides from Cycle inishowen will meet you for a 45-minute ride to stretch your legs in the fresh sea air, and learn about the area’s wildlife, geology and history. 2 Heritage on Horseback in the Atlantic: This ride takes about four hours with a lunch stop in the old o’Connor’s homestead on Connors island to the north of streedagh Beach in north Co. sligo. Begin at island View riding stables near grange and walk along the shore to Milkhaven harbour. you will then cross a magnificent tidal lagoon at low tide, go- ing on to the back of streedagh dunes. see archaeology along the way, have a nice packed lunch out of your saddle bag and hear all about the spanish armada ships that wrecked here after a horrendous gale on september 21st 1588. Continuing then to dernish island, enjoy this remote seascape - with ruined cottages standing quiet, lost in time at the back of the island.heading home then, you can refresh your horses legs in seawater and relax, sit back and take it all in! 3 Get up close to cliffs that are amongst the highest in Europe: