Wild Atlantic Way from Galway to Killarney
- hollymathwriter
- 1 minute ago
- 2 min read
July 1st, 2026
Today we left Galway and drove along the Wild Atlantic Way to Killarney. As we started out in Galway County, we saw a glimpse of Dunguaire Castle. The castle was originally built in the 1520 by the O'Hyne clan on the same strategic site as a 7th century fort. In 1924 it was restored by Senator Gogarty who used it as a meeting up for the great literary forces in the Celtic Revival. W.B. Yeats often visited, as well as other famous authors such as Lady Gregory and George Bernard Shaw.
We passed by many pastures with wildflowers in bloom.
In County Clare we drove along Corkscrew Hill with beautiful views of the Burren (rocky place) with terraced limestone mountains that slope towards the Atlantic Ocean and Galway Bay.
We drove through Lisdoonvarna where they hold an annual matchmaking festival.
We stopped at the viewpoint for the Cliffs of Moher. They were stunning with many birds nesting in their rocky outcrops.
Sitting at the highest point on the cliffs, O'Brien's Tower offers stunning views for visitors.
There was a visitor's center that offered an amazing short film giving us a bird's-eye view of the cliffs. You really felt as if you were a bird swooping down the cliffs. Brent posed there with a giant puffin. We were not able to see puffins from the viewpoint.
As we left the Cliffs of Moher, we passed by O'Brien's Bridge and the ruins of the O'Connor tower castle, Dough Castle, from the 14th century.
Further along the road, we gazed upon the even older ruins of Clare Abbey, an Augustinian monastery from the 12th century.
Our next stop after the Cliffs of Moher, was Bunratty Castle.
While we didn't go inside the castle itself, we enjoyed exploring the surrounding Folk Park. We wandered through the reconstructed 19th century village where we also enjoyed lunch.
We greeted the Irish wolfhounds who were enjoyed a walk around the village.
We ambled along the Fairy Trail keeping an out for its hidden residents such as the "Wise Old Owl".
We explored the gardens.
We met some of the rare breeds of Irish domestic animals.
We admired the water mill.
Brent was intrigued by the antique garden equipment.
In County Limerick we passed the remains of the 13th century Desmond Castle (Adare Castle).
The village of Adare has won many awards as one of Ireland's prettiest villages. It features 18th century stone cottages with the traditional thatched roofs.
When we arrived in Killarney, we drove by St. Mary's Cathedral. Construction on the church started in 1842 but was halted during the Great Famine and used as a hospital and shelter.
That evening we enjoyed a traditional Irish music and dance show.
On our walk back to the hotel, we stopped at a statue of Johnny O'Leary, a renowned button accordion player.
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