Galway’s Wild Atlantic Way: 6 to try

1. Eat the freshest seafood

Thanks to the pristine Atlantic waters around us, Galway seafood is always super fresh, creatively prepared, and might possibly be the most delicious you’ll taste on the Wild Atlantic Way. Think bowls of chunky seafood chowder, meaty mussels and sweet crab. Try the Connemara smoked salmon at the Brasserie on the Corner, Clew Bay mussels at the Artisan Restaurant or fish ‘n’ chips at McDonagh’s, a family-run affair that has been serving up locally sourced seafood in their cosy maritime-themed restaurant since 1902. The traditional art of smoking is alive and kicking here, so visiting a local smokehouse is the best way to extend your seafood voyage.

2. It’s lights, camera, action on the Connemara Film Trail

Oscar Wilde called it a ‘savage beauty’ and maybe that’s what draws the cameras to Connemara. The diverse landscapes of rugged mountains, russet bogland, green fields, and, of course, stone walls make it VERY versatile on film. It was here, deep in the heart of Connemara, where scenes from the classic film The Quiet Man were filmed in 1950. Standing on the iconic ‘Quiet Man’ bridge against this suitably dramatic backdrop is where Seán Thornton (aka John Wayne) first set eyes on the flame-haired Mary Kate Danahe (Maureen O Hara). More recently, crew rolled in for box office biggies such as Marley and Me, Tristan and Isolde, and the Oscar-nominated The Guard.

3. Dive into the coast

If there’s one thing Galway does well, it’s beaches. Our miles of sandy seashores are perfect for walks, watersports and snorkelling. The best part? Get there at the right time and you’ll have them all to yourself! Try Gurteen Beach and Dog’s Bay. Lying back to back between a narrow strip of land, these beaches form two glorious crescent moons of white sand jutting out to the Atlantic. Fact: the sand was formed from the shells of tiny sea creatures known as foraminifera. Glassilaun in Renvyle is another beauty, and it’s where scenes from the box office hit Tristan and Isolde were filmed. Meanwhile, the Blue Flag Dóilín beach in Carraroe is made from the rare and beautiful coralline algae (known as maerl). We guarantee you’ll be going home with a jarful.

4. Go island hopping

The Aran Islands are as far west as you can go in Europe before hitting America, and they’re deeply rooted in tradition to this day. Inishmore is the largest, boasting the impressive Dun Aengus stone fort. This rises 100 meters out of the ocean and is often hailed as one of the finest prehistoric monuments in Europe. Inishmaan’s limestone landscapes is a nature lover’s paradise, blooming with a variety of wildflowers. That’s not forgetting the 8th century church, stone forts and the handsomely restored cottage of writer John Millington Synge. Inisheer may be the smallest island, but it packs a serious historical punch. Don’t miss the Bronze Age burial mound, church (half-buried in the sand) and the island’s shipwreck!

Get the ferry straight to the islands from Rossaveel.

5. Reach for the Sky

One of the best ways to experience the Wild Atlantic Way is by road (it is after all, the longest defined coastline in the world). For a road trip to remember, it’s nearly impossible to beat Sky Road in Clifden, a 11km/7m circular route that hugs the coastline, set against the backdrop of the Twelve Ben Mountains. The road climbs to 500ft as you drive and the landscapes along the way are simply incredible: silver lakes, glorious sandy beaches and lofty mountains. However, nothing beats the view from the summit – the spectacular views of Connemara stretch for miles.

Landscape photos courtesy of connemara.net