Scenic Shores of Ireland

Bangor is a charming coastal city on the shores of Belfast Lough, serving as a gateway to Northern Ireland's beautiful landscapes and rich maritime heritage. Its attractive waterfront is lined with colourful boats, bustling cafés and scenic promenades, creating a welcoming first impression. The city itself has a proud seafaring history, with a lively marina, historic landmarks and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the fresh sea air along the coastline. Combining coastal charm with easy access to some of Northern Ireland's most picturesque destinations, Bangor offers an introduction to a region known for its natural beauty, warm hospitality and fascinating heritage.

Slieve League Cliffs are one of the Wild Atlantic Way's greatest secrets. Located in County Donegal, Ireland, the cliffs are among the highest in Europe and offer remarkable views of the Atlantic Ocean and the surrounding landscape. Considered to be a site of great pilgrimage, the cliffs are home to ancient stone remnants scattered around the hillsides, thought to be from a time before Christianity arrived in Ireland, and also contain the ruins of a chapel from an early Christian monastic site.

Located on the Donegal Wild Atlantic Way, Killybegs is well known for its maritime culture, having been the last port of call for the galleon ‘Girona’ in 1588, before she sank after encountering a severe storm. Home to one of the country's busiest fishing harbours, this welcoming town offers an authentic glimpse into life on the Wild Atlantic Way, where colourful fishing boats bob in the harbour and seafood is a way of life rather than a speciality. Beyond the waterfront, some of Ireland's most dramatic landscapes await discovery, with towering sea cliffs, windswept headlands and remote islands shaping a coastline that feels untamed, along with quiet beaches and traditional villages.

Marking the halfway point on the 2,500-kilometre-long Wild Atlantic Way, Galway is considered to be one of the jewels of Western Ireland. Known as the ‘City of the Tribes’, due to merchant families running the town in the 15th century, Galway still holds many structures dating back to those times. Nowadays, the city is a continuing to thrive as a centre for culture and the arts, with its University and many festivals.

The charming town of Cobh has always maintained a strong maritime connection and is perhaps most notably remembered for being the final port of call on the ill-fated RMS Titanic’s maiden voyage in 1912. As you set foot here, you can experience the sense of excitement the passengers felt on boarding the most luxurious cruise liner of her time, which can be encountered further at the Titanic Experience. You can explore nearby Blarney Castle, where legend has it that those who visit must uphold the tradition of kissing the Blarney Stone, said to bestow the gift of eloquence, or visit the ornately detailed Neo-Gothic St. Coleman’s Cathedral. Alternatively, immerse yourself in local life here and discover the Jameson Distillery in nearby Midleton, learn how Paddy Whiskey is made, and enjoy a warming taste of its nutty and woody notes. The iconic city of Cork is easily accessible from Cobh, with regular trains departing from the nearby station.