Wild Atlantic Way
Emerald Isle adventure
Ireland
Emerald Isle adventure
Ireland
9 stunning days exploring a country rich in history with gorgeous roads and scenery to boot.
Ben Spear and Felix Billington.
Find out more about Magellan Guides
Find out more about Magellan Guides
Ireland is a beautiful, friendly country and this tour takes in the most famous sights on the Emerald Isle; and of course, there’s the legendary hospitality of the Irish themselves.
You start your from your house or if renting a motorcycle our facility in the South-East of England and make your way to Liverpool for the overnight ferry to Belfast. If you’re riding from the South-East why not stop and visit the National Motorcycle Museum in Coventry to see their collection of classic British bikes? Before you get onto the ferry you could also visit the award-winning Beatles Story museum, a fascinating look at the band's history and the world’s largest permanent exhibition purely devoted to the lives and times of The Beatles.
Off the ferry, you will ride to Belfast on the beautiful east coast and visit Kirkistown motor racing circuit and Strangford Lough a sea loch covering 150km. Arriving in Belfast you can also visit the Titanic museum extending over nine galleries exploring the conception of the Titanic in the early 1900s through to the infamous maiden voyage and its demise. Leaving Belfast you have a scenic coastal ride with visits to a haunted house, the amazing rock columns of The Giants Causeway and the oldest whiskey distillery in Ireland.
Riding along the West coast of Ireland on the best biking roads the country has to offer you will be treated to a water bus tour of Donegal Bay, Ireland’s largest bay experiencing a close encounter with Seal Island and it’s 200 strong seal colony, views of the Bluestack Mountains and the pretty coastline of Donegal.
Carrying on down the West coast through National parks and wetlands you will visit the medieval city of Limerick and the beautiful Crag caves, the system of limestone rock that extends to 3.8 kilometres considered to be one million years old before riding one of Ireland’s most breathtaking natural wonders The Ring of Kerry, this beautiful route has everything from castles to lakes and viewing points that will take your breath away.
The Wild Atlantic Way.
The Wild Atlantic Way.
You will stay on the rugged west coast and ride around the remote and tranquil Kenmare Bay and onto the medieval stronghold near Cork Blarney Castle, at the top of this castle lies the famous stone of Eloquence. You then ride onto the seaport of Waterford, the famous glass manufacturer Waterford Crystal first opened its doors here in 1783.
The next day comes with a visit to a Celtic craft centre, an ancient monastery and a beautiful scenic ride through the Wicklow Mountains. The largest of Ireland’s six National Parks will have you riding vast heather clad moors dotted with small tranquil lakes before heading back to Dublin for the ferry to Wales. On your way home why not spend your final day riding through the rolling countryside and over the iconic Severn Bridge into England.
Wild, Windswept and Wonderful, explore Ireland the way it should be seen, on a motorcycle!
Tour highlights
Giants Causeway: A series of 40,000 interlocking rock columns make up this UNESCO world heritage site. It was caused by a volcanic eruption, but legends suggest that it is the remnants of a causeway built by an Irish giant to cross the channel and fight a Scottish giant.
Titanic Museum: The world’s largest Titanic experience, which explores the story of the Titanic in a new way. Experience over one hundred years of maritime and social history, at this unique museum.
'The scenery is spectacular and the roads are some of the best I've ridden. You won't be disappointed with the iconic coastal roads, views and of course the local pubs ;0) Visiting the Crag Caves System was a real experience, I could go back and do it all again, in fact I may just do that next year and take my wife along this time.'John P
Crag cave system: Crag Cave is a fossil cave system, older than humankind. The cave was once filled with water, which eroded the rock into carved tunnels and chambers and drips of water left behind crystals which formed stalactites and stalagmites.
Blarney Castle and kiss the Blarney Stone: The Blarney stone at Blarney Castle is a piece of limestone built into the castle walls which is said to give those who kiss it a mystical elegance.
Bushmills distillery tour: Bushmills Irish Whiskey is made at Ireland’s oldest working distillery and has been since 1608 using the unique water from the stream onsite and Irish barley. ‘The Bushmills Brand Experience’ offers guided tours around the working distillery with all the associated sights and smells and even tutored whiskey tastings
Waterbus tour of Donegal bay: To truly enjoy Donegal Town, a trip on the Waterbus is imperative! The 75 minute cruise explores the history, environment and wildlife of this estuary, which is renowned for its beautiful sea views and gorgeous cliffs.
Ring of Kerry: The ring of Kerry is a world famous 111 mile tourist route in Ireland, encompassing white sand beaches, herds of wild goats grazing on moorland, dramatic mountain passes and coastlines, this is Irish riding at its best!
Tour Map / Itinerary
Full Itinerary
Day 1
Mileage dependant on start point. Maybe visit the National Motorcycle Museum in Coventry or the Beatles experience in Liverpool. Overnight ferry from Liverpool to Dublin at 9pm.
Day 2 165 Miles
Dublin to Belfast.
Day 3 144 Miles
Scenic coastal riding day.
Day 4 165 Miles
Ride down the west coast to Donegal Bay.
Day 5 195 Miles
Through National Parks continuing down the west coast.
Day 6 224 Miles
Visit Limerick and the beautiful Crag caves.
Day 7 216 Miles
Ride around Kenmare Bay to Waterford.
Day 8 109 Miles
Visit a Celtic craft centre then on to Holyhead in Wales.
Day 9
Mileage dependant on end location. Spend the day riding through the beautiful hills of Wales to the Severn Bridge crossing.
What's included
Overnight ferry crossing with cabin Liverpool - Dublin, day time crossing Waterford - Holyhead (if Liverpool isn’t convenient for you do please get in touch as other crossings can be arranged see Q&As below).
7 Nights accommodation in good quality hotels, 1 overnight ferry cabin.
Excellent breakfast each morning.
Full use of all hotels’ leisure facilities.
Detailed route plans and maps.
GPS routes (Garmin / Tom Tom).
Detailed daily itinerary including sights and suggested coffee and lunch stops.
What's not
Fuel.
Toll charges.
Admission charges.
Occasional hotel parking charges.
Meals and drinks other than specified above.
Travel/Breakdown insurance.
Common questions about this trip
Where does this tour start from?
If you are renting a motorcycle then the tour will start from our rental facility in the south-east of England near London. If you’re on your own bike then you just need to make your way to Liverpool for the first evening of the itinerary.
I’m on my own bike, can I choose a different crossing to Ireland?
Of course, alternate ferry routes include Holyhead, Cairnryan or Fishguard, if you would like to make your own way to Dublin and join the route on Morning 2 of the itinerary just let us know in the comments box and we’ll deduct the outbound crossing cost from your trip.
When is the best time of year to do this trip?
May to September, as a rule, is the safest time to tour anywhere in the UK and Ireland although March, April and October can work with a dash of luck. It can be wet at any time of year but a sensible mix of vented kit and waterproofs with some base layers should cover all eventualities. Full kit and packing lists are supplied and we are happy to offer advice on packing for any of the trips.
More information
For general information on planning and preparing for motorcycle trips including what to pack please see our Prepare for your trip section.
Magellan Hub
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