5-day itinerary from Shannon to Galway

Arriving at Shannon Airport is a great way to start this trip, as you’re already on the Wild Atlantic Way. It’s also a perfect place to pick up a hire car for your journey, although there are public transport options available, including the free, hop-on, hop-off Burren and Cliffs of Moher Explorer bus, which runs during the summer months. There are so many things to do in this incredible part of Ireland, but your first stop should be Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, a 20-minute drive away. Set on more than 26 acres of idyllic County Clare countryside, the highlight here is the 15th-century tower house – one of the best-preserved medieval strongholds in Ireland. After exploring, head to the Folk Park, where you can walk through a recreated 19th-century street, visit rural farmhouses and step inside MacNamara and Sons Public House – a museum pub that celebrates the traditions of the Irish pub with music and storytelling.

You can enjoy tea and scones at The Bunratty Tea Rooms or hearty Irish dishes at The Corn Barn Restaurant at Bunratty, but a good choice nearby is JP Clarke’s. There’s a lovely cosy atmosphere at this well-known pub thanks to flagstone floors, timber beams and open fires.

If you want to go even further back in time, head to Craggaunowen Castle & Crannóg – an archaeological park and open-air museum that lets you see how Ireland’s early settlers lived and worked.

A great option for the evening is a visit to one of the local medieval banquets. Alongside the feast at Bunratty Castle, nearby Knappogue Castle offers a 15th-century-style dining experience, with music, storytelling and entertainment by flickering candlelight.

Afterwards, set your sights on Limerick city. Perched on the banks of the majestic River Shannon, this charismatic medieval city is known for its festivals, galleries and museums, as well as the dramatic 13th-century King John’s Castle. With a dramatic setting overlooking the river, the castle invites visitors to explore its battlements, courtyard and ancient towers. Costumed guides, interactive displays, and ghostly 3D apparitions tell the story of what is one of Ireland’s most iconic medieval landmarks.

The nearby Treaty City Brewery is the perfect place to try a local Limerick ale, stout or beer, as well as tasty, toasted sandwiches. This artisan craft brewery also offers brewery tours on Saturdays, which detail how the beers are made.

With a food scene that encompasses everything from fine-dining at The Long Room at One Pery Square to gastropub favourites at the award-winning Locke Bar, finding somewhere great to dine in Limerick is an easy task. For fresh seafood and river views, try The Curragower on the banks of the Shannon, or opt for the Cornstore, which uses all local ingredients, some of which come from their own garden in Ballingarry, County Limerick. A more casual option is Cavavin, a small specialist wine shop that serves local cheese and charcuterie boards. They also run regular tasting events in the evenings, with wines matched with Sheridan’s artisan cheeses, local cured meats and handmade chocolates.

Limerick has a thriving third-wave coffee scene, so if you’re looking for a caffeine kick, you’ve come to the right place. Start at Canteen on Catherine Street – a super-popular neighbourhood café with great breakfast options, or head to Rift Coffee, a multi-roaster speciality coffee shop. For something a little different, try Guji, known for its bold brews, with specials such as Vanilla Cold Foam and Honey Lemonade.

After coffee, follow your nose to the Milk Market (open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays) for a taste of the local Limerick food scene. It’s the perfect place to meet artisan food producers and sample everything from freshly baked breads at the Sunflower Bakery to handcrafted treats at Wilde Irish Chocolates.

A short walk away is the Hunt Museum – home to one of the greatest private collections on the island of Ireland. The life’s work of John and Gertrude Hunt comprises more than 2,500 objects, including art by Pablo Picasso and Pierre-Auguste Renoir, design sketches by Sybil Connolly – one of Ireland’s most renowned designers – and the Antrim Cross, a 9th-century bronze-and-enamel cross. Before you leave, make time to visit the museum café – it’s a lovely place to pause and reflect on everything you’ve seen.

Next, get in gear for some beautiful coastal scenery as you head towards the Loop Head Peninsula. Along the way, stop in the charming town of Kilkee for a lunch of seafood chowder at Naughton’s Bar. Right next door, you’ll also find a lovely little art shop with a diverse collection of arts and crafts.

From Kilkee, follow the Loop Head Drive through a landscape of dramatic cliffs, crashing waves and breathtaking ocean views. At the tip of the peninsula stands the Loop Head Lighthouse. There’s been a lighthouse here for more than 300 years, and the tour here is perfect for uncovering County Clare’s rich maritime heritage.

Afterwards, visit the Kilkee Cliffs, one of County Clare’s best-kept secrets and a quieter, more secluded alternative to the Cliffs of Moher. If you have time, it’s well worth doing the short walk along the cliffs (around 1.8km); if not, simply pause to take in the views. Either way, it’s a memorable spot.

It’s a scenic drive from here to the charming village of Doolin, a renowned centre of traditional music and gateway to the Aran Islands. Doolin has also earned a reputation as a food destination, with the Michelin-starred Homestead Cottage being one of the top places to eat. For “rustic fine dining”, book a table at the Oar Restaurant or keep it casual with great food and a rousing traditional music session at the popular pub, Gus O’Connors.

Rising to 214m and stretching for more than 8km along the rugged west coast, the Cliffs of Moher bring a real wow factor to the Wild Atlantic Way. Dramatic, elemental and staggeringly beautiful – they’re guaranteed to make the heart beat a little faster. Seabirds soar overhead, Atlantic waves crash below, and the sheer drops create an unforgettable spectacle. Morning is one of the best times to visit, when mist drifts in from the ocean and the landscape feels fresh and serene. For a memorable way to start the day, try the Atlantic Awakenings Experience. This exclusive morning adventure includes a guided tour, a full breakfast in the café and a Crafted in Clare gift box.

Once you’ve explored the visitor centre, walk to O’Brien’s Tower for sweeping views of the coastline. If you have more time, follow the path to the South Platform to see the dramatic sea stack, then continue onwards for 4km to Hag’s Head, the most southerly point of the cliffs.

The views from the clifftop are, of course, unforgettable, but for a different perspective, take a boat tour with Doolin Ferry. From the water, you’ll get to admire the cliffs in all their grandeur, including the sea cave that was featured in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

You could stop for lunch at the Cliffs View Café at the visitor centre or take a short drive south for super-fresh seafood at Vaughan’s Anchor Inn in Liscannor. Alternatively, make the 15-minute detour inland to Ennistymon. Over the last few years, this charming market town has become a thriving food hot spot with a new wave of delis, restaurants, coffee shops and bakeries.

Try The Cheese Press, a firm local favourite, or Byrne’s of Ennistymon, a popular café-bar with outdoor dining on a terrace overlooking the town’s cascading river. Browse the vintage store next door, open Wednesday to Saturday, before continuing your journey

If you have more time, just outside Ennistymon you can explore some of the area’s rich food culture at St Tola Goat Farm. Public tours run throughout the month and should be booked in advance.

After lunch, it’s time to really explore The Burren, one of Ireland’s most unique geological landscapes and, along with the Cliffs of Moher, a UNESCO Global Geopark. This vast, moon-like, karst limestone plateau reaches down to the ocean, with arctic-alpine plants, orchids and patches of grassland. One of the best ways of experiencing the Burren is to walk it. The region is criss-crossed with great walking trails from the Ballyvaughan Wood Loop Walk to the long-distance Burren Way. To unlock the heritage, nature and true beauty of this epic region, try a walking tour such as The Burren Experience Guided Walks in Corofin, with walking guide Marie McGauran.

The Burren has long captivated artists, but its wild beauty has also inspired a unique, family-run beauty company. The Burren Perfumery creates fragrances, body lotions, soaps, oils and candles. Set in the heart of this beautiful rocky terrain, the perfumery is a wonderful place to visit and, as well as a shop, includes a perfume room, a blending room, a herb garden and tea rooms – the perfect place to enjoy tea and cake.

Lisdoonvarna is a vibrant town best-known as Ireland’s matchmaking capital, thanks to its annual matchmaking festival. It is also home to the Burren Smokehouse, where visitors can learn about traditional Irish smoking methods. Drop into the Visitor Centre to learn more about smoked salmon or try the Taste the Atlantic – Salmon Experience, an interactive journey through the story of Irish salmon from its place in mythology to modern aquaculture.

Next, head north to Galway city, where a laid-back atmosphere, vibrant culture and excellent food scene await. You’ll be spoiled for choice with great places to eat in this friendly western gem, but a long-standing favourite is Kai, known for its great seasonal dishes made using local ingredients. Finish the day off with a nightcap in a traditional Galway pub, such as Tigh Neachtains on Cross Street Upper.

The spirit of Ireland’s west coast is woven into this vibrant seaside city. From its cobblestoned streets to its colourful shopfronts, you’ll find Galway an easy place to fall in love with. Shop for traditional Irish Claddagh rings at Thomas Dillon’s, discover the city’s medieval heart at the Spanish Arch, or take a stroll along the seafood promenade to the scenic suburb of Salthill. A boat tour in Galway is not to be missed, but for a special experience, uncover the heritage of the Galway hooker – a traditional wooden fishing boat – with a workshop and boat tour from Galway Bay Boat Tours. Alternatively, if you enjoy discovering a city through its food, opt for one of the Galway Food Tours, a daytime culinary experience that includes trying local specialities such as oysters and cheese.

After lunch, it’s time to discover Galway’s famously beautiful landscapes. Connemara is defined by its ochre hills, navy lakes, and towns and villages that thrum with traditional music. Famous for its raw, untamed landscapes and glorious white-sand beaches, it has been a chosen destination for artists, poets and thinkers.

Driving here feels like being on a rollercoaster, with every bend revealing new sights, from ancient bogs to tree-studded loughs. Travel via Oughterard or Maam Cross and continue towards Kylemore Abbey. Set among the Connemara mountains, Kylemore was built in the 1860s as a grand castle before becoming a Benedictine abbey in the 1920s. Explore its historic rooms, a neo-Gothic church and a beautifully restored walled garden.

To enjoy the surrounding landscapes to the full, overnight in Connemara. Choose from the remote and spectacular Delphi Lodge, a 19th-century sporting retreat; the gracious Rosleague Manor Hotel in Letterfrack, famous for its beautiful gardens; or the Killary Lodge in Leenane, a stone’s throw from the majestic Killary Fjord.

Killary Fjord – Ireland’s only fjord – is a stunningly beautiful part of the island, and there’s so much to do here that you could easily spend a week exploring. Make the most of your last day by starting at the Killary Adventure Centre, where you can enjoy a wide range of activities from kayaking to clay pigeon shooting. Afterwards, head to Killary Sheep Farm – a traditional working farm overlooking the majestic waters of the fjord – and take a tour or watch a sheepdog demonstration. There’s nothing quite like seeing these intelligent dogs at work in such a dramatic setting.

Finish your trip off with a walk in Connemara National Park. The Upper and Lower Diamond Hill Loop is a magnificent trail through the rugged Connemara landscape, taking you across gravel paths, wooden boardwalks and towards the summit of Diamond Hill. Along the way, stop and take in the spectacular views of the craggy Twelve Bens mountains and Killary Fjord.

If you want to keep exploring, there are lots of other great places to see along this wild and wonderful coastline, as well as in Connemara itself, including the lively town of Clifden, known for its traditional pubs, creative crafts scene and great seafood restaurants. Otherwise, head back to Galway city for onward connections to Shannon Airport (on the Route 51 Express Way Bus), Dublin International Airport and Cork International Airport.