Barley Cove Beach, County Cork

Wild Atlantic Way South – Cork, Kerry & Dingle

View Photos

View Map

On this page:

Overview

Suggested Itinerary

What's Included?

Accommodation & Prices

Car Hire

Overview

Self-Drive Holidays

8 Nights

Fully customisable itinerary
Prices from: £1030 per person
Best time to go: April - October
Transport: Rental car included (optional)

Highlights

Kinsale

The colourful town of Kinsale is the start of the Wild Atlantic Way. Explore the narrow streets of this charming town and relax by the harbour. Take in the dramatic scenery of the Old Head of Kinsale, overlooking the crashing Atlantic Ocean.

Killarney National Park

This spectacularly beautiful national park is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Hike on the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks Mountain Range, take a short jaunt to Torc Waterfall, or enjoy a cycle around the beautiful Killarney Lakes.

Ring of Beara

Enjoy a scenic drive around the stunning Beara Peninsula and admire spectacular coastal landscapes. Take the time to visit Dursey Island, connected to the mainland by Ireland’s only cable car.

Skellig Islands

Travel to the small village of Portmagee and embark on a boat trip to the striking Skellig Islands. Dramatically rising from the sea, Skellig Michael hosts the ruins of a 6th-century monastic settlement and was recently used as a filming location for the Star Wars films.

Slea Head Drive

Travel along one of Ireland’s most scenic routes on the striking Dingle Peninsula. Visit ancient historic sites and admire magnificent views towards the uninhabited Blasket Islands and the wild Atlantic Ocean.

Dingle

Relax in this popular seaside town replete with charming gift shops and gourmet speciality stores, lovely cafes and teahouses, and pubs galore.

A Spectacular Self-Drive Tour in Ireland’s Wild South

This tour of the southernmost section of the Wild Atlantic Way begins in the pretty harbour town of Kinsale. It then heads west towards Bantry Bay, following the dramatic coastline.

Discover the unspoilt Beara Peninsula and travel onward to Killarney, a bustling town in County Kerry. The Wild Atlantic Way will then lead you to the magnificent Dingle Peninsula.

Begin your self-drive tour of south west Ireland in the colourful town of Kinsale, the starting or ending point of the Wild Atlantic Way. Follow the dramatic coastline and visit spectacular scenic points such as the Old Head of Kinsale and Mizen Head.

Your next base in West Cork will be the historic harbour town of Bantry. Take a day trip to the Beara peninsula and follow the Ring of Beara, a coastal scenic road with endless photo stops. Here, you could visit Dursey Island, which is connected to the mainland by Ireland’s only cable car.

The Wild Atlantic Way continues northwest, towards beautiful Country Kerry. The bustling town of Killarney will be your base to explore the Ring of Kerry on the Iveragh Peninsula. Discover Killarney National Park and travel along the many charming coastal towns and villages that make up the Ring of Kerry.

Continue on towards the magical Dingle Peninsula and relax in the pretty harbour town of Dingle. Take in magnificent views as you drive around the scenic Slea Head Drive, discover ancient archaeological sites, or visit the wild and uninhibited Blasket Islands.

Suggested Itinerary

The holiday ideas on our website are just examples of the amazing trips we offer. Think of this itinerary as a starting point which can be tailored into something completely unique to you by our award-winning specialists.

We love the opportunity to use our first-hand knowledge and experience to design and deliver the perfect, bespoke holiday experience for you.

Day 1: Arrive in Kinsale

Arrive in the pretty and colourful harbour town of Kinsale, located a short distance from the city of Cork. Kinsale is the starting or endpoint of the Wild Atlantic Way and it is a popular destination known for its picturesque narrow streets, cosy pubs and restaurants, and sheltered harbour.
Overnight – Kinsale

Day 2: Kinsale to Bantry

Enjoy the dramatic West Cork coastline with its rugged cliffs and shoreline, as you travel west towards Bantry. Make sure to take your time and visit the many interesting sights along the way, including the magical Drombeg Stone Circle and the spectacular Mizen Head, one of the spectacular signature points of the Wild Atlantic Way.
Overnight – Bantry

Day 3: Ring of Beara Sightseeing

Travel to the wonderful Beara Peninsula, surrounded by the Miskish and Caha mountains. Walk part of the Beara Way, take a trip to Dursey Island by cable car, or enjoy the peaceful villages and parishes dotted around the peninsula such as Allihies and Eyeries.
Overnight – Bantry

Day 4: Bantry to Killarney

Leave West Cork behind and enter County Kerry. Make your way to Kenmare and follow the beautiful Moll’s Gap mountain pass, with its stunning views of the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks mountains. Continue across Killarney National Park towards bustling Killarney, the ideal starting point for exploring the Ring of Kerry.
Overnight – Killarney

Day 5: Ring of Kerry Sightseeing

Drive around the magnificent Ring of Kerry and visit the quaint towns and villages along the coast of the Iveragh Peninsula. You could also travel to Portmagee and enjoy a boat trip to the striking Skellig Islands, a filming location in the Star Wars films. The Kerry Cliffs also provide spectacular coastal scenery with unrivalled views out to the Skellig Islands.
Overnight – Killarney

Day 6: Killarney National Park Sightseeing

A full day to explore Killarney National Park. Visit the beautiful Muckross Estate with its historic house and pretty gardens, take a hike up to the nearby Torc Waterfall, or enjoy a leisurely walk around the famous lakes of Killarney. Travelling to the iconic Gap of Dunloe and exploring on foot, bike or horse and cart is also not to be missed.
Overnight – Killarney

Day 7: Killarney to Dingle

Make your way to the wonderfully picturesque town of Dingle. This popular seaside town is a great place to roam around and explore the many independent shops and traditional Irish pubs. Walk along the harbour promenade and visit the statue of Dingle’s most famous resident, Fungie the dolphin.
Overnight – Dingle

Day 8: Dingle Peninsula Sightseeing

Explore the Dingle Peninsula, full of interesting historic sites, peaceful beaches and exciting mountain passes. Drive around the circular Slea Head Drive, which offers incredible views over the wild Atlantic Ocean. You could also arrange a boat trip from Dunquin to the remote Blasket Islands, a true paradise for nature lovers and hikers.
Overnight – Dingle

Day 9: Depart Dingle

After breakfast, it’s an approximately 2.5 hour drive back to Cork, where your unforgettable Wild Atlantic Way adventure will come to an end.

What's Included?

Your holiday includes:

Carefully selected en-suite accommodation for 8 nights including traditional Irish breakfast
Comprehensive information pack and local visitor information
Personalised itinerary with our recommendations for the best places to eat and drink and sightseeing suggestions
Map of Ireland with our recommended driving route
9 days rental of an Economy car (other vehicle categories available) including comprehensive insurance
24-hour emergency contact number
Full financial protection

Your holiday doesn't include:

Travel insurance
Flights
Lunches and evening meals

Accommodation & Prices

Special Places to Stay

Premium

Standard

We know that after a busy day of sightseeing, an exceptional place to stay makes all the difference. That’s why all of the accommodation we select is hand-picked using our first-hand knowledge of the best places to stay.

Our discerning team has a wealth of experience, and we extensively research and regularly review all of the accommodation we select for our clients.

Please choose from one of our accommodation categories below. If you wish to combine these categories or perhaps upgrade for a special occasion let us know in your enquiry.

Car Hire

Our packages include car rental and comprehensive insurance for the duration of your holiday. Absolute Escapes has an excellent relationship with a number of car hire operators and we are able to offer quality vehicles and great value for money.

If you plan to bring your own vehicle, we are also able to offer this itinerary without a rental car.

All our packages include:

Collision Damage Waiver
Super Damage Excess Waiver
Third Party Insurance
Theft Waiver
Tax

Economy

Vauxhall Corsa or similar

Good for 2 people
Maximum of 4 passengers
2 large suitcases
Manual or automatic transmission

Compact

Ford Focus or similar

Good for 2 – 4 people
Maximum of 5 passengers
2 large suitcases
Manual or automatic transmission

Intermediate

Volkswagen Passat or similar

Good for up to 4 people
Maximum of 5 passengers
3 large suitcases
Manual or automatic transmission

Fullsize

VW Sharan or similar

Good for 5 people
Maximum of 7 passengers
3 – 4 large suitcases
Manual or automatic transmission

How do our Self-Drive Holidays Work?

Since 2004, we've led the way in planning remarkable road trips in the UK. Like a perfectly tailored suit, each itinerary is crafted around you. Learn more about us and our self-drive holidays in our new guide. Read more

How to Plan a Perfect Road Trip in Ireland

Discover Ireland with our new self-drive tours. This comprehensive guide covers everything from Ireland's history and geography to travel tips, best times to visit, and top attractions. Plan your perfect Irish adventure with expert advice on exploring the Emerald Isle. Read more