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Wild Atlantic Way: Galway to Cork: 8-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive

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The 8-day version for June: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 6-day plan · 8-day plan · 10-day plan · best time to go.

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8
days
480 km
distance
23.0 h
driving
47
curated stops

💡 Good to know for this plan

Day 1 Galway → Doolin

4 curated stops
Transit
3h22
Finish
~18:10
Temperature
11.5°C–16.0°C
Rainy days
~13
Daylight
16.7h
09:00
Galway Cathedral galwaycathedral.ie read more map ↗
Marvel at the imposing limestone and unique architectural blend.
50 min · Galway · Suggested donation €3
open: Daily 8AM–8PM
10:00
Saint Nicholas Collegiate Church stnicholas.ie read more map ↗
Experience Ireland's largest medieval church still in use.
50 min · Galway · Adult €5, children free, guided tours €10
open: Mon Tue Thu–Sat 10AM–6PM, Wed noon–6PM, Sun 1–5:30PM
11:00
An Taibhdhearc antaibhdhearc.com read more map ↗
Experience national Irish language theatre and celebrated actors.
90 min · Galway
open: Box Office Tue–Fri 10AM–5PM, Sat noon–5PM
12:30
McDonagh's mcdonaghs.net map ↗
Relish classic fish and chips, either for takeaway or dining in.
60 min · Galway · €16 for cod and chips
open: Mon–Sat noon–10PM, Sun 1–9PM
16:40
Cliffs of Moher cliffsofmoher.ie read more map ↗
Witness towering cliffs dramatic over the sea.
90 min · Doolin · Adult €12, conc €10, child free
open: Daily 8AM-dusk
Overnight: Doolin
e.g. Fisherman's Rest · Daly's House B&B
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 2 Limerick

6 curated stops
Transit
2h45
Finish
~17:40
Temperature
9.6°C–17.7°C
Rainy days
~12
Daylight
16.6h
10:55
King John's Castle kingjohnscastle.ie read more map ↗
Explore ancient walls and a vast courtyard built over Viking ruins.
50 min · Limerick · Adult €15, conc or child €11
open: Nov-Feb 10AM-5PM, Mar-Oct 9:30AM-6PM
11:55
Hunt Museum huntmuseum.com read more map ↗
Discover diverse artworks from Classical to Olmec in rotating exhibits.
50 min · Limerick · Adult €12.50, conc €10, under 16s free
open: Tue-Sat 10AM-5PM, Sun 11AM-5PM
12:55
Limerick Races limerickraces.ie read more map ↗
Hear the thrill of races and the gallop of horses on the track.
90 min · Limerick
14:35
Limerick City Gallery of Art gallery.limerick.ie read more map ↗
Appreciate Irish artists and contemporary drawings in a vibrant gallery.
50 min · Limerick · Free
open: Mon-Sat 10AM-5PM, Sun noon-5PM
15:45
Ardnacrusha read more map ↗
View the dam and feel the legacy of Ireland’s electrification.
50 min · Limerick
16:50
O'Connell Street read more
Admire Georgian facades and the towering Daniel O'Connell monument.
50 min · Limerick
Overnight here
e.g. Brookville House B&B · Travelodge Limerick Castletroy
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 3 Around Limerick

6 curated stops
Transit
1h21
Finish
~17:20
Temperature
9.6°C–17.7°C
Rainy days
~12
Daylight
16.6h
09:00
Glenstal Abbey glenstal.com read more map ↗
Wander beautiful gardens and partake in serene monastery liturgy.
50 min · Limerick
10:50
St John's Cathedral limerickcathedral.com map ↗
Marvel at Ireland's tallest spire and neo-Gothic architecture.
50 min · Limerick
11:50
St Mary's Cathedral saintmaryscathedral.ie map ↗
Admire the limestone altar and historic tombs in this grand Anglican cathedral.
50 min · Limerick · Adult €5, child free
open: Mon-Sat 11AM-4PM
12:50
Catherine McAuley House search map ↗
See a mural and old city walls near a nuns' home.
50 min · Limerick
13:50
Treaty Stone search map ↗
Spot the historic limestone block near Thomond Bridge, steeped in lore.
50 min · Limerick
14:50
Munster Rugby munsterrugby.ie map ↗
Cheer on Munster in thrilling rugby matches at Thomond Park.
90 min · Limerick
16:20
Melody search map ↗
Relish budget-friendly meals in a pleasant, relaxing atmosphere.
60 min · Limerick
open: Sun Thu Fri 4PM-midnight, Sat noon-midnight
Overnight here
e.g. Brookville House B&B · Travelodge Limerick Castletroy
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 4 Tralee

5 curated stops
Transit
4h01
Finish
~17:15
Temperature
12.1°C–15.4°C
Rainy days
~12
Daylight
16.5h
10:55
Fenit read more map ↗
Stroll this tranquil harbour, echoing with maritime history.
50 min · Tralee
12:20
Blennerville read more map ↗
Explore a restored windmill and enjoy riverside breezes.
50 min · Tralee
13:20
Kerry County Museum kerrymuseum.ie read more map ↗
Step back in time exploring a vivid 15th-century town reconstruction.
50 min · Tralee · Adult €5, child free
open: Tue-Sat 9:30AM-5PM
15:00
Banna Strand read more map ↗
Walk along sandy shores where history and nature meet.
50 min · Tralee
16:25
Kerry Head read more map ↗
Stand on a dramatic headland overlooking the vast Shannon estuary.
50 min · Tralee
Overnight here
e.g. Ballyroe Lodge · Ballygarry House Hotel
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 5 Dingle

5 curated stops
Transit
3h30
Finish
~17:05
Temperature
11.4°C–15.8°C
Rainy days
~14
Daylight
16.5h
10:20
Gallarus Oratory read more map ↗
Wonder at the unique boat-shaped dry-stone oratory.
60 min · Dingle
11:35
Ballyferriter read more map ↗
Roam a village with a rich museum and tranquil monastic ruins.
50 min · Dingle
12:50
Ventry read more map ↗
Relax on a wide, white sandy beach with surf in the southeast.
50 min · Dingle
14:15
Dunmore Head read more map ↗
Stand at Ireland’s westernmost point, viewing the Atlantic expanse.
50 min · Dingle
16:15
Brandon Creek read more map ↗
Feel the Atlantic breeze where legends of St Brendan begin.
50 min · Dingle
Overnight here
e.g. Rainbow Hostel · Boland's
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 6 Killarney

6 curated stops
Transit
3h24
Finish
~17:45
Temperature
9.9°C–16.8°C
Rainy days
~13
Daylight
16.5h
10:55
Torc Waterfall read more map ↗
Hear the powerful rush of water cascading down a rocky mountain slope.
60 min · Killarney
12:05
Muckross Abbey heritageireland.ie read more map ↗
Contemplate ruins of a 1448 Franciscan friary amidst serene grounds.
50 min · Killarney · Free
open: Daily 8AM-8PM
13:10
Killarney House read more map ↗
Explore a grand chateau turned visitor centre in the park.
50 min · Killarney
open: Thu-Mon 9:15AM-5PM
14:45
Ladies View read more map ↗
Take in panoramic valley views from a picturesque mountain overlook.
50 min · Killarney
15:50
Ross Castle heritageireland.ie read more
Walk through a well-preserved 15th-century tower house by the lake.
50 min · Killarney · Adult €5, conc €4, child €3
open: Mar-Oct daily 9:30AM-5PM
16:55
Ross Island search map ↗
Explore dense forest trails on a quiet peninsula rich in history.
50 min · Killarney
Overnight here
e.g. Black Sheep Hostel · Neptune's Hostel
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 7 Cork

6 curated stops
Transit
2h50
Finish
~17:05
Temperature
9.8°C–17.0°C
Rainy days
~13
Daylight
16.4h
10:55
Church of St Anne, Shandon shandonbells.ie read more map ↗
Hear the famous bells of Shandon from this historic Anglican church.
50 min · Cork · Church free, tower adult €5, child €2, conc €4
open: Mar-May Oct: Mon-Sat 10AM-4PM, Sun 11:30AM-4PM; Jun-Sep: Mon-Sat 10AM-5PM, Sun 11:30AM-4:30PM; Nov-Feb: daily 11AM-3PM
11:55
Cathedral of St Mary and St Anne corkcathedral.ie read more map ↗
Visit this neo-Gothic Roman Catholic cathedral opened in 1808.
50 min · Cork
open: Mon-Thu 8:30AM-4:30PM, Fri 8:30AM-3:30PM
12:55
St Fin Barre's Cathedral stfinbarres.ie read more map ↗
Admire an elaborate Church of Ireland cathedral with a storied past.
50 min · Cork · Adult €7, conc €6, child free
open: Mon-Sat 9:30AM-5:30PM, Sun 1-5:30PM
13:55
The Glucksman glucksman.org read more map ↗
Enjoy ever-changing modern art in a sleek gallery.
50 min · Cork · Donation €5
open: Mon-Sat 11AM-5PM, Sun 2-5PM
15:10
Ballincollig read more map ↗
Stroll through peaceful parkland dotted with ruins of old mills and castles.
50 min · Cork
16:15
Fota Wildlife Park fotawildlife.ie read more
Observe diverse animals and rare trees in lush grounds.
50 min · Cork · Adult €19.90, child €13.70, conc €14.90, cheaper online
open: Daily 9:30AM-6PM
Overnight here
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 8 Around Cork

6 curated stops
Transit
1h45
Finish
~17:00
Temperature
9.8°C–17.0°C
Rainy days
~13
Daylight
16.4h
09:00
Midleton read more map ↗
Tour historic whiskey distillery ruins with towering waterwheels and stills.
50 min · Cork
11:05
Crawford Art Gallery crawfordartgallery.ie read more map ↗
Discover paintings by Jack Yeats and classical plaster casts in this art gallery.
50 min · Cork
12:05
Elizabeth Fort corkcity.ie read more map ↗
Explore a historic star fortress with a rich past as a barracks and depot.
50 min · Cork · Free
open: Tue-Sat 10AM-5PM, Sun noon-5PM
13:05
Cork Public Museum corkcity.ie read more map ↗
Discover Cork's vibrant past through engaging exhibits.
50 min · Cork · Free
open: Tue-Fri 10AM-4PM, Sat 11AM-4PM
14:05
Cork City Gaol corkcitygaol.com read more map ↗
Feel history's weight in cold, echoing prison corridors.
50 min · Cork · Adult €10, conc €8.50, child €6
open: Mar-Oct: daily 10AM-5PM; Nov-Feb: Fri-Mon 10AM-4PM
15:10
Barryscourt Castle heritageireland.ie read more
Stroll through restored gardens and admire historic architecture.
50 min · Cork · Garden free
open: Daily 8AM-6PM
16:00
Dukes Coffee Company dukes.ie map ↗
Relish rich coffee and generous portions in quick service.
60 min · Cork
open: Mon-Sat 9AM-5PM, Sun 10AM-4PM

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🔍 Check before you book

Every stop is a real, sourced place, but opening hours change, roads close and businesses move. Check anything you're paying for before you book.

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