The Wild Atlantic Way is Ireland’s 2,500 kilometre driving route stretching around the beautiful and rugged western coast from Cork to Donegal. Launched by Fáilte Ireland in 2014, it is the longest coastal driving route in the world. With the constant presence of the blue Atlantic Ocean on one side, visitors will encounter well-known attractions such at the Ring of Kerry, the Cliffs of Moher, and Connemara, but will also explore many of the lesser-known locations that make the Wild Atlantic Way so special.
With his Harley-Davidson motorcycle and a map, NCI lecturer Dr Eugene O’Loughlin set out on a trip of discovery from Kinsale in West Cork to Inishowen in Donegal.
Along the way, he explored beautiful and remote locations with wonderful names like Toe Head, the Bridges of Ross, Sheep’s Head, Flaggy Shore, and Horn Head. He discovered locations associated with the legends of the Children of Lir, the Black Pig of Muckdubh, and Fionn Mac Cumhaill, and visited some of the most iconic lighthouses in Ireland at Mizen Head, Loop Head and Fanad Head.
In this first book to describe the entire route, Exploring Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way: A Motorcycle Odyssey sees Eugene and his bike experience a real trip of a lifetime through some of the most dramatic scenery in Ireland. The book is available from Easons and other good book shops.
County by county, Eugene documents his trip, taking photographs along the way. And with detailed maps highlighting the many points of interest, this book is the essential guide to one of the world’s newest and best driving routes – Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way.
Praise for 'Exploring Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way'
“A testament to the depth and breadth of experiences – from cosmopolitan cities to wild coastal landscapes - along this extraordinary, 2,500km drive.” Pól Ó Conghaile, Irish travel Writer of the Year 2013.
“The Wild Atlantic Way is one of the world’s great road adventures. As Eugene O’Loughlin shows, it’s full of fun and surprises, great people and wonderful, breath-taking scenery... and it’s out there just waiting for you!” Irish Times reporter and biker, Peter Murtagh
About the Author
Eugene O’Loughlin is a Lecturer in Computing at the National College of Ireland and a Harley-Davidson enthusiast. He blogs at Careful With That Axe, Eugene, where you can view photos from his travels along with other musings.