2-Day Wild Atlantic Way Tour From Dublin

Ah, what a delightful whirlwind of a trip, a tale of castles, cliffs, craic, and carriages, all stitched together by the ever-charming Irish hospitality. Let’s take it from the top! Day One - Castles, Cliffs, and the Craic From the moment we boarded with Aaron, our cheerful, chatty driver, it was clear we were in for a proper Irish adventure. Dunguaire Castle, though shut to visitors, still offered a picturesque loop and a chance to stretch the legs, the charming village with its boat-blessing priest, Ballyvaughan’s scenic stop and the Cliffs of Moher—oh, what a sight! Even with the weather doing its best to dampen spirits, we soldiered on: snapped pictures, braved the winds, and soaked in the 4D film like we were back at Canada Place in Vancouver. A hearty lunch at a local pub, then a seamless handover to Alex (the real star of the show!). Crossing the River Shannon by ferry was an unexpected treat, a quirky interlude on our way into County Kerry, where Alex’s tales of fairies, leprechauns, and local folklore kept us thoroughly entertained. Kilgobban Hill offered windswept views over Tralee, while Annascaul charmed us with its small-town vibes, a warm dinner at Patcheens Bar, and a cosy stay at the Randy Leprechaun B&B. Day Two - Lakes, Legends, and a Dash of Politics Day two dawned bright and unexpectedly sunny, a welcome change from the blustery day before. After a cracking traditional Irish breakfast at Randy’s, we hit the road with Alex, who once again peppered the journey with stories, jokes, and insightful history. Torc Waterfall was a lush, leafy gem, with sweeping views over the Lakes of Killarney. The moderate climb? Worth every step. Then on to Moll’s Gap, a charming café stop with overpriced trinkets but priceless views. The weather, fickle as ever, shifted from grey to glorious within minutes. Lady’s View, with its connection to Queen Victoria’s visit, was a highlight, as was Kenmare, a village full of charm and lovely Irish shops. Killarney—our third visit—never disappoints. The horse carriage ride through the national park? A delight! Lakes, castles, ponies, a dash of banter with a local driver—it was pure magic. After Killarney, we zipped along a portion of the Ring of Kerry (mind you, just 50 km of the 150-mile route), before heading to Moneygall, yes, the very ancestral village of Barack Obama’s great-great-great-grandfather. Who knew? The final stretch took us back to Dublin, with Alex narrating the history of the Great Famine, the North v South divide, and the complex tapestry of Irish politics. Heavy stuff, but delivered with grace, depth, and a few jokes thrown in for good measure. We rolled into Dublin just as the clock struck 7 pm, a bit weary but thoroughly enriched. Alex, our guide, was an absolute credit to the tour, knowledgeable, witty, and a proper gent. All in all, a tour well worth your time (pack a raincoat, an open mind, and a sense of humour), and let the Irish magic do the rest.

Starting with the positive - the tour itself, the stops and scenery are gorgeous! However, there was a lot of dosorganization and confusion. At the initial stop, we were told to hop on a bus to the Cliffs, which we quickly realized was doing a one day tour, instead of 2-day trip which we signed up for. Its itinerary was also different than it was stated in our booking. Our driver seemed confused that we were advised to get on the said bus. He resolved the issue and we got on another bus later in the day, but it was quite stressful and the whole issue could be avoided if they double checked the destinations or name lists. After that though the trip with our second driver, Stephen, was lovely and made up for the trouble.

Terrible! FALSE ADVERTISING! We were supposed to stay overnight on the Dingle peninsula and stayed in Killarney instead. Our Bed and Breakfast accommodation in Killarney was HORRIBLE! They housed 9 guests in a CLOSED TO CUSTOMERS Bed and breakfast that was being used as a housing facility for refugees. Not a problem but not what we signed up for and our room smelled of urine and our towels and bedding were stained. We never received dinner and the breakfast was terrible. Our driver was terrible who seldom told us anything about the countryside and often yelled at us when we complained that ‘this isn’t part of the tour’. We felt we were being held captive with the inability to question where we were going. DON’T TAKE THIS TOUR! Worst experience of our lives!! BEWARE!