The Wild Atlantic Way and Western Ireland. Tom Cooper

      Tom Cooper is a writer and editor who fell in love with Ireland’s Atlantic coast many years ago on a six-week ride from Belfast to County Cork. He enjoyed himself so much that he keeps going back for more.

      © Tom Cooper 2018

      Second edition 2018

      ISBN 978 1 85284 909 2

      First edition 2010

      Printed in Poland on behalf of Latitude Press Ltd

      A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

      All photographs are by the author unless otherwise stated.

      Acknowledgements

      Thanks to my parents for the enduring gift of a love of the outdoors, and to Charlotte for her help with the text and enthusiasm for the project.

      Updates to this Guide

      While every effort is made by our authors to ensure the accuracy of guidebooks as they go to print, changes can occur during the lifetime of an edition. Any updates that we know of for this guide will be on the Cicerone website (www.cicerone.co.uk/909/updates), so please check before planning your trip. We also advise that you check information about such things as transport, accommodation and shops locally. Even rights of way can be altered over time. We are always grateful for information about any discrepancies between a guidebook and the facts on the ground, sent by email to [email protected] or by post to Cicerone, Juniper House, Murley Moss, Oxenholme Road, Kendal, LA9 7RL.

      Register your book: To sign up to receive free updates, special offers and GPX files where available, register your book at www.cicerone.co.uk.

      Front cover: Author off the beaten track approaching Cleggan (Route 3, Stage 4)

      CONTENTS

       Map key

       The Wild Atlantic Way cycle route – Route summary table

       The Wild Atlantic Way cycle route – Overview map

       Six cycle tours in Western Ireland – Route summary table

       Six cycle tours in Western Ireland – Overview map

       INTRODUCTION

       Geology

       Wildlife and flowers

       History

       What’s in a name?

       Built heritage and architecture

       Culture

       Getting there

       Getting around

       When to go

       Accommodation

       Health and safety

       Food and drink

       Language

       Money

       Post, phones and internet

       Cycling in Ireland

       What to take

      Maps

      Using this guide

       THE TOURS

      Route 1 Tour of Donegal

       Stage 1 Derry/Londonderry to Culdaff

       Stage 2 Culdaff to Clonmany

       Stage 3 Clonmany to Letterkenny

       Stage 4 Letterkenny to Portsalon

       Stage 5 Portsalon to Downies

       Stage 6 Downies to Bunbeg

       Stage 7 Bunbeg to Portnoo

       Stage 8 Portnoo to Carrick

       Stage 9 Carrick to Donegal Town

      Route 1 Route cards

      Route 2 Into the Atlantic

       Stage 1 Donegal Town to Ballyshannon

       Stage 2 Ballyshannon to Sligo

       Stage 3 Sligo to Ballina

       Stage 4 Ballina to Belmullet

       Stage 5 Belmullet to Achill

       Stage 6 Tour of Achill Island

       Stage 7 Achill to Foxford

       Stage 7A WAW link from Newport (Stage 7) to Westport

       Stage 8 Foxford to Sligo

      Route 2 Route cards

      Route 3 Tour of Connacht

       Stage 1 Westport to Roonah Quay

       Stage 2 Tour of Clare Island

       Stage 3 Roonah Quay to Tully

       Stage 4 Tully to Clifden

       Stage 5 Tour of Inishbofin