Wild Atlantic Way

North Atlantic

Donegal & Sligo — where the way begins

From Malin Head at the northwestern tip of the island to the Sligo headlands: the wildest coastline in the country, with some of the highest cliffs in Europe and the quietest villages on the route.

Places

Headland · Co. Donegal

Slieve League

A wall of grey limestone dropping roughly 600 metres into the Atlantic on the Inishowen Peninsula — among the highest sea cliffs in Europe, and only properly seen from the foot of them.

Free to visit; a small parking charge may apply at the car park.+ Save

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Protected view

Attraction · Co. Sligo

Clooney More

A headland on the north coast of Sligo Bay and one of the best-known surf spots in Ireland — a place we describe here without a precise map, because the headland and its dunes are fragile and the land is not all public.

Free to view from the road.+ Save

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Area · Co. Donegal

Derryveagh

A large, remote mountain and glen country in southwest Donegal, centred on Derryveagh National Park — one of the wildest areas of lowland and mountain on the west coast.

Free to visit.+ Save

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Headland · Co. Donegal

Malin Head

The northwestern tip of mainland Ireland, where the Wild Atlantic Way starts — a lighthouse, a tenth-century cross, and the widest view of two seas you will get on this coast.

Free to visit.+ Save