March 8, 2025

158. Ireland - The Wild Atlantic Way - Northern Treasures

Show Notes
Transcript

Journey along Ireland's spectacular northern coast with Johnny Mac! From the bohemian streets of Galway to the rugged beauty of Connemara, and from the majestic Cliffs of Moher to the otherworldly Burren landscape, discover the natural wonders of Ireland's west coast. Get practical tips on driving the coastal route, finding traditional music sessions, and experiencing the best local food and craft scenes. Plus, learn when to visit popular sites to avoid crowds and capture the perfect photos.

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Caalaroga Shark Media. Hey everyone, Johnny mack here with Traveler

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is back today. We're hitting the road to explore the

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northern section of Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way. From the vibrant

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streets of Galway to the rugged beauty of Connemara, from

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the majestic cliffs of Moher to the otherworldly landscape of

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the Burn, We're going to discover one of the most

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spectacular coastal routes in the world. Let's dive in first.

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Let's talk about getting around. While there are bus tours available,

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having your own car really is the best way to

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explore this region. Just remember they drive on the left

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in Ireland and many roads are narrow and winding. Don't

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worry too much about this, though, you'll get used to

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it pretty quickly. Book an automatic transmission if you're not

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comfortable with manual, and definitely get that full insurance coverage.

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Let's start in Galway City, which makes it perfect base

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for exploring this region. This medieval city has exploded into

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one of Ireland's most vibrant cultural hubs. The heart of

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Galway is the Latin Quarter, where the streets are lined

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with buskers, colorful shops and some of Ireland's best restaurants.

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Shop Street and Key Street are particularly lively. Just follow

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the sound of street musicians. For food lovers, Galway is heaven.

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The city's famous oysters are celebrated every September at the

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International Oyster Festival, but you can enjoy them year round

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at places like McDonagh's Fish and Chips or Moran's Oyster Cottage.

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Don't miss the Galway Market, especially on weekends, where local

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producers sell everything from fresh bread to artisanal cheese. The

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Spanish Arch area, dating back to fifteen eighty four, is

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a great spot to watch the sunset over Galway Bay. Nearby,

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the Galway City Museum is free and gives you a

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great overview of the area's history. Local tip grab a

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coffee from Coffee Work plus Press and take it up

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to their top floor for one of the best views

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of the city. Now, let's head west into Connamara, where

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the landscape becomes increasingly wild and beautiful. Conamara National Park

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is a must visit, with its famous Diamond Hill Walk

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offering stunning views of the Twelve Bens Mountain range. The

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walk takes about three hours round trip and is well marked,

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but wear proper shoes and bring rain gear. The weather

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can change quickly here. Kyle Moore Abbey is probably Conamara's

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most photographed site, and for good reason. This Victorian castle,

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reflected in its lake looks like something from a fairy tale.

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The restored Victorian walled garden is beautiful, and the Gothic

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church is a miniature cathedral. Visit in the morning for

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the best light for photos and to beat the tour buses.

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One of Conamar's hidden gems is the Sky Road near Clifton.

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This eleven kilometer circular route offers some of the most

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dramatic coastal views in Ireland. The upper road is the

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more scenic option, but if you're nervous about height, take

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the lower road. The views are still spectacular. Stop at

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the viewing point near the highest part of the road

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for a mining photo opportunities. For a truly unique experience,

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head to the village of Roundstone. This colorful fishing village

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is home to Malachi Kerns, one of the last traditional

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makers of the bodheran that's the Irish drum. You can

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visit his workshop and even try playing one yourself. The

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village is also known for its stunning beaches. Dogs Bay

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and Gertine Bay are two of the most beautiful in Ireland,

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with pristine white sand and crystal clear water. Let's talk

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about the Cliffs of Mohorr because they're probably the most

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famous natural attraction in Ireland and they absolutely live up

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to the hype. These cliffs rise two hundred and fourteen

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meters seven hundred and two feet above the Atlantic and

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they're simply breathtaking. Here's what you need to know. Arrive

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early or late in the day to avoid the biggest crowds.

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The visitor center opens at eight am and sunrise or

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sunset are particularly magical times to visit. A lot of

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people just visit the main viewing areas, but there's a

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cliff walk that runs for eighteen kilometers from Dooland to head.

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Even if you only do a small section, it gives

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you different perspectives of the cliffs and helps you escape

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the crowds. Just stay on the marked paths. The edges

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can be dangerous, especially in windy conditions. Speaking of Dulan,

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this small village is worth spending some time in. It's

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known as the traditional music capital of Ireland and on

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any given night you can find amazing sessions in pubs

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like Gus O'Connors or McGann's. The music usually starts around

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nine thirty pm, but get there earlier to grab a

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good seat. Dulan is also the departure point for boats

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to the Arn Islands, which will cover in a future episode.

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But even a boat trip along the base of the

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cliffs gives you a completely different perspective. Just check the

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weather forecast. The trips only run when conditions allow. Now

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let's explore the Burn, one of the most unique landscapes

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you'll ever see. The name comes from the Irish word Wearian,

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meaning rocky place, and that's exactly what it is. A

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karst limestone plateau that looks almost lunar, but don't think

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it's lifeless. The Burn is home to an incredible variety

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of plants, with Arctic and Mediterranean species growing side by side.

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Best way to explore the Burn is to combine driving

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with short walks. The road through Blackhead offers amazing coastal views,

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while inland, the area around Paulna Brone Dolman shows off

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the classic Burn landscape. This prehistoric tomb is over five

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thousand years old and is perfectly positioned in the landscape.

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Try to visit around sunset when the light makes the

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limestone glow. Fenore Beach is a great spot to see

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where the burn meets the ocean. The contrast between the

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limestone pavement and the sandy beach is stunning, and it's

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a popular spot for surfing. Even if you're not hitting

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the waves, it's worth a stop for the views in

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the unique landscape. For something really special, visit the Burn Perfumery,

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hidden away down country Lanes. This small perfumery creates sense

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inspired by the local landscape. Their herb garden is beautiful

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and the tea room serves excellent homemade cakes. They also

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offer workshops where you can learn about the local floor

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and how it's used in their products. Be right back.

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Let's talk about some practical tips for this region. The

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weather can be very changeable. You might experience all four

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seasons in one day. Layer your clothing and always have

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rain gear handy. The light changes constantly, which makes for

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dramatic photos, but means you need to be ready to

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catch those perfect moments. Food in this region is excellent,

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with an emphasis on local ingredients. Try the smoked salmon

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from the Burned Smokehouse. Sample local cheeses and don't miss

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out on fresh seafood in the coastal villages. The Burn

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Food Trail connects various food producers and restaurants, and it's

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a great way to explore the region through its cuisine.

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If you're interested in traditional crafts, you'll find plenty of

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workshops and galleries throughout Kannamara and the Burn. This spittle

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Craft village near Galway is a great place to watch

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crafts people at work and pick up unique souvenirs. Timing

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your visit can make a big difference. Summer brings the

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longest daylight hours and generally better weather, but also the

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biggest crowds. Spring and fall are less crowded and offer

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beautiful light for photography. Plus you'll find better deals on accommodations.

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Even winter has its charms. The wild Atlantic storms can

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be spectacular to watch from the comfort of a cozy pub.

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If you're enjoying these travel guides and want to hear

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them without commercials, head over to Klaroga dot com slash plus.

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The link is right there in the show notes. Until

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next time, I'm Johnny Mack and travel is back.

158. Ireland - The Wild Atlantic Way - Northern Treasures

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