Wild Atlantic Way & Northern Ireland: 13-Day Self-Launched Ireland Loop
13 days · Ireland
Wild N' Happy charges £2,400
No-markup version: ~£793 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched version of Wild N' Happy's "Wild Grande" small-group tour: a full loop of Ireland and Northern Ireland from Dublin, covering the Rock of Cashel, Cork, Killarney and the Ring of Kerry, Dingle, the Cliffs of Moher, Galway and the Aran Islands, Connemara, Westport, Donegal, Malin Head, the Giant's Causeway, Belfast and back to Dublin. Instead of a guided minibus you'll string together Ireland's excellent (if rural) bus network — Bus Éireann, Expressway, Local Link, Translink Goldline and the cross-border X1/X2 — plus a ferry to Inis Mór, with DIY hikes, cliff walks and hostel/guesthouse stays. Costs are rough backpacker/budget estimates in GBP and assume a shared dorm or budget twin, self-catering breakfasts and pub/bistro food. Note Ireland uses euros and Northern Ireland pounds sterling.
Day-by-day
Dublin to Cork via the Rock of Cashel
Dublin → Cashel → Cork
Start at Dublin's Busáras or Heuston. Easiest DIY route: take a Bus Éireann/Expressway coach from Dublin to Cashel (Route 245X/Expressway, ~2h 45m, €12–15), leave your bag at the Cashel tourist office or a café, and walk up to the Rock of Cashel (~€10 entry, OPW Heritage Card €40 is worth it if you plan several OPW sites). Continue by bus Cashel → Cork (change in Cahir or take the Expressway, ~2h, €12–15). Check into a city-centre hostel such as Bru Hostel or Kinlay House Cork, then wander the English Market and grab a pint in a trad pub on MacCurtain Street. Note: Dublin–Cork buses are frequent and cheap (Aircoach/Expressway from €10 if pre-booked online).
🚌Expressway/Bus Éireann coach Dublin → Cashel (~€13), Cashel → Cork (~€13)
🛏Hostel dorm or budget guesthouse, Cork city centre (~£18–25)
- →Rock of Cashel self-guided visit (OPW ticket)
- →English Market food wander
- →Cork city-centre evening
Cork to West Cork's Mizen Head and on to Killarney
Cork → Mizen Head → Killarney
Mizen Head is awkward without a car — the practical self-launched version is Local Link West Cork (Route 232/236) or a day-return bus to Schull/Goleen (Local Link 237 runs Cork–Schull, ~2h 30m) then a taxi or the seasonal Mizen shuttle to the Signal Station (€7.50 entry, spectacular footbridge over the Atlantic). Swap the Altar Wedge Tomb for the easier-to-reach Altar (Leaba Diarmuid agus Gráinne) site near Goleen. Alternatively take the Cork → Killarney bus (Expressway, ~1h 30m, €12) via Macroom and add a stop at Gougane Barra. Evening in Killarney: check into the town's hostels (Killarney International Hostel or The Black Sheep) and eat on Plunkett Street.
🚌Local Link 237 Cork → Schull (~€10), local taxi/shuttle to Mizen (~€8 pp shared), bus Killarney (~€12)
🛏Hostel dorm, Killarney (~£18–22)
- →Mizen Head Signal Station and cliffs (€7.50)
- →Optional Barleycove Beach walk
- →Gougane Barra church stop if routing via Macroom
Killarney: Torc Mountain, Muckross and the Lakes
Killarney
A big DIY day out of Killarney National Park — all walkable or reachable by the free/cheap Killarney shuttle or a rented bike. Walk or cycle from town to Muckross House & Gardens (free entry to gardens, house €5-ish) and Muckross Abbey, then on to Torc Waterfall. From the waterfall car park, climb Torc Mountain (535m, ~1h up on a good stepped path, free) for the classic Lakes of Killarney panorama. If you want to get on the water, bike-hire shops and local operators run sit-on-top and kayak trips on Lough Leane (~£35–45, bookable on GetYourGuide/Klook or direct via Killarney's outdoor centres). Back to town for a trad session.
🚌Walking, bike hire (~£12) or park shuttle
🛏Hostel dorm, Killarney (~£18–22)
- →Torc Mountain hike (free)
- →Torc Waterfall and Muckross Abbey walk
- →Muckross House & Gardens (gardens free)
- →Optional kayak on the Lakes of Killarney (~£40)
- →Bike hire around the park (~£12/day)
Ring of Kerry and Valentia Island by public bus
Killarney → Ring of Kerry → Valentia Island
Skip the coach tour and ride the public Ring of Kerry bus — Local Link Kerry / Bus Éireann Route 280 loops Killarney–Killorglin–Glenbeigh–Cahersiveen–Waterville–Sneem and back (a handful of services a day, roughly €15–20 for the section fares, or buy a day ticket). Hop off at Cahersiveen or Waterville for cliff views and Derrynane, or take the Cahersiveen–Reenturk ferry across to Valentia Island (foot passenger ~€5–8, seasonal) for the Skelligs viewpoint and the Valentia Heritage Centre; Skellig Michael landings need booking months ahead in season and are weather-dependent. Return to Killarney by evening bus.
🚌Local Link Kerry 280 day travel (~€18), Valentia ferry (~€6)
🛏Hostel dorm, Killarney (~£18–22)
- →Ring of Kerry by Local Link 280 (public bus loop)
- →Valentia Island ferry crossing and Skelligs viewpoint
- →Derrynane Beach and Cahersiveen stop-offs
Dingle Peninsula and Slea Head to Lahinch
Killarney → Dingle → Tralee → Lahinch
Bus Killarney → Tralee → Dingle (Bus Éireann 274/14, ~1h 45m total, ~€12). Dingle town is a foodie gem — try Murphy's ice cream and a pint in Dick Mack's. For Slea Head either join a local Slea Head minibus loop from Dingle town (~€25, book at the tourist office) or hire a bike (~£15) and ride out to Ventry, Dunbeg Fort and the Slea Head drive. Fungi the dolphin has been absent in recent years, so treat dolphin trips as a bonus. In the afternoon bus Dingle → Tralee → Limerick → Lahinch (Bus Éireann 14/13, ~3h 30m, €20–25); stay in Lahinch's surf hostels or a small B&B.
🚌Bus Killarney–Dingle (~€12) and Dingle–Lahinch (~€22)
🛏Lahinch hostel or B&B (~£20–28)
- →Dingle town and harbour walk
- →Slea Head mini-loop or bike ride (~£20–25)
- →Inch Beach stop
- →Lahinch beach at sunset
Cliffs of Moher, the Burren and into Galway
Lahinch → Cliffs of Moher → Galway
Take Bus Éireann Route 350 (Ennis–Lahinch–Cliffs of Moher–Doolin–Galway coastal route) — a superb, cheap public bus that runs along the coast. Hop off at the Cliffs of Moher (visitor centre + entry ~€10; the coastal walk between the visitor centre and Doolin's Hag's Head is free and far better than the car park). Continue on the 350 to Galway (~2h from the Cliffs, ~€12). The Burren stops (Fanore, Black Head) are on the same route — hop off and do a short free limestone karst walk. Overnight in Galway's excellent hostels (Snoozles, Galway City Hostel).
🚌Bus Éireann 350 lungo the coast (~€18 total)
🛏Hostel dorm, Galway (~£20–25)
- →Cliffs of Moher and O'Brien's Tower (~€10)
- →Free Hag's Head cliff walk to Doolin
- →Burren limestone walk stop
- →Galway Latin Quarter evening
Aran Islands day trip: Inis Mór
Galway → Inis Mór → Galway
Walk to Galway's docks and take the Aran Islands ferry from the city (Bus Éireann/Inis Mór Ferries operate a bus-to-ferry connection from Galway to Rossaveal, ~40min bus + 40min ferry, roughly €40 return including bus). On Inis Mór, hire a bike (~€20) or take the island minibus and ride out to Dún Aonghasa (€5 entry) — a 3,000-year-old cliff fort with a sheer 100m drop, the highlight of the day. Optional: cliff-edge kayak tours with Aran Island Sea Kayaking (book direct, ~£45). Take the afternoon ferry/bus back to Galway for an evening of live music in the Latin Quarter.
🚌Galway–Rossaveal bus + Aran ferry return (~£35)
🛏Hostel dorm, Galway (~£20–25)
- →Ferry from Galway to Inis Mór (~£35 return with bus)
- →Dún Aonghasa cliff fort (€5)
- →Bike hire on Inis Mór (~£17)
- →Latte in Galway's West End and live music
Connemara, Diamond Hill and Kylemore Abbey to Westport
Galway → Connemara → Westport
Take the morning Expressway/Galway–Westport coach (Route 419/Expressway, ~2h, ~€15) and hop off at Letterfrack for Connemara National Park's Diamond Hill loop (3.5km/1.5h to the summit, free, stunning views over Kylemore Lough). Walk or take a short Local Link hop to Kylemore Abbey for the walled Victorian gardens and abbey (€16.50 with shuttle). Continue the same coach to Westport in the evening. Stay in Westport's hostels (Westport Hostel or the Old Mill).
🚌Expressway Galway → Westport (~€15)
🛏Hostel dorm or B&B, Westport (~£22–30)
- →Diamond Hill hike in Connemara National Park (free)
- →Kylemore Abbey and walled gardens (~£14)
- →Killary Harbour viewpoint stop
Westport: Croagh Patrick or Clew Bay
Westport
The classic DIY challenge is Croagh Patrick — a 764m pilgrimage mountain just outside town, free, with a shuttle/taxi from Westport (~€5–10 each way) or a 20-min walk to the trailhead. It takes 3–5 hours return and the top section is loose scree; hike boots strongly advised. Alternative: rent a bike on the Great Western Greenway (Westport–Achill, ~£15/day) along Clew Bay's coastline, or take the short ferry to Clare Island. Evening in Westport's pubs on Bridge Street for traditional music.
🚌Shuttle or taxi to Croagh Patrick trailhead (~£8), bike hire (~£15)
🛏Hostel dorm or B&B, Westport (~£22–30)
- →Croagh Patrick hike (free)
- →Clew Bay / Great Western Greenway bike ride (~£15)
- →Optional Clare Island ferry
- →Trad music in Westport pubs
Westport to Donegal via Downpatrick Head
Westport → Downpatrick Head → Donegal Town
This is the trickiest day on public transport — take the morning Expressway Westport → Ballina/Sligo (Route 449/Expressway, ~2h 30m, ~€16), then connect with the Bus Éireann/Local Link Sligo–Ballycastle–Ceathrú Thaidhg service for Downpatrick Head (the sea stack Dún Briste and WWII lookout huts; free). Return to Sligo and take the Expressway/Sligo–Donegal Town bus (~1h, €10) in the evening. If connections don't line up, base in Sligo for the night and shift Donegal to the morning of Day 11. Donegal Town hostels/guesthouses are cheap and friendly.
🚌Expressway Westport–Sligo (~€16), Local Link Sligo–Ballycastle (~€8 return), bus Sligo–Donegal (~€10)
🛏Guesthouse or hostel, Donegal Town (~£22–28)
- →Downpatrick Head and Dún Briste sea stack (free)
- →Ballycroy National Park visitor centre stop if routing allows
- →Optional W.B. Yeats' grave at Drumcliff near Sligo (free)
- →Donegal Town Diamond and castle exterior
Slieve League and Glenveagh National Park to Ballyliffin
Donegal Town → Slieve League → Glenveagh → Ballyliffin
Base yourself in Donegal Town and take the Local Link Donegal–Teelin/Carrick service (seasonal, ~€6–10) to walk the Slieve League cliffs — at 601m among Europe's highest sea cliffs, and free, with a short walk from the lower car park (a shuttle runs to the upper viewpoint in summer, ~€5). On the way back, or with a different route, take the Local Link up to Glenveagh National Park (free visitor centre; the castle shuttle is ~€5, castle tour optional) for red deer, the castle gardens and Lough Veagh. In the late afternoon take the Expressway Donegal → Letterkenny → Ballyliffin/Clonmany direction bus (Local Link, ~€12–15) — check timetables; the Ballyliffin stop is on the Letterkenny–Carndonagh Local Link. Sleep in Ballyliffin's small hotels/guesthouses.
🚌Local Link Donegal–Teelin (~€9), Glenveagh shuttle (~€5), Letterkenny–Ballyliffin bus (~€12)
🛏Small hotel or guesthouse, Ballyliffin (~£25–35)
- →Slieve League cliff walk (free)
- →Glenveagh National Park and castle shuttle (~£4)
- →Ballyliffin beach evening
Malin Head and the Giant's Causeway to Ballycastle
Ballyliffin → Malin Head → Giant's Causeway → Ballycastle
Take the Local Link Carndonagh–Malin Head service (seasonal, ~€5) to Ireland's most northerly point — Banba's Crown, the Éire sign and Hell's Hole, all free. Return to Carndonagh and connect to Derry (Local Link ~€10), then take the cross-border train/bus Derry → Coleraine → Bushmills (Translink, ~£10–12 with a day ticket) and hop off at the Giant's Causeway (National Trust site; the stones are free to reach via the public path, visitor centre £13.50 if you want the exhibition — or park/walk round). Continue on the Causeway Coast bus/Translink to Ballycastle for the night. Remember: euros become pounds sterling at the border.
🚌Local Link to Malin Head (~€5), bus to Derry (~€10), Translink Derry–Bushmills–Ballycastle (~£12)
🛏Ballycastle guesthouse or hostel (~£28–38)
- →Malin Head and Banba's Crown (free)
- →Giant's Causeway stones walk (free via public right of way; visitor centre £13.50)
- →Optional Old Bushmills Distillery stop (~£12)
- →Optional kayak in Ballycastle (~£40)
Ballycastle to Belfast to Dublin
Ballycastle → Belfast → Dublin
Take the Translink Goldline 221/217 down the Antrim coast road to Belfast (~£9, 2h). Drop your bag at the bus station lockers and spend the morning on the Titanic Belfast museum (£29, pre-book online) or a Black Cab political murals tour (~£20 pp, book through Belfast Black Taxi Tours) and a wander round the Cathedral Quarter. Then catch the hourly cross-border Enterprise train or the Goldline X1/X2 coach Belfast → Dublin (train ~2h 10m from £20–30, or X1 coach ~2h 15m ~£15–20) back to Dublin, arriving for late afternoon. You've completed the full Wild Grande loop under your own steam.
🚌Translink Goldline 221 Ballycastle–Belfast (~£9), Enterprise train or X1 coach Belfast–Dublin (~£18–30)
🛏Not included — day of departure (Dublin hostel ~£20 if you extend)
- →Titanic Belfast museum (~£29) or optional Black Cab tour (~£20)
- →Belfast Cathedral Quarter and St George's Market
- →Cross-border Enterprise train to Dublin
Self-launched vs. Wild N' Happy
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Wild N' Happy | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£793 | £2,400 |
| Duration | 13 days | 13 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,607 per person (67%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Wild N' Happy-style trips? Check them out here.~£793
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Wild Atlantic Way & Northern Ireland: 13-Day Self-Launched Ireland Loop cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £793 per person for 13 days in Ireland. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Wild N' Happy?+
Yes — Wild N' Happy charges around £2,400 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £793 — a saving of roughly £1,607 (67%) per person.
How long is the Ireland trip?+
This itinerary runs 13 days, covering 13 day-by-day stops through Ireland.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, culture, hiking trip through Ireland, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
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