Hi,
Planning our first trip to Ireland in many, many years. In more recent travel to southern Europe we’ve tended to avoid July and August due to the crowding. We could do that again, delay until September. But for a driving tour from north to south along the west coast of the island, any guidance on how intense the invasion that we would be part of? How much different would we find it in September? Thoughts on out of the way places? Any sense of Arranmore Island’s summer population?
Thanks for any light you can shed.
Josh
Posted by
Bellingham, WA
885 posts
September is definitely less busy. Any time you go, you’ll see fewer crowds up north, especially north of say Westport. On my next trip, I hope to spend time in NW Mayo. I don’t know the name of the area, but north of Achill, west of Ballina.
Posted by
Missoula, Montana
519 posts
And further afield to the wild west of Co. Donegal is even less touristy. Even in the summer it feels like you have the place to yourself, largely because of its remoteness and total lack of train service. I'd suggest heading west from Donegal town to Glencolumbkille and northward over Glengesh Pass to Glenveigh National Park and the small towns and villages between.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thank you both. Very helpful
Posted by
Bellingham, WA
885 posts
Re: accommodation, I suggest you follow the road. You can use the Wild Atlantic Way website, as well as the usual suspects (for me, Google Maps, Booking.com and AirBnb), to find places to stay along the route. Choosing a variety of accommodation types (all alone on a hill with a sea view, in a village with a pub in walking distance, a castle, etc) will enhance your trip. Go slow and enjoy.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thanks for that