Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way

Ferry from Pembrokeshire and tour Kerry & Cork — 7 days

Ireland is the easiest trip abroad from South Wales: collect the van in Bridgend, drive about 90 minutes to Fishguard or Pembroke, and sail to Rosslare. From there the Wild Atlantic Way unfurls down the south-west — the Ring of Kerry, the Dingle Peninsula and colourful Cork. Add our European Travel cover (£10 a day); it includes the VE103 paperwork the ferry needs.

Day 1: Sail to Rosslare, on to Kinsale

Take the morning Fishguard–Rosslare (Stena, around 3½ hours) or Pembroke–Rosslare (Irish Ferries, around 4 hours) crossing, then head for Kinsale, Cork's pretty harbour town — great food and a gentle first night.

Don't miss: Kinsale & Charles Fort

Cork's prettiest harbour town — a yacht-filled marina, a reputation as Ireland's gourmet capital, and the star-shaped Charles Fort guarding the bay.

Where to stay

Motofeirme — Kinsale, Co. Cork
Ballinadee Bus Campervan Park — Bandon, Co. Cork
Sexton's Caravan and Camping Park — Timoleague, Co. Cork

Day 2: Cork & the coast

Explore Cork city and Cobh, the Titanic's last port, then head west toward Clonakilty and the beaches of West Cork.

Don't miss: Cobh

The Titanic's last port of call — a colourful cathedral town on Cork Harbour, its 'Deck of Cards' terraces rising beneath the spire of St Colman's.

Where to stay

Blarney Caravan and Camping Park — Blarney, Co. Cork
Inch Hideaway Eco Camping — Glanturkin, Co. Cork
Mountain Forge Escape — Clonakilty, Co. Cork

Day 3: Beara or Mizen

Quieter than Kerry and just as beautiful — the Beara Peninsula and the Healy Pass, or Mizen Head at Ireland's dramatic south-west tip.

Don't miss: Healy Pass, Beara Peninsula

A hairpin mountain road twisting over the Caha Mountains between Cork and Kerry — the scenic spine of the quiet, wild Beara Peninsula.

Where to stay

Creveen Lodge Caravan and Camping Park — Lauragh, Co. Kerry
Dowlings Caravan and Camping Park — Glengarriff, Co. Cork
Fortfield — Schull, Co. Cork

Day 4: Ring of Kerry & Killarney

The classic Ring of Kerry loop from Killarney — lakes, Killarney National Park, Ladies View and the beaches around Waterville. Drive it anticlockwise; some sections are tight for larger vans.

Don't miss: Ladies View, Ring of Kerry

The most famous viewpoint on the Ring of Kerry — sweeping over the Lakes of Killarney from the N71, deep in Killarney National Park.

Where to stay

Fleming's White Bridge Caravan and Camping — Killarney, Co. Kerry
Fossa Caravan and Camping Park — Killarney, Co. Kerry
Mannix Point Camping and Caravan Park — Cahersiveen, Co. Kerry

Day 5: Dingle Peninsula

Many say Dingle beats the Ring: the Slea Head Drive, beehive huts, Inch Beach and live music in Dingle town.

Don't miss: Slea Head, Dingle Peninsula

The dramatic tip of the Dingle Peninsula — the Slea Head Drive rounds sheer cliffs and beehive huts above the Blasket Islands.

Where to stay

O'Connors Campsite & Guesthouse — Cloghane, Co. Kerry
Inch Beach Camping — Inch, Co. Kerry
Annascaul Glamping — Annascaul, Co. Kerry

Day 6: Back to the ferry

Cut east across the Ancient East, perhaps via the Rock of Cashel, to catch the evening ferry back to Pembrokeshire. Ireland uses the euro and drives on the left, just like home.