Driving the Wild Atlantic Manner On a Wet Day: Finest Issues To Do

Driving the Wild Atlantic Manner in Eire is an unimaginable expertise that lets you witness the rugged fantastic thing about Eire’s west coast. Nonetheless, the unpredictable Irish climate can typically imply that you simply’ll must courageous the weather. On this weblog publish, we’ll discover why driving the Wild Atlantic Manner on a wet day can nonetheless be an unforgettable journey.
Don’t let the rain cease you – there’s loads to do and keep dry on the similar time.

I get up slowly feeling rested and relaxed after a deep sleep. I flip and curl up in a fetal place soaking in all the heat beneath the covers as the sunshine of day begins to light up the curtains of my resort room. Then I hear it – pitter patter, pitter patter on the glass window. My mind slowly sparkles on and is sensible of the sounds. Rattling…it’s raining, now what I’m going to do?
Rain in Eire is a Given
Everybody stated – don’t go in October – the climate is horrible. Nonetheless I’m a giant advocate of by no means letting the climate cease you, so I ignored all of this recommendation and went throughout October. It was certainly very unstable climate, however in these darkish clouds and pouring rain I realized one thing actually essential – rain pants are a staple merchandise in Eire. Thank goodness the good individuals of Eire are at all times prepared to mortgage you their additional pair!
There have been some actually unhealthy climate days throughout my Wild Atlantic Manner street journey; chilly temps, pouring rain, wind, and lightning storms but I cherished all of it. As an alternative, I appreciated the less individuals on the roads and the sensation of accomplishment after I accomplished a day of wet mountain climbing. I simply placed on my rain gear and made the climate a part of the journey. Plus the wet climate additionally introduced out the rainbows, and who doesn’t love rainbows?

Eire will throw all types of climate at you so it’s more likely to rain, blow, and downpour sooner or later throughout your vacation – most likely many instances. So it’s nice to have just a few concepts in your itinerary for what to do on a wet day driving the Wild Atlantic Manner.
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Finest Issues To Do Whereas Driving the Wild Atlantic Manner On a Wet Day
1. Tour Previous Properties
Whereas it rained sideways outdoors I went contained in the Bantry Home and Gardens in County Cork. I used to be greeted with a heat crackling fireplace.
The Bantry Home, established round 1765, has a posh household tree hooked up to it. However by the centuries has been preserved as one of many few previous household properties surviving the Civil Battle in Eire (1922 – 23). In truth, the primary purpose it survived the battles was as a result of it served as a hospital in the course of the struggle and for years after.
Whereas the climate was wild outdoors, my creativeness ran wild inside. If you’re a daydreamer like myself, the second you step into the home you’ll be transported into one other period. One among clinking effective china in eating halls, waltzing in ball robes, and secret enterprise being achieved within the library. The Bantry Home artifacts have been a results of in depth household journey in Europe and Russia within the 1820s.
And when the rain lets up don’t miss the gorgeous Bantry Home Gardens surrounding the property!
See extra photos of Bantry Home and Gardens
Extra info:
Bantry Home Web site
Hours: Closed in Winter Months – examine hours on the web site
Value: €14 consists of Home and Backyard entry
Keep: Deal with your self to an in a single day on the Bantry Home Mattress & Breakfast
2. Go to an Artwork Studio
The wind was swirling outdoors, and the pottery wheel was swirling inside. Take a wet day driving the Wild Atlantic Manner and use it to go to artist studios.
I ended at Dunbeacon Pottery on Sheepshead Peninsula in County Cork and was excited to seek out potter, Helen Ennis, exhausting at work in her studio. Drawing inspiration from the County Cork and the Wild Atlantic Manner, Helen designs items that seize the essence of her surrounding panorama. In truth, her pottery takes on the colour palette of the encompassing sea in delicate blues, greens, and cream making my day really feel brighter the second I walked in.
I talked to Helen about how she received her begin as an apprentice and landed this stunning studio proper alongside the coastal route. She purchased the studio and pottery enterprise in 2000 from an previous potter who wished to see the legacy proceed when he retired. She has constructed up her personal line specializing in practical objects for the house equivalent to teapots, mugs, vases, pitchers, and bowls.
Helen loves guests and is joyful to indicate you her work and studio.
Extra Info:
Dunbeacon Pottery Web site
Location: West Nation Cork, 3 miles from the village of Durrus within the path of Goleen. Guests are welcome to come back and browse the showroom and watch the making course of.
Cellphone: 027 61036
3. Heat up in Pubs and Get pleasure from Some Music
This most likely goes with out saying – however top-of-the-line locations to climate the storm in Eire is inside any pub alongside the Wild Atlantic Manner.
Locations just like the Killarney Grand, County Kerry will give you a heat fireplace, native craft beer, toe-tapping music, and a seat on the bar the place you may discuss to locals all afternoon till the storm passes. I spent considered one of my favourite afternoons there listening to music and speaking to locals!

I additionally suggest ordering an Irish Espresso on a wet day…it’ll heat you up in and out! In truth, perhaps you need to even ask the bartender how you can make it and get somewhat mixology class included!
4. Tour Eire’s Distilleries
Whiskey beckons on a chilly, wet day in Eire. Nicely – whiskey in Eire really beckons any time I suppose, however a wet day is a good day for touring a neighborhood distillery.
Certain – there are all the huge gamers in Irish Whiskey you’ve heard of – Jameson or Tullamore Dew – however why not go small and discover an artisan small-batch distillery. One of many first in Eire is situated proper on the Wild Atlantic Manner in Gaeltacht – Dingle Distillery.

Study the story of how the three house owners received forward of the artisan distillery curve and persevered to supply among the best spirits alongside the Wild Atlantic Manner! Plus – take a tour of the distillery and hand around in the tasting room whereas it rains outdoors. Observe – excursions have been halted in the course of the pandemic – however they’ve began again up in 2023.
Examine different issues to do alongside the Wild Atlantic Manner Rain or Shine!
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5. Discover Ruins
If it’s pouring rain, then head to the Muckross Home in Killarney Nationwide Park and do an indoor tour of this gorgeous nineteenth-century Victorian mansion. Nonetheless, if the rain lets up somewhat and you’ve got the correct rain gear (see the packing part under), then head on over to the Deserted Muckross Abbey ruins and discover the non secular facet of Killarney Nationwide Park.
The abbey was based in 1448 by Donal McCarthy Mor. The ruins of the church, cloister, and courtyard inform the story of the Fifteenth-century residence to the Observatine Franciscan Monks and their century-long wrestle.
Wander across the cemetery outdoors the abbey (which remains to be in use right this moment) after which go inside to see the assorted tombs and climb as much as the higher ranges to discover this stunning previous construction from above. The centerpiece of the ruins is the yew tree which stands within the heart of the cloisters; weathered, twisted, and majestic.
The abbey remains to be effectively preserved, so there are areas which are coated if the rain begins to turn out to be troublesome.
You’ll discover quite a few ruins to discover alongside the Wild Atlantic Manner – there are lots of castles and previous stone forts that may take you again in time!
Extra Info:
Muckross Abbey Web site
Location: Muckross Abbey is open to the general public and is only a brief stroll from the automobile park on the N71
6. Wet Days Are Excellent For Waterfall Chasing
The very best time to see a waterfall is throughout or after a giant rain! The rivers swell and the waterfalls are at their most spectacular. Plus – in case you go go to a preferred waterfall like Torc Waterfall in Killarney Nationwide Park within the rain, you’ll escape the crowds too! If it’s raining and also you aren’t close to Killarney, listed below are some different waterfalls to go to driving the Wild Atlantic Manner

7. Discover Some Castles Whereas Driving the Wild Atlantic Manner
You’ll drive previous many castles on the Wild Atlantic Manner.
There are roughly 30,000 castles in Eire – an unimaginable quantity for such a small nation! Some are actually luxurious accommodations, others are vacationer points of interest, whereas a number of others sit in ruins. And you will discover lots of them alongside the Wild Atlantic Manner – excellent for a wet day cease!
Eire has been residence to quite a lot of peoples and cultures over the centuries, and every left a legacy of architectural fashion behind with its personal medieval story to inform. A few my favourite castles to tour on a wet day on the Wild Atlantic Manner are Bunratty Citadel and Baleek Citadel.



Bunratty Citadel in County Clare is taken into account essentially the most full and genuine fort in Eire. As you stroll in, you’ll be transported again to medieval instances. It felt very Sport-Of-Thrones-like to me. It accommodates primarily Fifteenth and Sixteenth-century furnishings, tapestries, and artistic endeavors which seize the temper of these instances.
Beleek Citadel in County Mayo can also be an awesome cease for a wet day. Heat up subsequent to the large fireplaces and take a tour that may stroll you thru the fascinating historical past of the fort, its household, and the way it survived. Uncover the fascinating story of Marshall Doran, an adventurer, sailor, and smuggler who restored Belleek Citadel within the Nineteen Sixties. You’ll even have an opportunity to see and maintain his assortment of medieval weapons and armor!
Try this record of extra castles you may go to whereas driving the Wild Atlantic Manner.
Pack this Rain Gear for Driving the Wild Atlantic Manner
Since rain in Eire is inevitable, just remember to pack some good rain gear and that manner the rain gained’t cease your plans! I recommend this key rain gear to pack to your driving vacation alongside the Wild Atlantic Manner.
Endure GORE-TEX Paclite Rain Jacket
GORE-TEX is solely one of the best rain safety there’s. I exploit this GOREWEAR jacket for each mountain climbing and biking. It is so mild and packable – made with their particular Paclite materials. It is really assured to maintain you dry.
LensCoat Raincovers
Do not let the climate cease your images! This revolutionary cowl offers safety to your digicam and lens from the weather like rain, snow, salt spray, grime, sand and dirt whereas permitting you quick access to the digicam and lens controls.
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Need assist with planning your Eire Wild Atlantic Manner Journey?
I used Eire Stroll Hike Bike, a neighborhood tour firm primarily based in County Kerry, to assist me plan my Eire journey. They’re consultants on the West Coast and supply quite a few self-guided mountain climbing, biking, and driving itineraries. You may discuss to them to customise any of them. I’ve deliberate quite a few journeys with them and have by no means been upset.
Plus – in case you ebook considered one of their excursions and use the promo code OttsWorld2023, you will get 5% off your tour with Eire Stroll Hike Bike!

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