Exploring the Culinary Delights of Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way

Rugged coastal scenery and invigorating outdoor activities ignite your appetite along Ireland’s dramatic Wild Atlantic Way. Along the route, you’ll encounter artisans producing farmhouse cheeses, smoked salmon, chocolates, jams, beers, whiskeys, gins, and local specialities including foraged herbs and fresh-off-the-boat seafood. From north to south, make stops at epicurean highlights on this unforgettable drive.

Counties Donegal, Sligo and Mayo

Amid the rocky landscapes and lush fields of County Donegal, Claggan is home to the Haven Smokehouse, where you can purchase turf-smoked Atlantic salmon. Seagull-filled Killybegs is one of Ireland’s largest fishing ports; sample its offerings at the charming farmhouse Kitty Kelly’s. Donegal Brewing Company beers are the highlight at Dicey Reillys Bar in Ballyshannon, rich in Neolithic and Bronze Age history.

At the big-wave surfing mecca of Mullaghmore, overlooked by the imposing mountain Benbulben in County Sligo, Eithna’s by the Sea offers spectacular crab and seaweed harvested from the sheltered bay. For those interested in harvesting seaweed themselves, or exploring foraging tours and farm visits, check out the Sligo Food Trail.

The River Moy flows through Ballina, County Mayo, famed for its mid-July salmon festival and oak-smoked salmon from Clarke’s Seafood Delicatessen. The bustling town is also home to the Connacht Whiskey Company, which offers guided tours and tastings. In the picturesque 18th-century village of Newport, you can find celebrated Kelly’s Butchers; try their artisan products at Kelly’s Kitchen next door. The Georgian gem Westport, situated on island-strewn Clew Bay, boasts succulent scallops from the bay at the intimate modern Irish restaurant An Port Mór.

County Galway

The culinary experiences intensify as you enter County Galway. On the breathtaking Connemara Peninsula, Ballyconneely boasts the Connemara Smokehouse, where you can tour the pier-side smokery. You’ll find its salmon available in the tantalizing deli Connemara Hamper and on platters at seafood restaurant Mitchell’s in Connemara’s ‘capital’, Clifden. The charming pub/restaurant O’Dowd’s in the scenic village of Roundstone serves fresh catches from the docks. From Rossaveal, Mungo Murphy’s Seaweed Company offers fascinating abalone aquafarm visits and coastal foraging tours.

Vibrant Galway city hosts a feast for food lovers. Galway Food Tours, beginning at the delightful deli/cafe McCambridge’s, provide an excellent introduction to the local culinary scene. The annual Easter Galway Food Festival and late September’s Galway International Oyster & Seafood Festival are major events in the city. Each Saturday feels like a festival at the Galway Market. Those wanting to get hands-on in the kitchen can visit Aniar Boutique Cookery School, run by the Michelin-starred restaurant Aniar. Noteworthy dining experiences include innovative seafood dishes like seaweed-steamed Galway Bay lobster at Oscar’s, as well as organic and foraged ingredients at Ard Bia at Nimmo’s and Loam, where dishes might feature hay, moss, or hand-cut peat. Craft beers from the well-established Galway Hooker (named for traditional fishing boats) are available at legendary pubs such as Tigh Neachtain.

South of Galway city, Clarenbridge hosts its oyster festival in early October. Moran’s Oyster Cottage overlooks Dunbulcaun Bay, where the oysters are cultivated.

County Clare

As you enter County Clare, you’ll be greeted by the lunar-like limestone landscapes of the Burren. At Hazel Mountain Chocolate, enjoy a factory tour of its bean-to-bar operation or indulge in treats at its organic café. The picturesque Ballyvaughan hosts a summer-Saturday farmers market; splendid dining options include meat from their own farm and Burren-foraged herbs at the Wildflower Bar & Restaurant. In the music-loving town of Lisdoonvarna, you can learn about hot and cold salmon-smoking methods at the Burren Smokehouse. More chocolate can be found close to the Cliffs of Moher in Doolin, where the Doolin Chocolate Shop stocks Clare-made Wilde Irish Chocolates. Just outside Doolin, the cozy Clare Jam Shop offers homemade preserves like whiskey marmalade and Guinness mustard. Don’t forget to grab the handcrafted St Tola Irish Goat Cheese from its southern Burren farm.

On the stunning Loop Head Peninsula, savor Loop Head monkfish, Carrigaholt crab, and other delicacies at the cozy pub the Long Dock.

County Kerry

County Kerry’s Dingle Peninsula is centered around the enchanting Dingle town, which hosts the early October Dingle Food & Wine Festival and a Friday farmers market. This town is also home to the Dingle Brewing Company (offering self-guided tours) and Dingle Distillery (producing whiskey, vodka, and gin with guided tours by reservation). Murphy’s incorporates their gin into the unique Dingle-made ice cream along with locally sourced sea salt and caramelized brown bread. The rustic fishing shack Out of the Blue serves the catch of the day, upholding a commitment to quality seafood that means they only open if the offerings meet their high standards.

The breathtaking Ring of Kerry traces the Iveragh Peninsula. Stop by the 1782-founded smokery KRD Fisheries in Killorglin, before exploring the Cromane Peninsula, known for Ireland’s largest natural mussel beds. Enjoy fresh mussels at Jacks’ Coastguard Restaurant, located within a historic coastguard station. Back on the Ring of Kerry in Cahersiveen, QCs Seafood Restaurant & Bar serves seafood sourced from its own fishing fleet. On the scenic Skellig Ring (the departure point for the UNESCO-listed island monastery Skellig Michael, which featured in Star Wars installments The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi), you can witness chocolates being produced at the open-plan factory Skelligs Chocolate.

County Cork

County Cork boasts a rich culinary reputation, and its seafood from the rugged coast is exceptional. Sweeping Bantry Bay is famous for its oysters and mussels. Sample these treasures and other West Cork specialities at the farm shop/cafe Manning’s Emporium. They also feature prominently at O’Connors Seafood Restaurant and Fish Kitchen. Be sure to check out Bantry’s farmers market on Fridays.

Before embarking on the scenic journey to Mizen Head Peninsula, Ireland’s most southerly point, visit Durrus Farmhouse to learn about the cheese-making process and purchase award-winning cheese.

When crab is landed at the quay in Baltimore, locals gather for crab sandwiches at Bushe’s Bar. The area’s seafood producers and restaurants showcase their offerings during the annual Seafood & Wooden Boat Festival each May, attracting visitors eager for a taste of the coast.

In the riverside town of Skibbereen, West Cork Distillers produces liqueurs, whiskeys, and other spirits. The lively town hosts a vibrant farmers market on Saturdays and stages the Taste of West Cork Food Festival in mid-September.

The colorfully painted market town of Clonakilty is famous for its exceptional black pudding, made from pig’s blood, oatmeal, and onion. Purchase varieties based on the original 19th-century recipe from butcher Edward Twomey, or savor them in creative dishes such as Irish farmhouse chicken stuffed with black pudding mousse at the cozy An Súgán or at the supplier-focused Farm Restaurant.

The culinary hub of Kinsale is renowned for its October Kinsale Gourmet Festival. Delightful meals range from sharing boards at Black Pig Wine Bar to seasonal menus featuring meat from the family’s butcher at Finn’s Table, as well as lavish shellfish platters at Fishy Fishy. Wednesday’s farmers market is an excellent showcase of local produce, complemented by Kinsale Food Tours. As the Wild Atlantic Way concludes here, culinary trails spread far and wide across the Emerald Isle.