7 reasons you need to visit the west coast of Ireland

As a travel writer I get to travel to some pretty fantastic locales – but Ireland is a place that keeps drawing me back in.

Having travelled extensively through the east coast including Dublin and Wexford, and parts of the north and south (Belfast and Cork), I decided it was time to visit the west coast – and what a treat it was.

Visiting over St. Patrick’s Day weekend a couple of friends and I rented a car and set off on our travels. We drove from Dublin to Galway – which takes just over two hours – and spent the afternoon wandering the cobbled streets before dancing the night away at Irish pubs.

The great thing about Ireland is its accessibility to the UK. From London you can fly to Dublin, Shannon and Cork, sometimes for just £40 return. This means it’s easy enough to visit for a weekend and cheap enough for an extended visit.

Whatever you do, make sure you dedicate part of your visit to the west coast to see the rugged beauty for yourself.

1. The Cliffs of Moher

There’s certainly a reason why these cliffs are Ireland’s most-visited natural attraction. The stunning, jagged coastline is best seen with moody skies that offset the emerald waters below. Whether you’re popping in for a quick snap or you decide to do one of the walks to see more of the coastline, these cliffs are a must-see.

2. Have a dance in Galway

From the moment you drive into Galway you will not be able to get ‘Galway Girl’ out of your head – whether it be the original version or Ed Sheeran’s new hit. While the cobbled streets are a delight during the daytime, for the best dancing spot in town head to O’Connors in Salthill – with stunning interiors and live music. It’s also where Sheeran’s music video for ‘Galway Girl’ was filmed.

3. Drive the Wild Atlantic Way