The Atlantic Coast

Ireland's west coast is one of the most dramatic in the world — 2,500 kilometers of rugged rocks, thundering surf, and cliffs that plunge hundreds of meters into the sea. The Cliffs of Moher (214 m) are the most famous, but the Slieve League Cliffs in Donegal (601 m) are almost three times as high and barely visited. The cliffs of Croaghaun on Achill Island (688 m) are the highest sea cliffs in Europe.

Ireland's beaches are surprising: Dog's Bay in Connemara has white coral sand, Inch Beach on the Dingle Peninsula is 5 km long, Keem Bay on Achill Island was voted the most beautiful beach in Ireland. Swimming is only for the hardy — water temperatures rarely exceed 16 °C.