New Year Ireland Road Trip & Map: Wild Atlantic Way With Empty Roads 🚗🌊
January on Ireland’s west coast is not for sun-chasers. It’s for people who secretly love stormy skies, wind-whipped hair, quiet pubs and the feeling of having world-famous viewpoints almost to themselves. The Wild Atlantic Way in winter is moody, dramatic and oddly peaceful, with shorter days, cosy evenings and road-trip prices that dip nicely once the Christmas rush is over.
This route focuses on the central stretch of the Wild Atlantic Way between Galway and Kerry, with a simple loop from Dublin. You’ll zigzag between colourful harbour towns, cliff walks, abbey ruins and peat-scented pubs serving up bowls of chowder that fix everything. Expect rain, wind and the odd blue-sky day that feels like a reward for surviving the rest.
I’ve planned this as a 7–9 day road trip that works with January’s short daylight and slightly feral weather. You can stretch it, shrink it or re-order it depending on where you fly into and how brave you feel about winter driving on narrow coastal roads.
New Year Ireland Road Trip 🗺️
🚗 Quick Trip Facts
Total driving time: Around 18–22 hours spread over 7–9 days
Best route: Dublin → Galway → Connemara → Burren & Cliffs of Moher → Dingle → Killarney → Adare / Limerick → Dublin
January vibes: Quiet roads, cheaper stays, dramatic Atlantic weather, some attractions on reduced hours or closed
Average January temps (west coast): About 5–7°C, damp, breezy and occasionally icy, especially inland and on higher ground
Daylight hours: Roughly 8 hours of usable light, so plan main drives between about 9.30 and 16.30
Ideal trip length: 7–9 days, with at least 2 nights each in Galway, Dingle and Killarney
Best car choice: Compact car with good tyres and proper insurance rather than a huge SUV. I’d compare deals through car hire and tick the “winter-friendly” policy boxes.
Road conditions: Mostly decent main roads, but plenty of narrow, hedge-lined lanes and occasional ice on shaded stretches
Good for: Slow travellers, pub hoppers, landscape photographers, couples, friends and hardy solo travellers
Map: Pop every stop into your own Google My Map or layer it onto your favourite Wild Atlantic Way map template so you can tweak as you go 📍
Connectivity: If you’re coming from abroad, grab an eSIM before you land so you’re not stressing about data limits in the rain.
🚗 Recommended Car Rental: DiscoverCars
Itinerary: New Year Wild Atlantic Way Loop 🗺️
Day 1 – Dublin to Galway: Cross-Country To The Atlantic 🌧️
Kick off in Dublin, pick up your car hire and head west to Galway, Ireland’s unofficial capital of good craic. The drive is mostly motorway, so it’s a gentle way to get used to driving on the left before the more wiggly coastal roads arrive. Aim to reach Galway early afternoon so you get time for a wander and a pint before the early winter sunset.
📍 Things to do on the way & in Galway:
- Stop in Athlone for coffee and a quick stroll around the castle and Shannon riverside
- Wander Galway’s Latin Quarter, Shop Street and the Claddagh for colourful shopfronts and buskers
- Warm up in a trad pub with live music and a hearty stew 🎻
- If the weather behaves, stroll the Salthill Prom for Atlantic views
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: Book your first night in Galway through somewhere like Booking.com so you can filter for free parking and easy cancellation if storms roll in and plans shift.
Day 2 – Connemara Day Trip: Bog Roads & Big Skies
Spend a full day doing a loop into Connemara, a region of boggy hills, glassy lakes and little stone-walled lanes that feel a bit otherworldly in January light. Driving is the main attraction here, so keep your plans loose and follow the most appealing lay-bys and viewpoints.
📍 Highlights in Connemara:
- Drive the Sky Road near Clifden for wild coastal views 🌊
- Visit Kylemore Abbey and its lakeside setting if winter opening hours allow
- Stop at random lay-bys for photos of sheep, black lakes and mountains
- Warm up in Clifden or Roundstone with chowder and brown bread
👉 Good to know: Phone signal can be patchy in the hills, so download offline maps and playlists before you leave Galway. Your eSIM will help, but don’t rely on full bars out in the bogs.
Recommended Tours and Tickets From Get Your Guide
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Day 3 – Galway to Burren & Cliffs of Moher, Overnight Doolin or Lahinch
Today is about limestone moonscapes and one of Europe’s most famous cliff walks. You’ll hug the coast from Galway around the Burren and finish near the Cliffs of Moher. In January, the car parks and paths can feel almost too quiet, especially if you catch a moody weather front rolling through.
📍 Route & stops:
- Drive via Kinvara and Dunguaire Castle for a quick photo stop
- Cross into the Burren, with its eerie grey pavement and ancient tombs
- Visit the Cliffs of Moher for clifftop paths and wild sea views
- Stay in Doolin (tiny, musical village) or Lahinch (surf town with a long sandy beach)
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: Paths at the cliffs can be extremely windy and muddy in January. Pack proper waterproof boots and keep well back from any unofficial cliff edges, no matter how brave your Instagram brain feels.
Day 4 – Doolin / Lahinch to Dingle: Ferries, Bays & Quiet Streets
From Clare you head for the Dingle Peninsula, one of the true stars of the Wild Atlantic Way. In January, many visitor-focused businesses take a breather, but you still get working fishing boats, lived-in pubs and a slow, local feel.
📍 Route & stops:
- Take the Shannon Ferry (if winter schedule allows) or drive via Limerick
- Stop in Tralee for groceries and a quick walk
- Arrive in Dingle town in time for a dusk harbour stroll and dinner 🌙
👉 Good to know: Dingle can feel very sleepy on midweek January evenings, but core pubs, a few restaurants and the distillery usually stay open. Expect fewer menu options and more space at the bar. This is the cosy, chat-with-locals type of trip, not a bar-hopping one.
Day 5 – Slea Head Drive & The Dingle Peninsula 🌊
This is one of those days where you circle a small peninsula and somehow use the entire daylight window. Slea Head Drive wraps you around sea cliffs, ancient beehive huts and beaches that feel close to the edge of the map.
📍 Things to do around Dingle:
- Drive the Slea Head loop slowly, pulling in at viewpoints whenever it’s safe
- Explore ruined churches, ring forts and old stone structures
- Walk on Coumeenoole Beach or Ventry Beach if tides and weather behave
- Tour the Dingle Distillery if winter hours allow, then thaw out in a pub with live music
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: Watch the weather forecast the night before. If high winds are forecast, keep your Slea Head stops short and avoid exposed cliff edges. It’s still scenic from the driver’s seat, so don’t feel guilty for a “car-based” sightseeing day.
Day 6 – Dingle to Killarney: Mountains, Lakes & National Park 🏞️
Time to head for Killarney, ringed by lakes and mountains and acting as a gateway to the famous Ring of Kerry. Even in January, the town has a bit of buzz and plenty of places to eat, sleep and stock up on layers.
📍 Route & Killarney highlights:
- Drive via Inch Beach for a long strand walk if conditions allow
- Check into your Killarney stay, from grand hotels to cosy guesthouses or budget-friendly hostels you’ve found on Booking.com or Hotels.com
- Wander around Killarney National Park near Muckross House and Lough Leane
- Visit Ross Castle or take a short lakeside stroll
👉 Good to know: Many boat tours and some visitor centres hibernate for winter, but the park paths, viewpoints and general scenery are always open and free. Wrap up, bring a flask and treat it like a very scenic afternoon walk.
Day 7 – Ring of Kerry Highlights (Short Winter Version)
With limited daylight, skip the full 180 km circuit and focus on a shorter section of the Ring of Kerry that still gives you bogs, bays and mountain passes. Think of this as a highlight reel tailored to January.
📍 Suggested loop from Killarney:
- Drive through Moll’s Gap for mountain scenery
- Stop at Ladies View for classic vistas over the lakes
- Drop into Kenmare for lunch and colourful streets
- Follow a section of coastal road then loop back inland to Killarney
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: Set a “turn back” alarm on your phone. If the light’s fading and the rain starts hurling sideways, it’s nicer to be in a pub than crawling through mountain roads in the dark.
Day 8 – Killarney to Adare / Limerick: Thatched Cottages & Food Stops
Start heading east, breaking the journey in Adare or Limerick to avoid a monster driving day back to Dublin. Adare is all thatched cottages and neat stone walls, while Limerick gives you a small city hit.
📍 Stops & ideas:
- Brunch in Killarney before you leave
- Short stroll in Adare to see the cottages and park 🏡
- Optional stop at Bunratty Castle & Folk Park if open and you fancy a history hit
- Overnight in Adare, Limerick or near Shannon if you have an early flight next day
💡 Fact: January is low season across most of Ireland, so you can often grab last-minute hotel deals if you’re flexible on exact town or star rating. Have Booking.com or Hotels.com handy for on-the-fly searches.
Day 9 – Return To Dublin
Final leg back to Dublin for flights, train connections or a bonus night in the city if time and budget allow. Drop the car, toast your Wild Atlantic Way winter adventure and start plotting the next loop.
👉 Good to know: If you have an early morning departure, consider staying near the airport the night before so you’re not navigating potential frost, fog or rush hour from the city centre. An airport transfer is worth pricing up if you decide to drop the car the night before.
Access to the map
No sign up required and totally FREE. Literally just using Google Maps to plot your route! Saves you messing! We don't gatekeep here! Enjoy.
Map will be located under "YOU" and then under "MAPS".
ℹ️ Add the map to your Google Maps app.
After opening Google maps, click YOU and then scroll down to MAPS. It should be located there. Any issues, just get it touch, it’s no problem!
🛑 Pit Stops & Side Detours
If the weather is playing ball or you manage an extra day or two, these little detours are worth adding to your map:
Clifden & Sky Road extension: Add another loop around the coastline near Clifden for even more staggering viewpoints.
Achill Island: From Westport (an optional northern add-on), drive across to Achill for huge beaches and moody cliffs, ideally on a clear-ish day.
The Burren perfumery or farm shops: Tiny, cosy indoor stops that pair nicely with a chilly limestone wander.
Muckross Abbey: Atmospheric ruins in Killarney National Park that feel extra eerie on a misty January afternoon.
Inch Beach surf check: Even if you’re not getting into the water, watching winter surfers is oddly hypnotic.
Kenmare’s craft shops: Great for woollen hats, scarves and practical souvenirs you’ll actually wear.
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: Before detouring down any side road that looks suspiciously like a farm track, check if it’s genuinely a public road and not just a lane to someone’s front door.
🍽️ Local Eats Worth Chasing
January in Ireland is built for comfort food and slow pints.
Look out for:
Seafood chowder with hunks of brown bread in Galway, Dingle and Killarney
Guinness beef stew that appears on many pub menus in winter
Fresh oysters around Galway and the Burren 🦪
Fish and chips in coastal towns, eaten in the car while you listen to the rain
Apple crumble with hot custard as a dessert reward for being outside all day
Pubs tend to stay open year-round, even if some restaurants and cafés take post-Christmas breaks, especially in smaller towns. Ask your host or bartender where locals are eating that week and follow their lead.
👉 Good to know: For better flexibility, pick stays with breakfast included, then keep lunch and dinner casual so you can adapt to whatever is actually open that day.
🎶 Road Trip Playlist
You’re going to spend a lot of time in the car listening to rain on the windscreen, so choose tunes that lean into it. Download everything offline before you leave Dublin or Galway.
A few ideas to throw into your playlist:
A bit of Hozier, Dermot Kennedy and The Cranberries for modern Irish mood
Traditional Irish playlists with fiddles and flutes for small-lane driving
Chill lo-fi beats for wet, dark stretches where conversation has died off
Classic road-trip anthems for the rare moments when the sun explodes through the clouds ☀️
A few guilty pleasure singalongs for when you’re stuck behind a tractor and need morale
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: Make at least two playlists: one upbeat for clear days and one softer for stormy evenings, and swap depending on the sky.
🎙️ Podcasts to Queue Up
Perfect for longish hops, ferry waits or evenings in guesthouse lounges:
Irish history shows that unpack everything from Vikings to modern politics
Travel podcasts featuring road trips and off-season travel stories
Light-hearted chat shows from Irish hosts for language and humour
True-crime series if that’s your thing, balanced with something lighter after dark
Short storytelling episodes you can slot between music blocks
👉 Good to know: Download full episodes on Wi-Fi in your accommodation each night. Rural coverage is improving but still patchy along some coastal stretches, so don’t rely on streaming.
🎒 Road Trip Essentials
Packing well can be the difference between “cosy moody winter escape” and “why did we do this to ourselves”.
Consider bringing:
Proper waterproof jacket and trousers, plus warm layers and hat
Waterproof boots with decent grip
Thin gloves that still let you use your phone camera
Reusable hot drinks flask for car-park tea breaks
Microfibre towel and spare clothes in case you get drenched
A small car kit: jump leads, torch, ice scraper, emergency snacks
Power bank and car charger for phones and cameras
Offline maps saved in case your signal vanishes at the exact wrong moment
Solid travel insurance that covers winter driving, delays and missed connections
An eSIM for cheap data if you’re visiting from abroad
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: In January, treat every truly clear, dry hour as a gift. If the forecast suddenly looks good, reshuffle your plan and hit the most scenic spots first, then save museums and pubs for the grim bits.
Rent a Car
Access to the map
No sign up required and totally FREE. Literally just using Google Maps to plot your route! Saves you messing! We don't gatekeep here! Enjoy.
What to know How to Plan or Save for a Trip? Here are our best:
FAQs
Is January actually a good time for an Ireland road trip?
Yes, as long as you’re realistic. You get quieter roads, lower prices and moody scenery, but also more rain, strong winds and shorter days, so keep distances shorter and plans flexible. Good travel insurance is a smart extra in winter.
How many days do I need for this Wild Atlantic Way loop?
Seven days is the minimum for this route, but 8 or 9 gives you breathing space for bad-weather days or extra hikes and wanders in Connemara and Killarney.
Do I need a 4x4 for the Wild Atlantic Way in winter?
Usually no. A regular car with good tyres is fine on main roads, but drive slowly on narrow lanes, avoid flooded sections and keep an eye out for ice on bridges and shaded corners. If you’re nervous, check what your car hire company recommends.
Will everything be open along the route in January?
Some seasonal attractions, tours and smaller cafés close or run reduced hours, especially in Dingle and along the more remote stretches, but core pubs, shops and bigger sights generally stay open. Always check winter opening hours the day before you visit and keep your accommodation bookings flexible with sites like Booking.com.
Travel Planning Resources
Ready to book your next trip? These trusted resources have been personally vetted to ensure a smooth travel experience.
Book Your Flights: Kick off your travel planning by finding the best flight deals on Trip.com. Our years of experience with them confirm they offer the most competitive prices.
Book Your Hotel: For the best hotel rates, use Booking.com . For the best and safest hostels, HostelWorld.com is your go-to resource. Best for overall Hotel ratings and bargains, use TripAdvisor.com!
Find Apartment Rentals: For affordable apartment rentals, check out VRBO. They consistently offer the best prices.
Car Rentals: For affordable car rentals, check out RentalCars.com. They offer the best cars, mostly brand new.
Travel Insurance: Never travel without insurance. Here are our top recommendations:
- EKTA for Travel Insurance for all areas!
- Use AirHelp for compensation claims against flight delays etc.
Book Your Activities: Discover walking tours, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more on Get Your Guide. They have a vast selection of activities to enhance your trip. There is also Tiqets.com for instant mobile tickets.
Book The Best Trains: Use Trainline to find the most affordable trains or Rail Europe for rail passes!
Travel E-SIMS: Airalo Worldwide! Use your mobile phone anywhere!
Need More Help Planning Your Trip? Visit our Resources Page to see all the companies we trust and use for our travels.
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Nick Harvey
Hi, I am Nick! Thank you for reading! The Travel Tinker is a resource designed to help you navigate the beauty of travel! Tinkering your plans as you browse!
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