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Starting in Dublin, I picked up Conall from Dublin airport and we headed west for a four-day road trip along the Wild Atlantic Way to take advantage of an incredible spell of weather. Passenger sent us out some clothes for the trip and we were tasked with creating a video showcasing the magic of the Wild Atlantic Way. For the trip, we rented a Roadsurfer Cozy Cottage van. We had previously opted for one of the smaller California-style vans, but since this trip was put together at the last minute, we ended up with a much larger vehicle. It proved to be extremely comfortable and had all the facilities we needed for four days on the road.
Day 1
Our first stop was Portwest in Galway, where we picked up some last-minute Passenger Clothing pieces and a few last-minute essentials for the trip. From there, we explored Galway City, enjoying the summer sunshine before driving out past Blackrock Diving Tower and through Spiddal.
We stopped at Padraigín’s pub for fish and chips before continuing west. That evening, we spent the night at Coral Strand, around 90 minutes west of Galway. It was a lovely place to park up for the night, and we enjoyed the peaceful setting and watched the sunset before settling into van life.
Day 2
The following morning, we drove to Roundstone, where we met Malachy, one of the few remaining bodhrán makers in Ireland. It was fascinating to hear about the process of making bodhráns by hand and to learn about the cultural significance of the instrument. Malachy explained that the bodhrán is more than just a musical instrument. For him, it represents freedom and independence as well as being a key part of traditional Irish music.
While in Roundstone, we also visited Roundstone Ceramics and picked up a few handmade pieces created and painted by the couple who run the workshop. After grabbing a coffee in the village, we continued on to Clifden Eco Beach Camping, where we spent the night. We also had the chance to chat with Chris, the owner of Clifden Eco Beach Camping.
Day 3
The next morning, after a swim at another nearby beach, we drove to Letterfrack and hiked Diamond Hill. Afterwards, we stopped into Kabo Café for coffee and açai bowls before continuing to Big Style Surf Lodge, where we would spend the night.
Big Style Surf Lodge was one of the highlights of the trip. It’s an incredible venue and would be perfect for a larger group exploring the West Coast. After arriving, we picked up surfboards and wetsuits from the team at Big Style before heading to Carrowniskey Beach for a sunset surf session.
The conditions were perfect for beginners, with clean, regular waves and a gentle breeze. As the sun dropped behind the mountains surrounding Carrowniskey, we spent hours in the water. It felt like we could have stayed there all evening, but eventually hunger got the better of us and we returned to Big Style for dinner and a good night’s sleep.
Day 4
The following morning, we headed to nearby Melody’s for coffee and a chat with owner Nicole O’Malley. We spoke about the realities of running a small business on the West Coast, creating community and building a carefully curated company with strong values.
From there, we drove into Westport, making a pitstop at the base of Croagh Patrick at the Misunderstood Heron. This new location for this stunning café and food truck is fitting of the quality of what they produce. Beautiful pastries, mindfully created dishes and delicious coffee. We then made one final stop at the Portwest store to check out more of the Passenger Clothing range.
After four days on the road, the trip back to Dublin marked the end of an unforgettable few days. Although the itinerary left plenty of room for spontaneous detours and exploration, the themes that stood out most were community, sustainability and the beautiful beaches that define Ireland’s west coast.
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