The Wild Atlantic Way ( Irish : Slí an Atlantaigh Fhiáin ) is a tourism trail on the west coast, and on parts of the north and south coasts, of Ireland . The 2,500 km (1,553 mile) driving route passes through nine counties and three provinces , stretching from County Donegal 's Inishowen Peninsula in Ulster to Kinsale , County Cork , in Munster , on the Celtic Sea coast.
6-852: Some of the most popular attractions along the Wild Atlantic Way include the Cliffs of Moher, the Skelligs Viewpoint, the Dingle Peninsula, the Old Head of Kinsale, and Downpatrick Head. The route is broken down into five sections: Along the route, there are 157 discovery points, 1,000 attractions and more than 2,500 activities. The route was officially launched in 2014 by the Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Michael Ring , T.D . The Wild Atlantic Way has had
12-495: A significant impact on tourism in Ireland, attracting millions of visitors from around the world. It has also provided a boost to local economies, particularly in rural areas where tourism is a key industry. The route has been widely recognized for its role in promoting sustainable tourism and preserving the natural and cultural heritage of the west coast of Ireland. Michael Ring Michael Ring (born 24 December 1953)
18-569: Is an Irish former Fine Gael politician who served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Mayo constituency from 1997 to 2024, and previously from 1994 to 1997 for the Mayo West constituency. He served as Minister for Rural and Community Development from 2017 to 2020 and as a Minister of State from 2011 to 2017. Ring was born in Westport, County Mayo , in 1953. He was educated at Westport CBS and
24-619: The Front Bench in 2004, after an expected demotion, however, he returned in 2007 as Spokesperson on Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. On 10 March 2011, he was appointed as Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport with responsibility for Tourism and Sport by the coalition government of Fine Gael and the Labour Party led by Ring's constituency colleague Enda Kenny . This appointment lasted until
30-416: The formation of a new government on 6 May. On 19 May 2016, he was appointed as Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs with responsibility for Regional Economic Development by the new minority government of Fine Gael and Independents led by Enda Kenny. He was appointed to cabinet on 14 June 2017 as Minister for Rural and Community Development in
36-536: The local vocational school. He later worked as an estate agent and auctioneer in Westport. Ring was unsuccessful as a Fine Gael candidate in the Mayo West constituency in the 1992 general election . However, he was elected at his second attempt in a 1994 by-election . He was appointed to the Fine Gael Front Bench in 2002, as Spokesperson on Social and Family Affairs . Ring stepped down from
#326673