2-Day Wild Atlantic Way Tour From Dublin

The biggest issue was the lack of choice once we arrived at certain stops. The itinerary listed a lunch stop in Doolin, but we didn’t actually stop there for lunch. Instead, the tour company owns the restaurant where we were taken, leaving us with no alternative. The accommodation was also owned by the company. The B&B/hostel was underwhelming: there was no internet, the TV didn’t work, there was no shower soap, and no air conditioning. The town itself was extremely small and felt somewhat unsettling, especially given how few alternatives there were for food or things to do. The tour company also owns the only open pub/restaurant in town. 🤔 Our tour guide was pleasant enough, but the commentary was mostly a stream of consciousness rather than informative or insightful. I was hoping to learn about the history, culture, and places we were visiting, but there wasn’t much meaningful information provided. Overall, the tour felt less like an organized opportunity to experience the Wild Atlantic Way and more like being funneled into company-owned accommodations and restaurants with very few choices once you were there. The scenery was beautiful, but the overall experience left a lot to be desired.

JJ was the best-kind, considerate, driver and guide with wonderful stories along the way. He seemed to really love his job and he’s so good at it. The B&B was very nice. This tour is a great way to see a lot in a short amount of time. We wish we had made it a 3 day tour. We would always choose to leave the driving to Paddywagon rather than driving ourselves.

This was such an incredible experience. We were able to see so much of Irelands beauty with this tour. The bed and breakfast we stayed in was amazing. The family that own and run it are great. The tour was fantastic.

Guide JJ was informative., entertain in g and helpful. Disappointing that we were forgotten to be picked up and had to catch up to the tour on another bus. Not happy with the accommodations. Paddywagon stopped for lunch at a place owned by the company and far from other options. You paid for lunch. Dinner and the evening accommodation was modest and it too was at a facility owned by Paddywagon. We had hoped to visit a pub fur dinner but there waste no close options. I think there should be a guide snd a driver. Some of those roads require a driver’s full attention. I was told no Paddywagon tours have both guide and driver. Ours did not.

We were extremely disappointed in our 2 day tour of the Wild Atlantic Way. First, we did NOT stop in the town of Doolin for lunch. We went to a predetermined lunch spot that caters to bus groups. And that was AFTER the Cliffs of Moher and we were starving. More importantly, we switched from the bus to the van for the smaller group and had Tom as our driver. He was the absolute worst. He did not tell any stories, shared no history, he was not particularly friendly, and he could not hear us when we were asking him questions. After a very long ride, we arrived at the sleepy town of Annascaul at 7pm. I asked Tom when we were going to Dingle and he said we weren't. There was nothing to do in the town so thankfully we were able to catch the bus to Dingle for dinner and some fun. The itinerary said the next morning we were to explore the Dingle Peninsula but we did not. How can you take a group all the way to the peninsula but not drive them 20 more minutes to Dingle? Everyone was extremely disappointed. The Ring of Kerry was nice but it was a very very long ride back to Dublin with 2 very short stops and again, no stories from Tom. He was borderline grouchy and unpleasant. Terrible tour

Ah, what a delightful whirlwind of a trip, a tale of castles, cliffs, craic, and carriages, all stitched together by the ever-charming Irish hospitality. Let’s take it from the top! Day One - Castles, Cliffs, and the Craic From the moment we boarded with Aaron, our cheerful, chatty driver, it was clear we were in for a proper Irish adventure. Dunguaire Castle, though shut to visitors, still offered a picturesque loop and a chance to stretch the legs, the charming village with its boat-blessing priest, Ballyvaughan’s scenic stop and the Cliffs of Moher—oh, what a sight! Even with the weather doing its best to dampen spirits, we soldiered on: snapped pictures, braved the winds, and soaked in the 4D film like we were back at Canada Place in Vancouver. A hearty lunch at a local pub, then a seamless handover to Alex (the real star of the show!). Crossing the River Shannon by ferry was an unexpected treat, a quirky interlude on our way into County Kerry, where Alex’s tales of fairies, leprechauns, and local folklore kept us thoroughly entertained. Kilgobban Hill offered windswept views over Tralee, while Annascaul charmed us with its small-town vibes, a warm dinner at Patcheens Bar, and a cosy stay at the Randy Leprechaun B&B. Day Two - Lakes, Legends, and a Dash of Politics Day two dawned bright and unexpectedly sunny, a welcome change from the blustery day before. After a cracking traditional Irish breakfast at Randy’s, we hit the road with Alex, who once again peppered the journey with stories, jokes, and insightful history. Torc Waterfall was a lush, leafy gem, with sweeping views over the Lakes of Killarney. The moderate climb? Worth every step. Then on to Moll’s Gap, a charming café stop with overpriced trinkets but priceless views. The weather, fickle as ever, shifted from grey to glorious within minutes. Lady’s View, with its connection to Queen Victoria’s visit, was a highlight, as was Kenmare, a village full of charm and lovely Irish shops. Killarney—our third visit—never disappoints. The horse carriage ride through the national park? A delight! Lakes, castles, ponies, a dash of banter with a local driver—it was pure magic. After Killarney, we zipped along a portion of the Ring of Kerry (mind you, just 50 km of the 150-mile route), before heading to Moneygall, yes, the very ancestral village of Barack Obama’s great-great-great-grandfather. Who knew? The final stretch took us back to Dublin, with Alex narrating the history of the Great Famine, the North v South divide, and the complex tapestry of Irish politics. Heavy stuff, but delivered with grace, depth, and a few jokes thrown in for good measure. We rolled into Dublin just as the clock struck 7 pm, a bit weary but thoroughly enriched. Alex, our guide, was an absolute credit to the tour, knowledgeable, witty, and a proper gent. All in all, a tour well worth your time (pack a raincoat, an open mind, and a sense of humour), and let the Irish magic do the rest.

+8

Starting with the positive - the tour itself, the stops and scenery are gorgeous! However, there was a lot of dosorganization and confusion. At the initial stop, we were told to hop on a bus to the Cliffs, which we quickly realized was doing a one day tour, instead of 2-day trip which we signed up for. Its itinerary was also different than it was stated in our booking. Our driver seemed confused that we were advised to get on the said bus. He resolved the issue and we got on another bus later in the day, but it was quite stressful and the whole issue could be avoided if they double checked the destinations or name lists. After that though the trip with our second driver, Stephen, was lovely and made up for the trouble.

Terrible! FALSE ADVERTISING! We were supposed to stay overnight on the Dingle peninsula and stayed in Killarney instead. Our Bed and Breakfast accommodation in Killarney was HORRIBLE! They housed 9 guests in a CLOSED TO CUSTOMERS Bed and breakfast that was being used as a housing facility for refugees. Not a problem but not what we signed up for and our room smelled of urine and our towels and bedding were stained. We never received dinner and the breakfast was terrible. Our driver was terrible who seldom told us anything about the countryside and often yelled at us when we complained that ‘this isn’t part of the tour’. We felt we were being held captive with the inability to question where we were going. DON’T TAKE THIS TOUR! Worst experience of our lives!! BEWARE!

THE WORST EVER EXPERIENCE WITH A RACIST DRIVER The Paddywagon 2-day Wild Atlantic Way tour was the worst experience I have ever had, primarily due to the driver, Tom. Here are the main issues that future travelers should be aware of: 1. Racist Driver: After our visit to the Cliffs of Moher, we were a bit late rejoining the bus. Shockingly, the driver, Tom, made a racist comment over the microphone, blaming our lateness on "two Chinese" people. Firstly, we are not Chinese, and even if we were, such a comment is highly inappropriate. Judging people based on their appearance, race, or nationality is unacceptable, especially for someone working in a field that involves dealing with international travelers. Everyone on the bus heard this remark, and it was humiliating. We were not the only ones late; others, including the driver himself at times, were late as well. Yet, no one else was publicly humiliated as we were. 2. Disregard for the Itinerary and Poor Communication: The driver did not respect the given itinerary and failed to inform us of any changes. When I inquired about the schedule, the driver dismissively pushed away my phone and said, "Whatever is written there, we are not going to Doolin," and refused to answer any of my questions. This lack of communication caused significant confusion as we were left in the dark about our next destinations. Overall, I would strongly advise against taking this tour. It was a deeply unpleasant experience marred by racism and poor management. I hope this review helps others avoid a similar experience.

I had a magical and wonderful experience on the two day wild atlantic tour from Dublin! My tour guide was Stephen and he went above and beyond for everybody on the bus and was very welcoming. It was one of the highlights of my 2 week trip abroad, and I felt safe as a female solo traveler. We had incredible views and even some sunshine :) I highly recommend.