-
The Só Hotel Group
Wild Atlantic Way
Wild Atlantic Way
Take it all in this Summer with Só Hotels
Explore all the Wild Atlantic Way has to offer and stay in our conveniently located hotels along the way. Stay at the lakeside Lough Rea Hotel & Spa before journeying south to Castletroy Park Hotel just outside Limerick City. Enjoy four-star comfort and luxury during your getaway to the west and delicious, award-winning food to fuel your adventures.
Day 1 – Galway City
30 minutes from Lough Rea Hotel & Spa
Wherever you’re travelling from, Lough Rea Hotel & Spa is easily accessible. We are just 10 minutes away from junction 16 on the M6. On your first day, why not take a drive into Galway city and take in the sights and sounds of the City of the Tribes. Enjoy a walk through the meandering streets of the city, Eyre Square and along the Claddagh before a stroll on the Prom at Salthill. The Aquarium in Salthill is sure to be a big hit with the kids both big and small! When you return back to the hotel, enjoy a delicious meal in our Lir Brasserie. While you’re here, it would be a shame not to enjoy our award-winning Shore Island Spa so why not book a treatment to help you unwind and relax on your well-deserved break away.
Day 2 Burren, Cliffs of Moher, Fr Teds House
50 mins from Lough Rea Hotel & Spa
Explore North Clare on day two with a trip to the Burren, just 45 minutes from our doors. Discover the karst landscape of limestone and see the megalithic portal tomb, Poulnabrone. There’s so much to see and do in the Burren, from the Burren Perfumery, The Rock Shop and of course, a visit to Fr Ted’s House. It’s located along a narrow road outside Kilnaboy, the coordinates are 53°00’35.1″N 9°01’48.2″W if you’re using a GPS. Though the house itself is not accessible to the public, you are welcome to take photos outside. A trip to North Clare would not be complete without seeing the world-famous Cliffs of Moher. Standing at 214m (702 feet) at their highest point north of O’Brien’s Tower, enjoy unrivalled views of the Atlantic below and the Aran Islands to the west on a clear day. The Cliffs are designated as a Special Protection Area for Birds as they are home to several seabirds such as guillemot, razorbill and puffin. There are multiple look out points to visit along the cliff to take in the amazing views. Make sure to stop in to the Visitor Centre for interesting history facts and an interactive exhibition space to keep the kids interested! Stop in to the Moher Cottage café on the way back for delicious coffee and yummy homemade fudge to indulge in on the drive back to us in Loughrea!
Day 3 – Doolin, Aran Islands
1hr 15 mins from Lough Rea Hotel & Spa
Enjoy a hearty breakfast in Abbey Restaurant before checking out and setting off for the next stop on your Wild Atlantic adventures. A day trip to the Aran Islands is a must while you are on holidays on the west coast so book a ferry from Doolin, just over an hour from the hotel. From there, choose to explore Inis Mór, Inis Meáin or Inis Oirr. Inis Mór is the largest of the three, famous for its stunning scenery and Stone Age forts such as Dun Aonghasa and the Black Fort. Inis Meáin is the middle island and the least visited of the three. However, don’t let that put you off! Visitors of this island can expect the same natural rugged beauty but with quiet, unspoiled tranquillity. Inis Oirr is the smallest of the three Aran Islands and the location for that iconic aerial shot of ‘Craggy Island’ from Fr. Ted. It’s also home to the Plassey Shipwreck and some beautiful beaches. Whichever you choose, you’re guaranteed an unforgettable day trip, perfect for families! Hire a bike and journey around the islands or take a pony and trap tour with a local. When you land back to shore at Doolin, comfort and luxury await in the four-star Castletroy Park Hotel just over an hour away. Check in and relax with a delicious meal in the Brasserie or McLaughlin’s Restaurant or unwind in the Leisure Club, included complimentary as our guest.
Day 4 – Bunratty Castle, King John’s Castle, Hunt Museum
20 minutes from Castletroy Park Hotel
Bunratty Castle is one of Ireland’s most visited castles and it’s easy to see why. It is a 15th century castle, built around 1425 but the site has been of historical importance since around 1250. Take a tour of the castle to learn more about the lengthy history of the area and the families that lived there. The Folk Park is a wonderful attraction for families. Stroll the Village Street, designed to represent a real 19th century Irish village. Say hello to the resident Irish Wolfhounds and explore the Fairy Trail. There’s an exciting Viking Playground for the little ones to explore too! Just a few miles down the road in the heart of Limerick City, another amazing castle is ready to be discovered. King John’s Castle overlooks the River Shannon and offers an interactive visitor experience for young and old alike. Learn about the history of the riverside city and take in some amazing views from the top. Play medieval courtyard games and even abseil down the castle walls, if you have a head for heights!
Day 5 – Flying Boat Museum, Foynes & Limerick Greenway
40 mins from Castletroy Park Hotel
After a delicious breakfast and a restful night’s sleep, venture out to Foynes, just 40 minutes from the hotel and discover the Flying Boat Museum. Dating back to the 1930’s, the small village of Foynes played an important role in the development of international aviation travel. At the museum, you can step inside a replica Boeing B314 to see what life on board was like for the passengers during their transatlantic flights to and from New York. The legendary Maureen O’Hara was one such passenger, whose husband, famed aviator Charles Blair, flew flying boats into Foynes between 1942 and 1945. She opened the museum in 1989 and was its patron until her death in 2015. There is an exhibition at the museum in her honour featuring her Oscar award along with many other personal items and memorabilia. Foynes is also where Irish Coffee was first invented and you can learn how to make it the traditional way here during your visit. On the return journey to Limerick, we highly recommend visiting the new Limerick Greenway to explore some of the beautiful scenery of Limerick. You can hire a bike in nearby Newcastlewest and take the route to the historic village of Ardagh and on to the finishing point at Rathkeale. Along the way you will see some of Limerick’s most beautiful countryside along the River Deel. When you return to the hotel again, unwind with a soak in the Jacuzzi in our Leisure Club and settle in for a delicious meal in our Brasserie.