The Long Evening of SummerNotebook No 16September 2024
Long days, low crowds, the light still soft.
Collected by Deborah. Read her editorial perspective
May along Ireland's western seaboard, the Wild Atlantic Way, consistently offers us a deeply rewarding experience. With daylight stretching to near fifteen hours, the softening glow on the landscape makes for longer, more relaxed explorations before the busiest tourist season arrives. You also witness the Irish hedgerows at their peak floral exuberance that month, a sensory pleasure.
Slea Head in June
We recommend a week-long journey, perhaps from Galway south to Kerry, with thoughtful overnights in Doolin, Dingle, and Kenmare. You will find yourself pausing for quiet moments, savouring local fare, and connecting with the genuine pulse of these seaside towns before the summer crowds swell. This slower pace defines a May visit.
Knowing what we do now, May remains our choice month for this particular stretch of coast.
The Ireland Edit Way
Cut the itinerary in half, then cut it again. The letter we send before every first visit.
Every hotel change costs you half a day. Luxury, in Ireland, is staying put.
Six questions we apply before booking any room in Ireland. The November test, the dinner-twice test, the landscape-over-room test.
To understand Ireland, stop looking at the castles and start looking at the kitchen table.
From the notebook
Collected notes. A few times each season.