Derval O'Rourke: Breathtaking Irish landscapes to visit with grab-and-go snacks

I started making a list of family adventures in Ireland that I hope to tackle in the coming years with the kids.

The connection between nature and our wellbeing makes taking trips and immersing ourselves in the spectacular views on our island even more enticing

I spent years travelling around the world. I would go from country to country competing in athletics. Sometimes I would see loads while really getting a feel for a country or city and at other times I would only see an airport, hotel and running track. What traveling did for me was make me love an adventure, finding new places and experiencing something different. But what it also did was give me a deep appreciation for Ireland, for the landscape and how the country can be incredibly breathtaking.

I recently took a trip from Cork to Galway to explore with my family. The Wild Atlantic Way is 2,500km of spectacular coastline, making it the world’s longest defined coastal touring route. If you just consider that strip of Irish coastline you will come across 172 discovery points, places where you can stop, read and learn more about the area along with 15 signature points throughout the route, each in an iconic location with impressive views.