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Fishing in Ireland & Northern Ireland

Wild Atlantic Way Fishing, Whale Watching and Attractions

The Wild Atlantic Way offers something to do for everyone, from fishing, sight-seeing and whale watching to walking, cycling and more.

Wild Atlantic Way Fishing

Combining an extensive range of unspoilt coastline, river and lake habitats with slightly warmer waters (thanks to the island’s North Atlantic Drift position, which is a Gulf Stream offshoot), the Wild Atlantic Way is home to a rich diversity of both marine and fresh-water aquatic life. With more than 80 different species, the coastline alone offers anglers a great deal of variation between locations. Here are some of the best spots for off-shore, shore, river and lake fishing and species you are likely to find there.

Off-Shore Fishing

Some of the best locations for taking a chartered boat out to sea for a day’s fishing include Belmullet (Mayo), Rosses Point (Sligo) and Kinsale (Cork); Bundoran (Donegal) and Fenit (Kerry). Species to look forward include mackerel, pollock, conger and cod.

Shore Fishing

Spinning, fly and bottom fishing from beaches, estuaries, rocks, piers and quays is perhaps the most commonly practised type of Wild Atlantic Way sea fishing. Sandy beaches tend to be great for catching dogfish, while rocky outcrops offer the chance to catch a pollock or two. Experienced anglers happy to wade in to shallow, safe depths can find flounders, rays and the occasional John Dory (a rare, but highly satisfying catch).

River Fishing

If you’re after Wild Atlantic salmon, you should head for the River Corrib’s headwaters (Galway) in summer. The pool at Salmon Weir Bridge is especially great, as the salmon rest here after their long migration. Booking well in advance is imperative, as this spot is regularly used (and often pre-booked years in advance) by anglers from around the world.

The River Moy (Ballina) – renowned as one of Europe’s most prolific salmon rivers – is another fantastic location for salmon fishing.

Lake Fishing

Lough Currane (Kerry) and Carrowmore Lake (Mayo) both offer excellent sea trout fishing and if you like to combine river & lake fishing the River Laune (Kerry) is your ideal choice, as it leads into the nearby Killarney lakes.

Traditionally starting in mid-February, lake trout fishing usually really kicks in around the 17th of March (St Patrick’ Day), which is the best time for using artificial flies to target brown (wild) trout in the lakes’ shallow areas.

Lough Corrib (Galway) and Lough Mask (Mayo) are extremely popular locations during the mayfly fly fishing season (late April to early June) – and visitors arriving out of the trout season will be pleased to know that on most Wild Atlantic Way lakes, pike (which are available throughout the year) also make a prime target.

Fishing Licences

While fishing for many freshwater and sea species is free, you will require a licence to fish for sea trout and salmon. You can find more detailed information on obtaining licences, types of fish and more here.

Wild Atlantic Way Whale & Dolphin Watching

Almost a third of the world’s cetacean species (dolphins, porpoises and whales) have been recorded to frequent Irish waters – which were declared a dolphin and whale sanctuary by the Irish government in 1991. Some of the best, most popular places to watch these wonderful creatures can be found along the Wild Atlantic Way – where 17 of the 24 species recorded in Irish waters have been seen. The species most likely to be encountered (given the right weather conditions) include the:

  • Bottlenose dolphin
  • Common dolphin
  • Fin whale
  • Harbour porpoise
  • Humpback whale
  • Killer whale
  • Minke whale
  • Risso’s dolphin

Top spots for dolphin/whale watching include:

  • Malin Head, Bloody Foreland, Fanad Head, Dawros Head, Sliabh Liag, Malin More Head and St. John’s Point in Co. Donegal
  • Aughris Head and Mullaghmore Head in Co. Sligo
  • Kilcummin Head, Erris Head, Downpatrick Head, Annagh Head, Clew Bay/Old Head and Achill Island in Co. Mayo
  • Hag’s Head, Black Head, Loop Head, Kilkee cliffs and Shannon Estuary in Co. Clare
  • Kerry Head, Ballybunion Cliffs, Slea Head Peninsula, Brandon Point, Valentia Island/Bray Head, Blasket Islands and Skellig Island in Co. Kerry
  • Dursey Island, Mizen Head, Sheep’s Head, Gleann Loop/Cape Clear Island, Baltimore Beacon, Galley Head, Toe Head, Old Head of Kinsale and Seven Heads in Co. Cork

Please note that these locations have proven track records of superb sightings, this list is far from exhaustive, as dolphins and whales can and will occur in most coastal areas around Ireland.

Wild Atlantic Way Must-See Sights

For those more interested in land-based activities, the Wild Atlantic Way offers a wealth of natural and historic marvels including, among many others:

  • Malin Head, Fanad Head and Sliabh Liag (Slieve League) in Donegal 
  • Mullaghmore Head in Sligo
  • Killary Harbour, Keem Bay and the eerie nearby Deserted Village in Co. Mayo
  • Derrigimlagh, an ‘otherworldly’, stark blanket bog in Galway
  • Cliffs of Moher and Loop Head in Co. Clare
  • Blanket Islands off Dingle Peninsula, Kerry
  • The Skelligs UNESCO World Heritage Site off Iveragh Peninsula, Kerry
  • Dursey Island off Cork’s coast
  • Mizen Head & “Ireland’s Teardrop” in Cork
  • Kinsale and the “Old Head of Kinsale”, a scenic headland with a picturesque lighthouse (17th Century) in Cork

You can learn more about activities along the Wild Atlantic Way here and at nationalgeograpic.com.

The Perfect Base

Whether you are on a fishing holiday or hope to explore the many geological wonders, stunning scenery and historic treasures of the region, the Dulrush Fishing Lodge makes the perfect base for your stay.

Situated on the banks of Lough Erne in the Fermanagh Lakelands, the lodge is within easy reach of the Wild Atlantic Way and everything it offers – and just as close to many of Ireland/Northern Ireland’s many other top fishing, walking, cycling and sight-seeing destinations.

Book your stay at the lodge here.