What you will see on this Cliffs of Moher, the Burren, Kilmacduagh Abbey and Galway Tour

0630 Start boarding outside Dublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane.

0645 We leave Parnell Square North and head to the west of Ireland. We are taking you from the east to the west of Ireland in one day, showing you as much as possible. Our well-trained guides will tell you about Irish legends, myths and history along the way, helping you understand and appreciate why Ireland looks and functions the way it does. This is a smooth, leisurely tour of the Irish countryside on our way to the Kilmacduagh Monastery and the Cliffs of Moher.

Galway Plaza Service Station (rest stop)

Because we want to both show you as much as possible in one day and make your bus trip as nice as possible, we stop in the service station for a toilet break and to give you enough time stretch your legs and grab a coffee.

Kilmacduagh Monastery

You will have a photo drive-by opportunity at Kilmacduagh Monastery: you will have the opportunity to take pictures of the impressive 12th-century round tower and an abundance of 11th  to 13th-century ruins. Kilmacduagh monastery is considered to have the finest collection of early Christian monastic buildings in all of Ireland. Something only seen in more detail on our Glendalough tour from Dublin. Round towers at monastic sites in Ireland are very rare and this is one of the best examples in Ireland. Kilmacduagh Monastery is also a photographer’s dream.

Travel Along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way

As we travel the world-famous Wild Atlantic Way, we pass through small villages like Corofin. We choose this route due to the abundance of animals and farm activity that you will see along the way. There are lots of horses, sheep, and cattle on this route and we hope this will give you a sense of the importance of Ireland’s farming industry. This route also takes us back into the Burren National Park passing some amazing lakes and offering up some stunning views over the wild Irish landscape.

Cliffs Of Moher Tour (At least 1.5 hours)

Now we come to the main stop on this Cliffs of Moher tour. You will have at least 1.5 hours to explore this natural site. The Cliffs of Moher is the most visited site in Ireland — and for good reason! The stark cliffs and seas of green fields beyond them makes for some truly breath-taking vistas. We think the grandeur and beauty of the Cliffs of Moher perfectly encapsulates the kind of natural beauty people are looking for when they visit Ireland. Your entry fees to the visitor centre are also included in the price of your tour.

At the Cliffs of Moher, you will have time to explore the “ledge experience”; you will see what is below the cliffs, including the fascinating  plant and animal life. After this, you will be able to explore the Cliffs of Moher on your own. Spanning more than 702 feet above the Atlantic Ocean, this is an incredible site to behold. On a clear day you will be able to see the Aran Islands and even Galway Bay and the Twelve Bens of Galway in the distance.

Visiting the Burren (Around 15 – 20 minutes)

You might be a little confused when we first arrive at the Burren. This very unique national park looks nothing like the rest of Ireland. Forget the green flowing hills as far as the eye can see and imagine being on the surface of the moon. We will stop for 15-20 minutes to give you some time to explore this strange landscape that is home to a fascinating mixture of Arctic, Mediterranean, and Alpine plants. Yes, that’s right: Mediterranean plants in Ireland! During the last ice age, this strange landscape (known as Karst) was formed when the ice melted. The rocks at the Burren are considered to be the oldest in the world.

While spending 15-20 minutes at the Burren, you will find it hard to believe that you are standing on the spot where the highest ground temperatures in Ireland are being recorded — hence the Mediterranean plants growing here.

Travel along the Wild Atlantic Way to Galway

From Lahinch, we follow the Wild Atlantic Way all the way to Galway. Take in the sights along the way; the Galway countryside and coast offers some of the most beautiful views in Ireland!

Explore Galway Yourself (At least 1 hour)

Perfect if you’ve been looking for a Galway tour from Dublin. The charming old-world city of Galway is our next stop (at least 1 hour). After showing you a bit of Galway, we will let you explore this charming little city by yourself. Take in the cobbled streets, castles and buskers that make Galway one of the most popular cities in Ireland. It’s hard to imagine how Galway managed to keep its old-world charm during the fast expansion it saw during the 1990s — but we’re extremely glad it did!

Walking down the streets of Galway, you will see some amazing buskers plying their trade. Despite being a small city, Galway is well cemented into Irish history. Even Christopher Columbus once visited Galway. Galway is also the birth place of the world-famous Claddagh Ring. The Spanish Arch and Lynch’s Castle are two of the must-see attractions on this Galway portion of this tour.

Arrive back in Dublin around 7:30pm/ 8:30pm

*Please note that all times are approximate. The locations might be visited in a different order, depends on traffic and weather. Galway is not necessarily the last stop of the tour. 

**As people don’t want to spend that much time in the cold countryside, when it starts getting cold, we might give a little bit less time at the Cliffs of Moher/ Burren and add the time onto the Galway stop.

If you have any questions about this Cliffs of Moher tour from Dublin, or any of its stopping off points, please feel free to get in touch. Explore Ireland in style with Finn McCools Tours!