Cliffs of Moher and Galway City Day Tour from Dublin

About This Tour

This is a well-rounded day out that combines two of Ireland’s big draws - Galway city and the Cliffs of Moher - with a proper lunch stop in the small Co. Clare village of Liscannor along the way. The Cliffs of Moher entrance fee (€12.00) is included in your ticket, and you skip the queue.

You’ll pick up in central Dublin, travel west through green farmland to Galway, and have around two hours to explore on your own. The city is compact, so you can do a lot in that time. The coach then takes the Burren coastal route south through Clarinbridge, Kilcolgan, Kinvara, and Ballyvaughan before reaching Liscannor for lunch. Arrive at the Cliffs of Moher around 15:30 for 90 minutes, then head back to Dublin arriving around 20:30.

The coach has WiFi on board, USB charging at every seat, and air conditioning throughout.

What’s Included

• WiFi on board
• USB ports at each seat
• Air-conditioned coach
• Skip-the-line admission to Cliffs of Moher (€12.00)

What’s Not Included

• Gratuities
• Lunch

Itinerary

1. Dublin pick-up - Two central Dublin collection points are available; check the booking calendar for the one that suits you best. (pass by)
2. Galway city - Arriving around 11:00, you’ll have approximately two hours to explore. Eyre Square, Salthill Promenade, and the Latin Quarter are all within easy walking distance. Local spots worth knowing: Thomas Dillon on Quay Street for Claddagh rings, O’Maille’s on High Street for Aran sweaters, and Cupan Tae at 8 Quay Lane for tea and scones. (120 min)
3. Burren coastal drive - A scenic run south from Galway through Clarinbridge, Kilcolgan, Kinvara, and Ballyvaughan, passing ancient limestone countryside and coastal views all the way. (90 min)
4. Liscannor - Arrive around 14:30 for lunch in this small Co. Clare village. There’s a good choice of local food and drink. Depart around 15:15. (45 min)
5. Cliffs of Moher - Arrive around 15:30 for 90 minutes at the cliffs. The Cliffs of Moher stretch for almost 10km and reach heights of around 214 metres above the Atlantic. Your entrance fee is included in the tour price. Depart at 17:00. (90 min)
6. Return to Dublin - Head back via a short refreshment and restroom stop in Birdhill, Co. Tipperary. Back in Dublin around 20:30, finishing near O’Connell Street and the Temple Bar area. (pass by)

Meeting point: St. Stephen’s Green North, opposite James Adam & Sons.

Good to Know

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Specialised infant seats are available
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Maximum group size of 49

Available in English.

Local Tips

Use your Galway time on foot, not on a bus. The two hours in Galway go quickly. Head straight from Eyre Square down Shop Street into the Latin Quarter - the medieval laneways are what makes Galway different from any other city. Tigh Coili on Mainguard Street runs trad sessions nightly if you happen past at lunchtime and want to hear something. Ard Bia at Nimmo on Quay Street does a good quick lunch with local produce.

Kilcolgan is where the oyster people stop. The Burren coastal drive passes through Kilcolgan, and Moran’s on the Weir sits right on the tidal flats of the estuary there. This is not a stop on the coach itinerary, but if you’re ever driving this route independently - or return for a self-drive trip - Moran’s is the reason to pause. Family-run since the early 1900s, no printed menu, whatever the boats brought in that morning.

In Liscannor, walk towards the pier before you eat. Liscannor is a small working harbour village - a look at the pier takes five minutes and gives you the feel of the place before you sit down for lunch. Vaughan’s Anchor Inn on the main street is the local choice for seafood, third-generation family-run and Michelin-recommended. The chowder is the real thing.

The Burren coastal road is one of the best scenic drives in Ireland. Between Kilcolgan and Ballyvaughan the limestone comes down to the bay and the road hugs the water. It is worth looking up from your phone for this stretch. The view across to the Aran Islands on a clear day is what people mean when they say the west of Ireland.

Nearby on IrelandMe

• Liscannor - A working Clare harbour village where John Philip Holland, inventor of the first commissioned US Navy submarine, was born in 1841 - and Vaughan’s Anchor Inn is worth the stop for lunch
• Kilcolgan - Moran’s on the Weir sits on the tidal flats at the head of Kilcolgan estuary, family-run since the early 1900s, no menu, whatever came off the boats that morning
• Kinvara - Dunguaire Castle rises from the water at the edge of Galway Bay, and Winkle’s pub runs trad most nights
• Ballyvaughan - Where the Burren meets the bay, with Monk’s Pub at the pier and Gregans Castle Hotel five kilometres up Corkscrew Hill for a Michelin Key dinner