The spectacular Cliffs of Moher Day Tour from Dublin takes you from Dublin through three of Ireland’s four provinces to the magnificent west coast. To join the tour, make your way to the tourist office at Suffolk Street, the Old Church, Dublin City Centre. During the tour there will be stops every 1 ½ hours or so, in order that you can stretch your legs.
On your way out of Dublin, you will pass the Guinness Store House and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. On the road to the west of Ireland, you will pass through the famous Curragh area, a place where sheep take precedence over humans on the roads!
As you pass through the midlands, look out for castles, and notice the way the countryside changes. The further west you travel, the wilder it gets. Fields are separated by hedges and wire fences in the east and midlands, further west they are divided by stone walls.
Your first stop will be the historic Viking city of Limerick. Crossing the river Shannon you will be greeted by the magnificent sight of King John's Castle. You can get out, stretch your legs, look at the Norman castle, and take some pictures. You will also see the famous Stone where a Treaty was signed after the Battle of the Boyne.
Leaving Limerick, you will see Thomond Park, unofficial home of Irish rugby, and Bunratty Castle. You arrive at the spectacular Cliffs of Moher around 1130h (11.30 am) and you can spend 2 ½ hours wandering along the cliff edge. The cliffs rise 120 meters (390 ft) above the Atlantic Ocean and reach their maximum height of 214 meters (702 ft) just north of O'Brien's Tower, 8 km away.
In front of you are the Gaelic-speaking Aran Islands. Keep your eyes open for an array of wildlife at the cliffs, everything from fulmars, guillemots and kittiwakes to the cheeky puffins.
Your lunch stop is in the musical village of Doolin. The pubs have great food and a nice Irish welcome. The tour usually stops in Fitzpatrick’s pub, which puts on a great chowder and main meal (payable direct). Have a little walk after lunch to let your food settle on a quiet country road opposite the pub.
After lunch, you will make a 30 minute stop at one of Ireland's greatest National Parks, the Burren, a botanist's paradise! Plants that would normally only grow in tundra or arctic regions flourish in this area at certain times of the year. Orchids and blue gentians grow wild and are stunningly beautiful.
Wending your way along the coast, your eyes will constantly be on the beauty of the coastline and the road that clings to its edge. You may see fishermen on the rocks below. Pass by Fanore beach and look out for Dusty the Dolphin. Your next official stop (30 minutes) will be at Corcomroe Abbey – an 11th century abbey surrounded by limestone hills.
After this, you get your first view of Galway Bay and go down a steep hill to the quaint village of Kinvara. This charming place has a good-sized harbour, where you should be able to see the well known Galway Hooker boats. You will also see Dunguaire Castle, nestled on its own tiny headland and surrounded by water.
After a good day's travelling and sightseeing it will be now time to make your way back to Dublin. Finishing your full circle tour we will then go on the Galway road through Clarinbridge, home of the oyster! You will have one more stop on the road back to Dublin for a coffee and toilet break.
You will arrive back in Dublin by 1930h (7.30 pm) at the latest and will be dropped off at the point where you were picked up.