Cliffs of Moher, Burren & Galway Day Trip from Dublin

Summary

Walk cliff paths feel the ocean spray taste pub lunch in Fanore hear Galway’s music

You’ll stand where Ireland meets the Atlantic at the Cliffs of Moher, taste fresh pub food in Fanore village, walk among ancient stones in the Burren, and lose yourself in Galway’s lively streets. Expect laughter with your guide, sea air in your lungs, and maybe even a new story or two by day’s end.

What’s the experience like?

It started with a quick hello from our guide, Mark, who somehow remembered everyone’s name by the time we’d left Dublin. I was still half-awake when he pointed out the Molly Malone statue — apparently it’s good luck to rub her shoe (I didn’t try). The coach rolled west and people chatted quietly or just watched the green fields blur past. There was this moment when we stopped for coffee somewhere outside Limerick and an older man in line asked if I’d ever seen “the real edge of Ireland.” He meant the Cliffs of Moher, obviously. I just grinned — not yet.

The cliffs hit you before you even get close. Wind everywhere, that salty Atlantic smell, hair whipping around. Mark gave us a few minutes to wander before heading into the visitor centre (which is built right into the hillside — kind of cool). I walked along the path and honestly felt a bit dizzy looking down. You can hear seabirds below and sometimes just silence except for waves smashing against rock. Someone said you could see the Aran Islands on a clear day but it was all mist for us — still beautiful in its own way. Lunch at O’Donohue’s Pub in Fanore tasted better than it should have after all that wind; I tried seafood chowder and brown bread, which warmed me up fast.

The Burren felt like landing on another planet — grey limestone everywhere, little flowers poking through cracks if you looked close enough. Mark told us about ancient tombs hidden out there but we mostly just clambered over rocks and took silly photos. My shoes got muddy but nobody cared. Galway was last: bright shopfronts, buskers playing fiddles near Eyre Square, people dancing outside pubs even though it started to drizzle again. I bought a postcard with sheep on it for my aunt (she collects them), then wandered off to listen to some street music by myself for a while.

The ride back was quieter; Mark played old Irish songs and told stories about rebels and poets until most of us nodded off or stared out at rain streaking down the windows. Sometimes I still think about that wind at the cliffs — how small you feel standing there, but in a good way.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Cliffs, Burren, Galway day tour

• Meet at Molly Malone statue
• Board coach and depart Dublin
• Visit Cliffs of Moher and Visitor Centre
• Lunch at O'Donohue's Pub in Fanore
• Explore The Burren limestone landscape
• Stroll through Galway city streets
• Return to Dublin with commentary

Top questions

How long is the Cliffs of Moher & Galway day trip from Dublin?

The tour is a full-day trip departing from Dublin in the morning and returning in the evening.

Is lunch included on this Cliffs of Moher tour?

The tour includes a lunch stop at O’Donohue’s Pub in Fanore where you can buy traditional meals.

Does this day trip include entry to the Cliffs of Moher?

Yes, admission to both the Cliffs of Moher and its visitor centre is included.

Will there be free time to explore Galway?

Yes, you’ll have time to stroll through Galway’s streets during your visit.

Are there rest stops during the drive from Dublin?

Yes, there are breaks along the way including coffee stops before reaching main sites.

Is transportation air-conditioned?

Yes, round-trip transportation from Dublin is provided on an air-conditioned coach.

Can infants join this Cliffs of Moher day trip?

Infants are welcome; travelers can bring their own infant seat without extra fees.

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip transport from Dublin with an experienced driver-guide, entry tickets for both the Cliffs of Moher and its interactive visitor centre, plenty of time exploring each stop (including The Burren and Galway), plus a cozy lunch break at O’Donohue’s Pub before heading back home together in comfort.