Cliffs of Moher & Galway Bay Rail Tour from Dublin
Bunratty Castle, sea cliffs and a night in Galway on the rails and coach from Dublin
A 2-day rail and coach tour from Dublin to the Cliffs of Moher, Connemara and Galway Bay with overnight accommodation, a qualified driver-guide and reserved seating throughout. Day one takes you through Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, then to the Cliffs of Moher and along the Burren to Galway. Day two loops through Connemara's villages and valleys, stopping at Kylemore Abbey and gardens before returning to Dublin.
Step-by-step itinerary
Day 1: Dublin to Galway via Bunratty and Cliffs
- Visit Bunratty Castle and Folk Park
- Stop for photos at The Burren
- Visit the Cliffs of Moher
- Travel along coast road to Galway
Day 2: Connemara and Kylemore Abbey
- Pass through Maam Cross and Maam Valley
- Coffee stop at Leenane village
- Drive through Inverin and Spiddal villages
- Lunch stop at Kylemore Abbey and Gardens
- Return to Dublin
What’s included
- Qualified driver-guide on coaches.
- reserved seats on trains.
- on-board host throughout.
- breakfast both mornings.
- overnight accommodation in a 3- or 4-star Galway hotel.
- admission to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park.
- all travel by rail and coach from Dublin Heuston Station.
- information pack covering the route and stops.
Times
- Wednesday 07:00
Before you book
Operated by Railtours Ireland First Class
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The experience
The tour departs Dublin Heuston Station and combines train and luxury coach travel, with a host on board the entire journey. Day one heads south to Bunratty Castle, completed in 1425 and restored to its original state. Admission is included and the folk park shows how 18th-century buildings were dismantled and rebuilt brick by brick at their present location. From there the route reaches the Cliffs of Moher, among Europe's highest sea cliffs, with plenty of time to walk the viewpoints. The coast road to Galway follows the Burren, a national park whose limestone landscape supports a rare diversity of plant life. Stops for photographs break up the drive.
Day two moves through Connemara's villages and valleys. A coffee stop happens in Leenane at the head of Killary Harbour, Ireland's only fjord. The route passes through Gaeltacht villages where Irish is still spoken, then reaches Kylemore Abbey and its Victorian Walled Garden for lunch. Admission to the abbey and gardens is available at a reduced rate if you choose to visit. The return to Dublin follows the same route in reverse, arriving back at Heuston Station by evening.
You stay overnight in a 3- or 4-star hotel in Galway city centre. Breakfast is included both mornings, and the information pack provided covers the stops and sites along the way. Reserved seats on the trains and coaches mean you don't queue for boarding, and the qualified driver-guide and on-board host handle navigation and commentary throughout.
Is this one for you?Book this if you prefer a structured two-day itinerary with rail and coach travel from Dublin. You'll move with the group on set departure times rather than self-driving or choosing your own pace.
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Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 15 years); Infant (under 5).
What is Bunratty Castle and why is the folk park there worth seeing?
Bunratty Castle was built in 1425 and fell into disrepair before being restored to its original condition. The folk park on the grounds contains buildings from across the region that were dismantled and rebuilt on site, including an 18th-century church relocated using the same method: a rare example of how Irish heritage structures were preserved and moved.
How much time do you get at the Cliffs of Moher?
The Cliffs of Moher are among Europe's highest sea cliffs and Ireland's second most popular tourist attraction. Your host will advise the departure time so you have plenty of time to visit the viewpoints and take photographs before the coach departs.
What happens at Kylemore Abbey on day two?
Kylemore Abbey and its Victorian Walled Garden is the lunch stop on the return journey through Connemara. Entry to the abbey and gardens is optional and available at a reduced admission rate. Your driver will provide details on the day.
Do you stop in the Burren, and what makes it special?
The Burren is a national park along the coast road to Galway, and the name comes from the Irish word for "rocky place." The limestone landscape supports a diverse plant life with few parallels elsewhere in Ireland or Europe, and the tour makes short stops for photographs as time permits.
Where does the tour start and end each day?
Day one departs Dublin Heuston Station and ends in Galway city centre, where you stay overnight in a 3- or 4-star hotel. Day two departs Galway and returns to Dublin Heuston Station by evening, completing the 2-day loop.
Cliffs of Moher & Galway Bay Rail Tour from Dublin
2d · EN
from € 508.41 per person
≈ US$ 584 in your currency
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