Last Updated on 08.09.2023 by Iliyan
The magnificent Cliffs of Moher are an UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Ireland, attracting over one million visitors each year. That’s why many tourists choose to visit Cliffs of Moher on a day trip from Dublin. These cliffs run for about 14 kilometres (9 miles) and rise to over 213 meters (700 feet). The O’Brien’s Tower, built in 1835 by Sir Cornelius O’Brien, marks the highest point of the Cliffs of Moher.
The Cliffs of Moher are located at the southwestern edge of the Burren region of County Clare, approximately 266 km. (165 miles) southwest of Dublin. They are no doubt one of the best natural attractions in Ireland.
As one of the most popular natural attractions in Ireland, thousands of tourists visit this place on a day trip from Dublin.
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How to Get to the Cliffs of Moher?
There are several ways to get to the Cliffs of Moher from Dublin.
- By Car
Renting a car is a popular way to get around, but don’t forget to book early to get the best prices and the choice of cars. Bear in mind that driving is on the left-hand side.
- By Bus
If you have enough time in Ireland you might enjoy traveling by bus. The trip is a bit longer than car, because there’s no direct route from Dublin. First of all you will need to get to Galway. Then buses run from Galway Bus station and take two hours to get to the Cliffs.
- By Tour
Visiting the Cliffs of Moher on a tour is definitely the easiest way to reach the cliffs. Full-day (12-13 hours in total), round-trip tours from Dublin to the Cliffs of Moher and Galway cost about 65 €. We went with Wild Rover Tours and it was wonderful. The bus was extremely comfortable with free WI-FI on the board.
Cliffs of Moher Day Trip from Dublin
The bus leaves at 06:55 from one of Dublin’s main streets, and you should be there 10 minutes before the scheduled departure time. We took the bus at 6:55 am at Hotel Riu Plaza The Gresham Dublin, 23 Upper O’Connell Street.
Barack Obama Plaza
We stopped at the Barack Obama Plaza on our way to the Cliffs of Moher. It is a highway service area dedicated former US president Barack Obama.
Located on the R445 road at Junction 23, just off the M7 highway, Barack Obama Plaza opened in 2014. Obama visited town of Moneygall in 2011 during his trip to Ireland. Obviously, he has roots here. His great-great-great-grandfather, Falmouth Kearney, was from the town and had emigrated to the US in the 1800s.
Cliffs of Moher
The Cliffs of Moher was main highlight of the tour. The entrance ticket for the Cliffs of Moher was included in the price of the tour. There are over 600 metres (2,000 feet) of paths to explore and viewing platforms, but we had exactly two hours. There are two well maintained trails near the visitor centre, you can either turn left or turn right. We turned right. The views are absolutely stunning everywhere. We climbed the watchtower as well.
The Burren
The next stop on our day trip was The Burren. It was one of the most unique places I have visited in Ireland, due to it’s unique geological features. It is famous for its wonderful karst limestone area. Unfortunately we had only twenty minutes to wander around, which wasn’t enough.
Both, The Burren and the Cliffs of Moher was awarded UNESCO recognised Global Geopark status in 2011.
Galway City
The last stop of the day tour was Galway City. Galway is known as Ireland’s Cultural Heart. In 2020 the city was the European Capital of Culture. With its vibrant atmosphere, the city hosts numerous festivals as Galway International Arts Festival, the craic of the Galway Races, the Macnas Halloween Parade and other events throughout the year.
We had only 2 hours to explore the city, which was not enough time. However, we decided to try the local beer Galway Hooker. I highly recommended it!
