Standing about 200 meters or roughly 650 feet above the sea you will be mesmerized as you look out over one of the seven natural wonders of Ireland, the Cliffs of Moher. Followed by the beauty of Burren National Park, where some people call the cliffs there the “mini cliffs.” The National Park is home to nine major habitats. This day tour from Dublin, Ireland will continue onto Galway City before heading back to Dublin. Galway is a lively city is full of pubs, cafés, street performers, and shops.
The Cliffs of Moher
Standing on one of Ireland’s seven natural wonders, you will feel overwhelmed by the impressive cliffs. You will hear the waves of the Atlantic Ocean crashing against the 12.8 km (8 miles) of the cliffs. As you walk along the unfenced areas, you will see many birds and plant species that now call the cliffs home. In the hour and a half time that you get to spend here, take some time to walk up O’Brien’s Tower for remarkable views of the cliffs and the surrounding farmland.
O’Brien’s Tower was built in 1835 by Cornelius O’Brien (1801–1857). Sitting at 214 meters (702 feet), the highest point of the cliffs, is the tower. It was built as an observation area and the original tower had four sections. On a clear day, you can see the Aran Islands, Galway Bay, and the Kerry Mountains. Entry into O’Brien’s Tower is 2 EUR (2.35 USD).
The Cliffs of Moher are one of the most visited tourist attractions in Ireland.
Burren National Park
The journey continues to an area called The Burren inside Burren National Park. The Geosite is a very fertile and rocky area that is covered in flora and fauna. The 1,500 hectares (3,706.5 acres) include ash/hazel woodland, calcareous grassland, cliffs, fen, hazel scrub, lakes, limestone pavement, petrifying springs, and turloughs. With its array of habitat, the National Park is home to several birds, invertebrates, lichens, vertebrates, and plant species. The beauty of the bright colorful flowers blooming between the rock and limestone is striking. Some have compared the thriving ecosystem to a lunar landscape. The relaxing drive through this area allows you to see a large portion of the landscape. A short twenty-minute stop is provided for pictures to be taken of the area, including the “mini cliffs.”
The city of Galway
The final stop on the tour is the city of Galway. The city dates back to 1124, beginning as a small fort. It is now the 3rd largest city in Ireland. It is a lively place full of pubs, cafés, street performers, and shops. During your almost two-hour stop here there are numerous things you can enjoy and see. Home to many celebrations and festivals, you can enjoy the summer’s Galway Arts Festival, the Christmas market in Eyre Square, or one of several other festivals. Be sure to also see Galway Cathedral, the Spanish Arch, Lynch’s Castle, and the Hall of The Red Earl.
Day Tours from Dublin
The day tour to the Cliffs of Moher leave Dublin at 6:50 am and return around 8:15 pm. It is a long day, but worth the trip. A stop after the Cliffs of Moher is made for lunch and you can get something to eat in Galway. Additionally, you can bring water and snacks with you and eat on the bus as long as it is not hot food. You can nap on the bus if you are very tired on the way to the cliffs or returning to Dublin, a lot of people do. The cost of the trip is 45 EUR (53.00 USD) for an adult, 39 EUR (46.00 USD) for seniors and students, and 22.20 EUR (26.00 USD) for children 5 – 12 years of age.
Day Tours have six daily tours from Dublin. They leave every morning between 6:30 am and 9:30 am. The tours include the Belfast tour, the Celtic Boyne Valley tour, the Cliffs of Moher tour, the Connemara tour, the Cork and Blarney tour, and the Giants Causeway tour. For more information on all their tours go to their website.
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