IN THIS BLOG
Our Day Trip to the Burren and Cliffs of Moher
Leave the Car Behind and Take a Stress-Free Journey Through the Burren and to the Cliffs of Moher
Overview
Visiting the Burren
A Little Background
Dunguaire Castle
A Little History
Our Experience
Hazel Mountain Chocolates
A Little Background
Our Experience
Poulnabrone
A Little History
Our Experience
Cliffs of Moher
A Little Background
Our Experience
Kilfenora Cathedral
A Little Background
Our Experience
Pink Bear Retirement Vacation Rating
Final Thoughts
Tips
Leave the Car Behind and Take a Stress-Free Journey Through the Burren and to the Cliffs of Moher
One of the things we loved most about this day trip was being able to simply sit back and enjoy the scenery. The Burren is beautiful, but its narrow, twisting roads are not where I would want to be worrying about driving, watching for oncoming traffic, and figuring out where to park. By leaving the driving to someone else, we were free to look out the windows, take pictures, and enjoy a part of Ireland where the journey is every bit as memorable as the destination.
For travelers who want to explore Ireland independently but would rather not rent a car, a day trip from Galway is an easy and surprisingly relaxing way to experience both the Burren and the Cliffs of Moher.
Overview
Our day trip from Galway took us through the unusual limestone landscape of the Burren and on to one of Ireland’s most famous natural sights, the Cliffs of Moher. Along the way, we stopped at Dunguaire Castle, visited the ancient Poulnabrone Dolmen, enjoyed a sweet break at Hazel Mountain Chocolates, and explored the small village of Kilfenora and its historic cathedral. The Cliffs of Moher were the main attraction of the day, but the variety of stops made the entire journey interesting from beginning to end.
Visiting the Burren
This was our first west coast day trip. Pink Bear was very excited about seeing this wild, wet and windy side of Ireland and it did not disappoint.
A Little Background
The Burren is one of Ireland’s most unusual landscapes, stretching across much of northern County Clare. Its name comes from the Irish word Boíreann, meaning “rocky place,” which is a perfect description of the area. Instead of the rolling green fields most people picture when they think of Ireland, the Burren is covered with broad expanses of exposed limestone, broken by deep cracks and surrounded by low hills.
The landscape was shaped over hundreds of millions of years by ancient seas, shifting land, and later by glaciers. Over time, rainwater dissolved parts of the limestone, creating the distinctive pavements, underground caves, and fissures seen throughout the region. Despite its rocky appearance, the Burren supports an extraordinary variety of plant life, with Arctic, Alpine, and Mediterranean species growing unusually close together.
The area is also rich in human history. People have lived here for thousands of years, leaving behind prehistoric tombs, stone forts, churches, and other ancient sites. Traveling through the Burren feels like moving through both a geological and historical landscape at the same time.
Here are some pictures of our drive to the first stop in Burren
Dunguaire Castle
A Little History
Dunguaire Castle is a 16th-century tower house located on the southeastern shore of Galway Bay near the village of Kinvara. Built around 1520 by the O’Hynes clan, the castle takes its name from the ancient King Guaire of Connacht, who is associated with the area.
The castle later changed hands several times and was restored in the 20th century. For many years, it was open to visitors and became one of the most photographed castles in western Ireland because of its picturesque setting beside Galway Bay. Today, the castle is closed to the public, but visitors can still walk around the exterior and enjoy the views.
Our Experience
Since the castle is closed, we only made a brief stop to walk around the outside. Pink Bear understands why this is one of the most photographed castles in western Ireland. The setting is spectacular. Perched on the shores of Galway Bay, the reflection of the castle in the water creates a magical image.
There is a small dirt path around the castle. It is somewhat overgrown and uneven, so we needed to be very careful, and we left Pink Bear behind. If you have mobility concerns, I recommend simply viewing the castle from the entrance.
External View of the Castle
A Walk Around the Castle
Hazel Mountain Chocolates
A Little Background
Hazel Mountain Chocolate is a small bean-to-bar chocolate factory and café located along the Wild Atlantic Way near the Burren. The company makes its chocolate from cacao beans on site, and visitors can watch part of the production process through a viewing area.
In addition to the chocolate shop, there is a small café serving coffee, tea, pastries, and other treats. It makes a fun and unexpected stop in the middle of a day exploring the Burren, especially if you are looking for a short break before continuing.
Our Experience
Pink Bear loves chocolates! Who doesn’t? Since Rob is very focused on eating natural foods, this was a perfect stop for us to pick up some treats to bring home. We watched the chocolate-making process through the glass viewing area and then made our selections. We also stopped in the small café for coffee and pastries.
The Exterior and Chocolate Making Area
The Chocolate and the Cafe
Poulnabrone Dolmen
A Little History – A Window into Prehistoric Ireland
Poulnabrone Dolmen is one of the most famous prehistoric monuments in Ireland and one of the most recognizable sights in the Burren. Built during the Neolithic period, sometime between about 3800 and 3200 BC, it is more than 5,000 years old—older than the Egyptian pyramids.
The monument is a portal tomb, constructed from large limestone slabs, with a massive capstone resting across upright stones. Archaeological excavations revealed the remains of more than 30 people buried here, along with items such as stone tools, pottery and personal ornaments. These discoveries suggest that Poulnabrone was an important burial and ceremonial site for the farming communities that lived in the Burren thousands of years ago.
Today, its dramatic silhouette against the exposed limestone landscape makes Poulnabrone Dolmen one of the most memorable places to experience the ancient history of the Burren.
Our Experience
This stop was one of the biggest surprises of the day—and of our entire trip. We had no prior knowledge of Poulnabrone or of portal tombs. Pink Bear had been so busy that she had not researched this stop, which made discovering it even more fun.
Rob is very interested in archaeology and prehistoric sites, so he was especially excited to visit. We all loved learning about prehistoric Ireland, and this ended up being one of our favorite stops of the trip.
Cliffs of Moher
A Little Background – Ireland’s Dramatic Coastline
The Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland’s most famous natural landmarks, rising dramatically from the Atlantic Ocean along the coast of County Clare. Stretching for about 8 miles (14 kilometers), the cliffs reach their highest point at more than 700 feet (214 meters) above the sea.
The cliffs were formed over 300 million years ago from layers of shale and sandstone that were gradually shaped by erosion, wind, and the relentless force of the Atlantic. Their name comes from Mothar, an old Irish word referring to a ruined fort that once stood near the southern end of the cliffs.
In addition to their spectacular scenery, the Cliffs of Moher are an important habitat for seabirds, including puffins, razorbills, and guillemots. On a clear day, visitors can also see the Aran Islands, Galway Bay, and the distant mountains of Connemara.
Today, the Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland’s most visited attractions and a highlight of any journey through the Burren and County Clare.
Our Experience
This was the main attraction of the day, and it did not disappoint. Because of her penchant for jumping off things, we left Pink Bear with our guide, Derek.
We had about an hour at the Cliffs of Moher. There is a long, paved path along the cliffs, and I found it relatively easy to walk. It is a bit hilly and there are some steps, but nothing very strenuous. The walk reminded me a little of the Great Wall of China because of the long path stretching along the landscape.
There is also a tower, but the line was very long, so we decided not to go up. We felt the views from the walking path were dramatic enough.
This was another stop where I would have liked more time. We saw quite a bit in an hour, but I think 2 to 2½ hours would have been better so we could walk farther and enjoy the scenery without feeling rushed.
Kilfenora
A Little History
Kilfenora is a small village in County Clare, located just south of the Burren. Since medieval times, when it was the seat of the Bishop of Kilfenora, it has been known as the “City of the Crosses” because of its seven high crosses.
Our Experience
This was a very brief stop. By this point in our trip, we had already seen so many churches, crosses, and castles that we did not feel the need to spend much time here. It took us only about five minutes to walk through the small church cemetery.
Pink Bear Retirement Vacation Rating
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⭐️ The Burren – 5/5 You can really get a feel for the wild and untamed aspect of Ireland here. The raw beauty is breathtaking.
⭐️ Dunguaire Castle – 4/5 A very picturesque castle, but since it is closed, there is not much to see beyond the exterior. The path around the castle is uneven and somewhat overgrown. It is a lovely photo stop, but one you could skip if you are short on time.
⭐️ Hazel Mountain Chocolates – 5/5 Wonderful chocolate and a nice cafe to get coffee and a snack.
⭐️ Poulnabrone Dolmen – 5/5 This was one of the surprise highlights of the trip. Getting a window into prehistoric Ireland was a treat. Pink Bear would give this more than 5 if she could.
⭐️ Cliffs of Moher – 5/5 Iconic and spectacular cliffs with a long, paved walking path that is relatively easy to navigate. Be aware that if it is foggy or rainy, the views may be limited. If possible, choose a day with good weather to get the most out of your visit.
⭐️ Kilfenora – 4/5 A small historic church with high crosses. It was a nice stop, but after seeing so many churches and crosses during our trip, it did not stand out as much as some of the other places we visited.
Final Thoughts
This was one of those days when the journey was every bit as memorable as the destination. We expected the Cliffs of Moher to be the highlight, and they certainly lived up to their reputation, but we were surprised by how much we enjoyed the Burren itself. Its wild limestone landscape felt completely different from the green Ireland we had seen elsewhere, and Poulnabrone Dolmen turned out to be one of the unexpected highlights of our entire trip.
What made the day especially enjoyable was being able to experience it without worrying about driving. The narrow, winding roads of the Burren are beautiful, but I was very happy to leave the navigating and parking to someone else. Instead, we could watch the scenery, stop for photographs, and simply enjoy where we were.
The Cliffs of Moher were spectacular, although I would have liked more than the hour we had there. If I were planning the day again, I would probably allow closer to two hours so there was more time to wander along the paths and take in the views without feeling rushed.
For anyone staying in Galway who wants to see the Burren and the Cliffs of Moher without renting a car, I think this is a wonderful day trip. It offers scenery, history, a little chocolate, a few surprises, and one of Ireland’s most iconic landscapes—all without the stress of driving. And sometimes, being able to sit back and enjoy the road is exactly what makes a day special.
Tips
- Hiring a private guide is a relaxing and stress-free way to explore the Burren and visit the Cliffs of Moher.
- Slow down and enjoy the scenery, especially if you have a driver. Savor the journey—it is worth it.
- We were very happy with our private guide, Derek from ToursByLocals. I would recommend him without hesitation.
- Wear comfortable, sturdy shoes, particularly for the Burren and Poulnabrone.
- Be prepared for possible showers. A raincoat and layers are advisable, particularly in western Ireland.