With its green landscapes, leprechauns and wild coastline, Ireland is a land of beauty and mystery. The west coast in particular is a natural jewel. Imagine sheer cliffs plunging into the Atlantic Ocean, golden sandy beaches and rolling hills dotted with sheep. Picturesque villages with thatched cottages and cosy pubs add to the charm of this region. Whether you are looking for tranquillity or adventure, the West of Ireland promises special moments away from it all and unforgettable memories. Here’s our West Ireland Itinerary to ensure you don’t miss any of the key sights and attractions between the city of Galway and the imposing Cliffs of Moher.
Galway: bohemian beauty
About three hours by bus from Dublin, on the west coast of the country, Galway is a small, typically Irish city with a bohemian feel. During our visit we discovered its charming pedestrian streets lined with pubs, restaurants and small shops. The region’s changeable climate allowed us to admire magnificent rainbows on two occasions.
The Burren
On our way to the Cliffs of Moher, we stopped in an unusual place. The Burren National Park is a vast desert plain that seems to go on forever. Everywhere I looked, I saw nothing but rocks, worn and cracked by time, as if they had been there for thousands of years. It is, in fact, a limestone desert. Cromwell, the English politician and soldier who conquered and terrorised Ireland in the 17th century, described it this way: “It is a region where there is not enough water to drown a man, not enough wood to hang him, not enough earth to bury him”.
An obligatory stop, therefore, because the place and the silence that reign there are so impressive.
The Poulnabrone dolmen
The Poulnabrone dolmen is one of the attractions of the Burren. This two metre high megalith is over 5800 years old and would have been used as a burial altar. Standing in front of this monument of heavy, stacked stones, it is easy to see how these lands are the cradle of a rich history.
The imposing Cliffs of Moher
A visit to the famous Cliffs of Moher was the most eagerly awaited moment of our trip.
We had some idea of what to expect, having seen them many times in tourist brochures, postcards and travellers’ photographs.
But when you find yourself in front of these imposing cliffs, over 200 metres high, plunging into a tumultuous ocean, you can only be amazed. It was a magical moment. To see the waves crashing against these immense walls is an unforgettable sight. Magnificent!
When the rain interrupted the show, we took refuge in the souvenir shop. After a few minutes, the sun was back, casting a soft light on the cliffs and the small tower that dominates them. We then took a long path that allows you to see the cliffs from different angles.
Spectacular, the Cliffs of Moher have something magical about them. They are a must on any trip.
Here are some other places we stopped at on the way between Galway and the Cliffs of Moher:
- The fishing village of Kinvana
- Dunguaire Castle
- Kilfenora and its famous Celtic crosses
- Corcomroe Abbey
- Leamaneh Castle
- Doolin village
