Travel Tips for Cliffs of Mother, Ireland

Shannon is a town in western Ireland named after the nearby Shannon River and estuary. If you’re planning a trip there, I would suggest flying into the Shannon Airport (SNN) instead of flying into Dublin to save you about three hours of driving time. You can also read my post about what to do in Dublin if you also plan on visiting both Shannon and Dublin.

For transportation around Shannon, I highly recommend renting a car for the length of your visit. Hiring a daily private driver or taking a cab everywhere can be very costly. Public transportation can be an option, but may not be as dependable or efficient. For us Americans who drive on the opposite side of the road, it can be scary since they drive opposite of what we’re used to, but if you have a chance, I say give it a try!

The primary purpose of my Ireland trip was to attend a wedding at Dromoland Castle, a 16th century castle that’s a short drive from Shannon located near Newmarket-on-Fergus. Dromoland Castle today has since been converted into a luxury hotel visited by guests such as John Lennon, Nelson Mandela, and George W. Bush. It’s also one of the 1,000 places in Patricia’s book.

Upon our arrival, we went straight to our room, which faced directly into the courtyard, allowing you to see the beautiful grounds below (and passersby may glance up at you, too!). The bathroom was modern with stone and other intricate detail befitting a castle in the 21st century.

Dromoland Castle feels intimate and exclusive, like stepping into another world. Within the acreage is their renowned golf course. The greens were plush and the course is challenging, even for an avid golfer. The day we went, the golf course wasn’t teeming with people, so we were able to enjoy a full course without feeling rushed. The hotel also hosts additional paid activities for guests, such as archery, falconry, horse riding, and fishing.

The dining room in the castle’s restaurant felt as though we were dining al fresco outdoors in the Irish countryside. The space looked aristocratic and regal, yet accessible for everyone to enjoy. If you get a chance to patron the restaurant, I recommend the brown soda bread!

The Cliffs of Moher is about an hour drive from Dromoland Castle. The Cliffs stretch over 14 kilometers, so there is ample space for everyone. You can purchase your parking permit in advance on their website for convenience.

Though I did not walk the entire trail, I did explore the unpaved portion of the Cliffs that extends to the northern end. If you are scared of heights, there is a natural sunken trail parallel to the regular path you can take away from the edge.

Bunratty Castle is about a 15-minute drive from Dromoland Castle, and a few minutes more if driving from Shannon Airport. Claimed to be “the most complete and authentic castle in Ireland,” Bunratty Castle sits on what was originally a Viking trading camp and was the last castle of four in the area to be built on the site.

Some fun experiences to partake in within this medieval castle include walking through the Village Street to see the traditional buildings from 19th century Ireland, taking a ride on a traditional Jaunting Car, which is a traditional horse-drawn carriage, and watching bakers making homemade apple pie. This attraction is a must-see for families and kids of all ages.

Burren National Park is one of eight of Ireland’s national parks and sits on around 5.8 square miles of land. When we visited, it was free to enter the park. Patricia recommends taking the 28-mile trail from one end to the other. I was totally happy with my 2-mile trek.

At first glance, you might be a bit confused or disoriented; there were no signs letting you know you are at the park. Additionally, there are no parking lots or signage until you get to the visitor’s center. Because of this, we drove past the entrance of the walking trails and then had to U-turn back to the side of the road.

Once on the tail, the trail paths themselves are easy to understand, well-marked, and self-explanatory.

If you do end up completing Burren’s 28-mile hiking trail, congratulations! At the end of the trail sits Gregans Castle Hotel, an 18th-century manor house turned hotel sitting beside beautifully landscaped gardens. When we visited, the hotel it still felt intimate even though the property itself was expansive; a sort of bed-and-breakfast vibe. We stayed at the Martyn suite, a huge room with access to our own outdoor, private garden.

Patricia recommends dining at the hotel’s restaurant. When we went, the summer days in Ireland were long, so the sun was still up even through our 7:00pm dinner reservation. This gave us the opportunity to view the wonderful greenery outside our dining window during the meal. The dining room is also open throughout the day, so do not miss out on their breakfast buffet!

Patricia recommends three Doolin pubs on her list, and we were lucky to have visited them all. The first pub we went to was Gus O’Connor’s, located closest to the Cliffs of Moher and the busiest out of the three pubs. Located in a busy, residential area, Gus O’Connor’s has been around since 1832, and offers Irish food (we ordered the fish and chips!), outdoor seating, and live music at night.

We had a quick visit to McGann’s Pub, which had additional outdoor seating available. I was full from my meal at Gus O’Connor’s, so it was more of a quick visit. The ambiance definitely reminded me of Gus O’Connor’s.

The last pub was McDermott’s, which seemed to be the smallest of the three pubs. This pub seemed to be more active in the evening (traditional Irish music starts nightly at 9:00pm).