The Cliffs, Connemara & Aran Islands

Depart Dublin’s historic Heuston Station and travel southwest through the fertile countryside of County Kildare, passing the Curragh racecourse and stud farms along the way. A train change at Limerick Junction brings you to Limerick, where a short city tour introduces the medieval King John’s Castle and landmarks tied to local figures such as Frank McCourt, Richard Harris, and Terry Wogan.

From here, continue by coach to Bunratty Castle & Folk Park, a 15th-century fortress beautifully restored and surrounded by a recreated historic village. Next, travel into County Clare for lunch at a local pub before arriving at the spectacular Cliffs of Moher, among the highest sea cliffs in Europe and one of Ireland’s most visited attractions.

The journey continues along the coast through the Burren, a striking limestone landscape rich in history and rare flora, with photo stops along the way. Passing through the charming villages of Ballyvaughan and Kinvara, the day concludes in the heart of Galway City, beside Eyre Square and the train station, with the evening free to enjoy this vibrant cultural hub.

Overnight Galway View All

After breakfast, travel from Galway to Inis Mór, the largest of the three Aran Islands and one of the filming locations for the Oscar-nominated The Banshees of Inisherin. The island is a stronghold of traditional Irish culture, where Irish is still the everyday language, and the landscape is as unspoilt as it is dramatic.

Highlights of your visit include the ancient monastic site known as the Seven Churches and the remarkable prehistoric fort of Dún Aonghasa (admission not included). Perched on soaring sea cliffs, the fort offers breathtaking views across the Atlantic Ocean. There will also be time to enjoy lunch and explore the island’s main village of Kilronan.

After your island adventure, return to Galway City and Eyre Square for the evening. Please note that Day 2 and Day 3 of the tour may be reversed depending on departure day, and in the event of adverse weather preventing island transfers, you will be refunded for this portion of the tour.

Included Meals Breakfast

Overnight Galway View All

After breakfast, depart Galway for a guided tour of Connemara, a region famed for its wild beauty, colourful towns, and dramatic contrasts of mountain, valley, and sea. Passing through Moycullen and Oughterard on the shores of Lough Corrib, the road opens into unspoilt countryside of rolling hills and shimmering lakes.

At Maam Cross, see the replica cottage from The Quiet Man before continuing through Leenane and on to Kylemore Abbey & Gardens. Here you’ll stop for lunch and explore the 19th-century abbey, now home to Benedictine nuns, set against a striking mountain backdrop. The tour also takes in Letterfrack National Park and the vibrant town of Clifden, long a favourite holiday resort and famously linked to Alcock and Brown’s pioneering transatlantic landing in 1919.

The return journey winds through Connemara’s Gaeltacht region, where Irish is still spoken daily, before following the coast along Galway Bay past the villages of Inverin and Spiddal. In the evening, board your reserved train at Galway Station for a comfortable return to Dublin, bringing your adventure to a memorable close.

Included Meals Breakfast