West Ireland tour: Galway Bay & Cliffs of Moher

Highlights

• Step into the deeper stories behind the world-famous sights such as the Cliffs of Moher, the Aran Islands and Europe’s largest stalactite.  
• Explore The Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark, from its highest point to the caves beneath its surface.  
• Mine the knowledge of your Tour leader, a leading geology expert full of stories that bring these landscapes to life – and answers to your curious questions. 
• Hear the human stories of Ireland’s west coast as you sail to an Iron Age fort and movie-worthy scenery on the striking Aran Islands. 
• Toast Irish hospitality as you nod your head to traditional music, stay in Ireland’s only Michelin-starred pub, and explore Dublin from a boutique hotel. 

Overview

Time, people and, if you ask us, a touch of magic have all played a part in shaping Ireland’s incredible West Coast. Here, towering cliffs teem with seabirds, medieval forts sit hidden in limestone landscapes, and villages steeped in history hug the wild Atlantic coastline. Below ground, there are cave systems so vast you half expect a dragon to emerge.  

While Ireland is famous for its lush green landscapes, The Burren stands apart. Its karst landscapes form a geological wonder of hypnotic patterns, edged by the wild Atlantic and dotted with traces of past civilisations. No wonder the area has starred in movies such as Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince, Star Wars: The Last Jedi and The Banshees of Inisherin. 

Your journey begins in Dublin, before heading west to your base for the next four nights – Ireland’s only Michelin-starred pub. Wild Honey Inn is perfectly placed for seeing the area’s jaw-dropping sights. From here, you’ll spend the rest of the week immersed in the stories behind the archaeology, geology, botany and culture that collide to create one of the world’s most iconic landscapes. 

Start/finish

Your tour starts and finishes in Dublin, Ireland.

Activity Level

Leisurely, walks are generally less than 5km (3 miles), with optional longer walks and hikes across Ireland’s landscape (view our activity level definitions).

Transport

Weather

Accommodation

First and final night at The Wilder Townhouse, Central Dublin. Four nights at the Wild Honey Inn, Lisdoonvarna, an ideal base to explore the surrounding Geopark.

Testimonials

"Just got back from the Scilly Isles tour it was FANTASTIC. Your organisation and communications were faultless, your guides on the Islands are a credit to your company. The hotel and staff were excellent, and the food was outstanding we look forward to travelling with you again."

Isles of Scilly Holidays – Small group guided tours | Bryan B, September 2024

"Some trips are memorable for the destinations, others for the experiences. This tour was both. I’ve travelled extensively, and I can now say Utah is the most beautiful, visually exciting place I’ve seen. There was so much to look at, I didn’t want to blink, but the team’s attention to the little details also made the trip a joy. The small group experience meant we could always both see and hear, something you can’t [always] count on when you sign up to a tour."

Landscapes and Cultures of Utah, USA | Kate B, September 2023

"Paula and I had a fantastic trip to Bath and the Jurassic Coast. Our guides brought their own distinctive experiences to our tour – Seren was a perfect guide and [we appreciated] Jonathan’s rich experience with south coast geology.

[In Dorset], there was a wonderful stop with the St. Catherine’s chapel gracing a solitary hilltop overlooking the Channel. Lyme Regis lived up to our high expectations, and the ammonite pavement was spectacular! We look forward to doing another Geocultura adventure."

Treasures of Southern England | Tom D, September 2023