Ireland vacation packages: Dublin, Galway Bay & Cliffs of Moher

Highlights

• Join our newest Ireland vacation package which ticks all the boxes; including the world famous Cliffs of Moher, Ireland’s longest cave system, and Europe’s largest stalactite. And the company of your geology expert who can explain when and how these landscapes were formed.
• Get under the skin of Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark, from its highest point to the network of curious caves that is beneath. Find out why the Burren is recognised as an area of outstanding geological significance.
• Uncover the human stories of Ireland’s West Coast as you sail to an Iron Age fort on the striking Aran Islands and recognise scenery that has stolen the limelight in many Hollywood movies and TV series such as Father Ted.
• Take a boat trip to Inishmore, the largest of the three Aran Islands. Discover remains of its significant Iron Age population and the clifftop hill fort of Dun Aonghasa to uncover the link between human and geological history on the island.
• Appreciate the central Dublin hotel for the first and final night of the 6-night trip and 4 nights at a comfortable country inn in the Geopark. With plenty of time to sample Irish pub hospitality and music sessions, this is a small group tour for those who like plenty of time to relax at the end of each day, in good company.

Overview

Discover the fascinating geology and human history that shaped Ireland’s incredible West Coast on this seven-day Ireland vacation package from Dublin to County Clare.

Your Ireland vacation package starts with an overnight in Dublin, before journeying to the wild West Coast. Here, you’ll relax in comfort at the Wild Honey Inn. The inn has a prime position within the Burren Geopark, and is an excellent base for exploring the wonders of the surrounding area.

Spend the next four days exploring the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark, where archaeology, geology, botany and culture collide to create one of the world’s most iconic landscapes.

Your expert Tour Leader and local guide will explain how the region’s unique rocky landscape was caused by changing global sea levels, and how ancient continent formations created the Burren’s karst ‘pavements’ and intriguing cave systems.

You’ll see the clifftop Iron Age fort of Dun Aonghasa on the magical Aran Islands, the solemn monument of Poulnabrone Dolmen, Ireland’s longest cave system and Europe’s largest stalactite, and the towering, world-famous Cliffs of Moher, festooned with seabirds.

There are early medieval forts, hidden churches, tiny coastal villages and bustling market towns – all set to a soundtrack of traditional Irish music and crashing Atlantic waves. No wonder the region has starred in movies such as Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince, Star Wars: The Last Jedi and The Banshees of Inisherin.

During your travels, there will be plenty of opportunity to enjoy Irish hospitality, with classic pub drinks and hearing traditional music.

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