West Coast Explorer
3 day tour

  • Kilkee Cliffs
  • Dolmen at The Burren
  • Galway
  • Clonmacnoise
  • Cliffs of Moher

Discover the soaring mountains, spectacular wildlife, and mystical history of Ireland’s West Coast.

Tour map

Tour Highlights

National Parks
Castles
Walks
Film Locations
Universities
Lough Lakes
Distilleries

The Burren - This national park is home to some of Ireland’s most profound spiritual and natural culture.

The Cliffs of Moher - An awe-inspiring 700ft drop into the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean.

The Wild Atlantic Way - Discover the rugged beauty of one of the longest defined coastal routes in the world.

Galway City - After the sights of Galway Bay, this lively place will be your home. Plenty of excellent food and cosy pubs to choose from.

Kylemore Abbey - A home for Benedictine nuns fleeing World War 1, this incredible neo-gothic building is steeped in the scars and bravery of world history.

Connemara National Park - Stunning vistas and superb wildlife abound within this famously serene park, from the towering peaks of the Twelve Bens to the panoramic Sky Road.

Clonmacnoise - A 1500 year old abbey, whose ancient spirituality pervades the whole area. The heart of Ireland’s Golden Age of Learning.

Kilbeggan Distillery - The oldest licensed distillery on Earth has something for the history buff and the beverage connoisseur.

 

Your journey

 

This compact tour is your perfect introduction to Ireland’s highlights and tucked away treasures.

You visit the country’s superstar wonders, such as the Cliffs of Moher and Galway City. You venture to hidden away charms, like Kilbeggan Distillery and the Connemara National Park. And you learn all the adventurous stories from your passionate guide.

Join this trip and sample the best of Ireland.

 

Tour Details

Starts
Check-in closes at 07:45 (tour departs at 08:00) - Dublin Nassau Street Pick Up, Opposite the Kilkenny Shop, Nassau St, Dublin,
Finishes (approx.)
19:00 - Dublin Nassau Street Drop Off, Opposite the Kilkenny Shop, Nassau St, Dublin,
Luggage
You're restricted to 20kg (44lbs) of luggage per person. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) plus one small bag for onboard personal items.
Discounts

Students, seniors over 60, and children between 5 and 15 (unfortunately, we don't carry children under 5 years old)

Important information
  • Pack your waterproof clothing and walking shoes
  • Access to distillery production areas may not be possible
  • Some distilleries offer tutored tastings instead of tours
  • Distilleries may be substituted
  • Some attraction tickets can be purchased in advance when you book your tour. You’ll have the option to add at check-out. Other attractions will not be available to book beforehand, instead you can purchase those while on tour.
Tour inclusions
  • All road tolls and the Killimer to Tarbet ferry
  • Transport in a 16 seat Mercedes mini-coach
  • Air conditioning as standard
  • The stories and services of an English-speaking driver-guide
Tour exclusions
  • Tour accommodation
  • Attraction entry tickets

Itinerary

Day 1

  • Stare at the stunning Dunguaire Castle, perched on an isolated, rocky outcrop on the shores of Galway Bay
  • Discover the Burren, a land of ancient spirituality and natural beauty, ripe for exploration
  • The Cliffs of Moher, where cliff top trails boast gorgeous views over the rugged Atlantic waves

Departing Dublin, you travel west through the counties of Kildare and Offaly. The first stop is the attractive village of Kinvara, where you get a chance to take some superb photos of Dunguaire Castle and discover its remarkable historical legacy.

From here you head to the Burren. This is one of Ireland’s true national treasures: a land of limestone pavements, rare flora and ancient stone monuments. The Burren was also home to one of the earliest Christian settlements in Ireland.

From there, you head to the incredible Cliffs of Moher. Here, you can walk the stunning cliff trails and watch rare seabirds swooping through the air. You can also delve into the excellent and award winning environmental exhibition nearby.

After exploring the area thoroughly, you head to Galway City, where you’ll be staying for the next two nights. On the way, you pass through the famous Galway Bay. Picturesque views, excellent food and cosy pubs await you within this lively student town.

Day 2

  • See the iconic locations from “The Quiet Man” on the scenic shores of Lough Corrib
  • Stroll through the superb grounds of Kylemore Abbey
  • Explore the verdant marshes and awesome Diamond Hill of the Connemara National Park
  • Prepare to be stunned by the legendary Twelve Bens, the famously jagged mountain range in Connemara

Travel inland through the Maam Valley to the village of Cong, the setting for the film classic, “The Quiet man”. You’re free here to visit the local museum devoted to the movie, or discover the magnificently restored 12th century Cong Abbey.

You continue through the heart of Connemara and the beautiful house and grounds at Kylemore Abbey, where grand buildings and magnificent man-made gardens are a treat for the eyes and soul.

Your journey continues to Connemara National Park, where abundant wildlife resides amidst the ancient tombs and wood paths. Here you’ll see the magnificent Diamond Hill, a 500m peak that rivals any summit in Europe.

And then we travel to Clifden, famous for being the location of the first transatlantic flight landing. In the National Park, you’ll also enjoy the majesty of the Sky Road, as well as the sharp peaks of the Twelve Bens of Connemara.

You then travel back for the night to your cosy residence in Galway City.

Day 3

  • Connect with your spirituality at Clonmacnoise, home to an early Christian site brimming with stone crosses and legends
  • Wade through the core of Ireland’s unique peat bog scenery and discover the startling array of wildlife
  • Enjoy a drink at Kilbeggan Distillery, the oldest legal distillery in the world!

We wave goodbye to Galway and take some of the quaint back roads through central Ireland.

Clonmacnoise is the first major highlight of the day. It’s the site of an early Christian settlement and boasts a famed collection of churches, fabulous stone crosses and round towers.

After lunch in a local village, the tour continues through the peatiest Irish bogs you’ll ever see. The flora and fauna will take your breath away, as your guide shows you the incredible biodiversity of the bogs.

Then you make your way to your final stop before Dublin: Kilbeggan Distillery, the oldest licensed distillery on the planet. Here you can relax with a glass of their famed whisky; and after a drink (or two?), you’ll head back east to Dublin.

*Itinerary and distillery visits are subject to change.

Attractions

Tour Attractions

You are able to pre-purchase entrance tickets to the following attractions at the time of booking:

  • Cliffs of Moher

Other attractions may be booked and paid locally during the tour.

Accommodation

Where does this tour stay overnight?

You stay in Galway* City for two nights.

 

 *Please note there are limited hotel options in Galway and the prices are above average in peak season. Additionally, if you book on the weekend, accommodation may be limited to Hotels or other expensive options.

How can I book accommodation?

Accommodation is not included in the price of your tour. To book accommodation, there are two options: either Rabbie’s Tours can book it for you, or you can book your own. For information on how to do this, please see the ‘Accommodation’ tab on FAQ page HERE.

Alternatively, please email us your questions at tours@rabbies.com or call us on +44(0)131 226 3133.

Information you can find on the FAQ page, under the ‘Accommodation’ tab: types of accommodation, room types, the booking process, getting to and from your accommodation, and cancellation terms.

How much will the accommodation cost?

We book accommodation with third-party providers on your behalf and each property sets their own rates. Rates vary considerably depending on the accommodation standard, facilities, location, and local demand. We therefore can’t tell you exactly how much your accommodation will cost until your request has been allocated to a specific property.

As a guide, you can expect to pay the following prices, per person per night:

 

Approximate prices, per person per night

Overnight Location

 

Sole Occupancy

Multiple Occupancy

 

(1 person per room)

(2+ people per room)

B&B Standard

£80 - £120

£60 - £80

UK & Northern Ireland

€80 - €120

€60 - €80

Ireland

B&B En-suite

£100 - £150

£80 - £110

UK & Northern Ireland

€100 - €150

€80 - €110

Ireland

Hotel

£155 - £255

£100 - £160

UK & Northern Ireland

€130 - €235

€100 - €150

Ireland

NOTE: Prices quoted are for guidance only and may be higher on some occasions, especially for last-minute bookings and when demand is high (E.g. peak season, weekends, holidays, special events etc)

Breakfast will be included unless otherwise noted. The type of breakfast provided will vary from place to place so you may receive either a full cooked breakfast, a continental style breakfast (E.g., toast, fruit, cereal), or a packed breakfast bag or tray (E.g., porridge pot, fruit, granola bar).

FAQs

Do you offer hotel pickups in the departure cities?

The UK and Ireland's historic city centres are full of narrow streets and winding roads. So, to speed up your departure, we only pick up from our central meeting points. What's more is leaving the city using the most direct route also reduces the carbon footprint of our tours.

Is there parking close to the departure point?

We don't recommend bringing your car into the centre of our departure cities. It can be hard to find parking, and there are excellent public transportation services.

When should I get to the departure point?

Arrive 15 minutes before your departure time. Due to waiting restrictions, we can't wait for you if you're late.

What happens if I'm late or miss the tour?

If you're late for your tour, our cancellation policy applies. 100% charges are applicable, and you will not be entitled to a refund or alternative.

What are your cancellation policies?

Your cancellation terms depend on which tour you've booked.

For one-day tours: You'll receive a full refund if you cancel 24 hours or more before the tour departure

For tours of between two and nine days: You'll receive a 90% refund if you cancel 15 or more days before the tour departure

For tours of 10 or more days: You'll receive a 90% refund if you cancel 21 or more days before the tour departure

For all European packaged tours: You'll receive a 90% refund if you cancel 42 days before the tour departure.

If you cancel inside these notice periods, full charges will apply and no refunds will be issued.

To cancel your booking, email tours@rabbies.com as soon as possible. The effective date of cancellation will be the date we receive written confirmation from you.

Click here to view terms and conditions

Can Itineraries change?

Your tour will always follow the itinerary as closely as possible. Your driver-guide will keep you up to date on the road, and we'll try to get in touch about any large changes prior to your departure.

Can I pre-book a specific seat?

Due to logistical reasons, we're unable to let you pre-book a seat on the bus. But our comfortable 16-seat mini-coaches have huge windows. So, you'll always get a good view.

Are there toilets on the bus?

Unfortunately, we have no on-board toilet facilities, but you'll have regular comfort breaks.

How do you cater for people with accessibility needs?

We aim to accommodate everyone. To read more information on how we do this, click here to go to our accessibility guide.

Do you take children on your tours?

We regret we don't carry children under the age of five on our scheduled tours.

You can ask us about the tours we recommend for younger children. And if your child is less than 1.35m tall, you should let us know, so we can provide them with a suitable booster seat.

How much time do I get off the bus?

We want you to enjoy Britain and Ireland. And we believe the best way to do this is to get you off the mini-coach and out exploring. So, we give you plenty of time to take photos, go walking, and explore ancient ruins.

Why do you exclude visitor attractions?

We exclude visitor attractions in your tour price because it lets you travel your way. It means you can pamper yourself with a luxury lunch or skip an attraction whenever you feel like it.

Do we need to bring our own lunch?

You don't need to. We stop in small towns, villages, and rural eateries where you can choose whatever meal pleases both your taste buds and your budget.

Should I tip the driver-guide?

Let's be honest, our driver-guides would never refuse a cheeky bonus. But it's up to you, and the amount is entirely at your discretion.

What about travel insurance?

We advise you take out travel insurance.

What is ABTOT?

You're protected by ABTOT when you chose to let us reserve your accommodation on a multi-day tour. This means you can claim back anything you've paid us if we become bankrupt. Read our terms and conditions for more information.

I have more questions, who can help me?

If you have any more questions, call us on +44(0)131 226 3133, email tours@rabbies.com , or check out our full FAQs .

Restrictions

Children
We regret we dont carry children under the age of 5 years old on our scheduled tours.

If your child is less that 1.35m tall, you should let us know and we will provide a suitable booster seat.
Luggage
You're restricted to 20kg (44lbs) of luggage per person. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) plus one small bag for onboard personal items.

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