Day 13 (Clare) – Cliff walks, caves and craic agus ceol
It’s crazy to think that we haven’t even reached the end of week two yet.
Day 13 takes us from Limerick to Clare.
I’m going to recommend that you take it handy during your night in Limerick and save any late night for Clare, as we’ve a good bit of driving to get done today.
1 – The cliffs at Loop Head
// Your hotel to Loop Head – 1 hour and 40-minute drive (arrive for 10:00) //
Photo © The Irish Road Trip
A visit to the cliffs at Loop Head Lighthouse is, in my opinion, one of the most overlooked things to do in Clare.
I’ve been here heaps of times over the years, and it’s rare that you’ll ever meet more than a handful of people. Often, you’ll have the whole place to yourself.
Park in the little car park in front of the Lighthouse and then walk over the right side of the lighthouse, where you’ll see a big aul sea stack.
Warning: the cliffs here are unguarded and the wind here can be extremely powerful. Be careful.
2 – Kilkee for a ramble
// Loop Head to Kilkee – 30-minute drive (arrive for 12:00) //
Photo by Valerie O’Sullivan via Failte Ireland
Kilkee is a little coastal town down the coast from Loop Head.
The town is a popular seaside resort during the summer, but can be pretty quiet during the off-season.
Aim for the beach and hop out of the car for a bit.
You can admire the strand from above or hop out and ramble along it.
3 – The Doolin Cliff Walk
// Kilkee to Fisher Street – 1-hour drive (arrive for 13:00) //
The guided Doolin cliff walk is a unique and active way to experience the Cliffs of Moher and is run by local expert Pat Sweeney.
The 3-hour walk kicks off from Fisher Street in Doolin, just outside O’Connors Pub (check the times in advance).
The Doolin Cliff Walk: Photo by Chris Hill
The walk takes you towards Doonagore Castle (which we’ll be visiting later) and up to the walking trail along the Cliffs of Moher.
As you walk, you’ll be greeted with spectacular views of the cliffs as they rise up into view in the distance.
The walk costs just €10 and finishes up at the Cliffs of Moher visitor centre.
You’ll need to take a shuttle bus from the Cliffs of Moher to Doolin. Info on the times can be found here.
4 – Caves and Coffee
// Fisher Street to the Doolin Cave – 10-minute drive (arrive for 17:00) //
When you’ve finished up the walk, head back to your car and drive in the direction of the Doolin Cave.
When you arrive, grab a cup of coffee and a sandwich in the little café in the visitor centre and rest your legs for a bit.
The Doolin Cave is home to the largest free-hanging stalactite in the Northern Hemisphere.
Known as ‘The Great Stalactite’, it hangs from the ceiling like a cone-shaped chandelier.
The tour itself packs a punch, taking visitors to the natural entrance of the cave, a stream sink at the base of a cliff face, through the main chamber where a guide turns on a light to illuminate the Great Stalactite.
Definitely worth a visit!
5 – Doonagore Castle
// Doolin Cave to Doonagore Castle – 10-minute drive (arrive for 18:30) //
Our next stop takes us to the iconic Doonagore Castle.
Photo via Tourism Ireland
This tower house castle is finely plonked on a hill overlooking Doolin Point, the Aran Islands and, on a clear day, the Connemara hills.
Dating back to the 16th century, this castle looks like something plucked straight from Walt Disney’s head.
You’ll see the castle from afar as you spin along the road towards it. When you arrive, hop out and take a look.
6 – Guinness stew and live music
// Doonagore Castle to Gus O’Connor’s – 5-minute drive (arrive for 19:30) //
We’re going to take the short drive back to Fisher Street for a feed in Gus O’Conner’s Pub.
Photo via Gus O’Conners on Facebook
The beef and Guinness stew served here is a hearty bowl of pure and utter deliciousness that’ll warm the coldest of cockles.
Wash it down with a pint and soak up the atmosphere in this cosy little pub.
7 – A bed for the night
I’m going to recommend that you spend the night in the Doolin Inn.
It’s a handy walk (literally 2 minutes) from Fisher St. and it’s good value and clean.
Chill in the pub for however long you like and then head home for a well-earned kip.
Keith O’Hara has lived in Ireland for 35 years and has spent much of the last 13 creating what is now The Irish Road Trip guide. Over the years, the website has published thousands of meticulously researched Ireland travel guides, welcoming 40 million+ visitors along the way. In 2022, the Irish Road Trip team published the world’s largest collection of Irish Road Trip itineraries. Keith lives in Dublin with his dog Toby and finds writing in the 3rd person minus craic altogether.
jd
Wednesday 27th of November 2024
I googled Lochside B&B, but could not locate it. Keeps coming up with a place in the UK.
Do you have a url for them? Or email address?
Keith O'Hara
Thursday 28th of November 2024
Hi JD - Thanks for this comment. It appears that they are no longer in operation. A good alternative is the Glenbeg Lodge. It's a 20-minute drive from the brewery. Cheers - Keith
Janet
Wednesday 16th of October 2024
This was an epic endeavor. And sooo well done. Thank you for all your hard work and dedication. This is everything I could have asked for in planning a trip to Ireland. I wish I could have found it sooner. I have to settle for 14 days AND somehow hope to traverse most of this territory. We just learned that my husband's family is from Cavan Co. I really appreciated that it was included. It is the first time I have seen a tour include Cavan. Especially helpful was your inclusion of drive times between destinations. I had to hand write out your ideas or it would have been monumental to print out. I was overwhelmed at all the detail as I'm sure you were. Thank You so much.
Leeann Nolan
Wednesday 15th of November 2023
Hi Keith Thank you so much for all the work you have done on The Irish Road Trip. I have used much of it to plan my 7 week trip to Ireland in 2024. It has been invaluable :)
Mick Bourke
Sunday 24th of September 2023
G’day Keith-thanks for your trip. My wife and I will be over there in late April and most of May (about a month in total before heading to Scotland for a couple of weeks). I think I’ll be using your trip (which is great (as also is the additional info at the bottom)) as the basis for ours, however, I would like to do abit more of the inland (like a figure eight of the island). Do you have any suggestions?
Keith O'Hara
Wednesday 27th of September 2023
Hey Mick,
Is there anywhere in particular you have in mind with the inland section?
Cheers,
Keith
MIchael Katekar
Tuesday 11th of July 2023
A big thank you for all of the time and hard work you have put into this blog. Great information. I don't think we can keep up with your pace but will certainly take up many of your suggestions.