Ireland vacation packages: Dublin, Galway Bay & Cliffs of Moher
Expert-led small group tour, to the Wild Atlantic Way to learn about the geological forces and human history that shaped these incredible landscapes.
Highlights
Join one of our newest Ireland vacation packages 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 Ireland vacation package 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.
The Cliffs of Moher
Overview
Discover the fascinating geology and human history that shaped Ireland’s incredible West Coast on our seven-day Ireland vacation packages from Dublin to County Clare.
Our Ireland vacation packages start 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: Comfortable small coach, and passenger boat to and from the Aran Islands.
- Weather: May in the west of Ireland is typically mild. Rain is always possible, and guests should be prepared with warm and waterproof clothing.
- 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.
Where you will visit…
Your Ireland vacation package begins in its most famous city: Dublin. The Irish capital has plenty to offer visitors, from the Guinness Storehouse to the medieval crypt of Christ Church.
Check into The Wilder Townhouse from mid-afternoon, and in the late afternoon, meet your tour leader and fellow travellers for an introduction, group dinner and the first night of your stay.
If you arrive earlier, take the opportunity to see The Book of Kells, an exquisite Early Christian illuminated manuscript, and follow in the footsteps of Bram Stoker and Oscar Wilde as your wander the campus of Trinity College. You could also investigate your Irish ancestry at EPIC, The Irish Emigration Museum, and the Irish Family History Centre. There’s also Dublin Castle and a plethora of free museums to explore.
- Check into The Wilder Townhouse, Central Dublin for one night
- Group dinner
It’s time to leave Dublin behind and move your Ireland vacation to the spectacular West Coast, a picturesque area shaped by pounding waves and powerful geological forces.
We’ll enter County Clare from the north, taking in the impressive sight of Dunguaire Castle and Galway Bay, before arriving at the Wild Honey Inn, your hotel for the next four nights.
- Check into Wild Honey Inn, Lisdoonvarna, for four nights
- Group dinner in a nearby restaurant or pub
After a full Irish breakfast at the Wild Honey Inn, you’ll head out into the Burren Geopark to discover how this distinctive landscape came to be, and to learn about the processes that have helped to sculpt and define its terrain over millennia.
The Burren was officially established in 2011 and has retained its status as a unique part of the Irish landscape with 11 internal ‘geosites’, recognised as areas of outstanding geological significance.
- Hotel: Wild Honey Inn, Lisdoonvarna
- Group dinner at nearby restaurant or pub
This leg of your Irish adventure will see you land on Inishmore, the largest of the three Aran Islands.
As well as being the most populated of the Aran Islands today, Inishmore also boasted a significant Iron Age population. You’ll visit the clifftop hill fort of Dun Aonghasa to uncover the link between human and geological history on the island.
After a day’s exploring, we’ll cross back to the mainland for another hearty group dinner at a local pub or restaurant.
- Hotel: Wild Honey Inn, Lisdoonvarna
- Group dinner at local restaurant or pub
Today sees you heading to one of Ireland’s most acclaimed natural sites: the towering Cliffs of Moher.
Reaching 214m (702 feet) in height, the impressive cliff face is strikingly vertical, and their unassailable appearance has featured in films such as The Princess Bride and Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince.
Beyond their visual appeal, the Cliffs of Moher also have plenty of geological points of interest on this Ireland tour and stand as an excellent example of sedimentation and ancient delta formation.
You’ll also visit the geologically impressive coastal features of the Bridges of Ross and Loop Head, and examine the world-renowned deep-water turbidite sequences of the Clare Basin.
- Hotel: Wild Honey Inn, Lisdoonvarna
- Group dinner at local restaurant or pub
The last day of your Ireland vacation package takes you to both ends of the Burren. After a final breakfast at the Wild Honey Inn, we’ll explore the underworld of the Burren, travelling into its extensive cave systems beneath Doolin. Back above ground we’ll then head off to Mullaghmore one of the highest points in the Geopark. While not a towering peak at 180 metres (590ft) above sea level, the peak provides excellent views of the surrounding area, and the whole mountain is made up of irregular sequences of folded rock.
After admiring the view, we’ll explore the underworld of the Burren, travelling into its extensive cave systems beneath Doolin.
Back above ground, it’s time to bid a fond farewell to County Clare, and travel back to Dublin for final night in a Dublin hotel.
- Hotel: Wild Honey Inn, Lisdoonvarna
- Group Dinner
Enjoy a final Irish breakfast, and the either stay longer to explore more of Dublin or head home.
Note: If required for reasons beyond our control, GeoCultura reserves the right to substitute alternative accommodation of equal or higher quality or adapt the itinerary if required.
Key information
Double room for single occupancy is £450.
Your tour starts and finishes in Dublin, Ireland.
The activity level is rated as LEISURELY, requiring an average level of fitness (view our activity level definitions). The tour will involve walks that are generally less than 5km (3 miles) long in generally easy terrain, with the option of longer walks and hikes across Ireland’s landscape. Good walking boots are required (please note, some paths may be uneven and loose underfoot).
If walking is an issue, alternative arrangements can be made during the scheduled longer walks, so please let GeoCultura know in advance.
Transport will be by comfortable small coach. This tour also involves boarding and disembarking from a passenger boat to Aran.
September in the west of Ireland is typically mild. Rain is always possible, so you should bring warm and waterproof clothing.
The tour includes:
- The services of your tour expert and local guide, who will be with the group throughout the tour, providing pre-visit briefings, walking seminars and availability to answer questions.
- Your guides will provide additional historical and cultural insights to entertain and enhance your trip.
- All transportation costs from the start to the end of the tour, including the services of a professional coach driver.
- All accommodation costs for the nights stated, assuming two people sharing a double room. Single occupancy rooms are available for a surcharge. Please see top of the page for prices.
- All breakfasts and dinners.
- Entry fees, local guide fees and activity fees, where arranged as part of the tour.
- All service charges and most gratuities.
The tour excludes:
- Travel insurance. Guests should carry their own health and travel insurance.
- Alcoholic drinks with meals are not included.
- Lunches not included.
- Extra or optional activities not described in the itinerary.
- Personal expenditures at hotels, including bar bills, laundry bills.
- Transportation to the start venue or from the end venue of the tour (air fares are not included).
- Passport and visa fees.
Our tour leaders are happy to provide suggestions for alternative activities for guests who prefer not to participate in certain parts of the tour walks, visits or group dinners.
Night 1: Premier Inn (The Liberties), Dublin
Nights 2-5: Wild Honey Inn, Lisdoonvarna, County Clare
Ideally situated in the Burren Geopark. Bedrooms are ‘uncluttered’ with ‘many fine touches: duck-down duvets, hand-woven throws and glossy magazines’. Good Hotel Guide (46th edition)
Night 6: The Wilder Townhouse, Dublin
The perfect blend of historic charm and modern luxury on a sleepy residential street.
Note: If required for reasons beyond our control, GeoCultura reserves the right to substitute alternative accommodation of equal or higher quality or adapt the itinerary if required.
Deposit: A deposit of 10% of the tour price is due upon registration for a tour.
Final payment: Full payment is due 60 days before a tour begins, or upon registration if within the 60-day window.
Cancellation by participant: A participant may cancel a registration after securing a confirmed place on a tour for any reason. The following refund terms will apply:
- Greater than 60 days before tour begins: Any monies paid plus half of the deposit will be refunded
- 30 to 59 days before tour begins: 35% of tour price will be refunded
- 15 to 29 days before tour begins: 25% of tour price will be refunded
- Within 14 days of tour or during the tour: No monies will be refunded
Cancellation by GeoCultura: GeoCultura reserves the right to cancel any tour due to low enrolment, inability to run the tour or concerns about the safety, health or welfare of participants. If a tour is cancelled before it begins, all monies paid will be refunded (including any deposit).
Please refer to our Terms and Conditions page for additional details.
Your tour leader
John Walsh
Expert tour guide
With an extensive background in hiking and exploring Ireland’s geological gems, John Walsh is ideally placed to take you around, above and below the country to visit its most fascinating features.
John is a great communicator and known for his super public speaking.
John is Professor of Structural Geology at University College Dublin, Co-Director of the internationally recognised Fault Analysis Group, and in 2015 became the first Irish Honorary Fellow of the Geological Society of London.
John has served on the editorial boards of five geological journals and has published countless papers. He is the Founding Director (2014-2018) and Earth Resources Theme Leader of the Irish Institute for Research in Applied Geosciences (iCRAG), which works in areas including protecting water sources, sustainable energy production and assessing the effects of climate change.
John has won prestigious awards for his research and contributions to geology – he is also known for his success as a stand-up comedian, including impersonations of Father Ted!
Limestone pavement, Burren Geopark, Ireland.
Bedroom in Wild Honey Inn, Burren Geopark, Ireland.
Wild Honey Inn, Burren Geopark, Ireland.
Enticing dish from Michelin-starred Wild Honey Inn pub, Ireland.
A "wormhole" on Inis Mor, Aran Islands, Ireland.
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
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Prices from GBP £4,250 pp
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