Galway to Cliffs of Moher and Limerick: Private day trip

Running for 14 kilometers, and reaching heights of up to 700 feet, the Cliffs of Moher are one of the most spectacular natural sights in Ireland. Recognized by UNESCO for their ecological importance, nearly 30,000 pairs of birds from 20 species, including Atlantic puffins and razorbills, nest at the cliffs during peak season, with grey seals, porpoises, dolphins, minke whales, basking sharks, and the occasional sunfish plying the waters. A majority of the 1.5+ million people who visit the cliffs stop by the fantastic Visitor’s Center to learn about the geology, history, flora and fauna of the cliffs through interactive media displays, or see some unique perspective - such as a video from the underwater caves below the cliffs. If you want to avoid the crowds, there are several more remote access points, and walking trail that works its way along the cliffs.

Officially founded in 812, it was the Normans who produced most of Limerick’s landmarks when they redesigned it in the end of the12th century. Most notable of these is King John’s Castle, a robust fortification that weathered five sieges in the 17th century. Not just one of the best-preserved Norman castles in the country, recent restorations have bequeathed it with an excellent museum detailing the city’s history. Another Norman relic, and the oldest building in the city, is St. Mary’s Cathedral. Founded in 1168, the 14th century Gothic tower is the highest in Ireland, and the church walls still bear the marks of when defenders sharpened their swords on its walls during the Siege of Limerick. It’s well worth joining a guided tour to learn more about the history of the building and the Irish heartland. If you need a pick-me-up, stop by a pub for an Irish coffee - the drink is said to have been invented nearby.