We will be staying for 9 days on the West Coast in early June, splitting the time between Galway/Cliffs of Moher/Aran Islands and Dingle. (We fly in to Shannon Airport).
Should we stay at Doolin to be closer to the Cliffs, ferry boats to the Aran Islands, and the Burren, and then go to Galway? Or should we just stay in Galway? A visit to Galway is a must-do on our list, both for the pubs and music and the shopping.
Thank you!
We visited the Aran Islands (Inis Mor) from Galway using the air service (10 minute flight!). That really maximized our time on the island, and it wasn’t terribly expensive. There is also ferry service near Galway (Rossaveal?), so you certainly could reach the Aran Islands if you stayed in Galway. I remember reading that the ferries from Galway are larger or perhaps better in rough seas than the smaller ones from Doolin. So maybe that would influence your decision or give your itinerary more flexibility?
Could you tell me more about the flight you took to the Aran Islands? Was it very expensive? How does it compare to the ferry? How soon would i need to book it? Thank you!!
With 9 days you can easily do both Galway and Doolin. I'd possibly split 3/4 days Galway ( to include. Roundstone, Clifden, Sky Drive, Killary Harbour, Kylemore Abbey, Westport, Cong, Athenry...)2/3 for Doolin and the Burren and 3 for Dingle.
This is helpful, thank you! Would you save Cliffs of Moher and Aran Islands for Doolin then?
Possibly as there will be more to do and see in and around Galway than Doolin...
Here is the link to the airline to Aran Islands from Galway: https://aerarannislands.ie/. I also highly recommend this option for visiting the islands (we went to Inishmore for the day). I found the cost to be very reasonable and they have a "free" shuttle from and to Galway (just put in your dates and destination and see what price comes up). You mention Dingle as part of your itinerary. If this the case, and you have a rental car, then I say stay in Galway for a few nights, visit Cliffs of Moher on your way down to Dingle, and then stay in Dingle for a few nights before returning home. Dingle is not a day trip from either Galway nor Doolin in my opinion.
You could do a day trip to the Burren from Galway, and you can visit Connemara as well which I found incredibly beautiful. I guess I recommend you just stay in Galway and skip Doolin. Dingle also has great pubs, music, and shopping (we found it better than Galway). Check out Outwest while in Dingle as it is a great shop: https://outwestclothing.ie/en-us.
