Hi, my husband and I will be doing the Rick Steves Heart of Ireland in 7 days tour in June. We are arriving a day early and hope to see a few sites not covered in our tour. As we aren’t renting a car, we will need to either hire someone or do a day tour to see some places we are interested in. Is it worth going to the Burren? Also thoughts on Craggaunowen and Bunratty Castle?
Thank you!
Here are a couple of day trip ideas: Figure out a way to get over to Doolin and then take the ferry out to Inis Oírr. Another option is to hang out in the beach town of Lahinch. BTW there may be bus or taxi service available. We had a rental car - and did drive through the edge of The Burren but didn't explore it.
Thank you! I’ll definitely check out your suggestion!
There are 5 buses a day on service 350 from Ennis to Lahinch (37 minute ride) and Doolin (68 minute ride)- the bus goes on from Doolin to Galway.
The first is at 1030 from Ennis, the last back from Doolin at 1700.
The timetables for boat cruises from Doolin are here. It could be a bit tight to do as a day trip using the bus.
Hiring someone for a day to drive you is going to work out expensive. The average figure quoted at the moment for a 8 hour day is €750 for four people .
Bunratty Castle is easily reached by 345 bus from Ennis and it is a 30 minutes service, taking just over an hour. The folk park is great fun if a little tongue in cheek. It is also always busy.
Craggaunowen isn't doable by bus but is about 13 miles from Ennis, so a taxi wouldn't be too expensive. I haven't been there so can't comment. It gets good reviews on Trip Advisor and may be less commercialised than Bunratty?
Thanks to @wasleys for the comment on the boat out of Doolin. I'm not familiar with it so have just looked up Google Maps- the pier looks to be about a 1km walk from the bus stop at the Doolin Inn, which makes it all the tighter for the 1200 boat.
So your (only) boat option from Doolin would be the 1300 non landing Inis Oírr and Cliffs of Moher cruise.
Thank you to everyone for taking the time to comment. I very much appreciate it!
