Seeing both would be great, but time is limited. We have 10 days in May and are looping from Dublin to N Ireland to Clifden and either back to Dublin or Shannon Airport (not sure yet). We might be able to do both but I am having difficult time packing everything in without spending hours in the car! Will we be disappointed if we miss one or the other?
Posted by
3123 posts
Personally I tend to like places that are less famous, less touristed. So I'd go for Slieve League. You may know that National Geographic recently named Donegal the coolest place on the planet to visit!
Posted by
Seattle
191 posts
Slieve League would get my vote! Cliffs of Moher is nice, but Slieve League is a cooler local experience.
Posted by
OP
22 posts
Thank you for the advice! I think we will definitely be going with Slieve League. How accessible is it? My sister and I are excited to do some extensive hiking, but my parents might not be up for the exertion. Is there an accessible viewing area within a mile or less of parking or a road?
Posted by
Seattle
191 posts
There is car parking at the bottom and you can walk up, but I would recommend you drive up to the parking at the top and enjoy the view or hike from there. There was a snack van selling snacks, coffee, and hot chocolate when I was there.
Posted by
St. Paul, MN, USA
2 posts
Have done the Cliffs several times...lovely, crowded...
But the Slieve League is unbelievable, one of the most beautiful places on earth.
From the top parking area, as mentioned. However, hook up with Paddy and his boat, Nuala (can't remember the name)......he is terrific and there is nothing like seeing it all from the sea. Absolutely breathtaking.
Posted by
Knoxville TN
115 posts
Another vote for Slieve League.
I've been to both and actually thought Slieve League was more dramatic and rugged. There is at least one picnic table if you want to take a snack and enjoy the view. We also hiked past some sheep grazing there.
I took a little video with my phone while there and replay it when I want those really special memories. :-)
Have fun!
Posted by
Waterville, Ireland
409 posts
Funny to see all these responses! An Irish journalist recently did a column on "most over rated tourist attraction" and asked readers to write in. Overwhelmingly it was Giants Causeway (which I personally think is one of the coolest places I've been to having been to 25+ countries) and the other was - The Cliffs of Moher.
Every visitor I have I take to the Kerry Cliffs, and they all say "these are so much better than the Cliffs of Moher!" - so I, too, think Slieve League is the smart choice!
Susan
Expat living in Waterville
Posted by
OP
22 posts
Thank you everyone for the advice! We will be spending 3 days in Sligo in May and will definitely make drive to Donegal for a day trip to Slieve Leauge! I will have to research the boat tour as well to see if that would be an option.