Day trip to Cliffs of Moher from Dublin or Killarney?

There are bus tours from Dublin, but it will be a very long day. The drive to Galway is roughly three hours, and then down to the Cliffs is maybe another 45 minutes. It would be easier to drive yourselves (and possibly, but not probably, faster). A tour would include information about the area and possibly stop at other sites along the way.

Killarney looks to be about the same length of drive. You can cut some miles off by taking the ferry across the Shannon at Tarbert/Killimer instead of going around through Limerick, but it might add some time since the coastal road is smaller. I wouldn't do either as a day trip, but it's possible.

Irish Rail Tours has two different day tours going to the Cliffs. Both take approx. 14 hours.leaving at 7:00 A.M. and returning about 9:00 P.M.
www.railtoursireland.com -- Considering the time of year you will be there I would not attempt to do it as a day tour driving yourself.

If the only reason to spend a full day driving is to see the Cliffs, I think you can use that time better seeing other sites. The Cliffs are worth seeing if you're in the area but they weren't real high on my personal "most memorable" list for Ireland.

What about Galway? Is it worth the drive to see the city as a day trip? There is so much to see and do that it is hard to decide what to leave out.

As I said previously, it's at least three hours to Galway by car from Dublin, and just a bit farther from Killarney. I wouldn't do either as a day trip. There really is plenty to see and do closer to both cities without spending a whole day driving.

There is a lot more to see and do in Dublin and within an hour or so driving time outside Dublin than there is in Galway.I know most people do not share my sentiments but even in April Galway was crowded,loud and elbow to elbow tourists.
Sunset at that time of year is about 4:30P.M.

Darla, perhaps this will help put travel times into perspective for you. Unless you are traveling on a super highway, you may assume the average driving speed will be 35mph. IMHO there is plenty to do and see in both areas you will be staying.

We had a family meeting last night and have decided that Galway and the Cliffs of Moher are just too far as you all have said to drive for a day. We will just have to plan another trip to see all the sights that we miss this trip.

Where are you flying into/out of? Driving from Killarney to the Cliffs is really not that bad of a drive one way. Yes, traffic moves a little slower than in the States, but the roads in Ireland were SO much better than we expected. They've really done a lot of improvements recently (except for all of the curves!) We did a lot of driving around Ireland and I have to say, some of our best memories are from those car rides. :)

We fly into Cork and spend two nights there and then drive to Killarney on Christmas Day for one week. We will spend one night in Dingle then we drive to Dublin for one week stay. We will stay in Cork another night and fly out of Cork in the morning.

Darla, I'd consider staying in Dingle in the middle of your week in Killarney, rather than at the end. Killarney to Dublin will be a much quicker drive than Dingle-Dublin. I'd also add a 2nd night in Dingle.

Michael, We are going to Dingle on Dec. 29th so it will be in the middle of the week like you recommend. I wish we had more time to spend in Dingle. There is just so much to see and do and not enough time.