Galway to Kerry
Galway to Kerry Scenic Drive, Ireland
Ballyvaughan, Doolin, the Cliffs of Moher and Ennis
No visit to Ireland would be complete without seeing the hauntingly beautiful Cliffs of Moher. To see some of the best scenery Ireland has to offer spend a few days on the Galway to Kerry scenic drive, and visit the splendid Cliffs of Moher along the way. Part of the Wild Atlantic Way, it is a great drive to do in a motorhome rental or campervan hire, with plenty of things to see along the way and many excuses to pull off the road and revel in the magnificent scenery.
Start your drive by travelling south on the N18 towards Kinvarra and then take the N67 towards Ballyvaughan. On your right you will have the pounding Atlantic beating the shore, while on your left the beautiful greenery that Ireland is famous for. There are many lookout points along the way where you can enjoy a cup of tea and explore some of the beautiful beaches. Ballyvaughan is situated where the Atlantic Ocean meets Galway Bay and is a delightful village to visit, especially if you are into arts and crafts.
From Ballyvaughan you continue south to Doolin, also known as the music capital of County Clare. This is a lovely seaside town with many restaurants and pubs and where you can hear traditional Irish music played all over. You can take a ferry from here to the Aran Islands, as well as go on a day cruise to the Cliffs of Moher, to see this amazing landmark from an unusual perspective. Spend the night at Nagle’s Camping where there are great views of the Aran peninsula.
After your visit to Doolin, the dramatic Cliffs of Moher are just around the corner. These amazing cliffs run along the edge of the Atlantic for 8km, at 203m above the raging ocean below, and are one of the most dramatic stretches of coastline you will see anywhere in the world. The best view can be had from the platform on the top of O’Brien’s Tower from where you can see all the way from the Aran Islands to Galway Bay…what a sight! There is a good visitors’ centre where you can learn all about the Cliffs.
From the Cliffs of Moher you will continue your drive to Ennis, a picturesque historic market town dating from the 11th century where you can get to know the friendly locals over a meal or a pint in one of the many restaurants and pubs. There is quite a lot to do in Ennis and it warrants at least a day. If you have the time, a great addition to your scenic drive would be a side-trip through The Burren, to see the amazing karst landscape. From Ennis you will continue south via Limerick to Kerry, and the end of this particular part of scenic Ireland.