Ireland: Visiting Galway's Medieval Old Town and the Stunning Cliffs of Moher
- That's How We Travel
- Sep 14
- 3 min read
Summary. Our first day in the Irish countryside involved a scenic drive from Dublin to Galway. Upon arriving in Galway, we took a delightful walking tour through Galway's Medieval Old Town, where the vibrant streets were filled with colorful shopfronts and lively street performers. After exploring the town, we treated ourselves to the best fish and chips of the whole trip. We next drove out to see Ireland's famous Cliffs of Moher. The dramatic cliffs, rising majestically over the Atlantic Ocean, offered breathtaking views and a sense of awe that truly highlighted the natural beauty of Ireland.
[This blog is part of our 15-days in the British Isle trip].
Rental Car. The day started in Dublin where we first stopped at Hertz rental car in central Dublin to pick up our car to use for the rest of the Ireland leg of our trip. We recommend arriving before the 9:00 a.m. opening time as there was quite a long line when the doors opened. Next, we drove a little over two hours to Galway where we would be staying for one night.
Galway Walking Tour. Our arrival time had us miss the local free walking tour but this, low cost tour was worth the charge. From the central Galway tourism kiosk, our small group of just four of us set out for a 75 minute tour of the central district. Galway has an intact medieval district best explored on foot. The Latin Quarter, which spans from the Spanish Arch to St. Nicholas' Church features historical buildings filled with shops and pubs.
After the walking tour, we crossed the waterway to catch a classic Galway photo spot: Claddagh Village.
Late Lunch. Next, we walked back to the Latin quarter to enjoy Galway's famous fish and chips at McDonagh's. It was by far the best fish and chips the whole trip! This is spot is definitely worth the crowds and for us, we got to avoid the peak time by arriving well after the lunch hour.
Irish Countryside Drive. After checking into our hotel, we set off for the Cliffs of Moher, located roughly 90 minutes away from Galway in the countryside. The drive is picturesque but includes narrow roads, so be ready to navigate between oncoming traffic and occasional stone walls along the roadside. Aware of Ireland's narrow roads beforehand, we opted to rent a small car for this reason.
Cliffs of Moher. The ideal time to visit the Cliffs of Moher is late in the day, once the tour buses have departed. We arrived roughly an hour before sunset and found the area almost empty. There was ample parking available, and there was no queue to pay the 15 euro admission fee. Upon arrival you will can opt first to visit the Visitor's Center where you will learn about the geographical and cultural history of the area. Next, you can venture to one or all of the three viewing platforms for the Cliffs of Moher, all within a short walk of one another. The trail is gravel so plan your footwear accordingly.
About the Cliffs of Moher. This renowned tourist spot served as the filming site for several famous movies, including our favorite, "The Princess Bride." The Cliffs stretch roughly 9 miles, with the highest section reaching about 700 feet. Formed over 300 million years ago, they are home to over 20 bird species, including the Atlantic puffin. Due to erosion, parts of the trail were closed during our visit. Even so, there were plenty of places to see this natural wonder.
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Take a stroll along the Cliffs, where portions of the trail hug the Cliffs. Enjoy views from O'Brien Tower which sits atop the highest point at the Cliffs of Moher. Or walk opposite of the Tower to see the memorial dedicated to those that have lost their lives at the Cliffs (both accidentally and intentionally).
At the end of our walk, the wind started to really pick up so we decided to head back to Galway.
Irish Sunset. On the way back, we had to pause to capture a photo of the stunning Irish sunset. We were fortunate to have perfect weather that day, and this breathtaking sunset truly completed the experience.
Video of the Day. Here is a video of our day in Galway and the Cliffs of Moher.
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