Award Winning 2-Day Cliffs of Moher Luxury Private Car Tour.

The best part of this tour is the freedom to see Ireland’s west coast without taking the wheel. You travel in a private, air-conditioned vehicle from Dublin, then set your own pace at the Cliffs of Moher, Doolin Cave, Galway, and other stops. Guide James has also shown a knack for fitting personal requests into the day, including finding a place to watch a Liverpool soccer match.

I like the custom itinerary and the fact that only your group participates. I also like the mix of famous sights and smaller stops, from Bunratty Castle to Hazel Mountain Chocolates. The main catch is the price, $2,957.32 per group of up to seven, plus overnight lodging for you and the driver and paid admissions.

Key points to know before booking

• Private travel from Dublin: Your group gets round-trip transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle, with pickup from your accommodation.
• Two ways to see the Cliffs: Walk the paved paths above the Atlantic, then consider the separate boat trip from Doolin for views from below.
• A flexible route: The guide can shape the experience around your interests, rather than moving a large group on a fixed schedule.
• Several admissions cost extra: Doolin Cave, the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre, Bunratty Castle, and the Doolin ferry are not included.
• Overnight planning matters: You must arrange and pay for lodging for yourself and the driver.
• Best for a small group: The price makes more sense when shared by several people who value privacy and convenience.

Why this private west coast trip works

Ireland’s west coast is rewarding, but it is a long way from Dublin for a quick outing. A private two-day route gives you time for the Atlantic coast without forcing you to handle unfamiliar roads, left-side driving, parking, and a packed public tour schedule.

You can also adjust the day around your own interests. If the main goal is dramatic scenery, you can give more time to the Cliffs of Moher and the Wild Atlantic Way. If you prefer local food, castles, caves, or city time, the route already includes a useful spread of each.

The group limit is seven, which is important. A couple or family can travel together without strangers in the vehicle. A larger group can split the cost and get private transport for a price that may compare well with several separate tickets, rental costs, fuel, parking charges, and guided activities.

Still, this is not an all-inclusive package. You need to budget for accommodation, admissions, and meals. You should also confirm the exact overnight plan before departure, since the driver’s lodging is your responsibility as well.

From Dublin to the Curragh of Kildare

The journey begins with pickup from your accommodation in Dublin. The first listed stop is the Curragh, a broad tract of semi-natural grassland in County Kildare that has existed in much the same open form for more than two thousand years.

The Curragh covers about 4,870 acres and is unusual for its mainly unenclosed, gently rolling plain. It is not a conventional sightseeing stop with a single monument or exhibit. Instead, it gives you an early look at a very old Irish setting shaped by open land, government administration, and military history.

The Curragh’s ownership changed after the 1921 treaty, when the land passed from the Crown to the Irish Minister for Finance and later to the Minister for Defence. That background adds useful context, but the value of the stop depends on your interest in history and rural Ireland.

Because no visit length is specified for the Curragh, ask the guide how much time is planned there. This is one of the places where a private trip helps. You can keep the stop brief if the cliffs are your priority, or spend longer if open countryside and Irish history appeal to you.

Doolin Cave and the Great Stalactite

Doolin Cave offers a different kind of scenery from the coast. Its main feature is the Great Stalactite, a huge formation discovered by British caving students in the early 1950s after an arduous underground crawl.

The cave later passed into the hands of John and Helen Browne, who worked to open it to a wider audience. Doolin Cave welcomed visitors in 2006 after years of careful work. The access tunnels were made without explosives, using a slow plug-and-feather method, and the family took steps to limit disturbance to the cave.

You have about an hour here. Admission is not included, so check the current entry charge when you book. The stop suits anyone who wants more than another viewpoint, although people uncomfortable with caves or underground access may prefer to use the time elsewhere.

Doolin is also a practical base for the boat trip to the cliffs. If you plan to do both, ask how the timing works on your date. Weather and sailing conditions can affect coastal boat trips, and the schedule needs to fit with the rest of the route.

Seeing the Cliffs from Doolin Pier

The O’Brien Ferries boat trip leaves from Doolin Pier and gives you the view most land-based visits miss: the Cliffs of Moher from sea level.

The boat follows the cliffs for roughly 20 minutes before pausing below O’Brien’s Tower, near the highest section of the cliffs. The rock walls rise more than 214 meters, or about 700 feet, and their scale is easier to grasp from the water.

The route also includes views of the Aran Islands and the Burren. Onboard commentary covers local history and wildlife, with the possibility of spotting birds, seals, dolphins, or basking sharks. The boat circles the Great Sea Stack, known as An Branán Mór, which supports Ireland’s largest mainland nesting bird colony.

The boat trip lasts about an hour, but the admission fee is extra. It is a strong addition for people who want a fuller understanding of the coast, not just the standard photograph from above. If you are prone to seasickness or prefer firm ground, the walk at the cliffs may be enough.

Bunratty Castle and a look at older Ireland

Bunratty Castle adds a more human scale to the day. Rather than viewing only rock, sea, and open country, you get a castle and folk park showing how people lived roughly 600 years ago.

The castle includes winding stone staircases, while the folk park features a traditional Irish cottage and musicians playing Irish tunes. You have about an hour here, and admission is not included.

This stop works well as a contrast to Doolin and the cliffs. It is also easy to understand as a family stop, since the folk park offers something beyond historical walls. The short timing means you will get an introduction rather than an exhaustive visit, so ask the guide whether the castle or folk park deserves more of your hour.

Day two at the Cliffs of Moher

The main event gets a full two hours on the second day. The Cliffs of Moher rise along the west Clare coast, with paved paths providing access to the main viewpoints.

You can look across the Atlantic toward the Aran Islands and take in the cliffs from several angles. The site is also a major nesting area for seabirds and has Special Protection Area status for birds. That matters if you want more from the visit than a quick scenic stop. The cliffs are both a dramatic natural sight and an important habitat.

The Visitor Centre entry fee is listed at €15 per person and is not included. Be clear about what your tour price covers: private transport is included, but the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre is an extra cost.

Two hours should allow time for the paved paths and viewpoints, though your actual time outside may depend on weather. The private format gives you a chance to talk with the guide about extending or shortening the stop if the conditions or your group’s energy call for a change.

Hazel Mountain Chocolates on the Wild Atlantic Way

Hazel Mountain Chocolates brings a welcome food stop to the second day. This Irish maker produces bean-to-bar chocolate using direct relationships with cocoa farmers and cooperatives in Madagascar, Venezuela, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Cuba.

The company uses less sugar, minimal processing, local ingredients where possible, and eco-friendly packaging. Its milk comes from free-roaming, grass-fed cows. You get about 45 minutes, and admission is free.

I like this stop because it gives the route a local business with a clear production story, rather than another large attraction. It is also a sensible break between major sights. You can taste and buy chocolate, while learning about how the company sources its ingredients.

The short visit will not replace a full food tour, but it adds variety. If your group includes children or anyone who needs a break from castles and cliffs, this is likely to be a popular pause.

Kinvara Harbour and Dunguaire Castle

Kinvara is a small harbour village with Dunguaire Castle. The planned stop is about 30 minutes and is free.

This is a brief scenic pause, not a full castle tour. The itinerary does not specify entry inside Dunguaire Castle, so do not assume that castle admission is included or that there will be time for an extended visit.

Kinvara helps break up the drive and gives you a taste of the villages along the coast. On a private tour, you can ask whether the stop is best used for photographs, a short walk, or a quick look at the harbour.

Galway, two hours in the City of Tribes

Galway gets two hours, enough for a first look rather than a complete city visit. The city sits on Ireland’s western seaboard and is known as the City of Tribes. Its appeal comes from the mix of Atlantic setting, shopping, nightlife, culture, and traditional Irish music.

You can use the time for a walk, browsing, or a meal, though the tour information does not state that food is included. Galway is described as a center of artistic and modern energy, but it is best approached at this length as a lively stop on a larger route, not as a substitute for staying overnight in the city.

The timing is one reason to discuss priorities with the guide. If you want more city time, you may need to reduce another stop. If the cliffs are your main reason for booking, two hours in Galway gives you a pleasant change of pace without taking over the trip.

What the $2,957.32 price really buys

The listed cost is $2,957.32 for a group of up to seven. At full capacity, that works out to about $422.47 per person before accommodation and admissions.

That is not a budget tour. Its value comes from privacy, door-to-door pickup, air-conditioned transport, and the ability to shape the route. For seven people, the per-person cost is easier to justify. For two people, the same fee becomes a major splurge.

You should compare this with the real cost of doing the route independently. A self-drive plan would involve renting a car, paying for fuel and parking, navigating roads, and arranging your own route. A public tour may cost less, but it will not offer the same control or private vehicle.

The missing costs are important:

• Overnight accommodation for you and the driver
• Entry to the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre
• Doolin Cave admission
• Doolin boat trip admission
• Bunratty Castle and Folk Park admission
• Meals and personal purchases

The company can suggest accommodation, from hostels and B&Bs to hotels, but you pay for it. Confirm the proposed overnight location and the driver’s lodging before you commit.

The guide and the private-tour advantage

The experience is offered in English, with private transportation and only your group participating. James is the guide named in the available tour information, and his approach appears particularly useful for groups with specific requests.

One group wanted to find a place to watch a Liverpool soccer match, and James arranged it. That detail tells you what the private format can do at its best: it is not only about following a route, but also about fitting the trip to your interests.

You should tell the company your priorities before the day starts. Mention if you care most about photography, caves, castles, food, Galway, wildlife, or the boat ride. The more clearly you set those priorities, the easier it will be to use the flexible schedule well.

The vehicle is air-conditioned, and pickup from your accommodation is offered. Service animals are allowed, most people can participate, and the tour is near public transportation, although the main benefit is that you will not need to use it during the private route.

Timing, admissions, and practical planning

The operating hours listed are Monday through Sunday, with pickup times between 7:00 and 11:00 in the stated operating period. Confirmation is provided at booking.

The route contains several paid attractions, so ask for the current total admission cost for your group. The only specific price supplied is €15 per person for the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre.

The itinerary also includes a return to Dublin on the second day. The final Dublin entry shows about 10 hours, which reflects the return portion of the trip rather than a separate Dublin sightseeing program. Do not book this expecting a guided tour of Dublin at the end.

The cancellation policy allows a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Who should book this tour

This trip fits a small family, a group of friends, or a special-occasion party that values comfort and control. It is especially useful if nobody in your group wants to drive in Ireland or manage a long west coast route alone.

It also suits people who want to combine the big sights with personal interests. The Liverpool soccer example shows that the guide may be able to fit an individual request into the plan, subject to time and availability.

I would think twice if you are a solo visitor or a couple on a tight budget. The group price is high when shared by only one or two people, and the extra costs add up quickly. I would also avoid booking it without first confirming the overnight arrangements and the exact admission plan.

Should you book the two-day Cliffs of Moher tour?

Book it if you want a private, adjustable journey from Dublin and are willing to pay for convenience. The route gives you a strong west coast sampler: the Curragh, Doolin Cave, a sea view of the cliffs, Bunratty Castle, the main cliff paths, chocolate, Kinvara, and Galway.

The strongest reasons to choose it are private transport, the ability to adapt the itinerary, and the chance to see the Cliffs of Moher both from above and below. The main reasons to pass are the high base price, extra admissions, and lodging costs.

For a full group of seven, the value is much better. For a smaller party, compare the price against a shared tour or self-drive plan. If you choose this option, arrive with a short list of priorities and ask James or Liberty Irish Tours to confirm the overnight details, boat timing, and total extra costs.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

Pickup is offered from your accommodation in Dublin.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately two days and returns to Dublin after the west coast route.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle is included.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group participates in the private tour or activity.

How many people can join?

The listed price covers a group of up to seven people.

Is overnight accommodation included?

No. You arrange and pay for overnight accommodation for yourself and the driver. Liberty Irish Tours can suggest hostels, B&Bs, and hotels.

Is entry to the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre included?

No. Entry is listed at €15 per person and is paid separately.

Are the Doolin Cave and boat trip admissions included?

No. Admission for Doolin Cave and the O’Brien Ferries boat trip is not included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund.