# Clare

> **Type:** WAW Section 6 of 7
> **Dates:** ~Aug 23 (day trip from Galway)
> **Recommended stay:** Day trip — 75km / 1h 25min from Galway; no overnight needed
> **Best for:** Cliffs of Moher, The Burren, traditional music in Doolin

## Why Visit
Clare is where the Wild Atlantic Way delivers its most famous image — the Cliffs of Moher — and its most unusual landscape — the Burren. Doolin is Ireland's traditional music heartland. At 75km / 1h 25min from Galway, this is easily done as a long day trip — leave Galway by 8am, hit the Cliffs before the crowds, explore the Burren and Doolin, and be back in Galway for a late dinner.

## Must-See

- ⭐ **Cliffs of Moher** — 8km of sea cliffs rising to 214m. Go **before 9am** to beat the coaches. Walk south to Hag's Head (3km return) for the best views and to escape the crowd.
- **The Burren** — 250km² of limestone pavement. The **Green Road** above Ballyvaughan is an easy walk with wide views; Poulnabrone Dolmen is a roadside stop.
- ⭐ **Doolin** — Three pubs with live traditional music sessions every night in August. Arrive by 9pm for a seat. The most authentic trad music on the WAW.
- **Poulnabrone Dolmen** — 5,500-year-old portal tomb on open Burren limestone. Roadside, free, 5-minute stop.

## Day Trip Itinerary from Galway

### Full day — Cliffs, Burren, Doolin
- **7:30am** — Leave Galway
- **9:00am** — Cliffs of Moher (arrive before coaches). Walk to Hag's Head and back (~1.5h).
- **11:00am** — Drive to Doolin (15 min). Coffee, walk the harbour.
- **12:30pm** — Drive the Burren: Poulnabrone Dolmen (roadside stop), Green Road walk above Ballyvaughan (~1.5h walk), Aillwee Cave if time.
- **3:30pm** — Lunch in Ballyvaughan or Ennis (charge in Ennis).
- **5:30pm** — Drive back to Galway (~1h 15min).
- **Evening** — Back in Galway for dinner and music.

> **Note:** If you want a Doolin music session in the evening, consider an overnight — staying until midnight and driving back is a long day. Alternatively, the Galway music scene is excellent and closer.

## EV Charging

**Day trip from Galway — charge there, not here.**

- Leave Galway with a full charge (Tesla SC at Galway Retail Park)
- **Ennis** — ESB fast charger; good midday top-up stop
- **Lahinch** — ESB charger at the beach car park
- **Cliffs of Moher** — No public EV charger; don't rely on it
- Galway charges when you return

## Practical Info
- **Day trip logistics:** 75km each way. Total driving ~160km including Burren loop. Well within range from Galway.
- **Cliffs crowds:** Pre-9am arrival is the single most impactful thing you can do.
- **Doolin music:** McGann's, Gus O'Connor's, McDermott's — all have sessions every night in August.
- **Currency:** Euro
- **Workation:** Galway is your base — work in the morning, do Clare in the afternoon if needed.

## EV Charging

**Situation: Reasonable. Ennis is the anchor; nothing at the Cliffs themselves.**

- **Ennis** — ESB ecars fast charger; the main town in Clare and a good stop before or after the Cliffs
- **Ennistymon** — ESB charger; small town near Lahinch
- **Lahinch** — ESB charger at the beach car park
- **Cliffs of Moher visitor centre** — No public EV charger (as of 2025; worth checking current status). Charge in Lahinch or Ennis before visiting.
- **Ballyvaughan** — Limited charging; check Zap-Map before heading there

**Tip:** Charge in Ennis on arrival from Galway, then the day's driving to the Cliffs and Doolin is comfortable range-wise.

## Practical Info
- **Cliffs crowds:** Arriving early is the single most impactful thing you can do. Midday in August is shoulder-to-shoulder.
- **Doolin music:** No booking needed for pub sessions. Arrive by 9pm to get a seat; by 10pm it's standing room only.
- **Burren cycling:** The Burren Way (42km loop) is excellent but hilly. The lanes between Ballyvaughan and Kilfenora are the highlight.
- **Currency:** Euro
- **Workation:** Use Ennis for serious work days — good town wifi and cafés. Doolin is rural; treat it as offline.

## Links
- [Cliffs of Moher](https://www.cliffsofmoher.ie)
- [The Burren](https://www.burrennationalpark.ie)
- [Doolin traditional music](https://www.doolin-tourism.com)
- [Visit Clare](https://www.visitclare.ie)