# Clare

> **Type:** WAW Section 6 of 7
> **Dates:** ~Aug 23–24 (2 days)
> **Recommended stay:** 2 days
> **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, a vast limestone plateau where Arctic, Mediterranean, and alpine flowers grow side by side in the cracks. Doolin is Ireland's traditional music heartland. Two days is tight but workable.

## Must-See

- **Cliffs of Moher** — 8km of sea cliffs rising to 214m. Ireland's most visited natural attraction, and the crowds show it mid-afternoon. Go **before 9am or after 6pm** to avoid the coach tour peak. The walk south from the visitor centre to Hag's Head (3km return) gives the best elevated views and loses most of the crowd within 500m.
- **The Burren** — 250km² of limestone pavement unlike anything else in Ireland. Arctic, Mediterranean, and alpine plants grow in the same cracks. The **Green Road** above Ballyvaughan is an old drove road with wide views; the **Burren Way** cycling route follows quiet lanes through the heart of it.
- **Doolin** — A tiny village with a global reputation for traditional Irish music. Three pubs — McGann's, Gus O'Connor's, and McDermott's — all have live sessions every night in August. The most unpretentious traditional music you'll find anywhere on the WAW.
- **Poulnabrone Dolmen** — A portal tomb on open Burren limestone, 5,500 years old. Roadside, free, and genuinely striking — the stone is elevated enough above the flat karst to be visible from a distance.
- **Lahinch** — Atlantic surf beach at the southern end of Clare; busy in summer, great fish and chips.

## Itinerary

### Day 1 — Cliffs of Moher, Doolin
Arrive from Galway (~1h). Drive or cycle the coast road. Cliffs of Moher early (pre-9am ideally) — walk to Hag's Head. Lunch in Doolin. Afternoon: explore Doolin village, potter around the harbour. Evening: traditional music session — start at McGann's, move on.

### Day 2 — The Burren, Poulnabrone, south to Kerry
Morning: drive or cycle the Burren — Poulnabrone Dolmen (roadside stop), Green Road walk above Ballyvaughan, Aillwee Cave if interested in caves. Lunch in Ballyvaughan (good seafood). Afternoon: continue south toward Ennis to charge, then on to Kerry.

## 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

## 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)