3.6 KiB
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 — a straightforward walk. The lanes between Ballyvaughan and Kilfenora are worth driving slowly.
- ⭐ 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