Thinking about taking the Finn McCool day trip from Dublin to Western Ireland? It’s one of the best and most convenient ways to do a day trip from Dublin to see the Cliffs of Moher and Galway. Here’s my honest review, itinerary, tips, and whether it was worth it or not.
The Ultimate Day Trip from Dublin: Cliffs of Moher & Galway with Finn McCools Tours
If you only have a few days in Dublin but want to see the wild wild west of Ireland, this is the smartest tour you can book. We here at NBD Adventures took the Finn McCool Tour from Dublin to the legendary Cliffs of Moher with a stop in Galway. And utlimately turned it into one of the best days of our entire Ireland trip. The trip that I’ll be discussing in this blog will be linked below.
Yes, it’s a long day.
Yes, it’s 100% worth it!
Why we chose Finn McCool Tours?
There a lot of companies running this route, but Finn McCool stood out. Mainly because of the great reviews, transportation accessibility, and fun local guides. After doing Belfast tour with Finn McCool we knew this was going to be great. Our guide was Lisa and she was the fun energetic Irish local vibe we needed. She was silly and engaging, while also making sure the long day stayed fresh.
What the Day Looks like?
Typical Schedule:
6:45am – Departure from Dublin (make sure you get there early if you’d like to sit on the bus with your party. The bus WILL pack out).
8:30am – Breakfast at the Obama Rest Stop (Barack Obama visited Ireland during his presidency after he discovered he was part Irish. This prompted Ireland to name one of their largest rest stops in Ireland after President Barack Obama.)
10:30am – 12:30pm – The Cliffs of Moher
1:00pm – Quick stop at the “Moon Rocks”
2:30 – 4:30 – Explore Galway
6:30 – Arrive back in Dublin
This is a long jam packed adventure so be ready to be away and moving for about 12 hours.
Stop 1: Cliffs of Moher
This is the reason most people book the trip, and they live up to the hype. Cliffs of Moher are a series of cliffs and edges rising dramatically over the Atlantic Ocean. They consist of these incredible panoramic ocean views. We went mid-March, but if you do go between April and June you potentially could see some super cute Puffins mating!
At the cliffs you’ll see some amazing cliffside views, walking paths along the edge(some for all athletic levels), strong winds, and endless photo opportunities.
Make sure to bring a jacket, even if the forecast looks nice. The wind out there is enough to sweep away even the best Sumo Wrestlers. This is another spot in Ireland where you need to be prepared for all sorts of weather. The inside museum section of the cliffs is undersized for the foot traffic the attraction receives. You’ll be able to go and walk around inside no problem, but you might need to throw some elbows, the true American way!
If you’re looking for photo spots you really can’t go wrong since the cliffs span over 14 kilometers. But, I’d suggest near O’Brien’s Tower, further down the walking trail away from the massive crowds, and side profile shots of the cliffs facing north. We happened to get some crazy fog rolling in while we were there, but some ofthe most photogenic sights you’ll ever see are at the cliffs when the visibility is clear.
Stop 2: Galway
After the cliffs, you’ll have a brief spot to see the “Moon” a series of rocks that look like you’re on space. You’ll get out stretch your legs and quickly get back on the bus for the Galway stop on the tour. Galway feels completely different than Dublin, more artsy and relaxed. If you’re from the United States Dublin will feel more like a city and Galway will feel more like a coastal town. It felt quaint and laid back comepared to the Dublin bar party scene.
While you’re there make sure to walk shop street, grab some fish & chips, and browse some local shops. This is where I ended up getting one of the authentic Aran sweater made from wool in Ireland. I do think this is the bets time to eat and grab a beer before getting back on the bus. The Cliffs of Moher has a small grab and go pub, but if you can hold out to Galway, you won’t regret it. There are a lot of pubs and restaurants in the city center that you will be able to walk to and eat in enough time. Beware crowds though I found some of the restaurants were overwhelmed with the tourists and we had to go to multiple restaurants before getting a seat.
If I was going back to Ireland I would love to stay in Galway for a day or so. This was one of the places in Ireland I visited that I felt I needed more of. There was something about the laid back vibes of a coastal Irish town that made me want to stay. Also it could have something to do with the amazing burger and Guiness I had. In future trips I will make sure to do Galway the right way and not rush through it.
Is Finn McCool Tours Worth it?
Yes, it is totally worth it if…
- You don’t want to rent a car
- You have limited time
- You want west coast Ireland in one day
- You prefer stress-free logistics
Maybe not if…
- You get antsy on long bus rides
- You want hours and hours at each stop and do it at your pace
- You prefer slow travel
What to Bring? And How Much Did it Cost?
I’m combining these two sections because if you’ve been following my Ireland blogs you know what I’m going to recommend you bring. You’re going on a tour in a country whose weather changes on a dime, so basically have to be prepared for anything. Make sure you have a raincoat, umbrella, charging block, and one underrated pick to bring would be water. There is a lot of walking and the bus dries you out a bit. So, I would make sure to bring a little water so you don’t have dry mouth all day. Overall, the tour I booked costed about $112, which I think is a steal. renting a car and the gas alone would be more. I would suggest booking the one I took (which is linked below). It had everything that you would need in a tour to the Cliffs of Moher and Galway!
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