A mistake that people often make is that they book a coach trip which drops them off at the Cliffs of Moher visitor center for a few hours. If you’re in a time crunch, this option works, but if you truly want to experience the area I highly recommend booking a walk with a local. Not only will this bring some revenue into the local economy, but these are the people who know the history of the area best! They’ll be able to answer all of your questions and take you to the most scenic spots while still keeping safety in mind.

Read on for my five top reasons to hire a guide and go on a walk over the Cliffs of Moher.

1. You get more VIEWS!

The Cliffs of Moher are stunning from every angle, but there’s only so far you can walk from the visitor’s center when you’re on a schedule. When walking from the local town of Doolin to the visitor center, you have the opportunity to see a variety of local landscapes, including a tower and wild horses! There are a few local buses which depart from the visitor center and go back to various locations, which don’t need to be pre-booked.

2. Less people = better experience & pictures

As I’ve said previously, there’s no shame in the visitor center game, but it is a different experience in terms of crowds. Taking a few hours to hike along the cliffs allows for ample time to take in the scenes and snap some pictures without worrying if there is anyone in the background. It’s a great way to meet other tourists as well, and provides and opportunity to exchange ideas based on travel experiences.

3. Often hikes are led by a local who has access to private land

From what I remember, a group of local farmers agreed to allow certain guides on the outskirts of their land along the cliffs. You have to book a guide who is from around the area in order to be allowed on these trails, so it’s sort of like paying for a museum ticket to get exclusive access to certain exhibits. This means the trail is upkept, safe, and unique!

4. Exposed to wildlife which isn’t around the visitor center

While Ireland is known for having no snakes around, there are plenty of other creatures! We were able to get a glimpse of some wild horses and puffins on our walk, which I can’t imagine you would be able to see with the crowds at the visitor center. It helped that the guide knew exactly where to look on the rocks for these cute and rare little birds.

5. Get that workout in!

I’m not really the type to fit a fitness schedule into my travels, but there is something exhilarating about spending some time getting your heart rate up on some of the most beautiful hills on earth (am I exaggerating? I don’t think so.) After a couple of days downing pints of Guinness and potatoes in a variety of forms, it was nice to stretch my legs and wake up a bit!

That being said, let me link to some of the highly recommended tours along the Cliffs of Moher:

• From Cork, Ireland: 1 Day Cliffs of Moher & Atlantic Edge Walk
• Meet in Doolin, Ireland: Small-Group Cliffs Of Moher Guided Walking Tour from Doolin
• Meet in Doolin, Ireland: Small-Group Cliffs Of Moher Guided Walking Tour from Doolin (Expedia)
• Meet in Doolin, Ireland: Doolin Cliff Walk

Hope this blog post has inspired you to consider a day out hiking the Cliffs of Moher! It was one of the best days of our week in Ireland, and I would highly recommend to families, couples, or solo travelers alike.

Go n-éirí leat! Good luck!

x Melissa

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One of the main reasons our family trip to Ireland happened was because of our family’s historical connection to the country, particularly the County Mayo region. My dad has gone down the family line to uncover all kinds of fun connections to the Irish people and their eventual travel to the United States. Because of this, we wanted to take advantage of being so close to where many of our ancestors lived on the island, so we booked a self-led bike excursion through County Mayo.

Now I have mixed feelings about exploring by bike, as I have had both wildly successful experiences as well as days where I wanted to throw the rented bike to the pavement and run away. I’m learning more each time, but what I can say, is that County Mayo was the perfect area to explore by bike, even if you’re inexperienced.

What makes a place suitable for biking in my opinion is:

• Few to no cars or other vehicles
• Large bike paths
• Open scenery which can only be explored on foot or bicycles
• Clear paths, which ideally loop around back to the start (reducing the chance of getting lost)
• Friendly locals who don’t mind people cycling past their houses/yards/living spaces

Now that we have set the scene, let’s go into more depth about our exact travel plans, so you can recreate them. We had a “home base” in Galway, so we departed from the city in the morning and took a bus to Westport, Ireland. We utilized the website Rome 2 Rio to book this bus

In terms of packing, I would recommend bringing a small backpack which contains:

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• an additional layer or two (light fleece layer here!)
• rain jacket (comes in a ton of colors!) and waterproof trousers (these are men’s, but they come in this crazy neon yellow which I am here for)
• charged phone
• portable charger if your battery doesn’t last long (we use Anker for everything)
• water
• snacks
• padded shorts or a bicycle seat pad if you want to be more comfortable (Padded cycling shorts here and seat pad here)
• sunglasses for a sunny day! (I’m not going to link out to some sunglasses – you guys know how to find those!)

Once arriving in Westport, we walked to the Clew Bay Bike Hire shed and picked out our electric bikes. I wasn’t sure initially if I wanted an e-bike, as it didn’t really seem worth it, but in the end committed to the electric option, and I am glad I did! Using an e-bike may take some of the physical effort out of the journey, but as it was multiple hours long over some small hills, I was thankful that I didn’t wear out before the rest of my family.

Clew Bay Bike Hire offers a shuttle service if you only want to bike one way and also offers roadside assistance if needed! We travelled from their Westport location to Achill Sound and then took a bus back to Galway from there.

The Great Western Greenway path was incredibly clear in terms of directions, and also had ever-changing views along the way. There were large bridges, rivers, mountains, lakes, and more. We traveled through some small towns and were always met by friendly locals – the Irish are the most lovely people!

All in all, the Great Western Greenway is a trail not to be missed. We got to explore the areas where our relatives once lived, all from the comfort of a well-marked path. This day out is not limited to those who are experienced cyclers, or to any certain age range! I would say the path was doable for most ages, and most of the bike hires have a variety of options in terms of adult bikes (electric or regular) and multiple sizes for children.

Alternative Options in the Westport Area:

• Beach & countryside horse riding. Mayo. Guided. 1 & 2 hour options.
• Alternative bike hire: Self Guided E bike Tour with Electric Escapes (TripAdvisor)
• Alternative bike hire: Great Western Greenway Full-Day Self-Guided Bike Tour (TripAdvisor)
• If anyone wants to go to the Westport House and Gardens while some people cycle!

Comment if you have any questions, and I will get back to you! Thanks for reading, and tag me in any of your Ireland journeys with the hashtag #maneuveringwithmelissa on Instagram.

Until next time,

x Melissa

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Our trip to Ireland was a whirlwind adventure, where we tried to knock out a few of the major Irish locations in just a few days. Because of this, the travel tips and ideas for Ireland are going to be over a short timeframe, which should be great for backpackers or those hoping to take a lot in over a restricted amount of time. Ireland isn’t a country which emphasizes a quick lifestyle, so it is best to soak in this attitude and perspective, even when only in a given city for a day or two. Without further ado – please read ahead for where I went when in Galway, Ireland!

Accommodation

We got a lovely AirBnB near to Eyre Square in central Galway. It had a great view over the city and was well decorated and comfortable. I would highly recommend the area – it was easy to access pubs, restaurants, transportation, and felt like it was still in the middle of local life. I couldn’t find the exact place we stayed in, but there is a hostel nearby and a few townhouses which I am linking here.

Pubs

I went to:

An Pucan (4.5)

This pub was perfect for a variety of travelers. There was an authentic pub feel for those looking for the local experience, a large sign that said GALWAY for the traveler looking for a good picture, and also a more upscale room for the more luxurious traveler. It was super close to our accommodation, and I couldn’t have asked for more.

The Quay Street Kitchen (4.7)

We actually sat outside at the Quay Street Kitchen – the street was rather crowded, but we wanted to find a seat where we could enjoy the Irish music and liveliness. I can’t comment on the food, but the reviews seem to indicate that it does not disappoint! Great location for a pint and a chat with friends on a Saturday afternoon.

1520 Bar (4.5)

Also on Quay Street, 1520 Bar was a quaint and cosy pub for those looking for a break from the active scene on the street. There wasn’t live music when we stopped in, but often the music scene is lively here. Attendees rave about the cocktails and unique menu!

Highly Recommended

O’Connell’s Bar Galway (4.7)

The best pint of Guinness we had on our trip

Reviews mention that there is no live music, but O’Connell’s has one of the best beer gardens in Galway. The location is ideal, being close to the station for newcomers and those about to continue their travels. The variety of bars reduces wait time and the decor intrigues those who take the time to investigate.

Tigh Neachtain (4.6)

Every time in Galway, a must visit! Fabulous food, amazing wine by the glass, and extremely helpful and friendly staff. Great atmosphere and I love the art.

The atmosphere is the most mentioned piece of many reviews of Tigh Neachtain. Often full, but known for its variety of craft beers and seafood. In a location where you can hear the buskers while enjoying the character of the city.

The Salt House (4.6)

The best brew pub in Galway. The Salt House has 21 taps in the small bar and more than 100 beers on bottle or can.

Off the main path, The Salt House provides a more local experience. Dog friendly and perfect for the beer connoisseur – most reviews make sure to point out the friendly staff and overall atmosphere.

The Bunch of Grapes (4.7)

Authentic atmosphere in a family run pub. One of the few places in Galway where you can experience the true Irish friendliness.

Great for a pint or a coffee, reviewers remark on the family feel of this pub. Smaller than some of the larger options, The Bunch of Grapes can get full but has been called a “hidden gem” with real charm.

Walking Tour

As I said above, I think the best way to take in Galway is through wandering the streets. Having a mission to tick off all of the boxes in this city would be a mistake, as a rushed and packed itinerary would take away from the Galway experience.

Streets:

Quay Street, High Street, Middle Street, The Latin Quarter

Points of Interest:

Eyre Square, St. Augustine’s Catholic Parish, Canal off of the pier area (walk past The Salt House, along the canal until you reach Henry Street Playground, then back along the “Galways Westend” road past Greens & Co./Plamas/Taylor’s Bar & Beer Garden)

Stores:

Aran Sweater Market, Aunty Nellies Sweet Shop, Amber Gift Shop

Sunset

I found that the best place for sunset was by the water (specifically Nimmo’s Pier). There were plenty of people with the same idea – which made the setting feel authentic. There were teens drinking from tins, families picnicking, and couples enjoying the atmosphere. There is a ton of room, so you can sit on the edge of the pavement with your legs hanging over the water or sit further away on the grass.

Personally, I would bring some bread and cheese and maybe a bottle of wine and just relax as the sky turns a myriad of colors.

And that’s a day in Galway! We didn’t stay out late, as we had day trips out to the Cliffs of Moher, Kylemore Abbey, and County Mayo (via e-bike) the following few days. Stay tuned for more details about those ventures.

Thanks for reading, and subscribe below!

xx Melissa

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