Travel Guide | Cliffs of Moher and Galway


Following our time in  Kilarney and the Ring of Kerry we were ready to close out the trip and head to Galway, with one epic stop at The Cliffs of Moher.  The drive from Kilarney to the Cliffs of Moher is a little over 2 hours – there is a ferry that would add on an extra 20 minutes to the trip, but we decided to bypass that and drive the entire way.

What to do in Galway, travel guide for galway, Cliffs of Moher, where to eat in Galway


Cliffs of Moher ||


What to do in Galway, travel guide for galway, Cliffs of Moher, where to eat in Galway


Pretty much a must see if you find yourself in Ireland! They are truly breathtaking and I don’t think any picture I took could do them justice. There is no reason to book ahead of time – your parking fee is the same as the fee to see the cliffs. They have interactive exhibits, two cafes & a gift shop for before or after your cliff experience. It was amazing that on one side of the cliff was clear skies and then on the other you have the clouds rolling in. 

What to do in Galway, travel guide for galway, Cliffs of Moher, where to eat in Galway




We spent about two hours at the Cliffs and that’s only because we ate at the cafe! I was really nervous with the winds that we would somehow get swept out to sea, but if you stay alongside the guided path you’ll be fine. You are able to go out on your own, that many people did do to take photos, but to me there was no picture worth the chance I might slip and fall –> dramatic, but that’s all I kept picturing! 

What to do in Galway, travel guide for galway, Cliffs of Moher, where to eat in Galway




Heading to Galway from the Cliffs is about an hour and half and some of the most hair raising turns you’ll take while driving! Our stay in Galway was brief, but packed full of lots of sightseeing and walking! 



Stay ||




We stayed at The Park House Hoteland to be quite honest, it was my least favorite of all the rooms we stayed in. It just didn’t feel as updated as the other places we had been in, but the hotel itself was perfect for what we needed for those two nights in Galway. I didn’t realize that breakfast was included with our package, which was perfect for getting our days started. The staff was very accommodating, but my only qualm was that it felt outdated. However, it was a great deal for being smack dab in the center of Galway, everything was within walking distance & parking was included! 





Eat & Drink || 



If you’re craving Italian || 


I wish we had gone to the Dough Bros for pizza the one night I was craving it because we heard from so many people that it was amazing. Instead we opted for Venice Restaurant, which was good, but not amazing! I did have pizza and Gary had pasta and again we split olives because that was just the theme of our trip! I will say it was super authentic in that everyone at the restaurant was actually from Italy!  



Papa Rich Kitchen ||

What to do in Galway, travel guide for galway, Cliffs of Moher, where to eat in Galway

What to do in Galway, travel guide for galway, Cliffs of Moher, where to eat in Galway


Beware, you will have to go through a store to get into the restaurant – at least we did because there was construction going on and I ended up buying a sweater 😂 We both LOVED the food at Papa Rich Bistro, there is another restaurant that is associated with it that is more street food, but much of the menu is the same. We split the spring rolls & pulled pork burger – so good after you’ve walked all morning exploring! 



Blakes Bar ||

What to do in Galway, travel guide for galway, Cliffs of Moher, where to eat in Galway

What to do in Galway, travel guide for galway, Cliffs of Moher, where to eat in Galway


We stumbled upon Blakes Bar which is connected to Brasserie on the Corner, which is where we originally wanted to eat. We ate at the bar and had such wonderful service! You’re able to order from the Brasserie restaurant even though you’re eating at Blakes Bar. We split a delicious steak and had the best onion rings – not greasy at all! If you want to eat at Braserie, I highly suggest making a reservation because the odds of walking in and grabbing a table are very low during dinner time. Blakes Bar is a bit more low key, but you still get great food and service! 



The Kings Head ||

What to do in Galway, travel guide for galway, Cliffs of Moher, where to eat in Galway

Located in the Latin Quarter, this is a great spot to get yourself a pint of Guinness which I clearly didn’t indulge in, but Gary had enough for the both of us! They have live music nightly and it’s a big pub that you don’t feel overcrowded in. We didn’t eat here, but they do serve food. 




An Pucan ||


On our final night in Galway we walked into An Pucan just in time for the live music to start! Being pregnant and in a bar is about as fun as going to the dentist, but I have to say I really enjoyed the music and vibe of this place! It helped that it was directly across the street from our hotel! 





Explore ||


Galway is a small city with a lot to offer. Like many cities, it’s extremely walk-able and once we parked our car at the hotel, we didn’t use it again until we were leaving to head back to Dublin! 

What to do in Galway, travel guide for galway, Cliffs of Moher, where to eat in Galway



Abbeygate Street is the main shopping street in the city. There are plenty of souvenir shops, but you also have some nice retail stores to pop into. I actually found the cutest boutique that I was able to buy my sister and mom some gifts in. 

What to do in Galway, travel guide for galway, Cliffs of Moher, where to eat in Galway


Lynch’s Castle is also on Abbeygate Street which is now a bank, but is from medieval times so when you go into the bank they have a history of the castle. It’s known for the interesting gargoyles on the outside. I will note that shops close very early here – 5-6:00 PM so if you’re in the mood to shop, get it done earlier in the day. 

What to do in Galway, travel guide for galway, Cliffs of Moher, where to eat in Galway

What to do in Galway, travel guide for galway, Cliffs of Moher, where to eat in Galway




Galway Cathedral is actually the “youngest” stone cathedral in Europe, but it’s absolutely stunning! It used to be the site of the old city prison, but was reconstructed in 1958 and finished in 1965. Worth a trip if you’re there! 

What to do in Galway, travel guide for galway, Cliffs of Moher, where to eat in Galway




The Claddagh Area || Close to the city center, it’s where the River meets the bay and is absolutely beautiful! These colorful houses are situated there and reminded me of rainbow row in Charleston! We got stuck in this weird slush / rain storm for about 15 minutes while we were out there, but I guess that’s all part of the adventure. 

What to do in Galway, travel guide for galway, Cliffs of Moher, where to eat in Galway




Keep your eyes peeled for all the colorful doorways as well, perfect photo ops! 



Eyre Square || You’ll basically find your way here regardless of where you are. Compared to other parks in cities, it’s a little underwhelming, but what I noticed was that it’s a great meeting place for people and they have some very small statues and attractions that relate back to the history of Galway. This is actually where we spotted this beautiful mural! 

What to do in Galway, travel guide for galway, Cliffs of Moher, where to eat in Galway




Overall Galway was a really cute little stop to make. I think we’ve all heard “Galway Girl” by Ed Sheeran and you cant help but sing the song while walking around. There are musicians playing on the street everywhere and they are all so talented. I think one full day in Galway was plenty for us to get the feel of the city and see what we wanted to see. 




Hope you enjoyed these recaps of our time in Ireland. I had fun reliving them and hope I can answer any questions you may have if you’re planning a trip to Ireland! 




Travel Guide | Dublin


Travel Guide | Ring of Kerry and other stops


Planning an Ireland Road Trip








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41 Comments

  1. Unknown
    April 18, 2018 / 11:04 am

    Love your travel guides! Ireland looks like such a beautiful place, it's definitely going on my travel bucket list!

    Anika | anikamay.co.uk

  2. Rachel McCarthy
    April 18, 2018 / 11:05 am

    What a great recap of your time in Galway! I can't imagine how amazing the cliffs look in person because the pictures you have are stunning! I would have been afraid of getting swept out to sea too haha! Hopefully one day we will make it there and I will reference your guides!

    xo, Rachel
    A Blonde's Moment

  3. sara [at] journey of doing
    April 18, 2018 / 11:34 am

    I'm so sad we didn't make it to the Cliffs of Moher. It's definitely one of my big regrets. The coastline is just so striking!! I can't get over how you are just glowing – even with the road trip!! Seriously impressive, girlie. 🙂

  4. Katherine
    April 18, 2018 / 11:41 am

    Ahh travel goals for sure!!

    Katherine | oneswainkycouple.com

  5. Rachel Emily
    April 18, 2018 / 11:44 am

    Aww I'm sad these Ireland recaps are over! Such a beautiful place!!

  6. Girl Meets Bow
    April 18, 2018 / 11:54 am

    As soon as I saw the city for today's post I was totally singing that Ed Sheeran song! ha! It's been so fun to follow along on your adventures- such an amazing trip!!

  7. Daily Style Finds
    April 18, 2018 / 11:57 am

    The cliffs are beautiful – one of the places I want to go!

    Lisa
    Daily Style Finds

  8. Brianne
    April 18, 2018 / 12:00 pm

    Those views are so incredibly stunning!

  9. Andrea Nine
    April 18, 2018 / 12:08 pm

    I'm going to be singing Ed Sheeran's "Galway GIRL!" LOVE these views!!

  10. Sarita @ it's my girls' world
    April 18, 2018 / 12:15 pm

    Lol at the dentist/bar comment. #truestory. Such beautiful pics. You chose a wonderful place for your babymoon

  11. Blaire Bingham
    April 18, 2018 / 12:16 pm

    The cliffs are absolutely stunning! What a wonderful trip!
    xo, Whitney and Blaire
    Peaches In A Pod

  12. Rosy Outlook - Fashion & Lifestyle by Kelly Rose
    April 18, 2018 / 12:33 pm

    YAY! Love your travel guides! The Cliffs of Moher seriously look BREATHTAKING! What a sight!

    Rosy Outlook

  13. Kate at Green Fashionista
    April 18, 2018 / 12:36 pm

    I love that you found the beautiful doors, and the Cliffs of Moher are a definite must! How gorgeous are those views <3
    Green Fashionista

  14. Pamela {Sequins and Sea Breezes}
    April 18, 2018 / 1:11 pm

    Ugh this makes me want to go there even more! The cliffs are gorgeous and I’d be scared I’d fall off too so you aren’t the only one! And that mural is so cute!

  15. kerri @ cheshire kat
    April 18, 2018 / 1:20 pm

    oh galway! somewhere i've always wanted to visit (even before the song haha) but i love that it's super walkable too. that is so nice! look at all those hidden gems. and the cliffs are clearly a must do!
    xoxo cheshire kat

  16. Marie
    April 18, 2018 / 1:46 pm

    Oh what a beautiful place. I so want to visit there one day. Those cliffs are stunning.

  17. Adventureswithcourtt
    April 18, 2018 / 1:55 pm

    It looks so pretty there. I love the cliffs, and the food looks so good.
    sugarcoatedbears.blogspot.com/

  18. Jenn
    April 18, 2018 / 2:07 pm

    The views and the sights are gorgeous! And the food pics have me drooling!!!

  19. Caroline The Petite Fashionista
    April 18, 2018 / 2:11 pm

    Gorgeous photos! Galway looks so cute and I'll admit that I started thinking about that Ed Sheeran song haha. And YIKES about those hair pin turns!! haha. 🙂

  20. Brooke
    April 18, 2018 / 2:22 pm

    I've been loving these recaps! The cliffs look beautiful but I would be nervous near them too! The cathedral is really beautiful too and of course the colorful houses!

    Brooke
    Pumps and Push-Ups

  21. JMO
    April 18, 2018 / 2:23 pm

    Oh man love the colors and those lights draped over the streets are just beautiful! What a fun trip! (I also now want fries!)

  22. Emily @ Martinis | Bikinis
    April 18, 2018 / 3:10 pm

    Wow those views from the cliffs are amazing! Kings Head and Galway sound like such cute places to explore and that gorgeous architecture in the cathedral! Swoon! ADORE that photo of you with the butterfly/angel wings! Emily @ Martinis & Bikinis

  23. Karly @ What Karly Said
    April 18, 2018 / 3:22 pm

    Love the Ed Sheeran song, but I totally was thinking of Gerard Butler singing Galway Girl in P.S. I Love You. Ha! What a great end to your trip – I would've been terrified of the cliffs, too, but I can't even imagine seeing them in person. Breathtaking, I'm sure!

  24. Lily (Beauty With Lily)
    April 18, 2018 / 3:26 pm

    Those cliffs!! I'm with you girl, there's no way I would have gone down there and risk falling…nope, not happening.

  25. Nadine
    April 18, 2018 / 5:07 pm

    I love that you got to see both clear and cloudy skies when you were at the cliffs. Each view is incredible and beautiful! Galway looks like such a fun little town. And those colored houses and doors are perfection!

  26. Tanya Dufour
    April 18, 2018 / 5:21 pm

    I hearing about all the things you have experienced. Beautiful pictures. I would be afraid that I would fall off the cliffs too!

  27. Lindsay's Sweet World
    April 18, 2018 / 5:24 pm

    Yep, I've had that song stuck in my head since I saw the title of your post! Love me some Ed! How beautiful are all of those cliffs! I would have been staying super far back as well. So scary thinking about slipping and falling! I was the same way when we were at the Grand Canyon. One wrong move and it's over. Yikes!

  28. Beautifully Candid
    April 18, 2018 / 5:37 pm

    Such beautiful pictures! Those views look amazing. That's something we didn't get to visit while we were there and would love to be able to go back and see them. All of this food looks delicious too! Sierra~Beautifully Candid

  29. Gold Coast Girl
    April 18, 2018 / 5:42 pm

    Looks amazing! Love all the photos!
    ~Samantha
    goldcoastgirlblog.com

  30. SMD @ lifeaccordingtosteph
    April 18, 2018 / 5:53 pm

    I love Galway and Connemara. The music and scenery are amazing.

  31. A Dash of Pretty
    April 18, 2018 / 5:55 pm

    No matter where in the world you are, you two find the BEST restaurants and tastiest looking dishes! This is all stunning and I was fully humming Galway Girl to myself while I read it 😉

  32. Ashley @ The Wandering Weekenders
    April 18, 2018 / 6:29 pm

    I've loved reading about your trip so much! Like I told you before I was singing that Ed Sheeran song nonstop when you talked about Galway on your Instagram Stories! The Cliffs of Moher is stuffing, and it almost reminds me of the PCH a little bit.

  33. Rebecca Jo
    April 18, 2018 / 6:55 pm

    My vertigo kicked in just LOOKING at the pics of the cliffs. WHOOOOOO. I'm sure I'd topple over the edge. SURE of it!

  34. Owen Davis @ Davis Duo
    April 18, 2018 / 8:14 pm

    Wow those pictures of the cliffs are breathtaking! Definitely on my bucket list!

  35. Christina Lea Loves
    April 19, 2018 / 1:09 am

    The cliffs! Your pictures are amazing! Such a gorgeous setting… and that food doesn't look half bad either!

  36. Missy
    April 19, 2018 / 2:57 am

    Those cliffs are absolutely gorgeous, I can imagine how scary the wind must have been! This is such a great guide and I cannot wait to do Ireland some day!

  37. Shannon Jenkins
    April 19, 2018 / 4:58 am

    Omg the cliffs look absolutely stunning!! What an amazing trip! All the food looks so amazing too!

    <3 Shannon 
    Upbeat Soles

  38. awhite
    April 19, 2018 / 3:25 pm

    These cliffs are amazing- like I cannot believe they're even real! Gorgeous shots, gf!

    -Ashley
    Le Stylo Rouge

  39. Amanda Elizabeth - Meet @ the Barre
    April 19, 2018 / 6:59 pm

    Those cliffs give me anxiety just by the pictures hahahha. Looks like such a great trip and you really got to see a lot!

  40. Laura Darling
    April 20, 2018 / 3:38 am

    That scenery does not even look real!!! Beautiful!!

  41. Jalisa
    April 22, 2018 / 6:24 pm

    It looks absolutely beautiful there! I have heard that it’s a must see too and these photos and the way it sounds is convincing enough. Lol, I’d definitely have the same fear about falling, especially since I’m not one to trust water (lol). Also, since I’ve been away a bit, I may have missed this, are you craving olives? When I was pregnant with Aviah, it’s one of the few things I absolutely craved and had to have in the house, so I smiled when reading that. Maybe it’s a baby girl craving? Thanks for sharing your experience wit us, girlie!

    Xo,

    Jalisa
    THE STYLE CONTOUR