Plan the days
Days out around Bunratty
Two ways to reach the Cliffs of Moher from this part of Clare, a boat from Doolin and a full-day tour from Limerick, and how they fit the banquet.
Book the castle banquet ↗Quick answer
The Cliffs of Moher are the obvious day out from Bunratty and Limerick. You can see them from the water on a short boat tour from Doolin, or take a full-day guided tour from Limerick. Book the banquet for an evening that does not depend on a tight return time.
The Cliffs of Moher
Wikipedia describes the Cliffs of Moher as sea cliffs on the Burren's south-western rim, in County Clare. They run for about 14 kilometres and reach their greatest height of 214 metres just north of O'Brien's Tower, and they rank among the most visited sites in Ireland. The closest villages are Liscannor and Doolin. They are the one sight most visitors to this part of Clare want to add to a banquet trip.
From the water, from Doolin
The card on this page is a boat tour from Doolin that views the cliffs from sea level. Doolin is a coastal village in County Clare, and Wikipedia says it is a noted centre of traditional Irish music, played nightly in its pubs. The tour carries a 4.4 rating from about 930 reviews on the booking page. It is the shortest way to see the cliffs, and it leaves most of a day free. The cliffs are best judged from the water by those who like a short outing, while a longer tour suits those who want commentary and several stops.
By tour from Limerick
The second card is a full-day guided tour from Limerick, listed at about eight hours. Its rating on the booking page is 4.2 from about 710 reviews, which is lower than the boat tour, so read the reviews before you choose it. Wikipedia says Limerick is a city on the Shannon founded by Scandinavian settlers in 812. A guided day suits visitors without a car who want the cliffs without planning the route, and who are content to follow a set schedule.
The Wild Atlantic Way
Wikipedia calls the Wild Atlantic Way a tourism trail along Ireland's west coast: a driving route of roughly 2,500 kilometres across nine counties, running from Donegal down to Kinsale. County Clare's cliffs sit on it. If you have a hire car, the route offers many stops, but the two cards here suit those who prefer someone else to drive and to plan the day.
Fitting a day out around the banquet
The banquet is an evening booking, and the castle recommends booking ahead. A full-day tour and an evening banquet make a long day for any party, so check the return time on the tour against the banquet start on your confirmation, and leave a generous margin. A shorter boat tour is easier to combine, since it leaves the afternoon free for the castle's day visit or for rest before dinner. If you want the castle by day as well, the castle closes to day visitors in the afternoon to prepare for the banquets, so the day visit needs the morning.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the boat tour from Doolin?
It views the Cliffs of Moher from the water.
How long is the tour from Limerick?
It is listed at about eight hours and is a guided full-day tour to the Cliffs of Moher.
How high are the Cliffs of Moher?
Wikipedia says they reach a maximum of 214 metres just north of O'Brien's Tower and run for about 14 kilometres.
Sources