Railtours Ireland First Class · Dublin Heuston station
A hosted day that takes the train from Dublin Heuston to Limerick, puts you on a coach for Bunratty Castle, the Cliffs of Moher and Galway Bay, and brings you home on the evening train from Galway. Pick it if you would rather spend the long legs on a train than on six hours of motorway.
No railway runs to the Cliffs of Moher, so a "rail tour" is always train plus coach. Here the train does the two long legs: Dublin Heuston to Limerick in the morning (Railtours Ireland says you change at Limerick Junction for the Limerick train) and Galway to Dublin at night. In between, a driver-guide takes the group by coach through Clare. A Railtours host travels with you on the trains, and you sit together in a reserved car or part of a car.
The coach day covers a lot. A short tour of Limerick, then Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, a pub lunch stop at Gus O'Connor's in Doolin, two hours at the cliffs, a drive past the Burren and along Galway Bay, and some time in Galway before the evening train. Admission to Bunratty and to the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience is in the price; the cliffs alone cost €15 at the gate (Cliffs of Moher tickets).
Now the catch. Check-in is 6:40 AM and the operator's own page gives the return to Heuston as 22:10 (Railtours Ireland). Guests call it a 15 or 16 hour day. "First Class" is part of the company name: Railtours Ireland says it does not use first class seats (Railtours FAQ). Meals are at your own cost, and the Burren is seen from the coach, not on foot.
Find the yellow stand near the Customer Service Desk and the rep in a bright yellow jacket. The 7:00 AM train does not wait.
Breakfast on board at your own cost, then a short look at Limerick before the coach heads north.
The 15th-century castle with period furnishings, then the folk park's village streets. One guest mentions a lot of steps inside the castle.
Chowder or fish and chips at your own expense.
Visitor centre, the paved paths and O'Brien's Tower. Two hours is the minimum the cliffs' own site suggests.
A drive past the Burren and Galway Bay, time near Eyre Square, then dinner on the train (own expense). Back at Heuston around 22:10.
★★★★★Absolutely loved this tour! It is a very long day (approx 15 hours), but totally worth it. Our tour guide (Norman) was very knowledgeable and great about shepherding us through all the different locations [...]
★★★★★A long day to be sure, but Paul kept it on pace, on time, and on humor. The combo of train and small coach was just right to get a feel for another part of this beautiful country and its people.
★★★★★Norman is a lovely human and wonderful guide. The Cliffs are absolutely stunning [...] It does make for a long day, though. Make sure to be well rested.
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No. The train runs Dublin to Limerick and Galway to Dublin; a coach covers Bunratty, the cliffs and the Galway Bay drive.
About 15 hours. Check-in is 6:40 AM at Heuston and Railtours Ireland gives the return as 22:10.
No. First Class is part of the operator's name; Railtours Ireland seats its groups in a reserved car or part of a car.
No. Breakfast and dinner on the trains and lunch in Doolin are at your own expense. Both admissions are included.
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