A Musical Road Trip Through Ireland: Dublin to the Cliffs of Moher

An Irish adventure for two musicians

“What impressed us most was how well Emma got to know us. Our experience with Crown and Country Travel in planning our trip to Ireland has been wonderful. The experience has left us knowing that we will definitely seek their assistance again for future travels.
Emma listened carefully to our ideas and then expanded upon them, adjusting and refining everything into the perfect way for us to experience the Republic of Ireland—its people, its beauty, its history, and the overall character and spirit of this remarkable country.
Emma took the time to understand our interests, preferences, and the kind of experience we were hoping to have, and she incorporated that knowledge seamlessly into an amazing trip. From beginning to end, we felt that our journey was thoughtfully designed specifically for us.
Emma’s expertise, attention to detail, and genuine enthusiasm made all the difference. We wholeheartedly recommend Emma to anyone planning a trip to Ireland or anywhere in the UK and Europe. Her knowledge, personal attention, and ability to turn your ideas into an unforgettable experience are exceptional.
We would also highly recommend Crown and Country Travel to anyone looking for a travel company that truly listens to its clients and delivers a thoughtfully planned, personalized journey.
We are already looking forward to our next adventure—and we know exactly who we will be calling to help us plan it: Emma and Crown and Country Travel!”
Doug & Seiko W., Yakima, Washington, USA

images courtesy of client

At a Glance

The Brief

Doug and Seiko are talented musicians, so when they came to me to plan a road trip around the Emerald Isle, I knew it had to include some traditional Irish musical experiences – after all, you can’t send musicians to Ireland without live music. The other requirement? Plenty of time to find peace and inspiration in Ireland’s breathtaking landscapes – from countryside to cliffs and coastline.

The Journey

Wishlist visits to Cliffs of Moher, Aran Isles and Killarney formed the basis for the perfect eight-day self-drive adventure. I created a circular route from Dublin out to Cliffs of Moher, along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way, and back through Waterford to Dublin. Carefully paced to balance drive time with time to explore, discover, and experience, the itinerary included local musical opportunities, a guided tour of Aran, and hand-selected family-run bed-and-breakfasts chosen to make each stay feel like a visit with old friends.

Dublin: Home to Guinness, Trinity College and the Book of Kells, the Temple Bar neighbourhood, and a musical and literary legacy that includes U2, Sinéad O’Connor, The Dubliners, Dermot Kennedy, plus James Joyce and no less than four Nobel prize winning authors (William Butler Yeats, George Bernard Shaw, Samuel Beckett, and Seamus Heaney). Built around the banks of the River Liffey, the perfect place to bookend the trip – with a musical grand finale at the historic Gaiety Theatre for Riverdance 30: The New Generation, celebrating the show’s 30th anniversary at the site of its premier in 1995.

Doolin: The capital of traditional Irish music – including a personal invitation for Doug & Seiko to take part in a session at a local pub, plus a guided tour of nearby Aran, time to roam the towering Cliffs of Moher rising more than 700 feet above the Atlantic, and a stop at medieval Bunratty Castle (which offers its own traditional bodhrán musical experiences) blended the harmonies of Ireland’s past and present.

Dingle Peninsula: A scenic detour en route to Killarney, and the westernmost point of Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way. The Dingle’s Slea Head Drive winds along dramatic coastal cliffs through a Gaeltacht region where Irish is still spoken daily, culminating in Dingle’s colourful harbour, seafront, and pubs.

Killarney: Gateway to Ireland's first national park, with Ross Castle, Muckross House, Gap of Dunloe, and the celebrated Ring of Kerry all within reach – plus its own lively pub culture and traditional music scene create plenty of options for exploring some of the country’s best known landscapes – or simply slowing down and relaxing amidst the lakes, mountains, and wild peace of Kerry.

Waterford: Ireland’s oldest city, founded by Vikings in 914 AD, and home to the country’s famous Waterford crystal – plus the Bishop’s Palace, Medieval Museum, scenic coastal Greenway, and a lively food culture. The perfect penultimate stop before the journey winds back towards Dublin.