New travel insights suggest international visitors may be overlooking Doolin when planning their west coast itinerary
Septemeber 2026 – International visitors planning a trip to Ireland could be overlooking Doolin as a base for exploring the Cliffs of Moher, Aran Islands and wider west coast, according to new travel insights from Doolin Ferry.
The family-run ferry operator says it has identified a common travel-planning gap among overseas visitors, with some travellers staying in Doolin but then doubling back towards Galway to begin their journey to the Aran Islands – often unaware of the direct ferry options available from the Clare village.
The insight emerged from discussions among US travellers planning Irish itineraries in online travel communities, where questions about where to stay and how best to reach the Aran Islands highlighted a gap in awareness around Doolin. While the village is well known as a gateway to the Cliffs of Moher, it is less commonly considered by international visitors as a base for exploring the wider region.
Doolin is already on the map for international visitors – but often as a place to visit rather than a place to base themselves.
For visitors trying to fit as much as possible into a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Ireland, that can mean spending valuable holiday time travelling back and forth rather than exploring the west coast.
From Doolin, visitors can reach Inis Oírr in just 15 minutes and Inis Mór in 35 minutes, while the village is also home to the only standalone boat tour beneath the Cliffs of Moher.
Liam O’Brien, Owner of Doolin Ferry, said, “For many international visitors, planning an Irish vacation starts long before they arrive. They are looking at maps, guidebooks, search engines and travel recommendations to work out where they should stay and how they can see as much as possible during their trip.
“What we have found is that Doolin isn’t always making it into those plans, even when people are already staying here. We’ve had visitors who have travelled to Doolin and then gone back towards Galway to take the boat to the Aran Islands, simply because they didn’t realise they could sail directly from Doolin.”
With Doolin offering some of the shortest crossings to the Aran Islands, visitors can spend more of their day exploring the islands rather than travelling to and from their departure point. The village also offers a dedicated 50-minute Cliffs of Moher Cruise, providing visitors with a way to experience the iconic landmark from the water without needing to dedicate a full day to an island trip. For those with more time, Doolin Ferry also offers the flexibility to combine an Aran Island visit with the Cliffs of Moher Cruise in the same day – giving visitors a choice of experiences not offered by any other ferry company.
The cruise travels directly to Hag’s Head, where the journey begins before slowly making its way along the Cliffs, giving passengers ample time to take in the coastline and some of its most recognisable landmarks, including the sea arch at Hag’s Head, the Harry Potter Cave, O’Brien’s Tower on the cliff-top and the giant sea stack rising 67 metres from the Atlantic.
Liam continued, “The Cliffs are obviously spectacular from above, but seeing them from the water gives you a completely different perspective. Our 50-minute cruise is ideal for visitors who want to experience the Cliffs from below but don’t have time to combine it with a trip to the islands. And for those who do have more time, there’s the option to experience both in one day.”
“When you look at what is available from Doolin, you can reach the islands quickly, experience the Cliffs by boat and still have time to explore the Burren and enjoy Doolin itself. For visitors with a busy itinerary, that’s a huge advantage.”
Beyond the Cliffs and islands, Doolin offers visitors the opportunity to experience a more traditional side of Ireland, with a range of accommodation, restaurants, pubs and live traditional music, as well as easy access to the Burren and nearby attractions including Doolin Cave and Aillwee Burren Cave.
Doolin Ferry is encouraging international visitors to look beyond the more familiar city stops when planning their Irish itinerary and consider making Doolin a destination in its own right.
Liam added, “We don’t want people to think of Doolin as somewhere you simply arrive at to get on a boat and leave again. Stay for a night or two, have a meal, listen to traditional music, explore the Burren and experience the Cliffs and islands from here.
“For someone travelling from the US, Canada or Australia, this could be a once-in-a-lifetime trip. We want them to get the most out of it. The message is simple: less time travelling, more time exploring.”
With its combination of the Cliffs of Moher, Aran Islands, The Burren, traditional music and Atlantic coastline, Doolin Ferry believes the village deserves a more prominent place on the itineraries of international visitors exploring Ireland.
Find out more about ticket prices and sailing times here. Visitors can book ferry tickets by emailing book@doolinferry.com or online at www.doolinferry.com
Vroom Digital, niamh@vroomdigital.ie
