Travel & Explore

Clare and Burren road trip: a five-day outline

By the Travel & Explore team · Last checked

On this page
  1. The route
  2. When to go
  3. Getting there and the car
  4. Driving there as a UK driver
  5. Where to spend extra time
  6. Before you book
  7. FAQs

This suits drivers who want part of the Wild Atlantic Way, the Clare coast and The Burren, rather than the whole coast. It works for a short trip that starts and ends in Limerick. For other countries, see the worldwide road trips hub.

The route

The official Limerick circuit is 257 km (160 miles). It is a circular route that starts and ends in Limerick City, and it links Ennis, Kilrush, Kilkee, Lahinch, Doolin and Ballyvaughan, passing the Cliffs of Moher and The Burren on the way (Limerick circuit). The circuit distance is not a driving time for any day of your trip.

When to go

Choose dates that suit the coast and the attractions you want to see. Check opening times and access for each attraction before you travel, and check road and weather conditions on each driving day.

Getting there and the car

The circuit starts and ends in Limerick City. Compare flying in and hiring a car against bringing your own car by ferry before you book.

British nationals are not legally required to show a passport to enter Ireland. Carry one anyway in case you need to prove your identity, and check whether your airline or ferry operator asks for one (GOV.UK: Ireland entry requirements).

Hire car insurance is included, but check what it covers with the hire company (GOV.UK: driving abroad).

Driving there as a UK driver

Take your Great Britain or Northern Ireland driving licence with you. Check that it is still valid, and renew it online if it has expired or is about to expire (GOV.UK: driving abroad).

You might need an international driving permit (IDP) to drive in some countries. GOV.UK does not list which countries need one, so check Ireland with its IDP checker before you travel (GOV.UK: driving abroad).

If you hire a car, you can share your licence details with the hire company using a check code, up to 21 days before your trip (GOV.UK: driving abroad).

If you take your own car, carry your log book (V5C) and insurance certificate. A vehicle hired or leased in the UK requires a VE103 certificate (GOV.UK: driving abroad).

Where to spend extra time

An extra night near Lahinch or Doolin lets you keep the car parked for a day. Choose your base by the activities and accommodation that suit your group, rather than moving for every stop.

Before you book

  • Confirm road access, attraction opening times and parking for each stop.
  • Check that your accommodation is reachable by car.
  • Check whether any cliff walk needs its own booking, separately from the visitor attraction.
  • Keep optional stops out of the return journey.
  • Plan an inland alternative for coastal days when conditions are poor.
  • Check your licence and any IDP requirement on GOV.UK before you travel.
  • Check your passport, and carry it with you.

For the licence and permit rules in more detail, see driving licence and IDP abroad. For a checklist of documents and kit, see the driving abroad checklist.

FAQs

Do I need a passport to enter Ireland from the UK?

British nationals are not legally required to show a passport to enter Ireland. Carry one anyway in case you need to prove your identity, and some airlines and ferry operators may ask for one (GOV.UK: Ireland entry requirements).

Do I need an international driving permit for Ireland?

GOV.UK says you might need an IDP to drive in some countries, and it does not list which ones. Check Ireland with the IDP checker before you travel (GOV.UK: driving abroad).

How long is the official Clare and Burren circuit?

The official Limerick circuit is 257 km (160 miles), starting and ending in Limerick City (Limerick circuit).

More in Europe from the UK

Sources