The Doolin based ferry to the Aran Islands and Cliffs of Moher, was awarded Best Irish Boat Tour Operator 2023 at the prestigious Nautical Tourism Awards!

Being crowned ‘Best Irish Boat Tour Operator’ tops off a year of success, as Doolin Ferry already secured two other awards this season: ‘Best Tourism Experience in Clare 2023‘ accolade at the Clare Business Excellence Awards run by Ennis Chamber and a Silver Award for ‘Transport & Logistics Family Business of the Year 2023′ at the National Family Business Awards.

The string of recognitions is a testament to Doolin Ferry’s unwavering commitment to excellence, outstanding service, and dedication to providing unparalleled experiences for its passengers.

The Nautical Tourism Awards, run by LUXlife Magazine, celebrate excellence in the maritime industry and rigorously evaluate contenders on the basis of merit and quality. Accordingly, awardees are analysed and assessed objectively by the LUXlife research team.

Speaking about the award, Liam O’Brien, owner of Doolin Ferry said, “Receiving the title of ‘Best Irish Boat Tour Operator‘ is not just an award; it is a recognition of our team’s hard work, dedication, and our ongoing commitment to providing the best possible experiences for our passengers. We are immensely proud of this accomplishment, and it motivates us to continually strive for excellence in all that we do.”

About Doolin Ferry

Doolin Ferry provides a seasonal passenger ferry service from Doolin to the enchanting Aran Islands along with scenic voyages along the Cliffs of Moher including private Seafari custom boat tours. This latest award underscores the company’s ability to combine adventure with a commitment to customer care, making each boat trip a memorable and enjoyable experience.

As the company gears up for the upcoming season, this accolade serves as both a celebration of past accomplishments and an inspiration to continue setting the standard for exceptional boat tours in Ireland.

Plan ahead and book your tickets with Doolin Ferry Co for 2024 as seats during peak periods fill fast. We look forward to seeing you on board!

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The Doolin Ferry Company has crafted an environmental policy because we operate within an area of outstanding natural beauty and environmental sensitivity. Doolin Ferry recognize that our business has an important role to play in protecting and enhancing the environment for future generations and to help secure the long-term sustainability of the tourism industry. We are committed to operate within this area of The Burren, Aran Islands and Cliffs of Moher with the utmost respect and in the most environmentally friendly way possible. Our company is dedicated to continuously monitor and measure our impact on our local environment and areas of operation. Moreover, we strive to instill in our employees, customers, and suppliers a shared commitment to fostering a more sustainable approach in our business practices.

We collaborate with all stakeholders to collectively develop the Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark as a sustainable tourism destination. Our business works with local providers, businesses, and employees to encourage collective growth of sustainable heritage in our larger community. We attend training and networking events throughout the year as well as participating with sub groups formed from Burren EcoTourism Network. Several of our employees have completed their “Leave No Trace” course.

A cared-for landscape

We actively participate in conserving our natural and cultural heritage. Our staff and crew are trained in the geology and ecology of the landscapes in which we operate. We are a sponsor of The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group and Burrenbeo Trust and have worked to identify and report species of birds and wildlife that are in our area of operation at sea. Our trained Crew and Staff then share this knowledge with our on-board commentaries. We also use this information across social media platforms and our websites so customers can learn and be aware of the geology and ecology when travelling on board. We also adopt the “Leave No Trace” policy in our daily working days. We organise clean ups at Doolin pier and participate in local clean ups in our area.

A well-understood heritage

We offer quality information and interpretation to communicate our stories and the unique character of our place to guests. Through our tourist information points, we provide and highlight information and literature on the local area and local providers with an environmental focus.

Vibrant Communities

Our environmental policy helps us to ensure that tourism makes a positive social contribution so that it not only enhances the experiences of our guests but also contributes positively to the well-being of our local community. Continuously seeking innovative collaborations with fellow local businesses, we strive to offer both locals and visitors unique and novel experiences year after year. You may be interested in learning about the Burren Slow Food Festival. Working closely with local hotels and accommodation providers on the Aran Islands and throughout the Clare region, we incentivise 1-2 night stays, ensuring visitors extend their time in our region. This approach not only enhances the appeal of our company but also positively impacts the entire Clare region.

Strengthened Livelihoods

We contribute to the local economy by maintaining and supporting local employment, by sourcing services and produce within our region wherever possible, and by engaging with other businesses in promoting our area as a sustainable tourism destination. Our partners Doolin Tourism, Burren Eco Tourism and Burren Beo networks work with us to reach a wider audience in promoting this. We work with eco-friendly suppliers as much as possible. For example our range of eco candles, made and sourced locally were created with sustainability as a core objective. We encourage and foster generational local knowledge that is passed down by many of our crew members who are mostly from Inis Oirr. Here is more our local crew About Us.

Sustainable tourism management

We work with our Environmental Action Plan, which includes actions and targets for improvement that are reviewed annually. We have effective systems for monitoring and adequately managing our waste, water, wastewater, energy, travel impact and purchases. Thanks to the Burren GeoPark Code of Practise we track our:

• Landfill By WeightKg/per
• ElectricitykWh/per
• DieselLtr/per
• Co2 Total In TonnesCo2 Kg / Per Person

These figures efficiently help us as a company to:

1. Track our growth
2. Set targets for the coming years
3. Ensure we are going in the right direction year on year.

We are committed

Doolin Ferry has taken significant strides towards sustainability, with a key focus on reducing its environmental footprint. It is evident our changes and work has paid off. Our studies show this from monitoring and adequately managing our landfill, recycling , diesel consumption and electricity.  One noteworthy initiative involves the digitisation of ticket bookings, a move that has markedly decreased the company’s usage of paper. In the past, Doolin Ferry utilised reams of paper for issuing tickets, using traditional three-sheeted ticket copy books and daily printed lists of bookings, resulting in considerable waste. By embracing digital ticketing solutions, the company has not only streamlined its operations but has also significantly curtailed its consumption of paper resources. This transition aligns with Doolin Ferry’s commitment to the Geopark Code of Practice for Sustainable Tourism.

We encourage our customers to also use good practices while using our services, and to visit other members of the Burren Ecotourism network. We are working hard to continuously assess our Environmental Policy and our companies’ part in sustainable tourism. It is our mission to make practical changes in our daily operations. These changes contribute to environmental and cultural preservation of our heritage. Can view our Privacy Policy and more FAQs if needed.

We are committed to taking the following action:

1. Continue sound environmental practices across our entire operation.
2. Produce an annual Environmental Plan setting out our Objectives, Targets and planned Actions.
3. Comply fully with all relevant legislation.
4. Minimize our waste and reduce our water consumption where possible.
5. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle the resources consumed by our business wherever practical.
6. Invite our customers, suppliers and contractors to participate in our efforts to protect the environment.
7. Provide all employees with the training and resources required to meet our objectives.
8. Openly communicate our policies and practices to interested parties across social media platforms, word of mouth and online.
9. Monitor and record our environmental impacts on a regular basis and compare our performance with our policies, objectives and targets.

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We are thrilled to announce that Doolin Ferry was crowned the ‘Best Tourism Experience in Clare‘ at the Clare Business Excellence Awards 2023.

Run by Ennis Chamber, the awards celebrate and recognise the achievements of businesses from all corners of the county. Winners are selected by a panel of professional independent adjudicators who judge a written submission and conduct a company audit and site visit to experience first-hand the service provided.

In winning the award, Doolin Ferry shows its commitment to excellence across all areas of the business, demonstrates sustainable and environmentally sound practices, community support and engaging marketing efforts about its tourism service.

This is a momentous achievement for Doolin Ferry, a second-generation family business, which offers a seasonal passenger ferry service to the Aran Islands and cruises beneath the Cliffs of Moher. The company, founded in 1970, boasts a fleet of state-of-the-art boats and a range of tour options and prides itself on its consistently high customer satisfaction ratings.

Owner Liam O’Brien explained what it means to win this award:
“As a family business, deeply rooted in Co.Clare, winning this award is particularly meaningful. It’s a testament to the authenticity of our experiences and the genuine connection we have with our community.

This recognition fuels our passion to continue providing an exceptional tourism experience, connecting people to the beauty, wildlife, and cultural heritage of the west coast of Clare”.

Silver Award for Transport & Logistics Family Business of the Year – Family Business Awards 2023

But that’s not all – the accolades keep rolling in!

Doolin Ferry was honoured with the Silver award for ‘Transport & Logistics Family Business of the Year’ at the Family Business Awards 2023.

The awards recognise and celebrate the vital role that family-run businesses play in the economic and social fabric of Ireland.

The winners were announced at a luncheon hosted by Matt Cooper on Friday, 3rd of November in the Mansion House.

This recognition highlights not only the excellent tourism service we provide but also the deep sense of family values that fuels our success.

Being recognised in the family business category underscores the collaborative effort and dedication of the entire Doolin Ferry team.

From the helm to the deck and from online to onsite customer interactions, every member of the Doolin Ferry family plays a vital role in ensuring smooth, safe, and unforgettable journeys for our passengers.

Cruise Company of the Year 2022 Ireland

Boat Tour of the Year 2021 Ireland

Doolin Ferry Company are delighted to announce that we have won not one, but two, Travel & Tourism awards this year. ‘Boat Tour of the Year’ 2021 in Ireland and ‘Boat Tour of the Year’ 2021 for the West of Ireland. We are so thrilled to receive these fantastic achievements.

Here is a brief summary of what the judges have to say:

• Great range of tour options including combination trips that allow visitors to get the most out of a trip to County Clare.
• Excellent reviews online that praise the overall cruise experience, staff, conditions.
• Easy to use and informative site. The advance booking page is straightforward to navigate and offers added convenience.

Over 50 years in business

Though it was a memorable year for many reasons, 2020 was our 50th anniversary year in business operating boats from Doolin to the Aran Islands. Bill O’Brien founded the original ferry service in 1970. It’s been quite a journey from his first single currach to a first class fast ferry fleet. We are so proud of the achievements and advancements that have been made at Doolin Harbour.

We have worked tirelessly year in and year out to not only build a top class modern ferry fleet, but to also achieve customer service excellence. Everything we have achieved has been done with our customers at heart. So next time you’re in Doolin be sure to stop in to us for a chat. Ask about our sailings times from Doolin on the all new Aran Islands Express ferry. The Aran Islands Express is the largest and most comfortable ferry in Doolin brand new in 2020. We have a variety of trips to choose from to Inis Oirr, Inis Meain, and Inis Mor.

Planning your trip

Please contact us any time and we would be delighted to help you plan your trip to Doolin, the Aran Islands, or a Cliffs of Moher Cruise. After all, we are the best ferry from Doolin!

Be sure to check out our Special Offers page for chances to win giveaways and early access to promotions, or return to our Homepage.

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We were thrilled to announce the name of that ferry- the Aran Islands Express!

The naming of this ferry has been really important to us. As it is the fastest boat to the Aran Islands from Doolin we wanted the name to show this off! When you’re traveling with Doolin Ferry Co there can be no confusion, you are traveling on the fastest and most comfortable ferry fleet in Doolin.

With a capacity of 250 passengers it is the largest vessel to operate to the Aran Islands from Doolin. This allows us to facilitate more passengers at greater comfort and give you more time to take in the amazing sights on the Aran Islands. It also allows passengers to enjoy a Cliffs of Moher Cruise upon their return ferry ride to Doolin before continuing along the Wild Atlantic way!

Having a second express ferry is a fantastic way to mark our 50th anniversary in business. It’s also a time to reflect on the dramatic changes that have happened over the past 50 years, both in terms of Doolin Pier development and upgraded boats that service the Aran Islands. We couldn’t have dreamed to have the amazing facilities and vessels that we now have and we will continue to constantly evolve and grow in the future.

How long does it take to get to the Aran Islands from Doolin?

So the real question is, how long does it take to get to the Aran Islands from Doolin aboard our Express Ferry’s?

• In just 15 minutes Doolin Ferry Co will transport you from Doolin Pier to Inis Oirr (Inisheer), ready to explore the island.
• From a reduced 1 hour, Doolin Ferry Co can now transport you and your friends or family in just 30 minutes aboard our express ferry’s!
• Doolin Ferry Co’s express ferry’s have more than halved the crossing time from 1 hour and 30 minutes to a direct route of 35 minutes to Inis Mór (Inishmore). and 25 minutes o Inis Meain (Inishmaan).

What are the benefits of an Express Ferry?

1. Less crossing time and more exploring time!
2. The speed and size of our express ferry’s create better comfort for our customers – especially on days that may be a little choppy.
3. Anti-Sea Sickness technology in the express ferry’s fins. A great comfort for those who still have their land legs.
4. Less crossing time also means getting to include a Cliffs of Moher Cruise on your return from the Aran Islands – check out our combination ticket prices.
5. Our modern and efficient express ferry’s are significantly more environmentally friendly to our landscape and ocean than previous boats.

We couldn’t have dreamed to have the amazing facilities and vessels that we now have and we will continue to constantly evolve and grow in the future.

You can now pre book your seat with Doolin Ferry Co for the season ahead on our BOOK DOOLIN FERRY TICKETS page and save 30% on your online booking! We offer great value for small groups, families, School Tours, and private charters.

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We are launching our €3,000 summer giveaway to celebrate our 50th anniversary- oh yes, €3,000 CASH!

We are so excited to re-open on Friday the 21st of May and be back travelling from Doolin to the Aran Islands & Cliffs of Moher and we know you are too. To add even more excitement to our return we are delighted to announce the giveaway of the year!

Every single passenger that buys a ticket at Doolin Ferry Co on any trip can be entered into a draw to win €3,000 in CASH. Just enter code “Three” at checkout to be entered! The winner will be announced at the end of the season, and you can enter as many times as you like.

So not only do you get to have an amazing trip to Inis Oirr, Inis Meain or Inis Mor on our express ferry’s, you may also be the lucky passenger walking away with €3,000 cash!

It’s simple. Just book your trip here, enter discount code “Three“at checkout, enjoy your time and follow our social media channels for updates! We are on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Youtube.

Our Doolin Ferry Co family across the world are always the first to hear our news updates, discount codes, promotions, and top tips for the Aran Islands. Join our family and sign up to our mailing list.

Entry Details

1. When purchasing a ticket at one of our ferry ticket offices in Doolin you can choose to enter your name in the drop box.
2. All online purchases can be entered into the draw to win by using discount code “Three” at checkout. If you would not like to be included no problem, please send us an email to sales@doolinferry.com.
3. All online entries will be put in under the name of the person who made the reservation. If you would like to add additional names to the draw from your online reservation you must enter your name in the drop box at our Doolin Pier Office.
4. Winner will be chosen at the end of the 2021 sailing season, date to be announced.

Terms & Conditions Apply 

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We hope that our past and future customers are keeping well during these unprecedented times. We look forward to welcoming you on board our new Aran Islands Express ferry with us safely. Please read our Covid 19 notice or watch this short video on the safety measures that are now in place. If you have any questions please contact our well informed staff prior to your trip, we will do our best to accommodate you!

Booking and Planning Ahead

Email info@doolinferry.com or Call 065 707 5555

• Check departure times by phone or online in advance.
• Checking sailing and weather conditions in advance.
• We are happy to answer all related queries you may have by email or phone before you arrive in order to limit contact in our ticket offices.
• We recommend booking in advance by phone or online in order to limit contact in our ticket offices.
• Passengers are advised to bring their own face coverings with them if necessary, masks are available to purchase also.

Contact-less Book & Board

• Book your ferry tickets online and go straight to the ferry for boarding.
• When tickets are booked online you will receive an email confirmation with further details on boarding at Doolin Pier.

Arrival and Boarding with Doolin Ferry Co

• Please be aware and follow Irish Government guidelines of social distancing throughout your visit with us.
• Only one member of your party is permitted to enter our ticket office at a time, please follow our staffs direction before entering.
• Our well informed staff and crew will instruct you further on the boarding procedures at Doolin Pier.
• We have a ONE WAY boarding system at Doolin Pier. This means that all passengers must wait to be instructed by DOOLIN FERRY CO staff or crew before boarding or disembarkation of the ferry.
• Please ensure that your party respects social distancing protocols throughout the boarding process.
• While on board please pay special attention to the signage and respect social distancing protocols.
• No queuing for toilets while on board. We recommend passengers use toilet facilities prior to boarding.
• No passengers are permitted in the wheelhouse at this time.
• For further general information on traveling with us please see our FAQ page.

Our Commitment to you

First Class Ferry Service

• Our fleet includes the largest ferry at Doolin Pier the ARAN ISLANDS EXPRESS to ensure maximum space and comfort for our customers.
• There are extra safety measures put in place in our ferry ticket outlets including protective screens for the extra protection of our staff and customers.
• We have several contact-less payment options in place.
• We have upgraded cleaning protocols are in place both in our offices and on board.

Bill, Liam O’Brien, and all our family and crew are looking forward to welcoming you back on board with us soon.

Thank you for reading our Covid 19 notice at www.doolinferry.com. Sailing routes and Aran Islands Ferry timetables may be at reduced capacity. Please make sure to contact us in advance of your departure to confirm your trip. Visit the HSE Ireland Corona Virus information page for more information.

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The network works alongside the Burren Geopark to promote “The Burren & Cliffs of Moher Geopark” as a leading sustainable visitor destination. This is celebrated world wide for it’s high standards in visitor experience, conservation, and learning. This year the Burren Region was thrilled to win Lonely Planets “Best in Travel 2021” award.

How do you become a member of the B.E.N?

In order to be a member of the Burren Ecotourism Network you need to have achieved independent accreditation and demonstrate ecotourism best practice. Year on year we improve our understanding on how to reduce our environmental impact on the region. Our new ‘Express Ferry Service‘ from Doolin is the most environmentally friendly boat transportation in Doolin. We suggest choosing other sustainable transport options while visiting this area of natural beauty. A list of good options can be found HERE.

How does Doolin Ferry Co reduce their environmental impact?

Our main goal is to actively encourage all of our customers to follow the Leave No Trace Ireland principles when they visit anywhere in the Burren. This is an educational message that encourages us as recreational users to understand our actions and to be mindful of our surroundings when we do activities in the outdoors. In addition we have also developed our own Environmental Policy and School Tour series to further promote education.

Some of the ways we have upgraded our environmental police are;

1. In 2020 we introduced a new express ferry to our fleet “The Aran Islands Express”. This increased the capacity of a single ferry from 100 passengers to 250. This allows us to conserve fuel usage by not operating several smaller boats at the same time. We have greatly improved the efficiency of our service to work toward meeting our sustainability and environmental goals.
2. Both our Express Ferry’s have highly efficient tier 2 engines with lower emissions than previous boats, despite their larger size.
3. We don’t use any fresh water on board (e.g. salt water is used to flush our toilets). Our sewage is contained and transferred ashore to be treated.
4. We have recycle stations on board. All of our crew members can assist on what can be recycled and what cannot. We encourage passengers not to bring plastic bottles on board.
5. The vessels are constructed of aluminum, this means they don’t corrode (rust). This results in only having to paint our boats once every 10 years as opposed to once a year!  A huge advancement.
6. All our cleaning products are natural & organic. The reduction of harsh chemicals is better for our boats, crew, passengers, and our environment!
7. We promote electronic tickets/booking online. This has benefited customer experience and also almost completely eliminated paper tickets.
8. We encourage all our Doolin Ferry Co customers that when they visit anywhere in the Burren that they follow the Leave No Trace Ireland principles.

Make sure to check our Burren Ecotourism & Doolin Ferry Co collaboration video on our YouTube channel.

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At 1.30pm on Monday September 2nd 2019 the crew of our Doolin Express Ferry spotted something floating in the water on their route to Inis Oirr, Aran Islands. They went to investigate further and found a boat! Later we sent one of our crews and ferry to tow the boat (with the help of a local fishing boat) to the beach at Inis Oirr. Islanders gathered to help bring it up to shore. When we finally got it to the beach that’s when we began to wonder, where had it come from?

What was quite amazing was that the boat still had two engines attached to it. We could see from the length of the goose barnacles that had grown on the boat that it had been in the water from some time. It was a puzzling mystery for sure and it had everyone wondering what had happened.

Where did it come from?

Our original investigations led us to believe that it was a rapid rescue boat belonging to the US Coast Guard. We launched an appeal on our social media channels for more information. After thousands of shares, national news coverage, and many phone calls, we thought we had a few ideas. You can see more about the attention it gained and read the article written by CNN international news.

After more investigating and phone calls from all over the world, we may had come to a conclusion. We discovered that the boat originated in Norfolk Virginia and is not actually a rescue boat. It is actually a High Speed Maneuverable Surface Targets or HSMST for short. Essentially, they are remotely operated boats and used as target practice by the U.S. Navy! You can check out this video that shows the target practice in action.

We believe the U.S. Navy boat found was built in 2015 and its likely that it was lost during a training exercise. The boat remained in the water drifting across the Atlantic for years. It eventually ended up floating in the water close to Inis Oirr beach and was discovered by our sharp crew of the Doolin Express! How cool is that?! If you are interested in this you may also like the Redbull Cliff Diving event that takes place on Inis Mor.

If you would like to come and check out for yourself this U.S. Navy boat you can book Inis Oirr tickets online here and save up to 30%. We also have a Bus Eireann and Doolin Ferry Company ticket offer available to book if you need transportation from Galway or Limerick City Centres.

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In 2016 we introduced curriculum based learning via our ‘Learning the Landscape Educational Series’ of school tours for Primary, Second and Third level students. To celebrate and promote Seachtain na Gaeilge our island crew will host your school and give you a very informed and enjoyable cruise under the magical Cliffs Of Moher– all in Irish or English. See & learn how these magnificent cliffs were formed 450 million years ago! We’ll teach you about the Marine Environment and the Migrating Seabird Colonies that arrive every year to nest and feed their young. You will also get to see the cave featured in ‘Harry Potter & the Half Blood Prince’!

Latest Review

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