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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The colourful artwork portrays two charming Atlantic puffins, one with its wing outstretched in an inviting embrace, creating a unique interactive experience that invites passersby to step into the picture and become a part of the enchanting scene.
The second puffin proudly shows off his catch from a successful fishing expedition, his orange beak filled with shimmering silver herring. In the background, the wild Atlantic Ocean stretches out, its waves gently crashing against the base of the cliffs. The sky is painted with hues of soft violet and pink conjuring up images of summer sunsets at Doolin pier.
Renowned Clare based artist, Marcus O’Connor of West Murals has skillfully captured the essence of the Atlantic puffins that frequent the Cliffs of Moher during the breeding season, bringing their playful and endearing nature to life in this larger-than-life artwork. The mural not only celebrates the rich natural beauty of the Clare coastline but also invites people to forge a deeper connection with the wildlife that inhabits it.
“We wanted to create something that not only adds to the aesthetic appeal of Doolin Pier but also offers a memorable and interactive experience for everyone who visits,” said Liam O’Brien, owner of Doolin Ferry who commissioned the mural. “The idea of having one of the puffins extend a wing of friendship will hopefully foster an appreciation of the incredible harmony that exists between nature and humanity and our collective responsibility to protect our seas and the rich marine life that it supports”.
Doolin Ferry proudly supports the work of Fair Seas which is campaigning for 30% of Irish waters to be classed as Marine Protected Areas by 2030. The areas surrounding the Cliffs of Moher and the Aran Islands are extremely important for biodiversity and one of the most important coastal areas of interest for seabirds in terms of diversity and volume, with roughly 65,000 birds breeding here.
Doolin Ferry put a call-out on its social media channels for ideas on what to name the two seabird characters with a Cliffs of Moher Cruise for Two up for grabs. A flood of entries was received, and the winning entry ‘Huffin and Puffin’ has just been announced.
Doolin Pier has long been a gathering place for those seeking a connection with nature, the sea, and the local community. This mural further enhances the pier’s appeal, offering a space where residents and visitors can engage in conversations, admire the views, and of course take a picture with Huffin and Puffin!

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What is Slow Food?

Slow Food is a global initiative with members from all around Ireland and the rest of the globe that look at the food world through the eyes of the local community and our environment. In our case, we are so lucky to have The Burren in Co.Clare, The Aran Islands, Doolin and the west coast of Ireland to be spoiled with choice.

Doolin Ferry and Slow Food Clare

Slow Food Clare does an incredible job organizing the Burren Slow Food Festival every year to bring this global movement to our doorstep.

As a member of the Burren Ecotourism group Doolin Ferry with Bill O’Brien is proud to have participated in numerous events in the past few years. We have hosted a Champagne Picnic on our Cliffs of Moher Cruise, an amazing  ‘Taste the Atlantic- A Seafood Journey’ event which took place from Doolin to Inis Oirr. Here guests could enjoy the Seafood Buffet at Tigh Ned’s on Inis Oírr, Aran Islands.  Tigh Ned’s Pub is known for one of the top places to eat on Inis Oirr, seafood fresh from the sea.  The Ó Conghaile family fishes most of their seafood themselves off the island. Tigh Ned is located right on the edge of Inis Oirr overlooking the Burren Co.Clare and Galway Bay.  A fantastic place for not only slow food but also sightseeing. While on the island you can read about some local sights like O’Brien’s Castle.

Please also see here for Directions to Doolin Ferry.

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Taking a trip out West and Looking for Transport to Doolin? Hop on the bus and boat to get there.

Bill and Liam O’Brien of Doolin Ferry are delighted to announce a brand new offer for transport to Doolin, the Bus and Boat ticket in partnership with Bus Éireann.  Bus Éireann’s Route 350 to Doolin is a scenic service from Galway via the Cliffs of Moher and on wards towards Doolin and Ennis.  This bus service allows domestic and international visitors to enjoy the picturesque landscapes with ease from Galway City, through The Burren, Cliffs of Moher, and on to Doolin.

Cliffs Cruise or Aran Islands

This fantastic new bus ticket offer gives customers great value; choice of a half price Cliffs of Moher Cruise to see the iconic Cliffs of Moher by ferry OR for those with more time a visit the tranquil Aran Island of Inis Oirr for a half day.

Fares for both bus and boat tours for the Cliffs of Moher are €35.50 or €38.50 for customers traveling to Inis Oírr on a day return ticket. The Route 350/Boat Tour or Island Trip combination ticket is a great value day trip option. Tickets can be purchased on-board the Route 350 service or from the Travel Centre in Eyre Square, Galway. For customers traveling in groups, please be advised to book in advance to avoid disappointment. To view the full Route 350 timetable visit www.buseireann.ie.

Bus Eireann Route 350

Route 350 also provides a vital public transport connection service for our customers to Doolin in general. This includes high frequency services with early departures from Galway, connections available at both Galway and Ennis to the wider public transport network, including routes to Shannon Airport. The service level includes:

4 Daily services from Galway and Ennis via Doolin in each direction
5 daily services from both Doolin and Galway
5 daily services from Doolin and Ennis via the Cliffs of Moher

Brian Connolly, Regional Operations Manager, North/West, Bus Éireann said:

“Everyone can see the Wild Atlantic Way on this magnificent and scenic bus route. Whether you’re surfing in Lahinch, walking in The Burren or camping in Doolin, the route 350 caters for all your leisure needs. The iconic Cliffs of Moher is a must see on our daily Route 350 “Clare Coast”, which stretches from buzzing Galway along the coast to the lovely towns of Kinvara, Ballyvaughan, Doolin Lahinch, and Ennis”.

See more and book your ticket here:  Bus Éireann Route 350.  To view the full Route 350 timetable visit www.buseireann.ie.

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Join the leading Tour Company in Galway and the Doolin Ferry Company for a fantastic day trip you’ll be sure to remember. The fun and informative guides will lead you through your Irish experience in a truly memorable way. Visit The Aran Islands, Cliffs of Moher by land and sea all in one fantastic tour, without driving!

Galway to Doolin, Cliffs of Moher, and Aran Islands Day Tour

Trip Details

• 9:00 Depart New Coach Station, Galway, for Doolin and The Burren
• 11:00 Join us at Doolin Pier and board the ferry to Inis Oirr
• 13:45 Depart Inis Oirr and enjoy a Cliffs of Moher Cruise
• 15:30 Lunch stop in Doolin
• 16:30 Arrive at the top of the Cliffs of Moher. Free admission to Visitors Centre
• 17:30 Depart the Cliffs to return to Galway along the Wild Atlantic Way
• 19:30 Arrive back to Galway City Centre, New Coach Station

This Galway to Doolin, Cliffs of Moher, and Aran Islands tour option from Galway City Centre is available from late March.

** All times are approximate so please inform us in advance if you have connections to make. Ferry tickets and admission to the Cliffs of Moher are all FREE. Lunch and activities on the Island are not included. In the event of cancellation due to weather conditions, you will have the option of a Burren & Cliffs of Moher Tour or a full refund. For more fantastic Day Tours around Ireland please visit Galway Tour Company.

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New parking fees from Clare County Council have been put in place at Doolin Pier and Harbour from 2016.

Parking fees are: For 0 – 2 hours: €1, For 2 – 30 hours: €5, For 30 hours – 1 week: €15

This is a Pay and Display parking system so you will find your parking space first then go to the meter and pay for the time you expect your car to be parked at Doolin Pier. Please be sure to have change or small bills on hand when you arrive. One ticket machine does accept most major credit and debit cards, and you may also use the Park Magic App to pay online. After you pay for your time period it will print out a ticket which you then need to display on the dash of your car.

How to find Doolin Pier?

Visitors often ask us how to find Doolin Pier. When you reach the village of Doolin you will find large blue signs that say ‘Doolin Harbour’. Follow the Doolin Ferry signs all the way through the village. You will go past Fitz’s cross and the Hotel Doolin, you will go past Fisher Street and O’Connor’s Pub, go past the Doolin Pitch and Putt and Nagles Campsite until you see the water and Doolin Harbour. There are two main parking lots located around the pier area. One parking lot is located behind our ticket office at Doolin Pier, and the other is located beside Nagle’s campsite. Both parking areas are paid parking and suitable for use for ferry travel. You may also be interested in reading about a Weekend Break Away in Doolin.

Directions from Dublin / Galway City to Doolin

Travel time will take about 3.5 – 4 hours from Dublin / 1.5 – 2 hours from Galway

– Depart Dublin Airport in the direction of the M1 (sign says Dublin).
– Take the M1 at junction 1 and join the M50 (sign says Other Routes Southbound).
– Follow junction 7 to the M4 (sign says Sligo, Westport, Galway).
– Take junction 11 to the M6 to Galway.
– At junction 19 turn onto the N18 (sign says Oranmore, Limerick).

Follow the N18 out of Galway. You will take a sharp Right turn after the village of Kilcogan (sign says N67 to Cliffs of Moher). Take the N67 all the way to Ballyvaughan. In Ballyvaughan turn Right at the ‘T’ junctions and follow the coast road from Ballyvaughan to Doolin for about 15 miles. You will take a slight Right upon arriving to Doolin passing the Doolin Cave. When you arrive to the center of Doolin go Straight past the Hotel Doolin and follow the blue sign posts all the way to Doolin Pier. You will know you have arrived when you see the water in front of you.

We have a great day tour on offer from Galway City to the Aran Islands and Cliffs of Moher.

Directions from Limerick / Shannon Airport to Doolin

Travel time will take 1.5 hours from Limerick / 1 hour from Shannon Airport

– Leave the Airport on the N19 in the direction of Galway / Ennis and take the M18 (sign says Galway).
– Take junction 12 to the M18 heading to Ennistymon on to the N85.
– Follow signs to Ennistymon-N85 going Straight through all the roundabouts. At the last roundabout take a Left onto the N85 heading to Ennistymon.
– Drive straight through the town of Ennistymon to Lisdoonvarna on the N67.
– At the 4th crossroads turn Left onto the R478, this road will bring you to Doolin and then also on to the Cliffs of Moher.

After about 3 miles you come to ‘Creamery Cross’ and a small service station, turn right here and follow the road down to the village centre of Doolin. At ‘Fitz’s Cross/ Hotel Doolin, take a Left and follow the Doolin Harbour signs all the way down past Fisher Street until you reach Doolin Pier.

The Doolin Ferry Co. main ticket office is located on Doolin Pier. We are in the left hand corner and our office is all white. Just look for Bill O’Brien in red letters above our door! We also have an information point and ticket outlet on the charming Fisher Steet, located next to O’Connor’s Pub and O’Brien’s Craft shop. If you have any further questions related to parking at Doolin Pier please email us anytime at info@doolinferry.com, or give us a ring at +353 (0) 65 707 5555, or Contact Us. You may also be interested in our Bus Eireann ticket offers or Galway Tour to Cliffs of Moher and Aran Islands.

Learn more about What to do in Doolin, Places to Stay, and things to do Near Doolin.

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Most would say that there isn’t a much better way to celebrate our 45th year of sailing from Doolin to the Aran Islands. Tomorrow, Friday, June 19th will see the Official opening of the highly anticipated and brand new Doolin Pier.  To mark this tremendous occasion Cathaoirleach John Crowe and Chief Executive of Clare County Council Tom Coughlan along with the Minister for the Public Expenditure & Reform, Brendan Howlin will be in attendance for the opening ceremonies.  A day to be celebrated indeed.

Launch

At 12:00 pm the ‘ropes’ will be cut and there will be a multi-denominational blessing of the Pier, a tradition dating back thousands of years.  After the unveiling of a Plaque commemorating the day, the Pier will be officially open for use.

This day will be yet another significant milestone in the history of the people of the Aran Islands, the greater Doolin community, and our business as The Doolin Ferry Co. Surely a fantastic day for all you may say, but for us…this will be a bittersweet occasion.  For this day will also usher forward a transformation of a particular way of life that has been in our family for three generations.  The original experience that one could have only had in the early days of visiting the Aran Islands from Doolin will be kept in treasured memories.

Founder of ferries from Doolin

Bill O’Brien was the trailblazer in establishing the Doolin to Aran ferry route along the Wild Atlantic Way in 1970 as a result of a simple request from a tourist who casually asked him about how they might get to the Aran Islands. Bill replied – I’ll take you…and the rest is history.

Up to this point in 1970, fishing was in decline and tourism hadn’t quite taken off in Ireland.  All was about to change and Bill was ready to roll with those changes as numbers flocked to Doolin and to the Cliffs of Moher. In 1973 Ireland joined the European Union and opened its market to Europe.  Our natural resources consisted of agriculture and tourism yet our products and service industry was very underdeveloped.  With the help of EU funds and government support the Irish economy opened itself up to the world and moved from second class to first world economy status.

Upgraded ferry service in Doolin

For better or worse the early days of visiting Aran are quite different from what you may expect now.  What’s the departure time- whenever you’re ready.  When will we return- whenever you’re ready.  The boats (and Bill really) certainly were not using the timetable you’ll find on our website today. He preferred to run on Irish Time and indeed Island Time.

Today over 1 million people per year now visit the Cliffs of Moher, many of whom stay in Doolin to enjoy the famous music makers of Co. Clare or take a walk in the Burren or indeed a boat trip to the Aran Islands.  This service is so vital to the economy of Doolin and equally so to the Aran Islands – in particular Inis Oírr. Daily on the pier the mix of languages and cultures makes this a very special international market place!  Seafaring families from the islands and the West Clare coast are employed by THE Doolin Ferry Co.  Using their generational knowledge and instinct to navigate these familiar waters.  All our crew are native Irish speakers and as well as being qualified master sea captains are also trained in eco tourism principles, Seabird and Marine life monitoring and commentary so that the visitor gets the most from this magnificent environment – where the true boss is nature.

Humble Beginnings

Present day has seen a dramatic change from our humble beginnings.  From now on when a visitor from Germany, France or Australia strolls into our office on Doolin Pier looking for the man with a big black beard who took him out to Aran in 1970 something (in something that resembled a currach) we will be sure to listen carefully to this story.  A recently launched collection of Doolin memories is a great tribute to remembering our past  THE DOOLIN BOOK.

From mighty sea storm damage, various competitors, new piers to a new generation- The Doolin Ferry Co. has appreciated all the Atlantic has given it through rough times and smooth sailing alike.  In closing the launch of the New Pier tomorrow will be a bittersweet day for us here at The Doolin Ferry Co., for Bill O’Brien, his family and all those in Doolin who have gotten to be a part of a unique (and very Irish indeed) experience over the last 45 years of voyaging to Aran.  Tomorrow we will remember our past and we will very much look forward to our future.

Slán go fóill.

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