Watch the seabirds
Breeding gulls, kestrel, peregrine, raven, chough, fulmar, shag and skylark nest on the cliffs; in winter the bay fills with dunlin, sanderling, turnstone and bar-tailed godwit.
Cliff Walk Kilkee
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About
A raw, uncrowded stretch of Atlantic coastline 5.5km west of Kilkee town, where a cliff path runs from the Diamond Rocks past natural sea pools, shipwreck coves and Bishop's Island. Less visited than the Cliffs of Moher, with a café right at the trailhead.
Things to Do
Walk the cliff path
The main walk starts at the Diamond Rocks Café at Kilkee's West End and follows the cliff path along the rugged coastline. Discover Ireland maps it as a 5km walk with an 8km looped option, while other guides describe a short 1.8km out-and-back of about 30 minutes.
Take the long route to Dunlicky Road
A roughly 12km, three-hour linear trail continues past Bishop's Island, St Kee's Well and Dunlicky Castle, with the craggiest cliffs at the far end. It can also be started from the quieter parking area out on Dunlicky Road.
Kilkee beach and the Pollock Holes
The 4km Kilkee Loop returns past the viewpoint and along the road into town toward the horseshoe beach, a Blue Flag strand with lifeguards in summer. At the west end, swimmers travel from across Ireland to use the Pollock Holes sea pools.
Eat at the Diamond Rocks Café
A family-run café sitting at the start of the cliff walk, popular with walkers, swimmers and families, with locally sourced food and views over the bay.
Drive the Wild Atlantic Way cliff coast
The cliffs are on the Wild Atlantic Way's Cliff Coast segment, where the full force of the Atlantic is most visible in the sheer drops from land to sea.
Plan Your Visit
- Parking: Ample parking adjacent to the Diamond Rocks Café at the trailhead, a separate quieter parking area out on Dunlicky Road, a car park at the Pollock Holes, and plenty of parking in Kilkee town. Google's listing records wheelchair-accessible parking.
- Food: The Diamond Rocks Café at the start of the walk serves homemade chowder, soups, sandwiches, panini, scones and cakes, with a large outdoor seating area. Reported hours are 9am-7pm daily from 1 June to 15 September, and weekends 10am-5pm at other times. Kilkee town has further cafés, bars and restaurants.
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