Top County Clare hotels
Bunratty Castle Shannon
17 Reviews The name Bunratty, Bun Raite (or possibly, Bun na Raite) in Irish, means the 'bottom' or end of the 'Ratty' river. This river, alongside the castle, flows into the nearby Shannon estuary. Bunratty...
See All 35 Things to Do in Shannon
The Cliffs of Moher Doolin
27 Reviews Everyone has to see the cliffs. They are breathtaking. Hike to them from Doolin. It's about 8 miles, but sometimes you can con a ride from a tour back to Doolin once you get there. Almost every tour...
See All 62 Things to Do in Doolin
Aillwee Caves Ballyvaughan
7 Reviews The Burren is a large area of ground made up of limestone. Because limestone is porous, over the years, water has penetrated to the lower strata and formed many caves and chambers...
See All 13 Things to Do in Ballyvaughan
The Burren Doolin
13 Reviews Poulnabrone Dolmen is just the most popular Dolmen of Ireland but in fact it has many siblings in the area of the Burren. In a distance of just about 50 meters you may find another similar such...
See All 62 Things to Do in Doolin
Poulnabrone Dolmen Ballyvaughan
3 Reviews You will find this tomb on the left as you travel down the curvey R480 from Ballyvaughan. It is not very well marked but all you need to do is watch out (literally, if you are speeding!) for the...
See All 13 Things to Do in Ballyvaughan
The Aran Islands Doolin
6 Reviews As I live in Ireland, I know that Cliffs and Aran Cruises have a combo trip to visit the Aran Islands and view the Cliffs of Moher all in the same day. The boat is named the Jack B . It is a very...
See All 62 Things to Do in Doolin
O'Connors Pub Doolin
3 Reviews Doolin and the O'Connors pub are so attractive that I should like to finish my life there. When I escape from Belgium to land in Ireland, I fill so better and more at Doolin. Don't go there, don't...
See All 62 Things to Do in Doolin
Aillwee Cave Doolin
2 Reviews Aillwee Cave is in quite a short distance from Doolin and when driving across Ireland you may hardly escape their brochures and advertisments in various "Tourist Informations" all over the country.I...
See All 62 Things to Do in Doolin
Dysert O’Dea Castle: This was the first stop my family made after arriving. We found the car park area and saw the castle part, then walked through a field to get to the church and watchtower remains. It was a great first site to see since it had so much in one place.
The Craggaunowen is a detailed recreation of an ancient Celtic settlement on 50 acres of wooded park. The coolest thing here is the crannóg, a fascinating arrangement of huts on a small island with a defensive stockade and draw bridge. There are replicas of artifacts that evoke the daily lives of people that made this place their home over a thousand years ago. Though the crannóg is the highlight of Craggaunowen, there is also a earthen ring fort, a medieval castle, a fine dolmen and of course, the famed replica of the boat that the Irish claim St. Brendan sailed to America hundreds of years before Columbus (decide for yourself ;)This is a really interesting place to visit, as there is tons to learn about. It's great for kids.
This outdoor museum is well worth a half-day visit with the family. Also, see the other tip about Tim Severin's boat, The Brendan, also located here. From the web site listed below:"Craggaunowen 'The Living Past' tells the story of the arrival of the Celts in Ireland and the many changes they wrought upon daily life. Their impact is evidenced in the creation of new tribal lake dwellings, farming and hunting methods which are explained by the costumed animators."A major feature of the visit, is a Crannog (meaning 'young tree’) which is a reconstructed lake-dwelling of a type found in Ireland during the Iron Age and Early Christian periods. Though some homesteads were inhabited during the Late Bronze Age and in some cases, were still being occupied as late as the 17th century."The site also includes a Ring Fort, a true reproduction of a farmer's house, dating from the 4th or 5th century,...
See the other tip about the The Craggaunowen Project, where this boat is located. Also see the attached travelogue for more photos and text from the exhibit. From the web site listed below:"Another important attraction is the 'Brendan Boat', the hide boat in which Tim Severin sailed from Ireland to the United States, re-enacting the Voyage of St. Brendan the Navigator, reputed to have discovered America centuries before Columbus. "St. Brendan the Navigator (who died c. 583 AD.) was, according to a 9th century manuscript, The Navigacio, the first man to discover the 'Promised Land' across the Atlantic. This place he called High Basil and first came to him a dream."In 1976 Tim Severin, a modern day explorer, built a leather-hulled boat based on the vessel described in the manuscript, and on the Currach still used on Ireland's West Coast. He and his crew then made the voyage with stops on...
Bunratty castle is one of the major attractions for tourbuses, just a few miles off the airport of Shannon. The castle dates back to the 9th century but the way it looks today dates back to the 15th century.Bunratty really offers a lot for the hasty tourists, who want to "absorbe the Irish way of life" within the shortest time possible :In Bunratty castle they may attend a "Medieval Irish Banquet" with servants in historic costumes, live music , food and drinks, all is included in the price...The performances will take 2 and a half hoursthe hall offers 141 seats and 2 sittings : at 05.30p.m. + 08.46 p.m.There is also a "Traditional Irish Night" in BunrattyFrom April till October daily at 7.00p.m
For all fans of irish folk-music I may highly recommend to visit Doolin, a small village west of Lisdoonvarna : Gus O'Connor's Pub - dating back to the year 1832 - with live-performances of traditional music every night in the summer-season. the sessions start at 09.30p.m. and last untill late at night.Gus O'Connor's Pub is also well known for great food : the kitchen is open between noon and 09.00p.m.--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Doolin is also a great place to shop for music-casettes in that building that you may see on my picture - it is the first house after the bridge !!
John Hunt bought the land at Craggaunowen, restored the castle and began the reconstruction of a modern museum display, including the reconstructed crannog and ringfort. The castle is an example of a fortified Tower House which was the residence of the ordinary gentry at the time. It was really neat to be in the castle on a dreary day and feel warmed by a small fire fueled by peat. The cold stone walls were covered by tapestries or rugs. Take time to see the Togher: An Iron Age Road, and The Fullacht Fiadh - Hunter's Cooking Site. Stones heated on the camp-fire were used to boil water in the wooden trough. A joint of venison was put into the boiling water to cook for their meals. Sure sounds like a lot of work to me!
O'Brien's Tower is located just north of the Cliffs of Moher.It was built by an eccentric landlord back in the 1800's to impress lady visitors!It is basically a mini castle/tower that you can climb to the top of, for awesome view of the cliffs and the Aran Islands out in the Atlantic Ocean.
Here is a handy place to visit for a couple of hours on your first or last day in Ireland,if you are flying into or out of Shannon Airport.Bunratty Castle was built in 1425 and was wonderfully restored in the 1950's. It is beautifully furnished and interesting to visit. In the evenings, you can attend a medieval banquet, if you wish.To read the history of this castle, you can visit this website. Http://shannonheritage.com/BunrattyDay.htmThe Folkpark has many 19th century buildings such as farmhouses, a church,a blacksmith,a mill and a pub. There are also many farm animals. This is a big tourist attraction, but on the chilly,clear December morning we visited, we practically had the place to ourselves. It was a good place to kill a few hours before leaving on our flight home. Across the street from the castle are some shops open seven days a week, which are handy to buy some last minute...
In the village of New Quay in the north Burren is a very scenic and easy loop walk along the shore that begins right from the door of Linnane's Lobster Bar. The entire walk is about 3 miles and though it is along the road, there is little passing traffic. On a fine day the scenery is striking and there will be moments where you look around and say "this is Ireland".It's also a nice way to either work off or earn a pint and some seafood at Linnane's :) Ask details about the walk from one of the staff in Linnanes, or at the local tourism office.
Ballinalacken Castle Country House Doolin
4 Reviews and 170 Opinions This is the fantatsic restaurant at the Ballinalacken Hotel, also dueled as our wedding reception...
Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort Shannon
478 Opinions
Bunratty Manor Hotel Bunratty
105 Opinions
Reviews and photos of County Clare attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for County Clare sightseeing.
Q: Hi, I am getting hopelessly lost in all timetables, trying to find a way to get back to Dublin after Willie Clancy week. I have...
A: You are somewhere near Ring of Kerry and Killarney aren't you.? There are trains from Killarney into Dublin Hueston, then I think bus is cheaper option (than a taxi)...
Read 4 Replies
