County Clare… A haven of wild beauty & wonderful music
Book your Christmas Break to Clare today...
Theres lots of great events taking place this holiday season. Click here for more details.
A County of Contrasts
Extending from Galway Bay in the north of the county to Loop Head peninsula in the south and from the beautiful lake waters of Lough Derg in the east to the Atlantic Ocean in the west; the rolling rivers, the ocean breakers, the changing tides all give this county its natural beauty and identity. Clare is a county of extraordinary diversity. Be uplifted by the sight of wild dolphins diving in the Shannon Estuary; enjoy the cream of Irish traditional music in Doolin village, shop in chic designer boutiques in Clare’s capital town Ennis, wax your surf board on the magnificent golden beach of Lahinch or lie back and be pampered in the Spa town of Lisdoonvarna.
Distinctive Towns and Villages
Each of the towns and villages of Clare have their own unique characteristics.
The village of Bunratty is synonymous with the West of Ireland’s most visited attraction Bunratty Folk Park. Lisdoonvara is famous for romance. Its annual matchmaking festival draws visitors from around the globe. Kilfenora and Tulla are renowned for their Ceili Bands and the town of Kilrush has national Heritage Town status. You see the sun go down on Galway Bay from the charming coastal village of Ballyvaughan or head to Miltown Malbay and experience the annual Willie Clancy Summer School, Ireland's largest traditional music summer school.
Wherever you go there will be generous hospitality, the finest home cooked food, a place to raise your glass and music to gladden you heart.
The East Clare Lakelands
East Clare literally sparkles with rivers and lakes. Lough Derg, the largest and one of the most beautiful of the lakes on the River Shannon, forms the eastern boundary of County Clare. The picturesque town of Killaloe, sited at the southern tip of the lake, is a network of charming narrow streets that climb to give a view of the 13th century cathedral. The town’s marina caters for the hundreds of leisure craft that ply the lake waters or that cruise the River Shannon. A little further north, the pretty village of Mountshannon is one of the busiest cruising and yachting centres on Lough Derg. If walking or driving is more your thing then the scenic beauty of the region will charm you as you travel.
Europe’s Largest Rock Garden
Never before will you have seen a rockery of such proportions. The Burren region, situated on the north western corner of Clare, extends over 160 square kilometres. Mostly made up of bare, grey limestone rock, the weather has cracked and creviced the rock over time to produce amazing patterns on the land.
Majestic Heights
The Cliffs of Moher is one of Ireland’s top visitor attractions and are world renowned for their scale and beauty. The award winning Visitors Centre houses the exciting Atlantic Edge interpretive centre, a well stocked craft shop, restaurant with panoramic views and there is ample parking. The 700ft sea cliffs have made it to the final stage of the “New 7 Wonders of Nature" campaign and are vying for one of the seven top places with 27 other finalists. The seven locations will be chosen by votes from the public all over the world over the next two years and the winners will be announced in 2011. Online voting has reopened even to members of the public who voted in the past. So get behind the Cliffs and Vote Now
The choice is yours.
You can head to any one of the six beaches that hold the coveted Blue Flag award for excellence or play a round of golf in the world famous links courses in Lahinch or Doonbeg. Watch musicians gathering for a ‘session’ and revel in Clare’s rich heritage of Irish traditional music. Ancient monuments, medieval castles and monastic sites literally dot the towns villages and countryside. Clare people have a tremendous welcome for the newcomer. They love their county and want you to enjoy all it has to offer
Why don’t you!
Go underground. The Ailwee Cave near Ballyvaughan village was formed by ice age melt waters carving out the limestone. It is open to visitors, as is Doolin Cave where you will marvel at one of the world’s largest free hanging stalactites.
Or Trace your roots in the Corofin Heritage Centre. If you have ancestors you’ll be helped to find out your family history!
For further information on Things To Do Click Here
