Destinations > Ireland > Munster > County Clare

County Clare

County Clare encompasses much of the area between Galway and Limerick. The county's main attraction is the spectacular Cliffs of Moher.

Ennis (Inis)

County Clare's biggest town is a lovely place that is overlooked by most tourists. It is a bustling town built on the banks of the River Fergus.

Practical Information

Ennis Tourist Information Centre

Arthur's Row, Ennis

Tel (065) 28366

Website www.shannonregiontourism.ie

Open Jan-Mar Mon-Fri 9.30am-1pm & 2pm-6pm; Apr-Jun Mon-Sat 9.30am-1pm & 2pm-6pm; Jul-Sep 9am-1pm & 2pm-6pm daily; Oct Mon-Sat 9.30am-1pm & 2pm-6pm; Nov-Dec Mon-Fri 9.30am-1pm & 2pm-6pm

INTERNET ACCESS

Pc eireann

37E Lower Market Street, Ennis

Tel (065) 684 8411

Open Mon-Sat 9am-7pm

Coming & Going

AIR

Shannon Airport (website www.shannonairport.com) is about 20 minutes from Ennis. It has direct flights to North America as well as many European destinations.

Bus Éireann (website www.buseireann.ie) runs direct bus services between Ennis and Shannon Airport.

BUS

Bus Éireann (website www.buseireann.ie) has direct bus services Limerick and Galway.

TRAIN

There are direct trains from Ennis to Limerick and Rosslare Harbour. Change at Limerick Junction for trains to Cork, Dublin and Tralee.

Accommodation

Lios Rua Hostel

Lisroe, Kilmaley, Ennis

Tel (065) 683 9109

Sights

Clare Museum

This museum displays artefacts depicting 6000 years of history in County Clare.

Arthur's Row, Ennis

Tel (065) 682 3382

Website www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/claremuseum/

Admission €3.50

Open Jan-May Tue-Sat 9.30am-1pm & 2pm-5.30pm; Jun-Sep 9.30am-5.30pm daily; Oct-Dec Tue-Sat 9.30am-1pm & 2pm-5.30pm

Dromore Wood & Visitor Centre

Dromore Wood is a 400-hectare nature reserve with archaeological and historical relics that include the 17th century O'Brien Castle, plus two ring forts and the sites of Cahermacrea Castle and Killakee Church.

Ruan, Ennis

Tel (065) 683 7166

Website www.heritageireland.ie

Admission free

Dromore Wood open during daylight hours; Visitor Centre open mid Jun-mid Sep Mon-Fri 10am-6pm (last entry 5.15pm)

Ennis Friary

This 13th century Franciscan Friary boasts several sculptures from the 15th and 16th centuries.

Abbey Street, Ennis

Tel (065) 682 9100

Website www.heritageireland.ie

Admission €1.50 (75c students)

Open Apr-May Tue-Sun 10am-5pm (last entry 4.15pm); Jun-mid Sep 10am-6pm daily (last entry 5.15pm); mid Sep-Oct Tue-Sun 10am-5pm (last entry 4.15pm)

Lahinch (Leacht Uí Chonchubhair)

In the late 19th century Lahinch developed as a seaside resort and it is now popular with surfers and travellers that use it as a base for visiting the nearby Cliffs of Moher.

Practical Information

Lahinch Tourist Information Centre

Main Street, Lahinch

Tel (065) 708 2082

Open 9am-6pm daily

Accommodation

Lahinch Hostel

Church Street, Lahinch

Tel (065) 708 1040

Liscanor (Lios Ceannúir) & the Cliffs of Moher

The Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland's most visited sites and Liscanor is one of the closest villages and many travellers stay here. Liscanor's attractions include a ruined castle and O'Brien's Monument, 3km north of town.

Accommodation

Liscanor Village Hostel

R478, Liscanor

Tel (065) 708 1550

Sights

Cliffs of Moher & O'Brien's Tower

Western Ireland's top attraction is the 214m-high Cliffs of Moher, which stretch along 8km of County Clare's coastline with its highest and most impressive point 3km north of Liscanor. O'Brien's Tower, built in 1857 by Cornelius O'Brien, is the best vantage point of the Cliffs affording spectacular views to the Aran Islands and Galway Bay. The Cliffs of Moher is an important bird watching site with over 30,000 breeding pairs of seabirds.

R478, 3km north of Liscanor

Tel (061) 360 788

Website www.shannonheritage.com

Admission €1.50 (students free)

O'Brien's Tower open Mar-May 9.30am-6pm daily; Jul-Aug 9.30am-8pm daily; Sep-Oct 9.30am-6pm daily; visitor centre open Jan-May 9.30am-6pm daily; Jun-Aug 9am-6.30pm daily; Sep-Dec 9.30am-6pm daily

Doolin (Dubh Linn)

This tiny village north of the Cliffs of Moher is world famous for the traditional Irish music that is played in its three pubs. It is a popular destination with backpackers boasting several excellent hostels.

Coming & Going

Buses connect Doolin with the Cliffs of Moher, Dublin, Ennis, Galway and Limerick.

Accommodation

Aille River Hostel

Doolin

Tel (065) 707 4260

Flanagan's Village Hostel

Tel (065) 707 7464

Paddy's Doolin Hostel

Fisher Street, Doolin

Tel (065) 707 4421