Clare
Photos: (clockwise, from upper left) Bunratty Castle; Bunratty Folk Park farmhouse; Ballyvaughan street sign, with pointers to many Co. Clare attractions; Cliffs of Moher; Poulnabrone Dolmen; Burren Perfumery.
County Clare is a land of contrasts — from the rugged and rocky landscape of the Cliffs of Moher and The Burren to the sylvan shoreline panoramas of Lough Derg, or the ancient profiles of medieval castles rubbing shoulders with the technology centers of the modern Shannon Duty Free Zone.
Here are some of the top attractions:
Aillwee Cave, Ballyvaughan (tel. 065-707-7036), is one of Ireland's oldest underground sites, with over 3,400 feet of passages and hollows going right into the side of a mountain. Open year-round except December (by appointment only). Web site: www.aillweecave.ie
Bunratty Castle, Bunratty (tel. 061-360788), is one of Ireland's great castles, built in 1425 by the O'Briens. It was fully restored in 1954 with authentic furnishings, armorial stained glass, tapestries, and works of art reflecting the aura of the 15th century. By day, the buildings royal chambers are open for guided tours; and by night, medieval banquets are held all year. "A must" for every itinerary. Web site: www.shannonheritage.com
Bunratty Folk Park, Bunratty (tel. 061-360788), is a 20-acre re-creation of a 19th century Irish village, with authentic thatched cottages, farmhouses, and an entire village street with school, church, post office, pub, grocery store, print shop — all open to the public for browsing. Fresh scones and breads are baked in the cottages, and craftspeople ply their trades, from knitting and weaving to candle-making, pottery, and basketry. Web site: www.shannonheritage.com
Burren Centre, Kilfenora, Co. Clare (tel. 065-708-8030), is an interpretative centre that tells the story of the Burren and all of its unique features - geology, flora and fauna - with a multi-dimensional exhibit and a video. It’s the ideal orientation to start a tour of the Burren. Open daily March 15 – October 31, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. or longer. Web site: www.theburrencentre.ie
Burren Perfumery & Floral Centre, Carron, Co. Clare (tel. 065-708-9102), is Ireland’s first perfumery, set up over 30 years ago. The complex includes a laboratory, gardens, and visitor centre that enables visitors to follow the perfume-making process. See the natural oils being extracted from the Alpine and Arctic flowers of the Burren, and blended with local water using the traditional still, and then hand-bottled, filtered and packaged as perfumes, bath oils, soaps, and bubble baths. An organic tea room is on the premises, too. Open daily year-round from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. or later. Web site: www.burrenperfumery.com
Caherconnell Stone Fort, Carron, Co. Clare (tel. 065-707-9999), is a fine example of a “caher,” or circular stone farmstead built around 400 A.D., measuring 140-145 feet in diameter, 12 feet thick and from 6-14 feet high. One of the best-preserved examples of dry stone walling in the Burren, it sits less than one mile south of Poulnabrone Dolmen, on the main Ennis-Ballyvaughan Road (R. 480). The visitor centre provides displays and a virtual tour of the fort. Open March – October, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with extended hours in July and August. Web site: www.burrenforts.ie
Clare Museum - "The Riches of Clare," Arthur's Row, Ennis, Co. Clare (tel. 065-682-3382). Six thousand years of history are rolled into this compact museum. Step inside and learn all about Ennis and other Clare towns, as well as the stories of Brian Boru, last high king of Ireland, and his descendents, the O'Briens; John Philip Holland, the inventor of the submarine; and Shannon's role in navigation and as an airport. Local legends and lore come alive in story boards, audio-visual displays, and collections of artifacts. Housed in a former school run by the Sisters of Mercy, it also recalls the religious legacy of the area, with exhibits on local saints (Caimin, Senan, and Colman) as well as monasteries, abbeys, holy wells and Holy Island (Inis Cealtra). Open: June-Sept. daily; Oct.-May Tues.-Sat. Web site: www.clarelibrary.ie
Cliffs of Moher, near Doolin, Co. Clare (tel. 061-711269), is the Shannon Region’s signature scenic attraction and one of Ireland’s great natural wonders, rising 700 feet above the Atlantic and stretching for five miles along the coastline. In early 2007, a whole new visitor experience was launched at the Cliffs of Moher. The focal point is a state-of-the-art domed interpretative centre - "The Atlantic Edge" - covered by a grassy hillside, to blend with the surroundings. The centre presents interactive exhibits and displays as well as audio-visual shows and a cyclorama. Other facilities include access to O’Brien’s Tower viewing deck (capacity controlled & weather dependent); parents & first aid room; restaurant; coffee shop; visitor reception foyer; picnic area; craftworker units; tourist information office; retail shop; and toilets on both levels. In addition, a team of on site Cliffs of Moher rangers monitor the environment and provide improved support, information and safety. New paths and viewing platforms with seating areas have also been added. Web site: www.cliffsofmoher.ie
Craggaunowen, near Quin, Co. Clare (tel. 061-360788), is a prehistoric park with a Celtic theme. Situated on 50 acres of wooded grounds, the park features recreations of an Iron Age ring fort, early Christian homesteads, Stone Age tombs, and a Bronze Age lake island dwelling (crannog), as well as animals and artifacts which existed in Ireland over 1,000 years ago. In addition, the park houses the Brendan Boat, a leather-hulled vessel built by Tim Severin and sailed by him and his crew across the Atlantic in the mid-1970’s to prove it was possible that early Christian monks reached America in the 7th century. Open daily April – October, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Web site: www.shannonheritage.com
Doolin Cave, Doolin, Co. Clare (tel. 065-707-5761), with a giant free-hanging stalactite that is thought to be one of the largest in the world, is the newest cave in the area to be open to the public. Visitors, are permitted, in groups of up to 20, for one hour at a time. Access to the cave is via a courtesy coach from Bruach na hAille restaurant in Doolin Village. Book in advance, based on availability. Web site: www.doolincave.ie
Glor - Irish Music Centre, off O'Connell Square, Ennis (tel. 065-684-3103), is a state-of-the-art performing arts center dedicated to Irish traditional music, interspersed with global music. The ever-changing program includes Irish and international musicians, singers, storytellers and famous ceili bands (such as the Tulla Ceili Band and Kilfenora Ceili Band) performing concerts and set dancing music, as well as films. Facilities include an art gallery and restaurant, open throughout the day. In addition, there is daytime film, "Clare for the Music!", exploring the origins and inspiration of Irish music among Clare musicians; and an exhibition, "They Love Music Mightily," featuring specially commissioned audio recordings and photographs of 13 of the leading exponents of Irish traditional music and song. Web site: www.glor.ie.
Killaloe/Brian Boru Heritage Centre, The Bridge, Killaloe (061-360789), is the best place to go to learn about the heyday of the River Shannon. Quartered in the original lock house of the Killaloe Canal, this unique museum includes a walk-through tour of interactive exhibits, from the inside of a canal boat to a hotel veranda, all designed to convey the aura and atmosphere of life on the Shannon in 18th-19th century Ireland. Open May through September.
Knappogue Castle, Quin (tel. 061-360788), was built in 1467, is one of the oldest restored castles in the area, originally the home of the McNamara Clan. The name "Knappogue" comes from the Irish language (An Chnapóg) meaning "the hillock," a reference to the fact that the castle sits on an embankment. The original Norman structure has been enhanced by elaborate late-Georgian and Regency wings. Like Bunratty, it is open by day for tours (April-October) and provides a nightly setting for medieval banquets (May-September). The entertainment at Knappogue features a pageant of significant women in Irish history. Web site: www.shannonheritage.com
"Lough Derg Drive" — one of Ireland's most "undiscovered" routes, is a 95-mile circuit around the largest lake of the Shannon River. The route, which can start and finish in Killaloe or Portumna, passes an assortment of charming marina villages and scenic delights, from the 1,000-year-old Brian Boru oak, Ireland's oldest tree; to Holy Island, a 5-acre island that contains ruins of a 7th century monastery (boat trips available from Mountshannon); Portumna and Redwood Castles; and the East Clare Heritage Centre, one of Ireland's oldest churches, built in 930.
Poulnabrone Dolmen, near Carron, Co. Clare, is a much-photographed megalithic burial tomb and the Burren’s most famous archaeological monument. It was excavated in 1986, uncovering the remains of 33 people, some dating back to 3,800 B.C. It sits in the middle of a farmer's field, off R. 480 between Carron and Ballyvaughan.
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