The Rest of County
Clare —
Hotels
Photos: (Upper left) Dromoland Castle, Newmarket-on-Fergus and (upper
right) Temple Gate Hotel, Ennis; (bottom left) Burren Coast Hotel, Ballyvaughan, and
(bottom right) Park Inn Shannon Airport (former Great Southern Hotel).
B&B per person per night
€ - under 50
€€ - 50 to 75
€€€ - 75 to 100
€€€€ - 100 to 150
€€€€€ - over 150
Burren Coast Hotel, Coast Road, Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare; tel. 065-708-3000; email: info@burrencoast.ie. Located overlooking Galway Bay at the west end of town (between O’Lochlainn’s Pub and The Monk’s Pub), this new hotel is easily walkable into town. It is contemporary and boxy in style, but enhanced by lovely views of the harbour, with a rocky Burren hill in the back of the building. It offers 20 guest rooms with twin or double beds and the usual amenities, plus the Hazelwood Restaurant and Limestone Bar, and a spa facility. Lowest rates are Sunday-Thursday. €€ Web Site: www.burrencoast.ie
Dromoland Castle, Newmarket-on-Fergus, Co. Clare, tel.
061-368144; fax 061-363355; e-mail: sales@dromoland.ie.
If your budget can bear it, it's worth a splurge to live like a king or
queen at this sumptuous and authentic castle, originally built by the O'Briens,
the high kings of Ireland, in the 17th century. Located less than 10 miles
from Shannon Airport, it has been enhanced and enlarged over the years and
now operates at 5-star level, with 100 posh guest rooms of varying size,
vintage, and upstairs-or-downstairs location, all housed in turrets, towers,
courtyards, or new wings. To add to the splendor, the castle sits beside
the River Rine on a 400 acre walled estate of parklands and gardens, and
18-hole golf course. Guests can also avail of indoor swimming pool, tennis,
fishing, horse riding, and a health and beauty clinic. €€€€
to €€€€€
Web site: www.dromoland.ie
Gregans Castle Hotel, Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare, tel. 065-707-7005;
fax 065-707-7111; e-mail: stay@gregans.ie.
In spite of its name, this much-honored property in the heart of the rocky
Burren is not a castle but 4-star country inn hotel. However, for castle-aficionados,
it is built on the site of the ancient family castles of the Martyns and
O'Loughlins, early princes of The Burren. Now owned and managed by the Haden
family, it is conveniently located about 3 miles south of Ballyvaughan,
with distant views of Galway Bay at the bottom of Corkscrew Hill. Step inside
and step back in time — antiques and heirlooms, turf fires, and no
TVs in the 21 bedrooms, yet every modern comfort and luxury is provided.
Facilities include a fine restaurant, cozy pub, traditional drawing room,
library, and lovely gardens outside. It's a great place to get away from
it all! Closed: End of October to Easter. €€€
Web site: www.gregans.ie
Kincora Hall Hotel, Killaloe, Co., Clare;
tel. 061-376000; fax 061-376665; e-mail:
info@kincorahall.com. Perched on the edge of Lough Derg overlooking
a private marina north of town, this relatively new hotel is named after
the nearby fortress home of Brian Boru. The hotel carries the Boru theme
throughout its public areas, with open hearth fireplaces, medieval wall
hangings, knightly memorabilia, and a rick dark wood interior. The 30
guest rooms are modern if compact, with 20th century comforts, and many
with views of the marina. Facilities include a residents library, bar
and restaurant overlooking the water. €€
to €€€
Web site: www.kincorahall.com
Lakeside Hotel, Killaloe, Co. Clare, tel. 061-376122;
fax 061-376431; e-mail: info@lakesidehotel.ie.
Location is the best feature of this modern 3-star hotel. Nestled on the
southern edge of Lough Derg on the River Shannon, it overlooks the Killaloe
Marina and is surrounded by water on three sides. It is a very good choice
if you are traveling with children since 10 of the 46 guestrooms are superior
family suites. Otherwise, rooms are standard with basic amenities. The
hotel also offers a large leisure centre with swimming pool, sauna, steam
room, Jacuzzi, and gym. Other facilities include a restaurant and bar.
Closed: 23-26 Dec. €€
Web site: www.lakesidehotel.ie
Old Ground Hotel, O'Connell St., Ennis, Co. Clare, tel.
065-682-8127; fax 065-682-8112; e-mail:
reservations@oldgroundhotel.ie. Dating back to 1749, this former manor
house sits at the end of Ennis' main street, opposite the town's cathedral.
With its ivy-clad exterior, it exudes 18th century charm and is decorated
with coffered ceilings, antiques, old paintings, and warming open fireplaces
including one specimen (circa. 1553) that used to reside in Lemanagh Castle.
The 83 guest rooms, which vary in size, shape and style, have all modern
comforts but some are superior to others. Facilities include a restaurant
and an atmospheric bar known as The Poet's Corner. Closed: 24-26 December.
€€
Web site: www.flynnhotels.com
Park Inn Hotel - Shannon Airport (former Great Southern Hotel), Shannon Airport, Shannon,
Co. Clare, tel. 061-471122; fax 061-471982; e-mail: shannonairport@rezidorparkinn.com. Although it sits across the street from the main
terminal at Shannon Airport, this 3-star hotel is more like a county inn
than a usual airport hotel. Warmly decorated with a friendly atmosphere,
its rear half looks out onto the Shannon Estuary. Best of all, it's just
a short walk from the arrival/departure areas of the airport and (free)
luggage carts are always available. There are 115 guest rooms, many with
views of the water. Facilities include a stylish bistro restaurant and
a bar that attracts a mix of international visitors and locals. For curing
jet lag, there is also a gym and steam room. Day rooms are available at
about half the nightly rate. Closed: 24-26 Dec. €€ to €€€
Web site: www.parkinn.com
Temple Gate Hotel, The Square, Ennis, Co. Clare, tel.
065-682-3300; fax 065-682-3322; e-mail:
info@templegatehotel.com. Built within the site of a former 19th century
school and convent on a cobblestone courtyard, this 3-star hotel enjoys
the best location in town - opposite the tourist office and new Clare
County Museum, just off the town's main street. It was designed by proprietor
John Madden to retain "early Ennis" charm with a Gothic façade
while offering every modern comfort in the 70 guestrooms - and it succeeds
very well. Ground floor rooms are available, although there are two lifts
as well. Facilities include a restaurant, pub, and residents' library. Closed: 24 - 27 December. €€
to €€€ Web site: www.templegatehotel.com
Rest of Co. Clare Guesthouses
Rest
of Co. Clare B&Bs
Shannon
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