The Rest of County
Clare |
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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). |
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| Accommodations in Co. Clare range from luxurious old world castles and contemporary hotels to family-run country inns. Most are within an hour's drive or less from Shannon Airport, and are ideal stopping points for starting or ending a vacation. The places featured below offer all rooms with private bath/shower (en suite) unless otherwise noted. Here are some of my favorites: |
PRICE KEY B&B per person per night € - under 50 €€ - 50 to 75 €€€ - 75 to 100 €€€€ - 100 to 150 €€€€€ - over 150 |
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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 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 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
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I-DEPTH counter |
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