Must-see attractions in County Clare

  • Dysert O'Dea

    The Burren

    The centrepiece of this fascinating historic site where St Tola founded a monastery in the 8th century is the four-storey, 15th-century O'Dea Castle…

  • Ennis Friary

    County Clare

    North of the Square, Ennis Friary was founded by Donnchadh Cairbreach O'Brien, a king of Thomond, between 1240 and 1249. A mix of structures dating…

  • Poulnabrone Dolmen

    The Burren

    Also known as the Portal Tomb, Poulnabrone Dolmen is one of Ireland's most photographed ancient monuments. Built more than 5000 years ago, the other…

  • Corcomroe Abbey

    The Burren

    Moody and evocative, marvellously ruined Corcomroe Abbey sits in a quiet green hollow, 2km inland from Bellharbour, surrounded by the stark grey Burren…

  • Hazel Mountain Chocolate

    The Burren

    Book ahead to watch chocolate being made in small batches using rare Trinitario cacao beans and raw sugar on a 45-minute tour of this heavenly smelling…

  • Vandeleur Walled Garden

    County Clare

    Within a 170-hectare forest 800m south of the centre, this stunning 'lost' garden was the private domain of the wealthy Vandeleur family – merchants and…

  • Burren Perfumery & Floral Centre

    The Burren

    The Burren's wildflowers are the inspiration for the subtle scents at this wonderful perfumery and floral centre, which creates scented items such as…

  • Gleninsheen Wedge Tomb

    The Burren

    One of Ireland's most famous prehistoric grave sites, Gleninsheen lies beside the R480 7km south of Ballyvaughan. It's thought to date from 4000 to 5000…

  • Aillwee Cave

    The Burren

    Aillwee's extraordinary caves were carved out by water some two million years ago. The main cave penetrates 600m into the mountain, widening into larger…

  • St Tola Irish Goat Cheese

    The Burren

    Creamy St Tola goat's cheese is served at some of Ireland's finest restaurants, with award-winning lines including ash log, Greek-style feta and gouda…

  • Cascades

    County Clare

    Best seen by walking through the arch by Byrne's Inn, Ennistimon's cascades are quite a sight after heavy rain when they surge, beer-brown foaming, and…

  • Dromore Wood

    The Burren

    Extending along a lovely river, Dromore Wood encompasses some 400 hectares of picturesque Irish woodland as well as the ruins of the lakeside 17th-century…

  • Bunratty Castle & Folk Park

    County Clare

    Dating from the 15th century, square, hulking Bunratty Castle is only the latest of several edifices to occupy its location beside the River Ratty…

  • Scattery Island

    County Clare

    This uninhabited, windswept and treeless island in the estuary 3km southwest of Kilrush was the site of a Christian settlement founded by St Senan in the…

  • Holy Island

    County Clare

    Lying 2km offshore from Mountshannon, Holy Island (Inis Cealtra) is the site of a monastic settlement thought to have been founded by St Cáimín in the 7th…

  • Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre

    Cliffs of Moher

    Covered in turf and cut into the hillside, the cliffs' state-of-the-art visitor centre has engaging exhibitions covering the fauna, flora, geology and…

  • Craggaunowen

    County Clare

    Ireland's award-winning prehistoric park features rarities such as crannóg dwellings (artificial islands), re-created Celtic farms, and a 5th-century ring…

  • Kilfenora Cathedral

    The Burren

    Built in 1189, Kilfenora's cathedral was once an important place of pilgrimage. St Fachan (or Fachtna) founded the monastery here in the 6th century, and…

  • Caherconnell Fort

    The Burren

    For a close-up look at a well-preserved, drystone caher (walled fort) of the late Iron Age–early Christian period, stop at this privately run heritage…

  • Wilde Irish Chocolates

    County Clare

    At this heady open-plan factory you can watch chocolates being made and packed, and taste developmental and best-selling products (over 80 to date,…

  • Loop Head Lighthouse

    County Clare

    On a 90m-high cliff, this 23m-tall working lighthouse, complete with a Fresnel lens, rises up above Loop Head. Guided tours (included in admission) take…

  • O'Brien's Tower

    Cliffs of Moher

    Clatter up the spiral iron staircase to the roof-top viewing platform of this historic stone tower for the Cliffs of Moher's best photo-op. The structure…

  • Quin Friary

    County Clare

    Impressively intact, this Franciscan friary was founded in 1433 using part of the walls of an older Clare castle built in 1280. Despite many periods of…

  • Father Ted's House

    The Burren

    Fans of madcap TV comedy Father Ted will jump at the chance to visit the building that provided the exterior shots of the series' parochial house. Advance…

  • White Strand

    County Clare

    Secluded White Strand (Trá Ban) offers relatively safe swimming sheltered from the Atlantic swells. With a Blue Flag rating, the 250m beach is patrolled…

  • Brian Ború Heritage Centre

    County Clare

    Inside the former lock keeper's cottage on the little islet Between the Waters, the Brian Ború Heritage Centre celebrates the local boy made good as the…

  • Spa Well

    The Burren

    At the town's southern end is a spa well, with a sulphur spring, a Victorian pumphouse and a wooded setting. The iron, sulphur, magnesium and iodine in…

  • Clare Museum

    County Clare

    At this diverting little museum, the 'Riches of Clare' exhibition tells the story of Clare from 8000 years ago to the present day using authentic…

  • Cahercommaun

    The Burren

    Perched on the edge of an inland cliff about 3km south of Carron is the triple ring fort of Cahercommaun, built around AD 800 and inhabited by people who…

  • Killaloe Cathedral

    County Clare

    Built by the O'Brien family on top of a 6th-century church, Killaloe Cathedral dates from the early 13th century. Astonishing carvings decorate the…

  • Leamaneh Castle

    The Burren

    This magnificent, allegedly haunted ruin stands on a rise 6.2km east of Kilfenora. Built in 1480 as a tower house and converted to a mansion in 1650, it's…

  • Fanore Beach

    The Burren

    With an extensive backdrop of grass-covered dunes, this Blue Flag–rated beach off the R477 is patrolled by lifeguards in summer and is a surfing hotspot…

  • Beal Ború

    County Clare

    The remains of this early-medieval ring fort are believed by some to have been Kincora, the fabled palace of the famous Irish king Brian Ború. His forces…

  • Burren Centre

    The Burren

    At the Burren Centre, a 12-minute film gives you an overview of the Burren's flora, fauna and geology, while interactive exhibits detail its formation and…

  • Spanish Point

    County Clare

    With dazzling views of the setting sun, this lovely beach also offers excellent walks north of the point amid the low cliffs, vast ledges of stone, rock…

  • Daniel O'Connell Monument

    County Clare

    Set on a soaring column, a statue of Daniel O'Connell (aka the 'Great Liberator') presides over the Square.

  • Shannon Dolphin Centre

    County Clare

    The 170-plus bottlenose dolphins swimming out in the Shannon are monitored by this dedicated research facility. In addition to learning about its latest…

  • Doughmore Bay

    County Clare

    A long, sweeping 2km stretch of golden sand, Doughmore Bay is 4km north of the village. There's often good surf here; rent equipment in Lahinch.

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