The Locals Guide To County Clare

Our guide to Aran Islands by our County Clare local expert - Located off the coast of North Clare, the Aran Islands are famed for their cultural heritage and beautiful surroundings. They are a perfect spot to experience Irish culture, traditional Irish music and wild, rugged landscape. Get away from the mainland for either a few hours or stay overnight in the local hotel or with one of the many families that run B&Bs and guest houses. The Aran Islands are a Gealtacht area and the local use Irish as their daily language. 

Our guide to Ballyvaughan by our County Clare local expert - Ballyvaughan is one of the most northerly villages in County Clare. Located very close to the Clare - Galway border, this seaside village is ideal for a break away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. You can access Ballyvaughan by bus, car or taxi from Ennis or Galway city. 

Our guide to Bodyke by our County Clare local expert - Bodyke is a rural village located in East Clare and was made famous for the ‘Bodyke Evictions’, which took place during the 1880s landlord and tenant conflict.  A troublesome time in Irish history, the village was the scene for what is referred to as one of the Land War’s most dramatic events. The Land War refers to a time in Irish history when farmers sought better rents and conditions from their landlords and organized themselves into an organization called the Land League. 

Our guide to Bunratty by our County Clare local expert - Bunratty village is conveniently located close to Shannon Airport and on the main road linking Ennis town with Limerick City. It is just 25km from Ennis and 19km from Limerick city both on the N18.

Our guide to Carran by our County Clare local expert - Set in the heart of the Burren, Carran offers visitors a great base to explore the region. Miles of exposed limestone rocks characterise the Burren area, and it is home to a fantastic array of local flora and fauna including the Irish hare, foxes, pine martins, feral goats and badgers. The area is also famed for its botany and houses the country’s only working perfumery.

Our guide to Carrigaholt by our County Clare local expert - Located on the Loophead Peninsula in West Clare, Carrigaholt is a pretty little seaside village on the Shannon Estuary.Offering a safe haven for water enthusiasts, the village offers visitors the opportunity to go sea angling or fish off the pier, enjoy a close encounter with some gorgeous local residents – about 120 bottlenose dolphins, or enjoy the Carrigaholt Oyster Festival (typically held over the May Bank Holiday weekend).

Our guide to Clare Regional Overview by our County Clare local expert - Nestled on the west coast of Ireland County Clare is one of the most scenic spots in western Europe. You can tour the moonscapes of The Burren in the north and travel south along the Atlantic coastline taking in spectacular views and cruise eastwards along the Shannon Estuary until you reach Lough Derg. 

Our guide to Cliffs of Moher by our County Clare local expert - A designated UNESCO Geo Park and a contender for the new Seven Wonders of the World, the Cliffs of Moher s...

Our guide to Corofin by our County Clare local expert - Often referred to as the gateway to the Burren, Corofin village is well known for its traditional music scene, its wealth of things to do and its history. Situated on the River Fergus, the area was once home to the O'Brien clan. Wife of Lucius O'Brien, Catherine Keightley was first cousin to two English monarchs - Queen Mary and Queen Anne.

Our guide to Doolin by our County Clare local expert - Another one of Clare's must-see seaside villages, Doolin is a picturesque fishing village  staring out at the Atlantic Ocean on the county's north-west coast. The village is close to the Cliffs of Moher and provides a great base for exploring the region.

Our guide to Doonbeg by our County Clare local expert - Founded by St Senan, the patron saint of West Clare, in the 6th century, Doonbeg is located on the west coast between Milltown Malbay and Kilkee. The village grew up around the Doonbeg Castle. The castle was built in the 16th century for the Earl of Thomond, Daniel O'Brien. It transferred hands a number of times, including to the MacMahons, the O'Briens, James Cornyn and Nicholas Strich Fitznicholas before it was confiscated by the Crown and resold in 1703. Today the castle is mostly in ruins with only the northern-western corner now standing.

Our guide to Dysert by our County Clare local expert - Dysert is a small townland in the mid-north part of Clare and is very close to Corofin. The Dysert O'Dea Castle and surrounding monuments are well worth a visit. The 15th century castle has been recently restored. Built in 1480 by Diarmuid O'Dea, the castle was badly damaged by the Cromwellians in the mid-1600s however it was repaired and re-opened in 1986. It has a museum and various exhibitions and is well worth a visit.

Our guide to East Clare by our County Clare local expert - As you travel into East Clare the coastline becomes a memory as green, rolling hills and mountains open up before you. This corner of the county meets neighbouring counties Galway, Tipperary and Limerick as well as the beautiful Lough Derg.

Our guide to Ennis by our County Clare local expert - Nestled on a small island in a fork of the River Fergus, Ennis is the main county town of Clare. Originaly founded c...

Our guide to Ennistymon by our County Clare local expert - Ennistymon is located a few miles from the Atlantic Coast, near Lahinch and close to Liscannor, Cliffs of Moher...

Our guide to Feakle by our County Clare local expert - Located in east Clare, near Scarriff, Mountshannon and Lough Derg, Feakle is noted for its International Traditiona...

Our guide to Kilfenora by our County Clare local expert - Nestled in the heart of the Burren and close to Lisdoonarna, Doolin and the Cliffs of Moher, Kilfenora is an excellent base for visitors. There are many cultural and historical things to do in the village such as explore the story behind the Burren's flora, fauna and geology at the Burren Centre.

Our guide to Kilkee by our County Clare local expert - Kilkee is on the West Coast of County Clare, on the peninsula known as Loophead.  It is located on Moore Bay and has a reef, known as Duggerna Rocks, guarding the bay.Kilkee has been popular with locals and visitors alike since the 18th century due to the area’s mild climate, semi-circular strand and safe bathing areas. The village is quite close to Kilrush and Doonbeg, as well as Loophead. It has world famous dive spots including Biraghty Mór and Beag; Diamond Rocks; Donegal Point; Chimney Bay and Bishops Island. If you fancy a spot of fishing, try out Castle Point – located three miles south of the town and good for catching pollock, mackerel, conger and rockling.

Our guide to Killaloe by our County Clare local expert - Few towns can claim to be the home of a king, but Killaloe was the home of the last high king of Ireland - Brian ...

Our guide to Killimer to Tarbert Ferry by our County Clare local expert - This is a 20-minute journey from Killimer in County Clare to Tarbert in County Kerry saves passengers from the 137kilometre trip.The ferries operate every day (except Christmas Day) and as they operate in the sheltered waters of the Shannon Estuary, the ferry is rarely stopped from travelling by bad weather.It is now possible to book online for the roll-on, roll-off ferries.The GPS coordinates are: Killimer: N52.61503 W9.38081     Tarbert: N52.5894 W9.36555The ferries depart from Killimer every hour on the hour and from Tarbert every hour on the half hour.

Our guide to Kilrush by our County Clare local expert - A heritage town located on the Shannon Estuary, Kilrush has a rich maritime tradition. The town was once an important Shannon port and a stopping point for much of the boat traffic heading to Limerick. The town is close to the port of Killimer where you can get a ferry to Tarbert in County Kerry, as well as Kilkee and Loophead Peninsula.

Our guide to Lahinch by our County Clare local expert - As a seaside resort, Lahinch is best known for two things – its amazing surf and its world-renowned golf course....

Our guide to Liscannor by our County Clare local expert - Liscannor is located just north of Lahinch and south of the Cliffs of Moher. This pretty coastal village derives...

Our guide to Lisdoonvarna by our County Clare local expert - On the road between Ennistymon and Ballyvaughan in north County Clare lies a town known the world over for ce...

Our guide to Loophead Peninsula by our County Clare local expert - Loophead Peninsula is the most westerly part of County Clare. It is located in the south of the county ...

Our guide to Lough Derg by our County Clare local expert - Lough Derg is the third largest lake in the island of Ireland and sits between counties Clare, Galway and Tippe...

Our guide to Milltown Malbay by our County Clare local expert - Like many County Clare villages and towns, traditional music plays a huge part in the culture and heritage...

Our guide to Mountshannon by our County Clare local expert - Built on a hill overlooking Lough Derg, Mountshannon is a pleasant little village offering visitors plenty of...

Our guide to Newmarket-on-Fergus and Dromoland by our County Clare local expert - Lying in between the estuaries of the River Shannon and the River Fergus, Newmarket can be found between the towns of Shannon and Ennis.

Our guide to North Clare by our County Clare local expert - North County Clare is predominately characterised by the unique limestone landscape of The Burren. Standing am...

Our guide to O'Briensbridge by our County Clare local expert - The village is located on the eastern verge of County Clare on the banks of the River Shannon and borders counties Clare, Limerick and Tipperary. Like Killaloe, it has a 'twin' town in a neighbouring county across the Shannon - for O'Briensbridge it is Montpelier in County Limerick.

Our guide to Quin by our County Clare local expert - Although quite a small village, Quin, located about 15 minutes drive from Ennis, is home to a number of interesting t...

Our guide to Scarriff by our County Clare local expert - Set alongside the banks of  Lough Derg, the market town of Scarriff provides visitors with a pretty stop off point between Mountshannon and Killaloe.Scarriff is the regional headquarters of Waterways Ireland and it is very easy to see why! Water-based activities play an important part in the town's activities - anglers can make use of the rivers that drain into Lough Derg for some relaxing fishing; enjoy a river cruise to spot local points of interest and the flora and fauna of the area; and of course, enjoy all the watersports that Lough Derg has to offer.

Our guide to Shannon by our County Clare local expert - Ireland's 'newest' town, Shannon is County Clare's second largest town after Ennis. Complemented by Shannon International Airport and the Shannon Free Zone, Shannon was built in the 1960's to support the significant growth being experienced in the area.

Our guide to Shannon Estuary by our County Clare local expert - The River Shannon is the longest river in Ireland and meets the sea via the Shannon Estuary, located between south County Clare and north County Limerick and County Kerry.The estuary itself stretches from Limerick City right out to the end of Loophead in County Clare and has miles of sheltered, relatively deep waters that are perfect for exploring by boat. Bird watchers can see Ireland's largest amount of wintering waders, as well as the redshank, waterfowl and black-tailed goodwit from the area.

Our guide to Shannon International Airport by our County Clare local expert - Shannon Airport is the most westerly airport in Europe, it is located on the Shannon Estuary and is approximately 15 miles from Ennis and Limerick City. However, it is its place in aviation history that really makes the airport stand out.

Our guide to South Clare by our County Clare local expert - The Shannon Estuary hugs the South Clare coast and offers a range of activities and sights to see. Visit the resident pod of bottlenose dolphins, try some angling in the sheltered waters or go bird watching. You can cross the Shannon Estuary via the Killimer to Tarbert (County Kerry) ferry. Killimer is located close to Kilrush.

Our guide to Spanish Point by our County Clare local expert - Located in the mid-point of the West Clare coastline, Spanish Point got its name in 1588 when many unfortunate ships of the Spanish Armada were sunk off the coast by a huge storm.

Our guide to West Clare by our County Clare local expert - Shaped over thousands of years by the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean, the coast of West Clare has miles o...