Suggested itineraries

24-hours in Clare


If you only have 24 hours to spend a whistlestop break in Clare, here are our suggestions to sample some of the best the county has to offer.


Spend the morning exploring the Bunratty Castle and Folk Park in south Clare. Step back into Ireland of old and experience this beautifully restored castle and quaint collection of old-style Irish homes. From there, make the journey north-west to Cliffs of Moher for lunch and a walk around these world-famous cliffs. It's approximately 68 kilometres between Bunratty and the Cliffs of Moher and should take you about 70 minutes to drive.


Continue your experience of the West Clare coast with a ten minute drive to the seaside town of Doolin, which is 9 kilometres away. There are lots of activities locally, including walks and the Doolin Cave. If you have time, a short spin inland will bring you to the southern part of the Burren so you'll be able to experience a little of this unusual landscape. Depending on the time of year and what time you stay in Doolin until, you might get a chance to see a sunset over the Atlantic Ocean. When you have finished in Doolin, take the 50 minute / 43 kilometre trip back to Ennis for the evening. Enjoy dinner in one of the local restaurants and some traditional music and craic in one of the many pubs in the town.

48-hours in Clare

Spend the morning exploring the Bunratty Castle and Folk Park in south Clare. Step back into Ireland of old and experience this beautifully restored castle and quaint collection of old-style Irish homes. From there, make the journey north-west to Cliffs of Moher for lunch and a walk around these world-famous cliffs. It's approximately 68 kilometres between Bunratty and the Cliffs of Moher and should take you about 70 minutes to drive.


Continue your experience of the West Clare coast with a ten minute drive to the seaside town of Doolin, which is 9 kilometres away. There are lots of activities locally, including walks and Doolin Cave. If you have a time, a short spin inland will bring you to the southern part of the Burren so you'll be able to experience a little of this unusual landscape on your tour. Depending on the time of year and what time you stay in Doolin until, you might get a chance to see a sunset over the Atlantic Ocean.


Next stop is Lisdoonvarna (7.5 kilometres / 10 minutes away from Doolin) so get ready to experience plenty of traditional music, song and dance. Stay here overnight so you are well positioned to experience the Burren on the morning of day two. Carran and Kilfenora are also well positioned to visit the Burren and are only approximately 33 and 22 minutes away from Doolin, respectively.


Once you have finished exploring, it's time to move onto Ennis, Clare's main county town, for lunch and a walk around its historic streets. Ennis is about 40 kilometres / 45 minutes from Lisdoonvarna. An evening in Killaloe beside the beautiful Lough Derg will round off your stay in Clare. Killaloe is about an hour's drive from Ennis (52 kilometres).

72 hours in Clare

Spend the morning exploring the Bunratty Castle and Folk Park in south Clare. Step back into Ireland of old and experience this beautifully restored castle and quaint collection of old-style Irish homes. From there, make the journey north-west to Cliffs of Moher for lunch and a walk around these world-famous cliffs. It's approximately 68 kilometres between Bunratty and the Cliffs of Moher and should take you about 70 minutes to drive.


Continue your experience of the West Clare coast with a ten minute drive to the seaside town of Doolin, which is 9 kilometres away. There are lots of activities locally, including walks and Doolin Cave. If you have a time, a short spin inland will bring you to the southern part of the Burren so you'll be able to experience a little of this unusual landscape on your tour. Depending on the time of year and what time you stay in Doolin until, you might get a chance to see a sunset over the Atlantic Ocean.


Next stop is Lisdoonvarna (7.5 kilometres / 10 minutes away from Doolin) so get ready to experience plenty of traditional music, song and dance. Stay here overnight so you are well positioned to experience the Burren on the morning of day two. Carran and Kilfenora are also well positioned to visit the Burren and are only approximately 33 / 22 minutes away from Doolin respectively.


After you are finished exploring the Burren, head down to Lahinch (about 27 kilometres / 30 minutes from Carron) for some lunch. Depending on your timing, you could also take in a surf lesson or round of golf. Drive down the west coast of Clare until you get to Carrigaholt on the Loophead Peninsula. The drive from Lahinch to Carrigaholt is about 53 kilometres and takes 50 minutes, but leave some more time for stopping off to take some photos of the scenery!


Carrigaholt is a perfect stop-off point for the night. Spending your evening fishing is the Shannon Estuary or take a boat trip out to see the resident pod of Shannon dolphins.
Once you have finished exploring, it's time to move onto Ennis, Clare's main county town, for lunch and a walk around its historic streets. Ennis is about 66 kilometres / 70 minutes from Carrigaholt.


An evening in Killaloe beside the beautiful Lough Derg will round off your stay in Clare. Killaloe is about an hour's drive from Ennis (52 kilometres).