Ennis & County Clare
Ennis is the principal town in Co Clare, a busy market centre
on the River Fergus. Its famous narrow streets are dotted with
a host of unusual shops, bars and restaurants. Ennis is regarded
as the heartland of Irish music, look out for superb nightly
sessions, as well as some very lively annual festivals. Ennis
is an ideal centre for touring around Co Clare. Whether you'd
like to banquet at 15th century Bunratty Castle, visit the delightful
lakes of East Clare or explore the isolated loop head coastline,
everything is a short drive from Ennis.
Local Places of Interest and Activities
The
Burren Country — The name Burren is from the
Irish – “bhoireann” meaning a stony place.
This area to the north west corner of Clare has lain unspoiled
since the ice-age and is composed of karstic limestone, the
largest area of such in western Europe. It is a place of surprise
and delight to botanists, archaeologists and ecologists alike
Here grows a wide variety of the most unusual and rarest of
plants. This area has some of the finest archaeological megalithic
tombs in Ireland, if not in Western Europe. There are relics
of human habitation dating back almost 6000 years and in this
area alone there are more than 60 wedge tombs, the densest concentration
in Ireland. There are also numerous examples of raths earthen
ring forts and stone cashels.
The
Burren Smokehouse — A family run organisation
that was set up in 1989 and since that time they have been producing
Ireland’s finest oak smoked Atlantic salmon. The art of
cold smoking is historically unique to Ireland. Live demonstrations
help the visitor to appreciate the time, skill and care that
this truly Irish craft involves. The Smokehouse currently employs
a staff of twelve, and ships within Ireland and to countries
all over the world.
Monks
Pub in Ballyvaughan — Renowned for its seafood
chowder and friendly atmosphere, Monks Pub is frequented by
locals and tourists alike. It is located beside the "old
pier" on Ballyvaughan harbour. On a nice sunny day there
is nothing like have a drink or a meal sitting outside the pub
or even sitting on the harbour wall.
Corcomroe
Abbey — Sited a few miles from Ballyvaughan within
sight of the coast. The abbey is sited in a valley and was founded
between 1182 and 1195. Most of the buildings have vanished with
the exception of the church and various surrounding walls. The
chancel area (around the altar) has some of the finest stone
carving in Ireland. Founded by the O’Briens, Kings of
Thomond, it was much more sensible to endow a monastery and
claim it was God’s land than build a castle which was
certain to be beseiged continually.
The
Cliffs of Moher — A visit to the Cliffs of Moher
is a must. Just north of Lahinch, they defiantly stand as giant
natural ramparts against the aggressive might of the Atlantic
Ocean. They rise in places to over 700 feet and stretch for
over 5 miles. O’Brien’s Tower is located on the
highest point and offers the best view of the Cliffs, the Aran
Islands and mountains as far apart as Kerry and Connemara.
Bunratty
Castle & Folk Park — A restored Norman-Irish
keep built in 1277, the castle houses a fine collection of furniture
and furnishings from the 14th to 17th centuries. Medieval banquets
are a twice nightly feasture throughout the year. The Folk Park,
in the castle grounds is a reconstructed 19th century street,
with craft shops, general stores and post office. Traditional
crafts can be seen in action and country meals are served in
the barn restaurant.
Adare
Village — Adare is generally regarded as Ireland’s
prettiest village. Snuggled in a wooded setting among quiet
farmlands of the Golden Vale by the River Maigue. Adare Dates
from the time of the Norman Conquest. Thatched cottages lines
its broad street, puntuated with beautiful stone buildings and
pictureque ruins. The River Maigue flows under a graceful stone
bridge while ruined medieval monasteries quietly count the passing
centuries. A Heritage Centre in the village traces the development
of Adare from the 13th century.
Loop
Head Peninsula — The scenic roundtrip, which
starts from Kilkee, leads along the spectacular, rugged coastline
to Loop Head Lighthouse.As well as breathtaking cliff walks
with views on wild scenery, ruined promontory forts and early
oratories there are many more sights not to miss, a natural
bridge (Bridges of Ross), the Moneen Church with its 'Little
Ark' , a 
wooden
mobile hut, which once served as a church in earlier times,
as well as a number of rare birds, whales, dolphins and seals.
On a fine day you can see Connemara in the North and down across
the Shannon estuary the Kerry coastline and mountains.
Boyce
Gardens — This award winning garden, one acre
in size, overlooks the River Shannon. Designed for year round
colour, it is divided into a number of intimate garden rooms
inter-linked by curved paths. There is a large collection of
New Zealand, Australian and South African plants. It contains
rockeries, herbaceous borders, sunken garden, water garden and
fountain, rose garden, vegetable garden, glasshouse and conservatory.
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