Aillwee Caves
Aran Islands
Bunratty Castle and Folk Park
Cliffs of Moher
Craggaunowen
Loop Head Lighthouse
The Bridges of Ross
The Little Ark
Moher Hill Farm
Scattery Island
Vandeleur Walled Garden
West Clare Railway
Aillwee Caves
This stunning creation of nature was formed by the melt waters of a prehistoric ice age. The cave, carved out of limestone, cuts into the heart of the mountain.
Ailwee Cave is open all year round. Tour times are as follows:
10:00 to 17:30 every day
10:00 to 18:00 during July & August
Aran Islands
The legendary Aran Islands, a testimony to man's triumph over the elements, lie just five miles off the coast of County Clare. There are three islands in the group, Inishmore, Inismaan and Inisheer, 2 are serviced by ferry from Doolin in County Clare. These bastions of ancient Irish culture have bred a hardy breed of fishermen and farmers whose roots go back to before recorded history and whose first language is that of their forefathers. Accommodation and meals are available on the three islands.
You can depart to the Islands from Doolin, a picturesque town just past the Cliffs of Moher.
Contact Doolin Ferries on 065 7074455
Bunratty Castle & Folk Park
The castle was built in the early 1400's by the McNamara family, but fell shortly afterwards to the O'Briens, kings of Thomond, who controlled the castle until the 17th century. Admiral Penn, father of William Penn, resided here for a short time. The castle's Great Hall holds a very fine collection of 14th to 18th century furniture, paintings, and wall hangings. The Great Hall also hosts "medieval banquets" complete with maids playing the harp, court jesters, food a la the middle ages, and mead (a honey wine favoured by the Irish in the middle ages).
The folk park is situated on 26 acres and recreates 19th century Ireland. Features of the folk park include a recreated village street, 8 farmhouses, a watermill, a blacksmith's forge, Mac's pub, a church and a display of 19th century farm machinery. There are many demonstrations at various points as you walk through the folk park.
Last Admission to the Castle - 16.00 Year round
Admission to the Folk Park
Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May / Sept, Oct Nov, Dec
9.00 - 17.30 (Last Admission to Folk Park 16.15)
June – Aug
Monday to Friday 9.00 to 5.30
Saturday & Sunday 9.00 to 6.00. (Last Admission to Folk Park 17.15)
Times may be subject to change.
For night-time dinner entertainments, enjoy the Bunratty Medieval Castle Banquet at either 5.30pm or 8.45pm or the Traditional Irish Night at the Corn Barn at 7pm (April - October). Reservations are necessary for Dinner Entertainments.
Cliffs of Moher
The Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland's top Visitor attractions. The Cliffs are 214m high at the highest point and range for 8 kilometres over the Atlantic Ocean on the western seaboard of County Clare. O'Brien's Tower stands proudly on a headland of the majestic Cliffs. From the Cliffs one can see the Aran Islands, Galway Bay, as well as The Twelve Pins, the Maum Turk Mountains in Connemara and Loop Head to the South. The Cliffs of Moher take their name from a ruined promontory fort “Mothar” which was demolished during the Napoleonic wars to make room for a signal tower
Craggaunowen
Near Kilmurry, about 16km (10 mi) from Ennis, lies Craggaunowen, where the Celtic past is brought to life. This prize-winning centre is dedicated to interpreting Ireland's Pre-historic and early Christian eras. Exhibits range from bronze age homesteads to Celtic Chieftains residences. The "Brendan" boat is located here. This leather clad boat was sailed across the Atlantic by Tim Severn to prove that Irish Monks may have made the journey long before St. Columbus. Morning coffee and afternoon tea are available.
Opening Times:
May – September 10.00am - 5.00pm daily
Last admission - 4pm
Opening times may be subject to change
Loop Head, The Bridges of Ross & “The Little Ark”
Loop Head Lighthouse:
Loop Head lighthouse station is the major landmark on the northern shore of the Shannon river. The complex is built on a clifftop with 300 degree views of the sea down to Kerry Head and Dingle, across the Shannon and up the Clare coast to the Cliffs of Moher. With Galway Bay to the north and the Shannon estuary cutting deep into the south, the county of Clare is almost a peninsula. There has been a lighthouse at this important navigational location since 1670. The light was manually operated until 1971, when electricity was introduced to the station. Loop Head Lighthouse was officially fully automated twenty years later.
Loop Head has no shops or interpretive centres, indeed precious few buildings, and you may well be alone as you walk along the cliffs.
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April to September |
10am – 5pm (Mon – Fri) |
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October to March |
10am - 5 pm (Mon - Fri) |
Last admission to the garden and last orders in the coffee shop: 30 minutes before closing.
West Clare Railway
West Clare Railway has been restored to provide a fun day out for families and school tours at Moyasta Junction.
The importance, magnitude and impact of the birth of the West Clare Railway on the local transport system of County Clare cannot be measured. The story has been well documented over the years, in book and song. However, it is extraordinary that it was not until the mid 1990’s that a local committee attempted to revive this treasured historical railway.
Opening times:
Weekends only from St Patrick’s Day (Wednesday 17th March) until the May Bank Holiday Weekend (Monday 3rd May).
We are open every day from May Bank Holiday weekend (Monday 3rd May) until Thursday 30th September.
The Steam engine will run Thursday to Monday only, and the diesel engine will run Tuesday and Wednesday only.