20 Attractions to Explore Near Inis Cathaigh

This 3 ft narrow-gauge railway was a steam driven rail service between Ennis and Kilrush and the journey took about 3 hours. It was a very important service to the people who lived along its route. It continued to run quite successfully up until World war II, when the pressure of improving roads finally began to tell and in 1948 the Irish National Railway (CIE) decided to close the line.

Bromore Cliffs is a walk along the cliffs of Bromore with spectacular natural scenery. Breathtaking views of wildlife, hertiage and the Devil's Castle. It is also a floral delight with over a million flowers blooming each, nectar for the bees and shelter for the birds and wildlife overseen by Bart, the friendliest horse in Ireland.

Doonbeg Castle stands at the bottom of a little bay about three miles south of Tromra. It is in good preservation and partly inhabited by a poor family - about six miles north west of Kilrush. It is an iconic attraction in this area and there are so many things to see and do here.

This is incredibly dramatic landscape that is rarely trespassed by tourists. This is one of the most dramatic and pristine locations on earth and a hidden secret that contains a small population and it is a protected environment so there is no development to spoil the views. Explore this spectacular stretch of County Clare coastline, marvel at the roaring waves of the Atlantic Ocean and enjoy a unique sense of peace in this remote part of the world.

This is a moderate walk along the cliff tops between the north and south beaches in Ballybunion, County Kerry. They are sourrounded by rocky headlands, high cliffs, caves you can explore at low tide, a picture perfect castle and sand dunes and all close to the famous town of Ballybunion. The area is within a designated natural heritage with an extensive dune system.

A beautiful and small sandy beach at the end of a narrow rock-flanked bay. The beach also forms part of the Valentia Harbour and Portmagee Channel Special Area of Conservation and the Iveragh Peninsula Special Protection Area. The view from White Strand Beach looks across to Doughmore Strand which is a very popular surfing, swimming and family beach. White Strand Beach and surrounding coastline are also popular with fishing enthusiasts.

Glin Castle is a unique & historical property offering wonderful comfort within breath-taking surroundings. It is the ancestral home of the Knights of Glin and still the family home of the FitzGeralds. The original ruined Glin Castle, besieged in 1601, lies nearby in the village of Glin.

The Lartigue Monorail system was developed by the French engineer Charles Lartigue. line 17 km long was built in 1895 between Feurs and Panissières, in the French département of Loire. However the Lartigue system as built was not truly a monorail, since it was necessary to add two further rails, one on each side, lower down the A frames.

Listowel Castle, located near the town of Listowel, County Kerry in Ireland, was built in the 15th century. It was the last bastion against Queen Elizabeth I in the First Desmond Rebellion, and was the last fortress of the Geraldines to be subdued. The castle is a noted example of Anglo-Norman architecture in County Kerry, and has been the subject of several restoration projects. It is now protected as a national monument, and is open to the public for tours on a daily basis.

This is one of Ireland’s finest examples of round tower dating from the 10th century. The Tower stands on the grounds of an ancient monastery. It’s thought to have been founded by Bishop Lughach, one of the first Christian evangelists in County Kerry. The Tower is 90ft tall and has a basement and 5 floors. Additionally, the site boasts the ruins of a 15th-century church, whose structure includes stones from an earlier house of worship.

The Bridges of Ross were originally three rock arches that spanned deep coastal incisions like bridges. Nowadays there is only one of these “bridges” – the other two droped to the sea. You can safely walk across the arch once you keep away from the edge, but be aware of the weather conditions as it can get very breezy out there.

A beautiful Sandy beach located near MiItown Malbay in County Clare. The beach itself is sandy with a rocky shoreline, and becomes very wide at low tide, but narrows considerably when the tide is in. It is popular with swimmers and is a good beach for surfing. The beach is located on the northern side of Spanish Point and has ample parking.

Loop Head Lighthouse is one of 70 lighthouses operated by the Commissioners of Irish Lights around the coast of Ireland and plays a vital role in maritime safety. Visitors from home and abroad now have the chance to visit or stay in a lighthouse and to find out about the history and heritage, to appreciate the spectacular natural world around us, to discover the technology at work today and to engage with our coastal communities.

Shore Island is situated on the Shannon Estuary between Limerick and Clare. The distance from Clare shore is approximately 0.5 mile or 10 minutes away by a small boat. Its is approximately 3.5 miles West of Shannon Airport by boat. The island is presently used for the grazing of cattle on an all-year round basis. There are a number of old ruins on the Island, which could be helpful for Planning Permission purposes to construct a habitable dwelling.

Ballyheigue Beach is an extensive sandy beach located beside Ballyheigue in County Kerry. This stretch of coast is ideal for taking scenic walks along the coastline. The beach is also popular for swimming and surfing and there is a lifeguard service during the summer months.It looks out over Tralee Bay and is great place for swimming, surfing, walking and other water sports activities.

Desmond Castle in Kinsale dates from around 1500. It is a classic urban tower house, consisting of a three-storey keep with storehouses to the rear. It served as a prison in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Its restored medieval features include and oak musicians' gallery and a limestone hooded fireplace.

Ardfert Cathedral is the site of a monastery founded by St. Brendan The Navigator in the 6th century. It was the seat of the Diocese of Ardfert from 1117. It is now a heritage tourism site.Today, visitors can see three medieval churches, an ogham stone, and a number of early Christian and medieval grave slabs.

Desmond Castle in Kinsale dates from around 1500. It is a classic urban tower house, consisting of a three-storey keep with storehouses to the rear.It served as a prison in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Because it usually held French inmates, as well as Spaniards, Portuguese, Dutch and Americans, it became known locally as the French Prison and carries that name to this day.

Moher Tower is the stone ruin of an old Napoleonic-era watchtower which stands on Hag's Head, at the southern end of the Cliffs of Moher, in County Clare, Ireland. The current tower stands close to the site of a much earlier promontory fort, known as Mothar or Moher. The building is a single, nearly square, tower with two rectilinear bartizans protruding from the top of its eastern wall, and one from the western wall.

Lahinch is a sandy, crescent-shaped beach in Liscannor Bay on the north west coast of County Clare. The beach directly faces the Atlantic Ocean, meaning it gets the full force of the swells. Lahinch is not always an ideal beach for swimming as the currents can be strong, but there is a lifeguard service during the summer months, and zoning of the beach helps with some safety issues.