20 Attractions to Explore Near Black Head Lighthouse

A fine beach and extensive sand dune system located in Fanore. It is a popular bathing place and has some fantastic views on a clear day. Fanore is a haven for anglers who enjoy fishing for the rocks along this coast road as far as Black head on the road to Ballyvaughan. The area is very popular with walkers, surfers, tourists and is particularly interesting to botanists, owing to its location on the edge of the Burren – renowned for its unique flora and fauna.

Gleninagh Castle is an L-shaped tower rom the 16th century. It was a stronghold of the powerful O'Loughlin family, who controlled much of North Clare, until the late 19th Century. The parish also contains the lighthouse on Black Head.

A beautiful and distinctive 16th century fortified tower house, built originally for a branch of the O‘Briens and passing thereafter into the possession of the powerful local family of the O’Loghlens. The Castle is mostly cylindrical in shape but rises from a square pyramidical base. It is today part of the Burren College of Art. The castle is available for hire as a wedding venue and conference event location.

Corkscrew Hill is a hill in County Clare and has an elevation of 102 metres. Corkscrew Hill is situated northeast of Doonyvardan, close to Gregan's Castle Hotel. A good trekking destination and also there are so many things to see and do here.

Aillwee Cave is Ireland's Premier Showcave. The cave system consists of over a kilometre of passages leading into the heart of the mountain. Its features include an underground river and a waterfall as well as some large stalactites and stalagmites. The remains of bears can also be seen inside the caves and allusions have been made to it being the last bear den in Ireland. The cave is typical of the Clare caves, consisting in the main of stream passage and ending in a sump.

An Trá Mhór is a long sheltered sandy beach situated at Inverin, Co. Galway. It is a whie sandy beach with clear water and great views of the coastline. This beach has a gradual slope into the water, making it a great place to swim. There is a car park and toilet facilities are provided.

Cahermacnaghten is a ringfort south of Ballyvaughan in the Burren area, in County Clare, Ireland. It, or a nearby building, is the site of the famous O'Davoran law school. The fort is a National Monument.

Aughinish is a small island and townland located in Oughtmama Parish of the Barony of Burren in north County Clare, in Ireland on the south shore of Galway Bay. The island was originally connected to County Clare, but in 1755 that connection was lost due to the tsunami effect of the massive Portuguese earthquake.

Ballinalacken Castle is a two-stage tower house located in Killilagh parish of County Clare, Ireland. It is of uncertain date but most likely was built in the 15th or early 16th century. The current tower house resembles Leamaneh Castle in that it was constructed over a prolonged period. The oldest part is the tall eastern tower, likely built in the 15th century. It is located in the region known as the Burren on a limestone outcrop overlooking the roads from Lisdoonvarna to Fanore and Doolin.

Doolin Cave is a limestone cave near Doolin in County Clare, Ireland, on the western edge of The Burren. The cave's most notable feature is the Great Stalactite. This is one of the world's longest known free-hanging stalactites. It is the longest known free-hanging stalactite in Europe, the three largest in the world being located in two caves in Mexico, and one in Jeita Grotto, Lebanon.

Corcomroe Abbey is beautifully situated on the edge of the rocky hills of the Burren. It is best known for its lonely situation, lying close to another interesting monastic settlement, a group of three small early Christian Churches which nestle in the pass of Oughtmana and which are dedicated to St. Colman. The church was constructed in the early 13th century and consists of a nave with an aisle on the south side

Poulnabrone Dolmen is Ireland’s oldest megalithic monument and an epic portal tomb made up of massive stones. It is the best known and most often photographed of the almost 200 dolmens in Ireland because of its near perfect symmetry. Excavations at the site in the 1980's CE uncovered human remains and grave goods, establishing the site as an ancient tomb, but it may have served other purposes as well.

The Cliffs of Moher cruise sets out from Doolin Pier and follows the cliffs, allowing you to experience them from below their stunning heights. While boarding, passengers will take in amazing views of the Cliffs of Moher, the Aran Islands and The Burren. After sailing for about 20 minutes or so, the ferry will make a stop underneath the famous O'Brien's Tower, perched high atop the Cliffs at their highest point.

The Burren is one of the most naturally beautiful and dramatic landscapes in the world and a must-see when you are visiting Co. Clare. Discover the magic of the 'Boireann' or 'stony place' in the Burren Centre. This visitor centre is in the heart of Kilfenora. Explore their fantastic exhibition on Clare's cultural heritage and audiovisual theatre, narrated by famous environmentalist Éamon de Buitléar.

Doonagore Castle is a superb 16th century Irish castle, located on the oceanfront in County Clare, less than a kilometre from the village of Doolin. The castle is a round tower house with a small courtyard enclosed by a defensive wall. With its elevated position overlooking Doolin Point, the castle serves as a navigational landmark for boats approaching Doolin Pier.

Dun Aengus is over 3,000 years old prehistoric hill fort on the Aran Islands of County Galway. It was perched spectacularly on a cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the fort is about 900 metres from the visitor centre and offers views of up to 75 miles of Irish coastline. As much of the tour is outdoors, visitors are advised to wear weather protective clothing and shoes suitable for walking over uneven terrain.

MV Plassy, or Plassey, was a cargo vessel in the Irish Merchant Service, operating during the 1950s. It was built as HMS Juliet, a Shakespearian-class naval trawler of the Royal Navy at the start of the Second World War, and sold into merchant service at the end of the conflict. As Plassy it was wrecked in a storm off Inisheer, and is best known as the wreck seen on the foreshore of 'Craggy Island' in the TV comedy, Father Ted.

Cahercommaun is a triple stone ringfort in County Clare, Ireland. It was built on the edge of a cliff around 800 AD. 16,500 tons of stone have been used to build the inner wall alone. The excavation uncovered one of the most important Iron Age collections found in Ireland. From the collection, a set of sheep shears and a saddle quern are on loan to the Clare Museum from the Irish Antiquities Division of the National Museum of Ireland.

Leamaneh Castle is a 5-storey tower house located between Corofin and Kilfenora in County Clare. It is thought to have been built about 1480 by Turlogh O’Brien, King of Thomond. Very interesting, the structure was originally a 15th century tower house, and then transformed into a 15th century manor house. Located on a private domain, the site is rather confidential but well worth a stop.

O'Brien's Tower marks the highest point of the Cliffs of Moher, a very popular tourist destination in County Clare, Ireland. It is located a short distance from the villages Doolin and Liscannor. The Tower was built in 1835 by Cornelius O’Brien, a descendant of Brian Boru, the first High King of Ireland. The tower was used as an observation tower for the hundreds of visitors who even then came to the Cliffs each year to see the breathtaking views.