County Clare - 55 Attractions You Must Visit

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About County Clare

County Clare is a county in Ireland, in the Mid-West Region and the province of Munster, bordered on the west by the Atlantic Ocean. Clare County Council is the local authority. The county had a population of 118,817 at the 2016 census. The county town and largest settlement is Ennis.

Types of Attractions in County Clare

Activities Around

List of Attractions in County Clare

Aillwee Cave

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.

Aughinish

Aughinish

Islands

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

Ballinalacken Castle

Iconic Buildings

Old Ruins

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.

Black Head Lighthouse

Blackhead Lighthouse is a listed lighthouse built at the turn of the 20th century, near Whitehead in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It marks the very northern end of Belfast Lough where it opens out into the North Channel that separates Northern Ireland and Scotland.The active lighthouse is managed by the Commissioners of Irish Lights, where it is named as the Blackhead Antrim Lighthouse to distinguish it from the more modern Blackhead lighthouse in County Clare.

Bunratty Castle & Folk Park

Bunratty Castle & Folk Park

Iconic Buildings

Old Ruins

It is a large 15th-century tower house in County Clare, Ireland. The spot on which this castle stands has been occupied for over 1000 years. From the Vikings to the Normans, great Irish Earls and noble Lords and Ladies. The castle and the adjoining folk park are run by Shannon Heritage as tourist attractions.

Burren & Cliffs of Moher Geopark UNESCO Global Geopark

The Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark is an internationally designated area of geological interest in The Burren region of County Clare, Ireland. It is the third Geopark to be designated in Ireland, and is recognised at both European and global levels. It comprises dramatic glaciated karst landscapes on Ireland’s Atlantic coast which have been fashioned in a variety of limestones, sandstones and siltstones originating during the Carboniferous period.

Burren Centre

Burren Centre

Outdoors- Other

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.

Burren National Park

Burren National Park

National Parks

The Burren National Park, located in the south-eastern corner of the Burren, Co Clare is managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service. It is a place of great natural beauty. There are various marked trails in the Park that take you through many fascinating and beautiful habitats. It is the smallest of the six National Parks in Ireland, while the adjacent territory, including the Cliffs of Moher, is included in the Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark.

Burren Way

Burren Way

1 Day Treks

The Burren Way is a 123km walking route that takes in the best of what the Burren area has to offer. The trail, typically completed in five days, comprises sections of tarmac road, boreen, droving road, path and forestry track. It is designated as a National Waymarked Trail by the National Trails Office of the Irish Sports Council and is managed by the Burren Way Committee.

Cahercommaun (Cathair Chomáin)

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.

Cahermacnaghten

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.

Cliffs of Moher

Some beautiful cliffs located at the southwestern edge of the Burren region in County Clare, Ireland. They rise 120 metres above the Atlantic Ocean at Hag’s Head and reach their maximum height of 214 metres. From the cliffs, and from atop the tower, visitors can see the Aran Islands in Galway Bay, the Maumturks and Twelve Pins mountain ranges to the north in County Galway, and Loop Head to the south.

Cliffs of Moher - Visitor Center

The staggering Cliffs of Moher, Ireland’s most visited natural attraction. They stretch for 8km and reach 214m at their highest point north of O’Brien’s Tower, where you can enjoy unrivalled views of the Atlantic Ocean. It will be a beautiful experience and also the Cliffs have existed for millennia and for centuries have attracted visitors who have been captivated by their splendour and majesty.

Cliffs of Moher Cruises

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.

Corcomroe Abbey

Corcomroe Abbey

Churches

Old Ruins

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

Corkscrew Hill

Corkscrew Hill

1 Day Treks

Mountain Peaks

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.

Craggaunowen

Craggaunowen

Iconic Buildings

Old Ruins

Craggaunowen is a 16th-century castle and an archaeological open-air museum in County Clare, Ireland. It was built around 1550 by John MacSioda MacNamara, a descendant of Sioda MacNamara, who built Knappogue Castle in 1467. The open-air museum was started by John Hunt. It features reconstructions of ancient Irish architecture, including a dolmen, a crannog, and the currach boat used in Tim Severins recreation of "The Voyage of St. Brendan the Abbot".

Daniel O'Connell Monument

The Daniel O’Connell statue in Dublin is widely regarded as one of the finest pieces of work by John Henry Foley. This monument was designed and sculpted by John Henry Foley and finished up by his assistant, Thomas Brock. It is often believed to be Foley’s greatest work. Situated on the south side of O’Connell Street, the monument consists of three bronze sections separated by a granite plinth.

Doolin Cave

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.

Doonagore Castle

Doonagore Castle

Iconic Buildings

Old Ruins

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.

Map of attractions in County Clare

Comments

For more information about County Clare, visit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/County_Clare