13 Iconic Buildings to Explore in County Clare

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.

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.

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".

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.

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.

Dysert O’Dea Castle and Archaeological Centre in Corofin is known for its wealth of historical and archaeological remains. Built in 1480 the castle is now an archaeological centre with more than twenty five archaeological and historical sites. The centre has a modern history room, 1700 AD to 2000 AD, a museum of local artefacts from 1000 BC to 700 AD, an audio visual presentation and a Roof Wall Walk.

Father Ted’s House is the private home of the McCormack family. Take in the amazing and beautiful views of the Burren National Park from Father Teds sitting room. The parochial house exterior is the same house used in the filming of the series while please note that the interior is different.

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.

Knappogue Castle is a tower house, built in 1467 and expanded in the mid-19th century, located in the parish of Quin, County Clare, Ireland. Today, the castle is used as a venue for weddings and medieval banquets and offers guided tours. Escape the hustle and bustle of daily life to stay in a splendid Medieval Castle in Ireland. You will be both relaxed and spoiled in this hidden gem of Clare countryside.

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.

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.

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.

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.