Touring the West of Clare

There are a number of tourist driving routes - the Lough Derg Drive will take you around Shannon's pleasure lake and the Loop Head Drive will bring you along the spectacular Atlantic coast . There's also plenty to see on the Estuary Way Drive along the Shannon Estuary. The Cliffs of Moher can be included in a driving tour around the Burren region. Do not miss to visit the Aran Islands - the boat from Doolin will take you there in short time. Further north it takes you just a little driving time to get to Galway and on into the heart of Connemara. Cross the Shannon with the Killimer - Tarbert car ferry for day trips to Dingle or the Ring of Kerry !

The Loop Head drive

Image Loop Head Peninsula
The scenic roundtrip, which starts from Kilkee, leads along the spectacular, rugged coastline to Loop Head Lighthouse. As well as breath taking cliff walks with views on wild scenery, ruined promontory forts and early oratories there are many more sights not to miss, a natural bridge (Bridges of Ross), the Moneen Church with its 'Little Ark' , a wooden mobile hut, which once served as a church in Landlord times, as well as a number of rare birds, whales, dolphins and seals.On a fine day you can see the hills of Connemara in the North and the mountains of Kerry in the South of the Estuary.
Don't forget your binoculars!

The Wild Atlantic Way

The Wild Atlantic Way is Ireland’s first long-distance driving route, stretching from the Inishowen Peninsula in Donegal to Kinsale in County Cork, offering visitors an opportunity to truly discover the west coast of Ireland.
The page here shows you the route through Clare, pictures and information on B&B accommodation along the way.

The Burren Experience The stony place

Image of the Burren
The Burren plateau of North-West Clare is internationally famous because of its beautiful limestone landscapes and the remarkable flora of the region as well as its rich archaeological heritage. It is the finest example of a karstic terrain in Ireland, with a full assemblage of the curious landforms and subterranean drainage systems that characterise these limestone terrains. The area also hosts 70 wedge-tombs (the most famous of them being Poulnabrone), ring forts, caves (most notable Aillwee Cave and Doolin Cave) castles (Leamenagh Castle) and a network of field walls and hut circles You can drive in and around the Burren on several roads, but the only way to really experience it is by foot! The green roads are the old Burren roads and are perfect to explore this landscape on short and long walks. The Burren Way is a signposted walking trail between Lahinch and the Burren National Park, including the new Cliffwalk at the Cliffs of Moher. There are several Burren guides available in the book stores - don't go without one of these guides as you will otherwise miss too much and later regret! Guided walking tours are also availableat various locations. Start your Tour of the Burren at the Burren Display centre in Kilfenora to get an insight into the mysteries of the region. For walking and cycling tracks in the Burren click here.



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