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The white tower of Loop Head Lighthouse and the keepers' houses on the headland

An Clár

Clare

Limestone, sea cliffs and caves on the Atlantic edge of Munster.

  • Munster
  • 20 places
  • 3 events in the next 30 days
  • 65 more listings

The list

Top 10 things to do in Clare

Clare is limestone and Atlantic. The Cliffs of Moher run about 14km down the west coast, and behind them the Burren is bare rock with a five thousand year old tomb sitting on top of it.

  1. Bare limestone pavement in the Burren with the hill of Mullaghmore behindBurren National ParkNational park · CorofinLimestone pavement, hazel scrub and lakes that come and go south of Mullaghmore. The waymarked trails start at Gortlecka crossroads, which has no parking, so start from the information point in Corofin.
  2. Stalactites hanging in a chamber of Aillwee CaveAillwee CaveCave · BallyvaughanThe cave system runs inside Aillwee Mountain above Ballyvaughan, walked on a guided route past old bear hibernation pits.
  3. The white tower of Loop Head Lighthouse and the keepers' houses on the headlandLoop Head LighthouseLighthouse · KilbahaThe lighthouse at the tip of the Loop Head peninsula is still working, and the tower is open to climb.
  4. The Kilkee cliffs running out to sea on a still grey dayKilkee CliffsCliffs · KilkeeCliffs and sea stacks west of Kilkee bay, with a signed cliff path that starts in the town itself.
  5. The Great Stalactite hanging from the roof of Doolin CaveDoolin CaveCave · DoolinOne very large free-hanging stalactite is what you go down the stairway for, on a guided tour near Doolin.
  6. The round dry stone wall of Caherconnell Stone Fort on the Burren grasslandCaherconnell Stone FortFort · BallyvaughanThe drystone ringfort near Poulnabrone stands close to its full height, out on the Burren plateau.
  7. The round tower and ruined churches on Scattery IslandScattery IslandIsland · KilrushNobody lives on it now. The island in the Shannon estuary off Kilrush has a round tower and church ruins, and in summer the boat goes from Kilrush marina.
Show 10 more
  1. The road down past Doonagore Castle towards Doolin and the seaDoolinVillage · Co. ClareDoolin runs along the road down to the pier the Aran ferries leave from, north of Lahinch.
  2. The tower house and castellated outer wall at Knappogue Castle above its lawnKnappogue CastleCastle · QuinThe 15th century tower house near Quin was restored in the 1960s, and its Victorian walled garden has been restored beside it.
  3. The roofless church, tall windows and tower of Ennis FriaryEnnis FriaryAbbey · EnnisA roofless Franciscan friary in the middle of Ennis, kept for the carved stone panels in it.
  4. The ruins and central tower of Quin Abbey under a heavy grey skyQuin AbbeyAbbey · QuinA Franciscan friary built straight on top of a Norman castle. The castle's round corner towers still show at the base.
  5. The stone tower house at Craggaunowen seen from belowCraggaunowenMuseum · QuinNear Quin, an outdoor archaeology site with a crannog and a ringfort rebuilt on it, and the leather boat Tim Severin sailed to Newfoundland.
  6. Surf running into the long strand at Lahinch with the dunes behindLahinch BeachBeach · LahinchThe beach fills Liscannor Bay at the edge of the town, with a promenade behind it and a links course beyond that.
  7. The rocky shoreline and low cliffs along the Flaggy Shore, County ClareFlaggy ShoreWalk · BallyvaughanLow limestone shoreline at New Quay on the north Burren coast, walked as a road loop past Lough Murree.
  8. The Romanesque doorway of St Brigid's church on Holy Island, with the round tower behindHoly Island (Inis Cealtra)Island · MountshannonOut in Lough Derg off Mountshannon, an island with a round tower and several church ruins on it. You go by boat.
  9. Vandeleur Walled GardenGarden · KilrushThe walled garden was restored inside a wooded estate on the edge of Kilrush.
  10. The sea arch at the Bridges of Ross, with the waves running in under itBridges of RossCliffs · KilbahaThree sea arches named the spot and one is left, in the cliffs on the north side of Loop Head.

Where they are

Tap a pin to open the place.

Cliffs of MoherPoulnabrone Portal TombBunratty Castle and Folk ParkBurren National ParkLoop Head LighthouseKilkee CliffsDoolin CaveCaherconnell Stone FortScattery IslandEnnis FriaryQuin AbbeyCraggaunowenFlaggy ShoreHoly Island (Inis Cealtra)Vandeleur Walled GardenBridges of Ross

16 of the 20 places are on the map. The rest are listed above.

What’s on in Clare

Coming up, soonest first.

Tomorrow, Sunday 8th November

  1. Sun8 NovTraditional Music of Europeglór · EnnisFree

Tuesday 24th November

  1. Tue24 NovRomeo & Juliet, Ballet Irelandglór · Ennis

Thursday 3rd December

  1. Thu3 DecThe Pale Blue Dotglór · Ennis

Everything coming up in Clare

Towns

The one with enough in and around it for a page of its own.

More to see in Clare

65 more places from Fáilte Ireland’s own listings, linked to their own sites where they have one.

Castles and houses4

  1. Dysert O'Dea Castle & Clare Archaeology CentreCorofin
  2. Newtown CastleNewtown
  3. Carrigaholt BayCo. Clare
  4. Gleninagh CastleCo. Clare

Beaches9

  1. MurrooghtoohyFanore
  2. Kilkee BeachKilkee
  3. Seafield BeachQuilty
  4. Spanish PointSpanish Point
  5. Ballycuggeran BeachCo. Clare
  6. Carrigaholt BeachCo. Clare
  7. Doughmore BayCo. Clare
  8. White Strand DoonbegCo. Clare
  9. White Strand Miltown MalbayCo. Clare

Mountains and cliffs1

  1. Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO GeoparkCo. Clare

Abbeys and churches7

  1. Carran Medieval ChurchCarran
  2. Clare AbbeyEnnis
  3. Kilnaboy Medieval Church and Round TowerKilnaboy
  4. Killaloe Cathedral and ChurchesKillaloe
  5. Saint Cronan's 10th Century Church TuamgraneyTuamgraney
  6. Corcomroe Cistercian AbbeyCo. Clare
  7. Temple Cronan Early Christian ChurchCo. Clare

Ancient sites1

  1. Gleninsheen Wedge TombCo. Clare

Gardens and parks10

  1. Doon ForestBroadford
  2. Burren Experience Guided WalksCorofin
  3. Cratloe WoodsCratloe
  4. Dromore Wood Nature Reserve & Visitor CentreEnnis
  5. Caher Bridge GardenFanore
  6. Cahermurphy ForestFeakle
  7. Doreen Drennan Art Studio, Garden and LodgeLisdoonvarna
  8. Birdwatching at the Bridges of RossLoop Head
  9. Irish Seed SaversScarriff
  10. ClahaneCo. Clare

Museums17

  1. Burren College of ArtBallyvaughan
  2. Clare MuseumEnnis
  3. Local Studies CentreEnnis
  4. The Burren CentreKilfenora
  5. Michael Hanrahan ArtistLahinch
  6. Lisdoonvarna Spa Wells Heritage CentreLisdoonvarna
  7. The Roadside TavernLisdoonvarna
  8. Inis Cealtra Visitor ExperienceMountshannon
  9. Atlantic Air AdventuresCo. Clare
  10. Foust GalleryCo. Clare
  11. JJ Corry Irish Whiskey ExperienceCo. Clare
  12. Michael Cusack CentreCo. Clare
  13. Mooghaun Bronze Age HillfortCo. Clare
  14. Shannon Dolphin CentreCo. Clare
  15. The Burren Art GalleryCo. Clare
  16. The Courthouse Gallery & StudiosCo. Clare
  17. The Music Makers of West ClareCo. Clare

Islands and coast3

  1. Doolin PierDoolin
  2. Cappa PierKilrush
  3. Ballyvaughan PierCo. Clare

Lakes and waterfalls4

  1. Ballyallia LakeEnnis
  2. Mountshannon, Lough DergMountshannon
  3. Lough BunnyCo. Clare
  4. Shannon's Lough Derg Pike and Coarse FisheryKillaloe

Other places9

  1. The FarmyardCorofin
  2. Muhammad Ali MonumentEnnis
  3. St. Tola Irish Goat FarmEnnistymon
  4. Burren Free Range Pork FarmKilfenora
  5. The Flying AlpacaKilkee
  6. Killimer Port (Killimer to Tarbert Ferry)Killimer
  7. Moher Hill Open FarmLiscannor
  8. Burren Farm ExperienceCo. Clare
  9. Willie Clancy StatueCo. Clare

Music in Clare

Trad sessions, venues and festivals.

Festivals

  1. Ennis Trad Fest5th to 9th November · Co. Clare · Trad
  2. Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy3rd to 11th July 2027 · Co. Clare · Trad

Where to hear it

Sessions come and go: check with the pub before you travel.

  1. glór Irish Music CentreMusic venue · Ennis
  2. Ciarán's BarPub with trad sessions · Ennis
  3. Crotty’s BarPub with trad sessions · Kilrush
  4. Fanny O'Dea'sPub with trad sessions · Ennis
  5. Friel's PubPub with trad sessions · Miltown Malbay
  6. Gus O'Connor's PubPub with trad sessions · Doolin
  7. McDermotts PubPub with trad sessions · Doolin
  8. McGann's PubPub with trad sessions · Roadford
  9. Monks Ballyvaughan, Seafood Restaurant & BarPub with trad sessions · Ballyvaughan
  10. Myles Creek Bar & RestaurantPub with trad sessions · Kilkee
  11. Pepper's PubPub with trad sessions · Feakle
  12. The Anchor InnPub with trad sessions · Killaloe
  13. The Poet's Corner BarPub with trad sessions · Ennis
  14. The Old Lodge Gastro Pub at Shannon Springs HotelPub with live music · Shannon
  15. The Roadside TavernPub with live music · Lisdoonvarna

Music on across Ireland

Where to stay in Clare

29 places on Fáilte Ireland’s register of approved accommodation: the four and five star hotels and guest houses, plus hostels, campsites and historic houses.

  1. Trump International Golf Links & Hotel, Ireland5-star hotel · Doonbeg
  2. Dromoland Castle Hotel5-star hotel · Newmarket-on-Fergus
  3. Gregans Castle Hotel4-star hotel · Ballyvaughan
  4. Ballinalacken Castle4-star hotel · Doolin
  5. Hotel Doolin4-star hotel · Doolin
  6. Old Ground Hotel4-star hotel · Ennis
  7. Temple Gate Hotel4-star hotel · Ennis
  8. Falls Hotel4-star hotel · Ennistymon
  9. Lahinch Coast Hotel & Suites4-star hotel · Lahinch
  10. Vaughan Lodge4-star hotel · Lahinch
  11. Sheedy's Hotel & Restaurant4-star hotel · Lisdoonvarna
  12. Armada Hotel4-star hotel · Miltown Malbay
  13. Shannon Springs Hotel4-star hotel · Shannon
  14. Treacys Oakwood Hotel4-star hotel · Shannon
  15. Newpark HouseHistoric house · Ennis
  16. Wild Honey Inn4-star guest house · Lisdoonvarna
  17. Avarest4-star B&B · Bunratty
  18. Bunratty Haven4-star B&B · Bunratty
  19. Park House4-star B&B · Bunratty
  20. Daly's House4-star B&B · Doolin
  21. Moloney House4-star B&B · Doolin
  22. Twin Peaks B&B4-star B&B · Doolin
  23. Station House4-star B&B · Ennistymon
  24. Cahergal House4-star B&B · Newmarket-on-Fergus
  25. Sea Crest Farmhouse4-star B&B · Quilty
  26. Clareville House4-star B&B · Scarriff
  27. Rainbow HostelHostel · Doolin
  28. Sleepzone ClareHostel · Lisdoonvarna
  29. Nagles Doolin Camping and Caravan Park4-star camping park · Doolin

Camping in Clare and the rest of Ireland

Where to eat and drink in Clare

58 restaurants, pubs and cafés listed with Fáilte Ireland. A list of who registered, not a ranking, linked to their own sites where they have one.

  1. Burren Fine Wine & FoodRestaurant · Ballyvaughan
  2. Dining at Hylands Burren HotelRestaurant · Ballyvaughan
  3. Monks Ballyvaughan, Seafood Restaurant & BarRestaurant · Ballyvaughan
  4. The Tea & Garden RoomsRestaurant · Ballyvaughan
  5. The Óir HouseCafé · Ballyvaughan
  6. Durty Nelly'sRestaurant · Bunratty
  7. JP Clarke’s Country PubRestaurant · Bunratty
  8. The Corn Barn Restaurant at Bunratty Castle & Folk ParkRestaurant · Bunratty
  9. The Creamery Pub & Food BarnRestaurant · Bunratty
  10. The Earl's Pantry at Bunratty Castle & Folk ParkCafé · Bunratty
  11. The Tea Room at Bunratty Castle & Folk ParkCafé · Bunratty
  12. The Long DockRestaurant · CarrigaholtFacebook page
  13. Linnane's Lobster BarPub · Cartron
  14. Ballinalacken Castle Country House Hotel and RestaurantRestaurant · Doolin
  15. Gus O' Connors PubPub · DoolinFacebook page
  16. Homestead Cottage DoolinRestaurant · Doolin
  17. McDermotts PubRestaurant · Doolin
  18. Morrissey's of DoonbegRestaurant · Doonbeg
  19. The Whitethorn at the Rine HotelRestaurant · Dromoland
  20. Auburn Lodge Oyster RestaurantRestaurant · Ennis
  21. Brogans Bar and RestaurantRestaurant · EnnisFacebook page
  22. Ciarán's BarPub · EnnisFacebook page
  23. Gate 96 Restaurant at Temple Gate HotelRestaurant · Ennis
  24. glór Irish Music CentreCafé · Ennis
  25. Henry's Bistro & Wine BarRestaurant · Ennis
  26. Knox's Pub & Storehouse RestaurantRestaurant · Ennis
  27. Taylor's BarPub · Ennis
  28. The Abbey Tavern QuinRestaurant · Quin
  29. The Poet's Corner Bar- EnnisPub · Ennis
  30. The Record Break CaféCafé · EnnisFacebook page
  31. The Town Hall Bistro at the Old Ground Hotel EnnisRestaurant · Ennis
  32. Box & BeanCafé · Ennistymon
  33. Byrnes RestaurantRestaurant · Ennistymon
  34. Pepper's PubRestaurant · FeakleFacebook page
  35. The Dining Room at the Gregans Castle HotelRestaurant · Gragan East
  36. Vaughan’s Pub and RestaurantRestaurant · Kilfenora
  37. La CasaRestaurant · KilkeeFacebook page
  38. Myles Creek Bar & RestaurantRestaurant · Kilkee
  39. Cois Lacha Restaurant at The Lakeside HotelRestaurant · Killaloe
  40. The Anchor InnPub · KillaloeFacebook page
  41. Crotty’s BarPub · Kilrush
  42. Dodi CaféCafé · LahinchFacebook page
  43. The Edge LahinchRestaurant · Lahinch
  44. Cliffs View Café, Cliffs of MoherRestaurant · Liscannor
  45. Burren StorehouseRestaurant · Lisdoonvarna
  46. Sheedy's Hotel and RestaurantRestaurant · Lisdoonvarna
  47. Wild Honey InnRestaurant · Lisdoonvarna
  48. Design BankCafé · Miltown Malbay
  49. Friel's PubPub · Miltown MalbayFacebook page
  50. Michael A's PubPub · Miltown MalbayFacebook page
  51. The Rectory CaféCafé · Mountshannon
  52. The Snug CaféRestaurant · Mountshannon
  53. Carrygerry Country HouseRestaurant · Newmarket-on-Fergus
  54. Linnalla Pure Irish Ice CreamCafé · Rine
  55. McGann's PubPub · Roadford
  56. Ryan's Bar ScarriffPub · ScarriffFacebook page
  57. The Old Lodge Gastro Pub at Shannon Springs HotelRestaurant · Shannon
  58. Fanny O'Dea'sPub · LissycaseyFacebook page

Getting to Clare

By air
Shannon Airport
By rail
Stations at Ennis and Sixmilebridge, on the Limerick to Galway line.
By road
The M18 and N85.

Questions

What are the best things to do in Clare?

Our top three are Cliffs of Moher, Poulnabrone Portal Tomb and Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. The full list of twenty is at the top of this page, and every place on it has a page of its own.

What can you do in Clare for free?

Walks, beaches and open ground cost nothing to visit. On our list that includes Lahinch Beach and Flaggy Shore. Check parking and access with the place before you go.

What is on in Clare?

There are 3 events listed in Clare over the months ahead. See them all.

Next door

Guides for a trip to Clare

Longer reads for planning.

All guides

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