County Clare – An Clár

From the breathtaking Cliffs of Moher to the gently lapping waters of Lough Derg, County Clare is rich in diverse contrasts, a holiday wonderland that abounds with natural and man made attractions.county clare ireland wallpapers.1440x900 300x187 County Clare   An Clár

Bunratty, Ennis, Kilrush, Ennistymon, Kilkee, Lahinch, Killaloe, Lisdoonvarna, Ballyvaughan and Doolin are just some of the town names associated with fun and enjoyment in the area.

Attractions include the wondrous Burren National Park, The Aillwee Cave, The Cliffs of Moher, the Craggaunowen Bronze Age Project, Bunratty Castle & Folk Park and Lahinch Seaworld and the Burren Centre.

Activities include water sports, diving, surfing, cruising (incl. day cruises), sea, game and coarse angling, golf, caving, dolphin watching, horse riding, specialist walking and cycling trails and more.

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The Burren

20090421 poulnabrone dolmen 300x199 The Burren

The World Famous Burren is on your doorstep, vist Poulnabrone Dolmen, Cahercomman Ring Fort, Templecronan Church, Ailwee Caves any many more atiquities.

The Burren is an unspoilt part of Ireland. Burren means a place of rock. Here in the Burren the bare exposed limstone which is up to 780 metres in thickness, covers an area of 250 kilometers, great slabs of rock which are almost as flat and undisturbed as they were when they were formed in the war, shallow seas of the Carboniferous ocean 340 million years ago.

The Burren does not mean barren, man has settled here since stone age times. Evidence of his habitiations and tombs are all around you: massive dolmens and wedge tombs, about 120 are know in the Burren National Park; and about 500 sto ne forts called cahers, the homesteads of farmers of long ago, survive in various stages of preservations. Churches and castles indicate later periods of settlement. The most important and interesting of these are well documented. Kilfenora, Templecronan and Corcomroe are outstanding examples of church ruins. Gleninagh, Leamenaneh and Doonagore are among the many castles, all with their own story, which will fascinate you. Ludlow, a Cromwellian general is oft quoted as saying the following about the area there is not water enough to drown a man, wood enough to hang one, nor earth enough to bury him but in fact he qualifies his seemingly shallow observations by adding where land is so scarce that the inhabitants steal it from each other, and yet their cattle are very fat, for the grass growing in tufts of earth of two or three foot square that lie between the rocks which are of limestone is very sweet and nourishing.A common sight on the uplands are the herds of wild goats. And you may also be lucky enough to spy the elusive Pine martin, here, too , in the Burrren, 26 of Ireland’s 33 species of butterfly have been recorded, including its very own, the Burren Green

Many of the views around the burren are truly spectacular (with the help of Jim Robinsons map we hope you will get to view many of them. Why not walk along the GREEN ROAD, following the Burren Way from Ballyvaughan to Liscannor, savouring the delights at a leisurely pace. It is well signposted. There is a detailed brochure available in the houses.

burrendome 300x218 The Burren


 

Cliffs of Moher

CliffsSunset 300x224 Cliffs of Moher

The Cliffs of Moher Just North of Lahinch, on the coast of West Clare, are the famous Cliffs of Moher, defiantly standing as giant natural ramparts against the aggressive might of the Atlantic Ocean. They rise in places to over 215 metres (over 700 feet) and stretch for almost 8km. O’Brian’s Tower which was constructed int he early 19th Century as a viewing point for Victorian tourists is located on Moher’s highest cliff. From its exceptional vantage position you can view the Clare coastline, The Aran Islands and mountains as far apart as Kerry and Connemara. The Cliffs have a visitor centre which includes a tourist information centre, a crafts souvenor shop and a tea room.

Outdoors (Flora and Birds)

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FLORA

The Burren is also famous for its rare and spectacular plants which occur in abundance. Nowhere else in Ireland, England or even North West Europe can such quantities of Spring Gentian, Mountain Aven, Bloody Cranesbill, Yellow Shrubby Cinquefoil be encountered. On these limestone pavements and in the fissures between them ARCTIC and ALPINE plants grow side by side with those from the MEDITERRANEAN. Botanists have attempted to find out why, but no one has come up with a complete answer. Soft rain, The Gulf Stream and an absence of frost, may all be factors in the spread of the plants. Spring is the best time to see the flowers when the Spring Gentians and the Mountain Avens are in full colour. But all seasons bring their own delights.

kingfisher ws 247x300 Outdoors (Flora and Birds)Birds

There are many species of birds in this area. Down by the River Fergus we have our own family of Kingfishers. They make a spectacular sight!

It is a ideal spot to sit and watch the many species of bird in the area. The last birdwatcher who stayed counted 32 different species.

Golf

The coastal grandeur and unspoiled greenery of the Shannon Region easily lends itself to the relaxing game of golf. Here, you will find no less than thirty-four quality courses, each one uniquely challenging and with a character that is visually exciting.

Golfers visiting the Shannon Region can test their skills on the windswept dunes of a championship links (Lahinch), challenge the watertraps and other hazards of new courses created by some of the world’s most famous designers, or just play a relaxing eighteen holes on a mature parkland of treelined fairways.

These unique facilities for overseas golfers are within easy reach of most international destinations. Shannon International Airport is at the heart of the Region and is but a few hours away from the major cities of Europe and the United States.

If golf is your interest, this is the ideal base for you. It offers you choice and challenge in a Region renowned for scenic beauty, great activity and the wramness of its welcome and of course GREAT GOLF!

Fishing

P1040665 300x225 FishingPike, Coarse, game and Sea Fishing.

PIKE AND COARSE FISHING

If the thought of wild, well conditioned pike, bream, trench, roach, rudd and perch appeals to you, then you are definately in the right region.

The region offers the angler a unique opportunity to fish peaceful waters in areas of great scenic beauty. You will find plenty of great spots to call your own with only the water and wild-life for company.

This compact region which is dominated by water is perhaps the best in Ireland in terms of variety, range of locations, acccessibility of waters, fish stocks and quality of catches.

SEA FISHING

The waters off the west coast of clare in the Shannon Estuary are among the most productive sea angling grounds in Europe. The many piers which are dotted along the coastline and rocky ledges, interspersed with lengthy stretches of sandy beaches, provide great shore fishing. The most favoured marks are signposted.

Deep sea angling continues to attract those who wish to fish the rich waters off the coast. These pollution-free waters are under-fished and continually provide great catches of a wide variety of sea fish. Among the great names in fishing ground not to be missed are: Galway Bay, around the Aran Island and closeby the Cliffs of Moher and off Loop Head.

Fully equipped and licenced charter boats with the most advanced electronics operate in these waters. All skippers have a thorough knowledge of their respective fishing territories. Safety on board is always their number one priority.

GAME ANGLING

The Game Angler can expect to catch the wild Atlantic salmon as it returns to its birthplace in the pristine rivers of the West Coast. (Permit is needed)

BROWN TROUT

The upper River Fergus runs for over one mile through our farm. We stock this section of the River each year with 1lb+ brown trout. Also for 2001 we have a small lake with stocked brown trout. There is free fishing for guests.

Attractions and Activities

OTHER ATTRACTIONS AND FACILITIES IN THE AREA

 

SWIMMING/SEAWORLD/AQUARIUM

This is an ideal outing for a wet day. With regular swimming sessions and tours of the aquarium, you can experience the under water world of the West of Ireland in any weather. Located just 7 miles away from all the houses.

ARAN ISLANDS

There are boat trips to Aran from Doolin and Galway.

BUNRATTY CASTLE AND FOLK PARK

Ideal for the young and the old. Ideal to see on a “not so nice day”