| Southwestern & Western Clare |
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| An
ideal cycling destination, this part of county Clare ends up in a
peninsula and has fantastic and impressive cliffs. |
Accommodation_Clare
KILRUSH
Hosting the biggest marina of the western coast at Kilrush Creek (visit
www.kilrushcreekmarina.ie for information), Kilrush is a pleasant
little town with views on the Shannon Estuary and the hills of Kerry.
The Kilrush Heritage Centre (call 905 1596 for information) has a good
exhibition on the history of the region and on the Famine. Fine stained
glass is to be admired in St Senan’s Catholic Church. For a nice escape
the colourful Vandeleur Walled |
Gardens (call 905 1760 for information)
have been redesigned and contain unusual plants. SCATTERY ISLAND is a
deserted island. A round tower, part of a Christian settlement, is
still in very good condition and one of the tallest in Ireland. Boats
leave for the island from Cappa (near Kilrush). Scattery Island Ferries
(call 065-905 1237 for information) will take you to Scattery Island
from Kilrush Creek Marina during the summer period. KILKEE makes a good
stopover, especially in summer when you can enjoy the beaches and the
wide bay at their best. The Duggerna Rocks have natural swimming pools
called Pollock Holes. The bay has at the north St George’s Head and at
the south the Duggerna Rocks.
The stunning coastal cliffs along the Kilkee to Loop Head road make it
a good cycling and walking area. Two small villages are worth a detour
on the way. Kilbaha has a tiny church with nice relics, whereas
Carrigaholt has a 15th century castle. For great views on the Dingle
Peninsula, the Aran Islands and Galway Bay, head to Loop Head,the
southernmost point of the county.
The road from Kilkee to Ennistymon takes you into the West of Ireland
as it is fabled. At Doonbeg you will enjoy the nice sandy beach of
White Strand and the ruins of Doonbeg and Donmore Castles. Wealthy
Victorians enjoyed a trip to Miltown Malbay which is now popular for
music (the Willie Clancy Festival takes place yearly in July). Although
Lahinch is a typical resort with entertainment arcades, take-aways and
so on, it is nonetheless a precious site, nested in the protected
Liscannor Bay. Well hidden in the seemingly unexceptional village of
ENNISTYMON, the River Inagh falls into the Cascades, better seen ater a
heavy rainfall. For a good chat in a pub, Eugene’s on Main St is the
best, and Cooley’s House is not far behind although there are regular
traditional music sessions.
LISCANNOR, as well as being a seaside village close to Doolin and the
Cliffs of Moher, is also the name of a local stone used for floors,
walls and roofs. Hag’s Head offers a great view on the Cliffs of Moher
and is located at their southern end. The famous CLIFFS OF MOHER are a
typical cliché of Ireland, rising at 203m and completely vertical. Most
of the time packed with visitors, the views from the cliffs are
nonetheless breathtaking and worth. On a clear day you will be stunned
by the Aran Islands standing on the waters of Galway Bay, and by the
hills of Connemara. |
| PS : GETTING AROUND SOUTHWESTERN & WESTERN CLARE:
Bus
However infrequent,
there are services to the towns and villages along the coast. Contact
Ennis Bus Station on 065-682 4177 or Limerick Bus Station on 061-313
333. Bus Eireann (call 065-682417 for information) also has services
which go around this part of the county. Boat
Shannon Ferry Limited (call 905 3124 for information or visit
www.shannonferries.com) has a connection from Killimer to Tarbert in
county Kerry. |
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