County Clare really is a special place to refresh your spirits. It’s where seascapes, landscapes and lakescapes all combine with a rich historical tapestry to set the backdrop for a memorable holiday. It’s wonderful for families, couples, solo travellers, and activity enthusiasts. Our County offers so much in its contrasts and diversity that the biggest decision you need to make is where to begin!
If you start in Ennis, in Mid-Clare, you can take it all in. Ennis is one of Ireland’s most picturesque towns. Its history, combined with its famous narrow streets and character buildings, tells you that this is somewhere special. Visitors particularly enjoy exploring its history, great music and entertainment, unique and diverse boutiques and shops, cosy cafes and top-class restaurants. From Ennis, head in any direction and you will be rewarded with wonderful experiences.
Nearby, in Mid Clare, you can enjoy historical attractions including ancient Quin Abbey and world-famous Bunratty Castle and Folk Park – a real family favourite.
Head to North Clare, and its amazing attractions come in many forms. Take in the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark. Formed millions of years ago, its geology, flora, cliffs, caves, archaeology and history set it apart as a place of great mystery and beauty. Don’t miss the 214 meter high Cliff of Moher, standing firm against the power of the Atlantic Ocean. The sheer scale and dramatic impact of the cliffs never cease to amaze and delight in equal measure! You can explore the Burren’s underworld at either of its two wonderful showcaves – the Aillwee Cave or Doolin Cave. Take in a day trip to the stunningly beautiful Aran Islands, easily reached by ferry from Doolin.
West Clare is an area of unspoilt, natural beauty. It is wedged between the Shannon Estuary and the Atlantic, which has carved out giant natural sculpture formations from the stone-faced coastline, and then trimmed them with safe beaches and old-world fishing villages. Check out Loop Head Peninsula and its panoramic cliff views, or the Victorian charm of Kilkee, or take in Kilrush and include a boat trip to Scattery Island – one of the most important sites of early Christian Ireland. For a unique experience, go dolphin watching from Carrigaholt or Kilrush.
If you love the coast, head to Clare’s Wild Atlantic Way taking in the coastline of both North and West Clare. Once you come down from the magnificent views from some of Europe’s best-loved sea cliffs, you can chill out at any of our seven coastal blue-flag beaches at Cappagh Kilrush, Fanore, Kilkee, Lahinch, Spanish Point, White Strand (near Doonbeg), or White Strand (near Miltown Malbay). You can also take to the water and get active enjoying swimming, surfing, kayaking, canoeing, paddle-boarding, sea angling, or diving.
East Clare, part of Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, preserves the best of everything in a fresh visitor-friendly environment with towns and villages like Scarriff, Tulla, Killaloe, Mountshannon, and Feakle. East Clare is dotted with almost 40 lakes and boasts the unrivalled asset of the Lough Derg Blueway and the Shannon Waterway. The area is loved by water enthusiasts who can enjoy cruising, sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, kayaking, paddle-boarding and quality angling. It also has two of Ireland’s few blue-flag inland beaches at Ballycuggeran (Killaloe) and Mountshannon. While there, take in a boat trip from Mountshannon to Inis Cealtra (Holy Island) which is noted for its early monastic settlement dating to the late 7th century.
Our County is a haven for anyone interested in active pursuits and, in addition to all its water activities, land-based activities are well catered for. You can enjoy some wonderful walks by sea, river and lakes, including some excellent hill and cliff-top walks. Other activities include cycling, horse riding, shore angling and, of course, golf. Thanks to nature, we have ten top-class golf courses, including two 18-hole links courses at Lahinch and Doonbeg.
Make a note that our County is especially loved by younger children. They love the beaches, folk parks, show-caves, pet farms, boat trips, water activities, forests, castles… and more.
For more information on the wonder of Clare and to check season-opening, check out www.clare.ie or email tourism@clarecoco.ie
PLAY YOUR PART AND ‘LET’S SHARE CLARE WITH THE WORLD’
The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has deeply impacted our lives in so many ways that we couldn’t have imagined, including disrupting the global economy, and travel in particular. It has had a devastating impact on tourism in County Clare.
While we remain in these uncertain times, we can “Share Clare with the World”. They can still get to enjoy our seascapes, landscapes, or lake scapes or experience our scenic, activity, sporting, or heritage attractions.
USE THESE FREE RESOURCES TO SHARE CLARE
Clare County Council and Visit Clare Tourism are encouraging everyone in the County, particularly those who benefit from tourism, to remind people around the globe that Clare is amazing.
To help you to ‘Share Clare’, we have a range of resources you can download and use for free, including:
Our ‘Dream of Clare’ video: Our one minute video is to remind people that Clare is amazing and that, we are still here and look forward to welcoming them.
Zoom virtual backgrounds of Clare: Use these backgrounds, sized for Zoom, on your personal or business Zoom video calls. These are mostly spectacular aerial images from our commissioned drone photo-shoot. It’s a great way to share Clare with YOUR world.
Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram posts: Use our Clare posts, sized to suit each of these social media platforms. They all feature wonderful images of county Clare.
Photos of Clare: You can select and use images from our photo-bank, free. There are lots of images there, and we will be adding to these over time.
HERE IS WHERE YOU WILL FIND ALL OUR RESOURCES:
Go to: https://visitclare.filecamp.com/
Username: Share
Password: Clare
