Back to articlesVisiting Clare
Whether you are visiting the West of Ireland for the first time or planning a staycation, Co. Clare has many activities to explore alongside it's breathtaking sceneary and stunning coastlines.
Aliwee, Go Clare
The Burren is one of Ireland’s top tourist destinations as the karst limestone landscape and plentiful flora draw visitors from around the world. The Birds of Prey Centre, opened in 2008, is great fun for all the family. It is here that you and the kids can get up close and personal with birds of prey such as eagles, falcons, and owls from all over the world.
The centre is very educational and teaches visitors about the bird’s biology, conservation, and the ancient art of falconry. You’ll see dynamic flying displays on show where patrons can view many species in dramatic free flight.
There are also hawk walks on offer which are a once in a lifetime chance to be guided and instructed by experienced falconers to handle and feed your own hawk. These walks last about an hour and travel through hazel woodland and across Burren limestone pavement.
Admission is nor more than a few Euro and well worth it as you and the family will be fully satisfied upon leaving the grounds.
Cliffs of Moher, Co Galway
The Cliffs of Moher are about an hour and a half drive from Galway City but are a must see if you are in the area. These cliffs are some of the highest in all of Europe as they tower 200 metres above the crashing waves of the Atlantic.
On site there is a dedicated visitor’s centre where you’ll find plenty of information, tour guides, and a well-equipped bar and restaurant. The facility charges €6 admission for adults while children under 16 go free; this includes parking, access to the visitor centre and Atlantic Edge Exhibition and a contribution towards conservation and safety of the cliffs.
The Atlantic Edge exhibition has won numerous awards and boasts many informative features. Among these are live camera of the cliffs and their underwater caves, interactive displays, and fun informative displays aimed at the younger age group.
There are also separate ferry trips available which allow visitors to get a chance to see the rising cliff face from sea level.
The Cliffs of Moher are situated along the popular driving route: The Wild Atlantic Way. It is Ireland’s most visited tourist attraction drawing in a million visitors annually.
About Connemara
Connemara National Park, Co Galway
Connemara is a rural outlying area of Galway City. It is home to an unsullied land that provides stunning beauty throughout. It is also known as a Gaeltacht area as the majority of the inhabitants speak the Irish language. It is one of the last remaining strongholds of the native tongue.
The sprawling landscape is home to some of the best views in the country, from vast open plains, beautiful lakes, towering mountains, and crashing Atlantic waves. Hire a car from Galway City.
The terrain in Connemara makes it a great destination for active tourists. Throughout the year many who visit will take part in hill walking, horseback riding, golfing, fishing, and a multitude of water sports.
History enthusiasts will be overjoyed upon arrival as there are around 5000 years to uncover. There are megalithic stones, tombs, stone and earth forts, early Christian churches, castles, both ruined and inhabited, 19th century houses and the Marconi Wireless Station and the landing place of Alcock and Brown.
About The Burren
Burren, Co. Clare
The Burren is under an hour’s drive from Galway City and is home to the largest variety of flora and fauna in the country. The Burren National Park is a must see for nature lovers as over three quarters of Ireland’s flowers can be found here in the karst landscape that measures 250 square kilometres.
The limestone landscape was formed in an ancient past under sea water before emerging due to a geological cataclysm.
Surrounding this fascinating habitat is a ring of villages which boast their own attractions and charm. Doolin, situated to the west, is a music hub where travelling tourists should stop by for a traditional Irish music session.
The best time to visit the Burren is in the spring time as the barren land is overtaken by the emerging wildflowers and flora that transform the scenery at that time of year.
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