Discover County Clare, Ireland
The Cliffs of Moher, The Burren and the Village of Doolin
Apr 29, 2009
Found in close proximity of one another is the charming village of Doolin, the stunning Cliffs of Moher and The Burren. Each offers a glimpse into Southwest Ireland's storied history and delivers in a big way for the curious visitor.
The Home of Traditional Irish Music
The village of Doolin is easily accessible from the Shannon Airport and found just north of The Cliffs of Moher. Long established as the home of traditional Irish music, Doolin attracts visitors of all ages and makes an excellent base for touring since most sites are within an hours drive. Nightly music can be found in all its pubs during the summer months, but you may want to try one of its three music pubs: O'Connor's, McDermott's and McGann's. All offer an enchanting time for those who enjoy great traditional Irish music.
The Cliffs of Moher
Ascending to 700 feet high and running approximately five miles along the coastline, the Cliffs of Moher are almost vertical. On a clear day, they are particularly enticing with their grassy headlands and rocky spires set against a vibrant blue sky. Seabirds fly happily overhead and the only mainland colony of breeding Atlantic Puffins can be found at the Cliffs of Moher, but only during the months of April and May when they come to nest in the cliffs to breed.
A state-of-the-art Visitor's Center was completed in 2007 which includes new and improved viewing platforms, an audio-visual theater, a restaurant and retail center.
O'Brien's Castle, built in 1835 by Cornelius O'Brien and a descendant of Brian Boru, is also located on the grounds. Local lore states O'Brien was a visionary before his time and knew that drawing tourism to the area would benefit the locals and improve the economy. Additional folklore says he simply built the castle to impress female visitors. This could make for an interesting conversation when enjoying a pint of Guinness in a Doolin pub.
The Rugged Terrain of The Burren
The Burren holds great fascination for those interested in archaelogy, history, geology and botony. The ancient stone tomb of Poulnabrone Dolmen dates between 2000 and 2500 B.C. and is just one of many ancient tombs scattered across the land. The Burren is well known for its interesting limestone patterns and unusual habitat which draws numbers of geologists and botanists every year.
Getting to County Clare
Flying into Shannon Airport is convenient for visiting anywhere in the west of Ireland and is located inside County Clare. The airport is small and easy to maneuver with car rental facilities on the premises and lodging nearby. Ireland Tourism will help you put an Emerald Isle holiday plan into the making with ease, so get ready to enjoy County Clare and all she offers.
 |
