2 Bedroom Clare cottages

The fine and often rugged, Atlantic coastline of County Clare runs from Galway Bay in the north, down to the Shannon estuary in the south. The border to the north east is defined by the third largest lake in Ireland, Lough Derg, and the county range also includes 'the Burren', a unique karst region and area of wilderness, which is internationally renowned for its remarkable flora and fauna, due to its unusually temperate climate.

Things to do in Clare
The unique environment that is known as 'the Burren' has been designated as part of the UNESCO Geopark network. A small section of the Burren also has National Park status. With one of the most distinctive landscapes in Europe, the Burren is a major attraction for naturalists. The particularly temperate climate it enjoys gives it one of the longest growing seasons anywhere in the British Isles, encouraging a diverse and rich selection of plant life.

A fine long-distance footpath, the Burren Way, running north, south, east and west, and leading visitors both inland beyond the confines of the park, and over to the western coastal reaches of the county, gives walkers a formidable environment in which to trek and explore the landscape.

Top Destinations

Cliffs of Moher – One of the defining images for visitors to Ireland, the dramatic cliffs are particularly hair-raising when the winds are blowing out into the Atlantic. Although, ironically, given their fame, not the highest cliffs in Ireland, the Cliffs of Moher rise to a height of 203m, with completely vertical falls from the cliff edge into the constantly churning seas of the Atlantic. If you wisely choose to avoid the worst excesses of the tourist industry and walk just a few minutes to the south of the main visitor centre, you can join the trail which stretches along the cliffs to Hag's Head. More than 30 species of bird make their home in the craggy cliff-faces, also making Moher a popular spot for birdwatchers. On a clear day you can see the Aran Islands out in Galway Bay, and beyond, the hills of Connemara in western Galway itself.

Killaloe – A picturesque village on the south end of Lough Derg, the area is a particularly popular spot with hill walkers. The more commercial, County Tipperary town of Ballina can be reached from Killaloe via the 13-arched stone bridge, which crosses the Shannon at this relatively narrow point in the river.

Lisdoonvarna – This small spa town is the site of Europe's largest annual matchmaking event, welcoming up to 40,000 hopeful romantics to a month-long celebration each September.

Doonbeg – Reputed to be the longest village in Ireland, with a particularly expansive main street, Doonbeg is also home to an architecturally-important, seven-arched stone bridge, which spans the Doonbeg River and divides the village. The bridge is overlooked by the crumbling tower remains of Doonbeg Castle.

Kilrush – One of the listed Heritage Towns of Ireland, Kilrush is a coastal settlement close to the Shannon, which takes its name from its Irish Gaelic meaning, Cill Rois, or 'Church of the Woods'. Off shore and in the adjacent estuary, a large group of Bottle-nosed Dolphins are a major draw for visitors, who venture out on boat trips throughout the year, specifically to view these amazing creatures.

Kilkee – One of the most popular seaside resorts in Ireland, the sandy horseshoe bay of Kilkee is also a mecca for divers; the late Jacques Cousteau once declared that Kilkee was the best spot for diving to be found anywhere in Europe, and its particularly diverse marine life attracts divers from all over the world. To the south of Kilkee, the desolate barrens that run down to Loop Head offer the most dramatic of cliffs and sweeping coastal vistas.

Ennis – The main city in the county, situated on the River Fergus, Ennis is a hub of narrow streets with a vibrant nightlife, and a reputation as a centre for Irish traditional music. It is historically important as a market town, with a flourishing retail sector. A monument to the Irish Nationalist hero Daniel O'Connell stands prominently on the top of a tall column in O'Connell Square, on the site of the old courthouse.

Newmarket-on-Fergus – Just outside the town, and in the grounds of Dromoland Castle, stands Mooghaun Hill-Fort; a well-preserved, late Bronze Age site, occupying an entire hill top and offering wide views of the surrounding countryside, Mooghaun is thought to be the largest and most extensive hill fort in Ireland.