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What to see...
Doolin
or
'Fisher Street' as it was known is a great fishing village. It has also long been
associated with great Irish music sessions. A visit to the Aran Islands is
an unforgettable trip and one that you cannot afford to miss. The islanders
traditionally made their living from fishing. While the men were out fishing the
women knitted the traditional 'Aran Ganseys'. Boats leave several times daily
from Doolin Pier.
The Cliffs of Moher
The famous Cliffs of Moher stand facing the Atlantic ocean a
short distance south. They are very impressive at over 200 mtrs high, and give
visitors a good view over Galway Bay and the Aran Islands. O'Brien's Tower
stands guard at one end and Moher Castle is situated at the southern end. The
cliffs are home to numerous seabirds,including gannets, razorbills guillemots
and puffins, and the area is a birdwatcher's paradise.
The Burren
are about 500 sq.kms of lunar-like limestone landscape and surely one of the wonders of this world. Its apparent bareness nurtures an internationally famous flora. ;When Stone Age farmers settled in the Burren they found the area forested. By late medieval times the felling of timber and the grazing of cattle produced to-days skeletal landscape. Man has left a mass of evidence of having lived on the Burren for thousands of years.
Material remains abound, including megalithic tombs, stone
and earth ring forts, round towers, medieval churches, monasteries and castles.
Burials took place in Poulnabrone (picture at bottom of this page) and
other dolmens over a period of 600 years from 5200 to 5800 years ago. Gaelic
Chieftains like the O'Briens, the O'Connors and the O'Loughlins - who were the
Princesses of the Burren - had their castles here.
The Burren coastline north of Doolin shows a dramatic and picturesque
mixture of stone, beaches and a crystal clear blue Atlantic ocean. The Aran
Islands are an extension of the Burren landscape. There are numerous caves,
one of which is Doolin Cave, only a few minutes from the house. Ailwee Cave , near Ballyvaughan is also open to visitors. You'll get an inside look into the area and its mysteries if you visit the Burren
eXposure in Ballyvaughan or the Burren Centre in Kilfenora. The
Burren are great for walking and hiking.
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Distances:
We are about 5 mins. from the Pubs, Shops and Restaurants in Doolin and Lisdoonvarna
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click here
for maps
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Shannon Airport:
1 hr
Dublin Airport:
4 - 5 hrs.
Kerry Airport:
2 hrs 30 mins.
Galway:
1-1 hr 30 mins.
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Sightseeing
 Ennis (Glor Irish Music Centre, Friary)
45 mins from Doolin
Dysert O'Dea
Abbey, High Cross, Castle)
35 mins from Doolin
Corofin
(Clare Heritage Centre)
30 mins from Doolin
Kilfenora
(Cathedral,
High Crosses,
Burren display Centre)
20 mins from Doolin
Quin Abbey (Franciscan abbey)
10 mins from Ennis
Craggaunowen Prehistoric Outdoor museum
(20 mins. from Ennis)
Bunratty Castle and Folk Park
(20 mins from Ennis)
Lough Derg
(40 mins from Ennis)
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What to do...
Traditional Music
Doolin has long been associated with great Irish music sessions, and was home to a great traditional Irish whistle player, the late Micko Russell. Every night the pubs in the village are loud with the sound of fiddle, tin whistle, bodhrán, and pipes. Many guests join the locals in the music and the dance. Set dancers also flock to Kilfenora, home of the Kilfenora Ceili Band
Golfing
can enjoy the proximity of nearby courses like the Links in
Lahinch just 20 minutes away.
More beautifully located courses along the West coast of County Clare can be found in Lahinch, Doonbeg, Spanish Point, Kilkee and Kilrush!
Swimming & Surfing
The beach in Lahinch (20 min. away) is famous with surfers from all over the world. It is also a great beach for swimming, as is the beach in Fanore, 25 min. along the coast to the North. Especially children will enjoy Seaworld (Swimming Pool Aquarium) at the Strand Promenade in Lahinch
Walking, Cycling
The green roads are the old Burren roads and are perfect to explore this landscape on short and long walks. The Burren Way is a 20-km signposted walking trail between Ballyvaughan and the Cliffs of Moher. The quiet backroads
of North Clare are perfect for cycling!
Anglers
have a huge choice of lakes, rivers and several spots along the coast line. Fishing trips are leaving from Liscannor, 15 mins. to the south. You can also fish from the pier in Doolin!
Lickeen Lake is the most popular fishing lake in the Burren. Lickeen Anglers provide more information
about fishing there.
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