Shannon and the Midlands:Layout 1 02/05/2007 16:26 Page 145
CLIFFS OF MOHER Europe’s most compelling cave attractions. It is a truly authentic
The awe-inspiring Cliffs of Moher, standing five miles long and experience. ‘The Great Stalactite’, it is your only opportunity to see such
towering almost 700ft over the Atlantic Ocean, are the a large free hanging stalactite anywhere in the world. Experience
quintessential emblem of Irishness, making them one of the country’s includes guided tour, hard hat and flashlight hire, coffee at the Riverside
most visited attractions. On a clear day the fabulous views from Restaurant and return mini-bus ride. Group and family rates available.
O’Brien’s Tower includes the Aran Islands, the mountains of Connemara Enquire about our tour plus package that includes a delicious home-
and the lighthouse on Loop Head. The tower itself was constructed in cooked meal. The cave tour takes approximately one hour. Because of
1835 by Cornelius O’Brien as an observation point for the hundreds of environmental protection measures, numbers are limited to 20 per tour.
tourists who visited the cliffs. This visionary was ahead of his time,
believing that tourism would develop the local economy and rescue the shopping shopping
people from poverty. Boat trips and cruises around the base of the cliffs Doolin Craft Gallery, Ballybaloe, Doolin, Co. Clare. Tel: (065) 707
are available from Cliffs of Moher Cruises, Tel: (065) 708 6060 and 4309; Email:
info@doolincrafts.com; Web:
www.doolincrafts.com. In
Aran Islands Cruise and Angling, Tel: (065) 682 1374. For further Doolin, County Clare you can find one of the best loved craft shops in
information contact Shannon Heritage on (061) 360788. Ireland. With an emphasis on design, everything is there: sweaters,
scarves, pottery, jewellery, leather, etc. All uniquely Irish and all
publicbuilding places of interest uniquely beautiful. The gallery is accompanied by a very cozy
Cliffs of Moher, Tel: (065) 708 6140; Email:
info@cliffsofmoher.ie; restaurant serving only home-cooked dishes, surrounded by the
Web:
www.cliffsofmoher.ie. A must-see on any itinerary to the splendid gardens created lovingly over the past years. The Gallery is
Shannon Region, the Cliffs of Moher are a spectacular sight. The open throughout the year, including the wild and windy winter months.
famous site is the location of a major tourism project which has
created a New Visitor Experience at the Cliffs of Moher. The new DOONBEG
experience includes an award-winning visitor centre containing a state Designed by Greg Norman, the Doonbeg Golf links not only offers a
of the art interpretation element, Atlantic Edge, as well as extensive challenge to any keen golfer, but also blends in beautifully with the
visitor facilities. The building has been subsumed into the contours of dunes system lining the Atlantic coast. This small village is also home
the local terrain and is covered by the grass hillside. Significant works to the award-winning White Strand beach and the ruins of the former
at the Cliff edge include extension of pathways, development of raised MacMahon fortress, Doonbeg Castle.
viewing platforms and seating areas as well as ecological
reconstruction of the eroded cliff edge habitat. Cliffs of Moher ENNIS
Rangers are now on site for visitor comfort and safety and also to Clare’s county town of Ennis is one of Ireland’s most charming places.
provide Cliff edge guiding and information. There is a coffee shop, Although the town is now a progressive business and marketing centre
restaurant, retail shop, tourist information, first aid room, public and was named the “information age town”, it has not lost its appeal
toilets and much more within the building. The Atlantic Edge and cleverly marries city calibre nightlife and shopping with the
exhibition is keeping visitors both young and old enthralled, with The familiarity of a small community.
Ledge virtual reality cliff face adventure providing a WOW factor. Ennis has a rich history just waiting to be discovered with the
origins of the town dating back to the founding of the Ennis Friary by
COROFIN the O’Brien Kings of Thomond somewhere around 1240. The site of
Corofin is a quiet and friendly village on the southern fringes of the this Franciscan friary was originally on an island on the River Fergus
Burren. It lies near the shores of Lough Inchiquin, a well-known around which the modern day town has grown. During the 1370s the
beauty spot and trout lake and provides a good jumping off point for friary was one of Ireland’s most important and prestigious theological
anglers keen to explore the area. Corofin is also home to the Clare schools with no fewer than 350 friars and 600 students. To this day,
Heritage and Genealogical Centre. This award-winning Heritage you can find the remains of an ecclesiastical jail cell, where young
Museum is housed in what was once St. Catherine’s Church, built in scholars who engaged in too much wine-induced revelry were sent to
1718 by a first cousin of Queen Anne and includes exhibitions think about what they had done! The friary was finally forced to close
portraying life in 19th century Clare. The Centre is also actively in 1692 and thereafter fell into ruin. Today, the walls are intact and
involved in genealogical research and is regarded as the leading centre within there are many interesting sculpted tombs and carvings,
of its kind in Ireland. It houses the most comprehensive research including the famous 15th century McMahon Tomb with alabaster
material held at any one location and allows people with Clare roots to panels depicting scenes from the passion.
trace their ancestry. Tel: (065) 683 7955.
DOOLIN
Doolin is world-famous for its wealth of Irish folk music and is home
to some of the best music pubs in Ireland. It is also a haven for cavers
with the Green Holes of Doolin; reputedly the world’s longest known
undersea caves in temperate waters. The smallest Aran Island, Inis
Oirr, is only 10km from the mainland and ferries operate a daily
service from Doolin Harbour. Web:
www.doolinferries.com.
guestrooms accommodation
Ballinalacken Castle Country House Hotel and Restaurant, Coast Road
(R477), Doolin, Co. Clare. Tel/Fax: (065) 707 4025; Email:
ballinalackencastle@eircom.net; Web:
www.ballinalackencastle.com. A
family-run, peaceful oasis steeped in history offering the most
spectacular views of the Cliffs of Moher, Aran Islands, Atlantic Ocean
and Connemara Hills. Award-winning Chef Michael Foley makes dining
here an experience to remember.
publicbuilding places of interest
Doolin Cave, Doolin, Co. Clare. Tel: (065) 707 5761; Email:
tours@doolincave.ie; Web:
www.doolincave.ie. Doolin Cave is one of Ennis Abbey, Co. Clare
shannon and the midlands 145
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148 |
Page 149 |
Page 150 |
Page 151 |
Page 152 |
Page 153 |
Page 154 |
Page 155 |
Page 156 |
Page 157 |
Page 158 |
Page 159 |
Page 160 |
Page 161 |
Page 162 |
Page 163 |
Page 164 |
Page 165 |
Page 166 |
Page 167 |
Page 168 |
Page 169 |
Page 170 |
Page 171 |
Page 172 |
Page 173 |
Page 174 |
Page 175 |
Page 176 |
Page 177 |
Page 178 |
Page 179 |
Page 180 |
Page 181 |
Page 182 |
Page 183 |
Page 184 |
Page 185 |
Page 186 |
Page 187 |
Page 188 |
Page 189 |
Page 190 |
Page 191 |
Page 192 |
Page 193 |
Page 194 |
Page 195 |
Page 196 |
Page 197 |
Page 198 |
Page 199 |
Page 200 |
Page 201 |
Page 202 |
Page 203 |
Page 204 |
Page 205 |
Page 206 |
Page 207 |
Page 208 |
Page 209 |
Page 210 |
Page 211 |
Page 212 |
Page 213 |
Page 214 |
Page 215 |
Page 216 |
Page 217 |
Page 218 |
Page 219 |
Page 220 |
Page 221 |
Page 222 |
Page 223 |
Page 224 |
Page 225 |
Page 226 |
Page 227 |
Page 228 |
Page 229 |
Page 230 |
Page 231 |
Page 232 |
Page 233 |
Page 234 |
Page 235 |
Page 236 |
Page 237 |
Page 238 |
Page 239 |
Page 240 |
Page 241