Shannon and the Midlands:Layout 1 02/05/2007 16:26 Page 152
Island with the ruins of a 6th Century monastic settlement is a short the most accomplished traditional musicians in the world, is held in
boat ride from Kilrush. The Eigse Mrs Crotty Traditional Music Festival the town as a tribute to Willie Clancy, one of Ireland’s greatest masters
captures the unique festival atmosphere of West Clare and will take of the uileann pipes. Three kilometres west is Spanish Point, a
place from 15-19 August 2007. charming little resort with golf and a fine sandy beach.
Vandeleur Walled Garden, Vandeleur Demesne, Kilrush, Co. Clare.
Tel: (065) 905 1760; Fax: (065) 905 2821; Email: NEWMARKET-ON-FERGUS
vandeleurwalledgarden@eircom.net; Web:
www.vandeleurwalledgarden.ie. At Newmarket-on-Fergus, between Ennis and Limerick, you will find
Behind beautiful old stone walls lays the forgotten garden of the Dromoland Castle. A former residence of the O’Briens of Thomond,
Vandeleur Estate. Revived and restored to its former glory, it is now an the castle is now one of Ireland’s most exclusive hotels.
oasis of tender and tropical plants that thrive in the area’s uniquely
western latitude micro-climate. Facilities within the Centre include a NEW QUAY
coffee and gift shop providing homemade food, conference suite and New Quay is a fishing village and small harbour on the north coast of
plant sales area. A section of the heritage exhibition ‘Kilrush in the Burren. It was at Mount Vernon Lodge in the village that Lady
Landlord Times’ is also displayed in the Centre. Augusta Gregory would entertain fellow members of the Irish literary
revival such as W. B. Yeats and G. B. Shaw. Lady Gregory lived at the
LAHINCH estate until her death in 1932 and the lodge was also home to her
This bright and breezy seaside resort is home to not one, but two nephew, important art collector and critic Sir Hugh Lane. Also worth a
18-hole golf courses, with the older championship course ranked look in the area are Curranrue Castle, Finavarra House and Finavarra
among the best in the world. There is also a beautiful beach with Martello Tower.
great surfing and you can explore the wonders of the deep at the
Seaworld Leisure Centre. Tel: (065) 708 1900. Visitors can learn to QUIN
surf at the Lahinch Surf School, Tel: 087 960 9667 or visit Ten kilometres east of Ennis is Quin; beside the village itself is Quin
www.lahinchsurfschool.com. Abbey. The Abbey was built in the 15th century by the ruling
McNamara lords for the Franciscan monks and incorporates part of the
LISCANNOR walls of an older Anglo-Norman castle overcome by native Irish forces
The small fishing village of Liscannor is midway between Lahinch and in 1286. Just 3km south east of the village is Knappogue Castle,
the Cliffs of Moher and is a great base for touring the area. In the which hosts medieval banquets. The original Tower House dates from
village itself you can visit the remains of an O’Connor castle. 1467, and during the 1641 rebellion the castle was occupied by
Cromwellian forces. Early in the 20th century it served as the
shopping shopping headquarters for General Michael Brennan in Ireland’s fight for
The Rock Shop, Liscannor, Co. Clare. Tel: (065) 708 1930; Fax: freedom. Soon after, it was deserted by the Butler family and fell into
(065) 708 1944; Email:
info@therockshop.ie; Web: disrepair. The ruin was rescued in the 1960s and with the help of
www.therockshop.ie. Located just 2km outside Liscannor on the R478 local historians the garden has been redecorated with authentic
towards Doolin, this innovative show room is filled with the earth’s Victorian plants. Just 6km southeast of Quin, the splendid
natural treasures. Most are on sale and there is something for Craggaunowen offers a mix of recreated farms and dwellings from
everyone. Choose from crystals of quartz birth stones and healing Ireland’s past with real artefacts, including a 2,000-year-old oak road.
crystals, stone vases and trays, magnificent celtic carvings on slate,
jewellery and jewels to suit all tastes and fashions and of course rock, dining dining & entertainment
fossil and mineral specimens for collectors young and old. Our Abbey Tavern & Ardsolous Restaurant, Main Street, Quin, Co. Clare.
informative audiovisual illustrates quarrying methods through the Tel: (065) 682 5525; Web:
www.abbeytavernquin.com. Established in
ages with amazing images of the Cliffs. Also an excellent collection 1796, this friendly, award-winning bar is situated directly across from
of quarrying tools from days gone by with photographs displaying Quin Abbey – one of Europe’s last and best-kept abbey ruins. Enjoy a
Liscannor in the 1800s. On site café. Free coach and car parking warm welcome with open fires, a drink, choose a meal/light snack
on site. from the bar menu (Mon–Sat 11am–8pm) or specials board. You will
be sure to enjoy from this winner of the Dining Pub of the Year 2003,
LISDOONVARNA 2004, 2005 and 2006. The restaurant enjoys the comfort of old stone
Lisdoonvarna is Ireland’s premier spa town, where the therapeutic walls, open fire for that special occasion, all dishes prepared with
mineral waters have been dispensed since the 18th century. However, local fresh produce – unequalled in Clare. Open Wed. to Sat. 6pm–
“Lisdoon” is also a town of romance where every September hopeful 9.30pm. Also on offer at this unique setting is its luxurious Bed &
singles gather for the annual Matchmaking Festival, one of the largest Breakfast, all rooms are tastefully decorated with en suite, TV and
of its kind in Europe. For something completely different visit the spectacular views of the abbey.
Burren Smokehouse Visitor Centre to learn about and sample the
ancient Irish traditional oak-smoked salmon. publicbuilding places of interest
Craggaunowen, The Living Past, (near) Quin, Co. Clare. Tel: (061)
shopping shopping 360788; Email:
reservations@shannondev.ie; Web:
The Burren Smokehouse, Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare. Tel: (065) 707
www.shannonheritage.com. Craggaunowen, situated on 50 acres of
4432; Fax: (065) 707 4303; Email:
info@burrensmokehouse.ie; Web: wooded grounds, interprets Ireland’s pre-historic and early Christian
www.burrensmokehouse.ie. The Burren Smokehouse is a producer of eras. Features include a crannog (lake dwelling), ringfort and Iron Age
the finest oak-smoked Irish Atlantic salmon. Here you can enjoy roadway. The Brendan Boat, used to re-enact the voyage of St.
tastings as well as videos in five languages in the Visitors Centre. A Brendan, is also located here. The site also includes Craggaunowen
wide selection of locally produced crafts and foods are available from Castle, which was built in 1550. Open April to September.
the craft shop and gourmet store. The Burren Smokehouse offers a Knappogue Castle & Walled Gardens, Quin, Co. Clare. Tel: (061)
worldwide mail order service and boasts a Gold Award in the Great 360788; Email:
reservations@shannondev.ie; Web:
Taste Awards 2005 for the cold smoked salmon!
www.shannonheritage.com. The original tower house of Knappogue
Castle was built by Sean Mac-Con Mac Namara in 1467 and the
MILTOWN MALBAY AND SPANISH POINT structure also contains 19th century additions. The castle grounds
Just 3km inland from the Atlantic seaboard, Miltown Malbay is a contain magnificently restored Victorian walled and formal gardens.
former Victorian holiday resort, but is today more famous for its Open May to mid-September. Medieval banquets are held at the
thriving music scene. Every July a music festival, attracting some of Castle from April to October (reservations necessary).
152 shannon and the midlands
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