County Clare Vacations, Ireland

Physically, County Clare is clearly defined, with Galway Bay and the Shannon estuary to the north and south, massive Lough Derg forming its eastern boundary, and the Atlantic to the west. Strangely, although plenty of people visit, the county is sometimes glossed over by travellers as simply land between the magnificent scenery of Kerry and Galway. It's true that it doesn't have the scenic splendour of either of these, and for many, the north of the county is too bleak to be attractive. Nonetheless, Clare has a subtle flavour that, once tasted, can be addictive.

Clare has earned itself two epithets: "the banner county" and "the singing county". It was called "the banner county" originally because of the part played by its men in the battle of Ramilles and more recently because of its courageous political history, particularly in the fight for Catholic emancipation. The second epithet reflects the strong musical traditions that are still very much alive in the county and constitute a major reason for coming here. Throughout the summer you will find sessions in pubs and in teach cheoils (pronounced chuck key 'ole ), the latter more sober entertainments, with tea and brown bread rather than stout for refreshment, and very fine musicians too. To find out what's going on, pick up a copy of the Shannon Region Traditional Irish Music Pubs leaflet from any tourist office or check out The Clare Champion , and, above all, ask around. Pub sessions very often start late in the evening, so don't give up on a bar just because it's half nine and still nothing is happening. A great session can seemingly spring from nowhere, and is liable to prove a wholly memorable experience. Don't underestimate the popularity and excitement of Clare's festivals either. If you have yet to experience "the craic", you are sure to find it here.

Both Clare's titles, "the banner county" and "the singing county" - the strong and the gentle - suggest something of the character of the place and are echoed in the contrasts of the landscape.The Burren heights in the north are startlingly stark and barren, while Ennis , the county's capital, is surrounded by low, rolling farmland. Fabulous cliff scenery stretches for miles round Clare's southern extreme at Loop Head and is spectacularly sheer at the Cliffs of Moher , further north. In between are small seaside towns and villages and wonderful sandy beaches, most dramatic at Lahinch - famous for surf. In the east, Lough Derg affords opportunities for watersports, and there are panoramic views from the slopes of the Slieve Bernagh and Slieve Aughtie mountains across to the mountains of Tipperary.

This varied countryside holds plenty of specialist interest. The Burren is a major attraction for geology and botany enthusiasts, and is also rich in ring forts, dolmens and cairns in the north. The legacy of later communities is found throughout the county, in the thickly sprinkled medieval monastic remains and the tower houses of the O'Brien and MacNamara clans.
Source: travelotica.com

Things To Do and See in County Clare

Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, Bunratty, County Clare
Bunratty Folk Park, recreates rural and urban life in 19th century Victorian Ireland.
Attraction type: Castle; Amusement/theme park; Historic village

Dromoland Castle, Newmarket-on-Fergus, County Clare
Transformed into a luxury hotel in 1962, this castle is a magnificent

Renaissance structure built in the 16th century and once served

as the royal seat of the O?Brien clan.
Attraction type: Golf course; Castle

Lahinch Golf Club, Lahinch, County Clare
Founded in 1893 by a Scottish Regiment of British Army officers,

this course is a perfect example of a true Irish links

with its towering sand dunes, rolling fairways and greens.
Attraction type: Golf course

O'Connors Pub, Doolin, County Clare
Attraction type: Bar/club

Bunratty Winery, Bunratty, County Clare
Attraction type: Winery; Brewery