Holiday homes & rentals in County Clare

Visitors are certain to fall in love with County Clare, one of Ireland's most loved counties.

Local delicacies

Ireland is famous for its pubs and Clare has no shortage of them. Many are still centres for trade, news and community. Head to Burren Smokehouse and learn about the ancient Irish art of salmon smoking and indulge in a lobster supper at one of the many dockside devoted to the crustacean.

Culture in Clare

Ennis Friary is one of the county's highlights, at almost a 1000 years old it is constructed in a composite of styles from the arc of its history, with architectural features such as a five-section window which dates from the 13th Century and a tomb dating from 1460 the alabaster panels of which depict scenes from Christ's Passion. The Vandeleur Walled Garden, a sublime 'lost' garden belonging to the wealthy Vadeleur family, is another popular attraction.

Highlights

Cliffs of Moher

Ireland's most famous cliffs are situated on the southwest coast of the county of Clare, near the fishing villages of Doolin and Liscannor. The cliffs are the site of the ruined remains of an ancient castle now overrun with verdant greenery. The Cliffs of Moher shoot vertically from the Atlantic ocean and extend more than 8 km along the coastline. In good weather the view extends as far as Galway Bay.

Dunguaire Castle

This castle in southern Galway can occasionally be glimpsed from the Moher Cliffs. It owes its name to the Dun king of Connacht, who died around 600 BC. King Guaire's hospitality and generosity are the stuff of legend and despite its formidable looks Dunguaire is as welcoming as its ancient namesake. The castle's latest owner, Oliver St John Gogarty, served as a model for a character in Joyce's Ulysses.

Poulnabrone Dolmen

Translated from Irish, Poulnabrone means 'the hole in the millstone' and this dolmen is also known as the 'hole of sorrows'. Gigantic slabs of flat rock are balanced delicately on one another to mark the site of an ancient tomb. Dating back to the Neolithic period, probably between 3800 and 3200 BC, it is awe-inspiring that this colossal structure is still standing.

Loop Head Lighthouse

Poking out into the Atlantic, Loop Head is a skinny finger of land typical of the dramatic landcape of Ireland's coastline. On one side the mouth of the Shannon river flows, carving a route past Loop Head. The water around the headland is perfect for fishing and kayaking and even swimming if you dare!

O'Brien's Tower

Situated atop the highest point of the famous Cliffs of Moher, this tower is named after Cornelius O'Brien, an important parlimentary figure and attorney. In 1835 O'Brien commissioned a lookout point that was as beautiful as it was practical and it still stands today.

Frequently Asked Questions