Bus
Bus Eireann provide services to County Clare from Dublin, Galway and Waterford. Limerick City which is 23 miles from Ennis is the Shannon Region's major hub for bus connections.
For further information on bus services telephone:
065 24177 (Ennis) or
01 8366111 ( Dublin)

Rail
The Dublin line serves Co. Clare with a station at Ennis. Ennis is on the National Train grid and has a daily Dublin-Ennis service.
For further information on rail services, telephone:
01 8266222 ( Dublin) or 065 40444 (Ennis).

Sea
Ireland is linked to Britain and France by a number of car-ferry routes. Ennis is less than two hours drive time from Cork ferry port, and about three and a half hours from Rosslare, Dun Laoghaire and Dublin Ferry ports. The main ports of entry are Cork, Dublin and Rosslare - all of which are between 2 and 3.5 hours drive from Ennis.

Airports
Ireland 's transatlantic airport is situated at Shannon. Scheduled services are operated by major Irish and International airlines from and to Boston, New York, Atlanta, Chicago, and Los Angeles, with one-stop connections from most other major US cities. Regular scheduled flights operate from Dublin, London and Paris to Shannon, with charter flights from a number of other mainland European cities. 061 471444

Car Rental Agencies

Avis	Shannon Airport	061 471094
Budget Rent-a-Car	Shannon Airport	061 471361
Hertz	Shannon Airport	061 471369
Liam Cleary Car Hire	Ennis	065 40940

Taxi Companies

Aircraft Hire

Hotels

Flat Rental Agencies

Office Rental Agencies

 RURAL

The Burren
An area of huge pavements of limetone rock and underground caves in the north of the county. The area is also famous for its numerous species of rare flowers and plants growing wild. In a 100 square mile area, there are rivers, castles, lakes, cliffs, valleys, mountains, as well as relics of ancient civilisation such as dolmens, stone archs, round towers, ancient churches, high crosses, crannogs, tombs, great houses, monasteries and holy wells. Poulnabrone Dolmen or Portal Tomb is one of the most famous monuments in the country.The views from areas around the Burren are spectacular.


Aillwee Caves
Fabulous underground caves located in the Burren Region and famous for spectacular stagalmites and stalactites.


Cliffs of Moher
Just north of the village of Lahinch are the famous cliffs which look out over the wild Atlantic Ocean. They rise in places to heights of over 215 metres (700 feet) and stretch for almost 8 km. O'Briens Tower which was built in the early 19th century is located on Moher's highest cliff and offers breathtaking views of the Clare coastline, the Aran Islands, and mountains as far apart as Kerry and Connemara.


Raheen Oakwoods
This is an ancient oak wilderness on the shore of Lough Derg. There is a diverse variety of flora and fauna here as well as rivers, streams, and small waterfalls.


Forests
Some of the forests or wooded areas in the county include - Killaloe, Cullane, Doon, Flagmont and Woodford in East Clare; Kilfenora and Lisdoonvarna in North Clare; Woodcock and Gallows Hill in Cratloe, Dromoland Estate in Newmarket-on-Fergus and Dromore Forest, near Ruan 10km north of Ennis.


Mountains
Slieve Aughty, on the border with Galway;
Slieve Bernagh, on the eastern side of the county near the town of Killaloe;
Woodcock Hill, outside Bunratty;
The Mahera Mountains, south of the Galway border.
Slieve Elva, situated in the Burren area.

 COASTAL

River Shannon
The River Shannon, is the longest waterway in Ireland or Britain, and navigable for over 130 miles. It's largest lake, Lough Derg, covers an area of 32, 000 acres. Scattery Island is located in the Shannon River estuary and is a sacred Christian place with ruins of five early churches.

Lough Derg
Lough Derg, or ' Ireland's Pleasure Lake' as it is known, is the largest lake on the River Shannon, and is surrounded on all sides by beautiful scenery. Inis Cealtra, known as the Holy Island lies in the middle of the Lake.

Ballyalla Lake
This lake is located a short distance from the town of Ennis on the N18. Wild-fowl frequent the lake and surrounding grasslands.

Loop Head
Situated at the Mouth of the Shannon, Loop Head is one of the most scenic locations in West Clare. At the tip of Loop Head, the Atlantic Ocean joins with the River Shannon. There are excellent views northwards to Connemara and southwards to Kerry from this area.

The Aran Islands
These islands can be accessed by ferry from Doolin in North Clare in less than thirty minutes. The rugged landscape on the islands is similar to that of the Burren - high cliffs, rocky seashores, ancient forts etc.

Scattery Island
This island is the site of a monastic settlement and features a round tower and a number of ancient churches. The island can accessed by ferry from Kilrush Creek Marina.

Holy Island
This island is situated 1 mile from Mountshannon and 27 miles from Ennis, this island is notable for its early monastic remains which date from the 7th century. A number of boats operate sailings to the island according to demand.

Rivers
Cullenagh River Annageragh River Creegh River Doonbeg River Cloone River River Fergus Bunratty River .

Lakes
Some of the larger and more notable lakes in County Clare include: Lough Atorick, Lough Graney, Lough O'Grady, Doon Lake, Cullaun Lough, Rosroe Lough, Doo Lough, Inchicronan Lake, Ballyeighter Loughs, Muckanagh Lough.

Beaches
Bishop's Quarter at Ballyvaughan, Fanore, Lahinch, White Strand, Spanish Point (North Clare) Seafield at Quilty, the White Strand at Doonbeg, Kilkee (South Clare)

 HISTORICAL

Quin Abbey
This abbey was founded in the middle of the 14th century, and is still quite well preserved today. A fine tall tower is among the most notable archictectural remains here and the view from the top of the tower extremely impresive.


Dysert O' Dea Castle, Corofin.
This castle, built in 1480 is now home to the Clare Archaeology Centre.


St. Tola's High Cross
Dating from the 12th century and located at Corrofin, approximately 10 km from the town of Ennis


Doorty High Cross and The West Cross
These two 12th century High Crosses are located in the Cathedral grounds at Kilfenora


Corcomroe Abbey
Ruins of a Cistercian Abbey built in the Burren area in 1195.


Cratloe Woods House and Estate
This 17th century Irish 'Longhouse' is situated on the Limerick to Ennis Road, and is still lived in as a family home. The house features works of art and curios, and in the yard there is some very old horse-drawn machinery. The primeval Garranon Oak Wood is also part of the estate.


Poulnabrone Dolmen
This portal tomb dates back to over 4,000 B.C. To date some 22 burials spread over a period of 600 years have been identified.


Bunratty Castle
Situated about four miles from the town of Shannon in the south-eastern region of the county. The castle was built in 1425, and restored in 1954. It has been renovated, as a hotel, in the style of the time of Queen Elizabeth 1. Medieval banquets are held daily.


Newtown Castle , Ballyvaughan
A distinctive 16th century fortified tower house open to the public. The first three floors have narrow slit windows, gun loops and murder holes.

 INTERIORS

Falls Hotel, Ennistymon
This was formerly the home of some of Clare's most aristocratic families for over three hundred years.


Bunratty Castle and Folk Park
This castle was restored to its former mediaeval splendour in 1954, and contains furnishings, paintings and tapestries which recreate the style of the era in which it was built. Mediaeval banquets ae held here regularly. The adjoining folk park contains typical 19th century rural and urban dwellings, with eight farmhouses, a watermill, a blacksmith's forge, post office, school, a village hotel and traditional pub.


Knappogue Castle , Quin
Built in 1467, the castle has been restored and furnished in recent times and has a convincing mediaeval atmosphere. Banquets are held regularly in the large Dining Hall.

 URBAN

Ennis
The largest town in Co. Clare, Ennis is built on the River Fergus. The town is just a 20 min drive from Shannon Airport on the N18 network. Some impressive buildings in the town include the 13th century Franciscan Abbey and the Courthouse. Dromore Woods are situated just north of the town. The ruins of Quin Abbey are located south-east of Ennis town.


Kilfenora
The Burren Centre is located in Kilfenora. Models, displays and audiovisuals explain the mysteries of the Burren district.


Kilrush
Regarded as the capital of West Clare, this is a pleasant market town on the Shannon estuary and has an excellent modern marina.


Kilkee
A tourist town on Clare's south-west coast with many fine sandy beaches in the area.


Killaloe
This town is situated at the south-west tip of Lough Derg near to the Slieve Bernagh mountains. St. Flannan's late 12th century cathedral and high cross, are nearby.


Shannon
This town is located within two miles of the airport itself, and is Ireland's only new town built for centuries.


Corofin
Corofin is situated approximately 10 km from the town of Ennis, where the 'Dysert O' Dea History Trail' begins.


Ennistymon
A picturesque market town in North Clare, built at the edge of the low limestone hills on the edge of the Burren. The town is well known for its 19th century archictecture and shopfronts. The Inagh River which rises in the mountains south-east Ennistymon, rushes over an extensive ridge of rock in the town and forms a beautiful cascade.


Lisdoonvarna
Ireland 's premier Spa town, situated in North Clare. Approximately 5 miles away is the village of Doolin on the sea, where passenger ferries run to the Aran Islands.


Kinvara
A picturesque village on the shores of Galway Bay.

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