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Thu 23rd Feb 2012 02:46 (Irishtime)

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Ta an craic go bra, i Chontae an Clar! The craic is mighty in County Clare. Ireland has a reputation for good craic and good Guinness, and North County Clare is no exception. Whatever your taste, Clare has something to offer you. County Clare is widely renowned as the home of traditional Irish Music and set Dancing, known collectively as Ceili. The Kilfenora Ceili Band are the most famous exponent of this and Ceili sessions are frequent in the pubs in Kilfenora. As well as the music and the craic and the hill-walking there is plenty to see and do. This page is dedicated to helping you get the best out of your visit. From outdoor activities, such as hiking, biking, a round of golf or pitch 'n' putt, to sightseeing, fishing, swimming and surfing...
Contae an Clar is fear go bra!

Sightseeing Highlights

Kilfenora Cathedral and the High Crosses

The present cathedral was built around 1200 AD, having been burned to the ground by Murragh O'Brien in 1055. It is dedicated to St. Fachnan, who is said to have founded a monastary in Kilfenora in the 6th Century. There are a number of Scultpures and High Crosses located in the vicinity of the Cathedral. The most famous of the being the 'Doorty Cross' and the West Cross. Pope John Paul II is the Catholic Bishop of Kilfenora and despite its miniature size Kilfenora is in fact a city the size of a village!

Burren Interpretive Centre

Recently renovated, the Burren Interpretive Centre, located in the centre of Kilfenora, is the first stop for thousands of visitors to the Burren each year. Inside you can take a tour through the history of time or buy a rugby shirt in the shop or a slice of apple tart for €3.

Poulnabrone Dolmen

Situated somewhere between Lemenagh Castle and Ballyvaughan this stone construction is thought to be the tomb of some great pagan celtic High King.

The Aran Islands
Situated just off the coast of Doolin, and home to the woolly Aran Sweater, the Aran Islands are an extension of the Burren landscape. A bicycle ride around the islands is highly recommended.
Cliffs of Moher
Probably the most photgraphed place in Ireland, if not Europe, these cliffs stand at over 200m in height (thats 620 feet for y'all). Truck loads of visitors come all year round to catch a glimpse of this never-changing mirage. Personally I like to go in the late evening when it is quite and there are no stewards to bother me. One have to be careful however as the cliff face continues to erode and fall into the sea...

Music and Dancing

Traditional Irish Music & Set Dancing

Set dancing is a traditional way for Irish folk to unwind and let loose. Set Dancing at Vaughans Barn in Kilfenora attracts a lively mix of both locals and tourists every Thursday and Sunday evening.
Glor Irish Music vunue in Ennis provides quality performances all year round.
O'Connor's in Doolin have regular trad sessions.
Set Dancing News is a monthly publication with all the news regarding Set Dancing in the County.

Nightclubs & Live Music

Thee was a time when I could say that the nightclubs of Clare had something special to offer, hut due mainly to ridiculous laws concerning closing times and music policices enforced by the authorities and club owners I can not really say that there are any interesting nightclubs in Clare anymore. Depending on your taste this might not bother you that much, but if you do like to party hard then Lahinch is the final destination for much of the revellers in North County Clare. To be fair the Claremont Hotel has been running a nightclub for many years and it was always considered bad, so at least it must be commended for consistency. Mrs. O'Brien's Kitchen in Lahinch catered for the local Bohemian crowd, but unfortunately it too was shut dowen and is now under the drab control of new owners. The Hydro Hotel in Lisdoonvarna always put on a good show on Saturday nights but lost its licence for some reason. It is now operational only on Bank Holidays. The Coast is a newish venue in Lahinch, but does nothing to enhance the culture of the place and O'looney's used to be a nice friendly and inviting venue but it undertook a mojor construction, to the exclusion of the general public.
Hence, if you want good craic in a relaxed atmosphere then Kilfenora, Doolin or Enisstymon are yer only man!!!

Ceol agus Ol - Food and Drink

Pubs

The pubs of North Clare host a wide variety of styles and traditions. Some of the pubs have got great food, while others have got regular live music. Some offer a combination of both, and some others are simple and cheerful local pubs with a pool table and a dart board. The one thing they all have in common is 'craic' - a purely Irish term for 'good fun, good humour and good CRAIC!!!'.

In my humble opinion the following pubs are worth looking into if you are after a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.
Daly's Bar, Ennistymon: A true testament to the traditional Irish Pub. The permanent sign in the window reads "Irish Music Tonight"
Linnane's Pub, Kilfenora: Winner of the Dining Pub of the Year award. Best dishes - Bacon & Cabbage, Irish Stew.
Vaughan's Pub, Kilfenora: Listed on Egon Rooney's Guide, serves traditional and thai meals.
Nagle's Bar, Kilfenora:Good Gunness
Cassidy's Pub, Carran: Spacious pub, with tasty food.
Monk's Bar, Ballyvaughan: Famous for its seafood.
O'Donoghue's Pub, Fanore: A very traditional pub, with a popular Ceili session every Sunday evening. Recently extended to serve food.
McDermott's, O'Connor's, McGann's Doolin: Good food, music and atmosphere always in Doolin
Flanagans, Lahinch: Good Jazz.
19th, Lahinch: Ceili Music and a proper pub pool table

Best Restaurants

"With the price of food these days you'd be better off sticking to the drink!!".- Father Ted
Indeed, since the last time I updated this a number of my fancied restaurants have changed ownership or disappeared. Nevertheless, I believe Vaughan's in Kilfenora do decent grub at affordable prices. If you want something more upmarket then I highly recommend the Black Oak on the Lahinch - Miltown road. It's A great resturant serving top quality food and wine, with a really nice view of the Atlantic.

Outdoor Activities

Biking

One of the best ways to see the Burren is by bike. The Burren is criss-crossed by numerous small roads and tracks, many of which are accessible only by foot or on bike. Our apartments are the perfect rest place to unwind after a hard days cycling. We offer secure bike lock up facilities as well as maps and information on the best routes to take. If you would like to do some biking please feel free to mention it in the 'Request' section when you book with us.

Hiking

Hiking is another great way to enjoy the Burren. There are 2 main hiking routes, known as the Burren Way, one is an easy 8km, while the other is a marathon 32km. There are numerour routes you can take and the Burren offers plenty of hidden treasures for the adventurous spirit. There are numerous taxi services which can be arranged for pick up and drop off. Don't forget your flasks and lunch-boxes.

Caving and Adventure Courses

The world-famous and spectacular Ailwee Cave is situated about 15km form Kilfenora iin the direction of Ballyvaughan while the Kilshanny Caving and Outdoor Centre is situated only 5km frm Kilfenora. Activities include Caving, Rock Climbing, Orienteering, Archery, Gorge-Walking, Assault Course and Field Studies.

Pony Trekking/Pet Farm

The long established Willie Daly Rinding Centre offers beach and farm horse riding. The Burren Riding Centre has trails through the Burren while families can enjoy a nice day out with the friendly farm animals at the Moher Pet Farm Between Liscannor and Cliffs of Moher.

Burren Guided Tours

A guided tour is a fantastic way to see the Burren and there are a few qualified tour guides who can show you around the Burren and explain the complexities of Burren Flora and Fauna.

Golf/Pitch 'n' Putt

The annual West of Ireland Championship is held at Lahinch Golf Club each August. There is a second golf course in Lahinch which is open to non-members. Spanish Point has a tricky 9-hole course. If your not up for a full round of Golf, you can try out one of numerous excellent Pitch 'n' Putt courses at Lahinch, Doolin, etc. Equipment can be hired on-site.

Water Activities

Beaches

Kilfenora is situated only 13km from the Atlantic Coast. Beaches include Spanish Point, White Strand and Lahinch - the most popular.

Surfing/Wind-surfing

Surfing/Wind surfing are year-round activities and there are some very popular spots along the coast between Spanish Point and Lahinch, where the atlantic waves crash in on the miles of sandy beaches. One can hire all the surfing equipment at a couple of differnt locations, including the Surf Shop and Horizons in Lahinch. One can also take lessons from professional instructors.

Swimming & Other Water Activities

For swimming enthusaists there are some great beachless spots furthur up the coast including Clahane, north of Liscannor, Doolin and Fanore where one can swim with a family of friendly dolphins. There is also an indoor swimming pool at Lahinch.
Other water activities include boat trips, coastal and deep sea angling, lake fishing and a coastal tour of the Cliffs of Moher.

Spectator Events

Gaelic Football

The Gaelic Athletic Association, GAA, was founded by Michael Cusack of Carren, County Clare in 1888. Practically every town and village in Ireland has at least one club, and the best players play at County level in the All-Ireland Championship each Summer/Autumn. Games take place every weekend with attendance ranging from 100 - 85,000.

Hurling

Many visitors to Ireland are oblivious to the biggest and most popular showcase of Irish culture available. Hurling, played with a stick and small hard ball, has been played in Ireland for at least 2,000 years, and is immensely popular in County Clare. It's sister sport , Gaelic football is more popular in North Clare.

Sun-bathing

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