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County Clare

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For other places with the same name, see Clare (disambiguation).

County Clare is located in the Munster region of Ireland.

[edit] Regions

The county has three main featured and distinctive regions.

  • The Burren is a special landscape of frequently bare limestone pavement (Karst) which is of great interest to botanists, cavers and anyone who appreciates the unusual. This area overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and Galway Bay a few charming villages and the highest sheer cliffs in Ireland (Cliffs of Moher).
  • The Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland's most popular tourist haunts, offering spectacular views of the Atlantic.
  • The River Shannon, Ireland's longest river, reaches the sea through it's estuary between Clare and County Limerick.

[edit] Towns

[edit] Other destinations

[edit] Understand

Clare people are very friendly and welcoming to visitors. The county is quite commercialized with regard to tourists and there are numerous activities within its borders to cater for all tastes. A visitor could easily spend two weeks in the county without feeling that they have run out of things to do or see. Because Shannon Airport, the second airport of Ireland and the first stopover for transatlantic flights, is situated in the county, Clare gets many tourists and sometimes this means places can be crowded.

Shannon airport is also used as a stopover for US troops going to and coming from tour of duties in Iraq. It has been subject to some anti-war protests in recent times, with crowds gathering at strategic points around the airport.

[edit] Talk

English is the first language of Clare people, although it can be quite difficult to understand the "brogue" at times.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

  • Shannon Airport, near Ennis, is well served by flights from the US, UK and Europe. Major carriers are Aer Lingus [1] and discount carrier RyanAir [2]

[edit] By bus

Bus Eireann [3] operates a comprehensive network of bus service.

[edit] By rail

There is currently talk of reopening the western rail corridor, so rail service may soon be restored between Clare and Galway. A new rail link between Ennis and Limerick is now up and running.

[edit] By boat

There is a ferry service from Tarbert, County Kerry to Killimer every half hour. This cuts out the need to travel through Limerick City to get into Clare, if you are coming from the south of Ireland.

[edit] Get around

Towns in the county are served by irregular bus services, so the best way to see the scenery and tour is by car.

[edit] See

  • The Cliffs of Moher and Doolin village
  • Craggaunowen castle, Bronze Age village, ring fort and "Brendan´s Boat"
  • 'Ailwee Caves' situated in the Burren region
  • 'Burren Caherconnell Stone Fort' an ancient Celtic ringfort in the heart of the Burren

[edit] Do

  • Bunratty Castle hosts medieval banquets.
  • The Willie Clancy Summer School' takes place on the first weekend in July every year in Miltown Malbay. Students of all ages and nationalities gather to learn traditional Irish music from noted musicians during the day and the town's pubs host their efforts at nighttime. Concerts are also held throughout the week of activities.

[edit] Eat

Locally produced products are easy to find in the local supermarkets. Sausages, breads (particularly soda), jams and many other local delights are readily available, with the local traders willing to help you find what you want.

[edit] Drink

Clare has more than its fair share of unique and distinctive pubs that cater to all tastes; traditional and modern. Famous for traditional Irish music, drinking stout or Irish whiskey to the strains of reels and jigs is a regular experience.

  • Biddy Early's Brewery[4], located in Inagh village, should be visited to taste locally brewed stout ("Black Biddy") and lager ("Blond Biddy").
  • Durty Nellie's[5] is located in Bunratty beside the castle and is worth visiting in conjunction with the castle itself.

[edit] Get out

Take the commuter ferry across the Shannon estuary into County Limerick for a day trip. The journey takes about half an hour. Galway City, with good shopping facilities, and County Galway are also within driving distance, as is Limerick City.

Boat trips to the Aran Islands can be arranged from Doolin pier.

This is a usable article. It has information about the region and for getting in, as well as links to a few destinations. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!

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