PLACES TO SEE

The Cliffs of Moher
The most spectacular cliffs in Europe, the Cliffs of Moher are 8kms long and 214 m high. The Cliffs can be visited daily, year-round. Boat trips can be taken along the cliffs. www.mohercruises.com

Aran Islands
The Aran Islands lie off the North West coast of County Clare. There are three islands: Inis Mor, the largest (see the great stone fortress of Dun Aonghus), Inis Meain and Inis Oirr, the smallest of the Aran islands. The islanders are Irish speaking. The islands are easily reached by ferryboat from Doolin (30 minutes). Several ferry sailings daily. Reservation: Tel: +353 65 7074455; Fax: +353 65 74417 Email: doolinferries@eircom.net . Web:www.doolinferries.com

The Ring of Kerry: This is a magical trip in two ways as the Ring of Kerry is one of Ireland’s premier tourist routes. However, the trip from North Clare to Kerry is beautiful in itself. From Ballyvaughan, one takes the road to Killimer car-Ferry (48 miles (77.2 km) from Ballyvaughan) near Kilrush and then the Car ferry to Kerry. No reservations necessary. Ferries operate year-round. It leaves Killimer every hour on the hour (0700hts to 2100hrs) and Tarbert every hour on the half-hour (0730hrs to 2130hrs). Tel: +353 65 9053124; E-mail: sferry@iol.ie www.shannonferries.com

Connamara: Recommended route is Kinvara, Oranmore, Galway, Cashel Bay, Roundstone, Clifden.
Ailwee Cave. www.aillweecave.ie Cave under the Burren landscape.Guided tours. Opening Hours: Open daily all year from 10am.
Kilfenora. See the magnificent ancient Kilfenora cathedral.
Bunratty Castle & Folk Park.
Dunguaire Castle, Kinvara. This sea-side castle has evening Medieval banquets, but is also open to the public daily during the day.
The Clare Heritage Centre, Corofin. Will assist you in tracing your roots.
Open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5.30pm.Tel. 065 6837955. www.clareroots.com
Coole Park and Thoor Ballylee: Near Gort. Coole Park is formerly the home of Lady Gregory and a well known meeting place of Irish literary figures in the early 20th Century including W.B. Yeats and George Bernard Shaw. The famous autograph tree with the carved initials of all these writers is still in the walled garden.
Galway is only 45 minutes from Ballyvaughan village (31 miles 49.8 km)
Ennis: medieval town with small streets and fine medieval abbey http://www.ennis.ie/ 25 miles (40 km) from Ballyvaughan.
Limerick