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Bunratty
Castle & Folk Park, Bunratty, Co Clare
The castle has had few residents but its most important
was the O'Brien's, the Earls of Thomond, from 1500 until
1624, when the so-called "Great Earl" died. The castle
was finally abandon in the last century and left to ruin
until Lord Gort saw its potential. |
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The
Burren, Co Clare
The Burren region of North Clare derives its name from
the Irish word Boireann, which means "rocky land", the
perfect name for an area of land that more resembles a
lunar surface than a place for exotic and rare plant species.
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Cliffs
of Moher, Co Clare
Its sheer rock face is lined with the mulit-colors of
shale and sandstone. The weathered surface provides shelter
for the thousands of Puffins, Guillemots and Kittiwakes
that nest there. |
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Craggaunowen
Park, Kilmurry, Co Clare
The Craggaunowen Project is known as "Craggaunowen:
The Living Past". It is designed to bring the Bronze
Age and Celtic Culture to life on a recreated prehistoric
site on the Craggaunowen Castle estate. |
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Doolin
Village, Co Clare
Tucked neatly behind the Cliffs of Moher at the edge of
the Burren is a tiny village called Doolin. Made famous
by its traditional music. |
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Gleninsheen
Wedge Tomb, the Burren, Co Clare
The Gleninsheen Wedge Tomb is a fine example of the transition
beween Stone and Bronze Age cultures. |
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Knappogue
Castle, Quin, Co Clare
The Macnamara's were a powerful clan in the 15th century
in this part of County Clare. In 1467 they erected Knappogue
Castle and remained in their hands until 1815, except
for a short 10 year period during Cromwellian times, around
1641-51. |
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Leamaneh
Castle, the Burren, Co Clare
The original tower house of Leamaneh Castle dates back
to about 1480AD. Its thought to have been built by Turlogh
Donn, one of the last independent kings of the old kingdom
of Ireland, which dominated the region at that time. |
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Loop
Head, Co Clare
This area of County Clare is probably the least visited
but one of the most scenic. The cliffs at Loop Head are
not as tall as those at the Cliffs of Moher but they are
equally dramatic. |
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Poulnabrone
Dolmen, the Burren, Co Clare
The Poulnabrone Dolmen is a portal tomb which dates back
to about 2500 BC. It is one of only four known in Clare,
one of only two in the Burren, and the best preserved
in all of Ireland. |
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Quin
Friary, Cuin, Co Clare
Until 1278 a church stood on the locaton of the current
Friary but two years later a castle was built, which included
several round towers, parts of which still survive today.
In 1336 the castle was ransacked and by 1350 another church
was built around the castle. |
