Clare Guide 

Traveling to Ireland is something most people of Irish descent daydream about constantly. Roaming the countryside aimlessly, visiting ancient ruins, meditating in quiet churches, and of course, drinking a pint of Guinness (or, pints if  you prefer...),  enjoying "the craic" as they say. A game of golf, or maybe try your hand at fishing some of the best angling  rivers in the world. These are just a few of the things we love to do when we visit The Emerald Isle. I have the knowledge and experience that comes with  many, many trips. One memorable visit 2 years ago was to my roots in County Clare.

ENNIS is the county capital of Clare. Other townships include KILKEE,    Killaloe and SHANNON TOWN  The town of Ennis  won the "Information Age Town" competition held a number of years ago and as a result 4 thousand PCs have been installed and every student in the town has their own email address . The town is also the first one to develop community e-commerce in Ireland. The population of County Clare is just over 95,700. 

County Clare covers an area of 1,300 square miles of a rich and unique landscape in the west of Ireland. Clare is home to the 'Burren', an ancient limestone plain of over 110 square miles of archaeological and historical importance. BALLYVAUGHAN  is an ideal base for exploring the area. This extraordinary landscape blends a unique combination of fauna and flora. Growing together are alpine flowers, alongside mediterranean varieties. Close to the awesome Cliffs of Moher is the magnificent ruin of O'Briens Castle and on to the west coast of the county is LAHINCH and the fabulous Lahinch Golf Course. The village of DOOLIN has long been associated with the very best of Irish Traditional Music and all summer long the village is rocking.  

The Lough Gur Stone Age Centre provides a rare look at the lifestyle of neolithic man some 5,000 years ago. Lough Derg to the east of the county offers excellent water sports and boating facilities as also does Killaloe one of the major crossing points on the River Shannon. Close by, is the town of NEWMARKET ON FERGUS, home to the world renowned Dromoland Castle . The Clare coast has several superb sailing centres, holiday resorts and an Atlantic Aquarium at Seaworld in LAHINCH.  Overloking the River Shannon Estuary is the DROMOLAND Golf Club an outstanding 18 hole Course. The 15th century folk park museum at BUNRATTY is one of Ireland's premier tourist attractions.