(Inis - an islet or river meadow) Ennis, on the banks
of the River Fergus, is the county town of Clare, with quaint
narrow streets and broad visitor appeal. It is also the
cathedral town of the Catholic diocese of Killaloe.
The town developed round a 13th
century castle built by a chief of the powerful O'Brien
family, which established its headquarters at nearby Clonroad.
It became a borough in 1612. Visitors particularly enjoy
the range of shopping - including craft shopping and superb dining options - to suit
all tastes. Ennis is a the Traditional music Capital of
Ireland and music resounds from many centres, particularly
from within its famous character pubs and the newly opened
Glór, International Folk Music Centre.
(Leacht Ui Chonchuir - O'Connor's Grave) Lies on the
Alantic coast and is a popular holiday resort, noted for its
18-hole championship golf course,
fine beach and great surfing. There is
an Entertainment Centre beside the promenade, which is open
all summer and provides all types of entertainment from bingo
to traditional music. Dough Castle, built by Donnchadh
O'Connor in 1422, later the property of the O'Briens, lies to
the north of Lahinch.
(Coradh Finne - Finne's weir) This angler's paradise
lies to the southeast of Lake Inchiquin, right at the heart of
a lake complex, which forms part of the Fergus headwaters and
offers excellent coarse and game fishing.
The Clare Heritage Centre
offers an insightive portrayal of Irish life in the traumatic
period between 1800 and 1860. The two castles on Lake
Inchiquin were O'Brien strongholds, both are unfortunately now
in ruin. Corofin House was the birthplace of Sir Frederick
Burton (1816-1900), painter and director of the National
Gallery, London.
(An Carn the cairn or mound)
The village of Carran lies to the east of
Slieve Carran, the highest point in this part of the Burren. A
climb to the top will be rewarded with marvellous views of
this unique landscape. Carran church: a sort distance away,
are the remains of a fairly large medieval parish church.
Nearby is Temple Cronan church, (12th century), with some
grotesque Romanesque heads on the exterior wall. The
village was the birthplace of Michael Cusack, inspirer and
co-founder in 1884 of the Gaelic Athletic Association
(G.A.A,).
Is a small fishing
village on a sandy bay some 3km from the Cliffs of Moher. It
is a place of great beauty and tranquillity and a paradise for
geologists, botanists, ornithologists, speleologists and
walkers. Doolin is famous for its wealth of Irish folk music
and festivals, the village also offers good angling. There
are delightful beaches, but the beach to the south of the pier
is extremely dangerous for intending
bathers.
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