Gardens, Parks, Castles, Fortresses, Monastic & Heritage Sites and other places of Interest
Aillwee Cave
Location
Ballyvaughan , Co. Clare
History
The Burren in County Clare is a famous outcrop of limestone on the West coast of Ireland where, for millions of years, rain and rivers have intricately carved holes and caves. Of these, the Aillwee Cave near Ballyvaughan is the most spectacular. Among the oldest caves in Ireland, Aillwee was once home to a raging underground river fed by streams seeping through the porous limestone of Aillwee Mountain. Calcite deposits have formed spectacular stalactite and stalagmite formations throughout the cave system. It is believed that bears, extinct in Ireland for over a 1000 years, may have hibernated in the caves – the bones of a bear have been excavated from one of the chambers. First discovered in the 1940s, the original showcave opened to the public in 1976. Further exploration has revealed more tunnels and chambers including Bear Haven and Midsummer Cavern.
Opening Times
March 8 to November 8 Open all year round 10:00 – 17:30
July and August 10:00 – 18:30
Last tour 30 minutes before closing
Visit Length
2hr 30mins
Admission
Bunratty Castle
Location
Bunratty, Co Clare
History
One of Ireland ‘s premier attractions , Bunratty Castle and Folk Park traces back through Ireland’s history from life in a 19th Century Irish Village to medieval banquets in a stunning 14th Century Castle
Bunratty Folk Park spans some 26 acres of land, with fabulous reproductions of traditional Irish country cottages and homesteads as well as typical houses, shops, stores and street scenes from Ireland of the Victorian era. With buildings including thatched roof cottages from Loop Head, their roofs roped down to protect them from Atlantic winds, traditional Traveler Wagons of Ireland’s nomadic folk, Bunratty House, the typical Georgian sprawl of the landed minor gentry in the 19th Century, a Post Office, Grocery and MacNamara’s Pub typical of an Irish village. Various characters, from the traditional Bean an Ti (woman of the house), schoolteachers, farmers and policemen are on location in full period costume to guide visitors back in time and demonstrations of old crafts from bread baking, butter making, stonewall building and traditional farming methods are regularly held.
But the undoubted highlight to Bunratty is the fabulous Castle , whose imposing tower dominates its surroundings. Built around 1425, Bunratty Castle was the stronghold of the O’Brien Clan, High Kings of Munster and later Earls of Thomond who ruled the region. Bunratty was restored to its former glory in 1954, furnished with a marvelous collection of 15th and 16th Century hand carved furnishings and tapestries. Bunratty Castle is famous for its medieval banquets, held twice nightly all year round and is an absolute must. Comely Colleens and portly Seanchais provide the evenings entertainment in full medieval costume, as you are invited to banquet with the Earl of Thomond. Bunratty also holds regular Irish Nights in the Corn Barn in the Folk Park, with singers, dancers and musicians providing a celebration of the traditions of Ireland today.
Bunratty Castle promises unforgettable nights of merriment and great entertainment with music, song, good food and flowing wine, that for many is the highlight of their visit to Ireland.
Details
Opening Times
June – August 09:00 – 18:00
Rest of Year: 09:30 – 17:30
Visit Length
2hr
The Cliffs of Moher
Location: Co Clare.
History
Situated in County Clare and bordering the Burren Area, the Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland’s most spectacular sights. Standing 230 metres above the ground at their highest point and 8km long, the Cliffs boast one of the most amazing views in Ireland. On a clear day, the Aran Islands are visible in Galway Bay as well as the valleys and hills of Connemara.
To the south of the cliffs is Hag’s Head and the cliffs reach their highest point just north of O’ Brien’s Tower. The Tower was built by Cornelius O’ Brien, a descendant of Brian Boru, to impress female visitors. The seastack, Breanan Mór, stands over 70 metres above the foaming waves. You are advised to dress warmly when visiting the cliffs because of the cool Atlantic winds blowing in off the ocean.
Nevertheless, a walk along the cliffs is not to be missed. Be very careful as there are no safety barriers and sections of the cliff sometimes give way. Those with a head for heights can easily walk to the edge of the cliff and view the Atlantic Ocean below. There is a tourist centre and a small shop, which sells souvenirs. The Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland’s most visited attractions and when you’ve been there, you’ll know why
Opening Times
O’ Brien’s Tower – March to October 29th (weather permitting) from 9.30am to 6.00pm
Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre – Open all year 9.30am to 7.00pm. June to August 29th from 9.00am to 8.00pm
Visit Length
1hr
Craggaunowen
Location
near Quin, Co Clare
History
Situated in the countryside of County Clare, Craggaunowen offers a taste of Celtic life, with a reproduction of a Bronze Age village, set beside the 16th Century Craggaunowen Castle.
Built by the MacNamara Clan on 50 acres of wooded grounds, Craggaunowen Castle dates back to 1550. Standing defiantly on a crag overlooking a lake it forms a striking centrepiece to this exhibition on the lives of the Celts in the Bronze Age.
Interpreting Ireland’s prehistoric times, Craggaunowen has an award-winning example of a Crannog – a Celtic homestead, constructed of wattles, reeds and mud. Built onto a lake isle and ringed by a spiked fence to protect it from raiders, these Crannogs were how people lived in Ireland some 1,000 years ago. Demonstrations of early crafts and farming techniques are held regularly and Craggaunowen farms with rare animal breeds typical of this early period such as Soay sheep and wild boar.
The Craggaunowen exhibition also features the Brendan, the leather hulled boat used by explorer Tim Severin to sail across the Atlantic in 1976-77, re-enacting the legendary voyage of St Brendan who reputedly sailed from Ireland to America centuries before Columbus.
Craggaunowen is an undoubtedly interesting exhibition, one of Ireland’s best insights into prehistoric life in the country and well worth the visit.
Opening Times
Mid April to September: 10:00 – 18:00
last admission 17:00
Visit Length
2hrs
Desmond Hall
Location
The Square Newcastlewest, Co Limerick
History
West Limerick preserves many of Ireland’s surviving spacious medieval halls. The Desmond Banqueting Hall is an imposing two-storey structure and was used by the Earls of Desmond for banquets and entertainment.The hall, vaulted lower chamber and adjoining tower were all constructed during the 15th century (the hall and chamber were built on the remains of a 13th century structure of similar size). Its restored medieval features include an oak musicians’ gallery and a limestone hooded fireplace.
Partial access for visitors with disabilities
Opening Times
Mid June – Mid September Daily 09:30-18:30
Visit Length
1hr
Dromore Wood
Location
Ruan Ennis , Co Clare
History
An area of approximately 400 hectares (1000 acres), Dromore was established as a nature reserve because of the diversity and richness of its flora and fauna. This richness comes from the fact that it has many different habitat types. These include a river, lakes, turloughs, callows (flooded meadows), limestone pavement, fen peat, reed beds and species-rich woodland.
The reserve has historical and archaeological aspects. The 17th century O’Brien castle is still standing by the lake edge. There is also the site of Cahermacrea Castle, the site of Kilakee church, two ringforts and a lime kiln.
Limited access for visitors with disabilities.
Opening Times
All Year Daily 10:00-18:00 Last admission 45 minutes before closing.
Visit Length
1hr 30mins
Ennis Friary
Location
Abbey Street Ennis, Co Clare
History
This 13th century Franciscan Friary, founded by the O’Briens, has numerous 15/16th century sculptures carved in the local hard limestone. The visitor can see the figure of St. Francis displaying the stigmata, an elaborately ornamented screen, a representation of the Virgin and Child and the Ecce Homo. The Chancel is lit by the magnificent East Window. On the North side is the beautifully carved McMahon tomb. Limited access for people with disabilities by prior arrangement.
Opening Times
April and May Tues – Sun 10:00-17:00
Mid September – October Daily 10:00-17:00
June – Mid September Daily 10:00-18:00
Last admission 45 mins.before closing.
Visit Length
1hr
King Johns Castle
Location
Centre of Limerick Town
History
Striking an imposing figure along the banks of the River Shannon and dominating the town of Limerick, this 12th Century castle was built by King John of England and stands as a testament to 800 years of history . A magnificent sight of solid curtain walls, bold drum towers and a strong turreted gateway, King John’s Castle was built between 1200 and 1210 during the first Norman conquest of Ireland, as a base from which to subdue the Gaelic Chieftains of the West. For centuries the castle dominated the area as Limerick continued to grow as a trade centre throughout the Middle Ages. During the Williamite Wars of the 17th Century, Limerick and King John’s Castle served as a stronghold for Jacobite forces supporting king James II of England and played a lead role in the Siege of Limerick in 1691.
Following the truce the Treaty of Limerick was signed on the Treaty Stone, which stands on the opposite riverbank. Inside the castle are a number of exhibitions documenting the history of the castle, of Limerick and of the personal life of the hugely unpopular King John. There is also an archaeological site to explore with excavated findings from 1900/01 illustrating how the site of the castle was previously a Viking village. The area around the castle, known as King’s Island is the oldest part of Limerick, its network of narrow, winding streets and alleyways are consistent with its medieval town planning. This area of Limerick known as Englishtown was originally walled and served as the administrative centre of the town in earlier times. Leaflets on walking tours are available at King John’s Castle.
Visit Length
1hr 30mins
Knappogue Castle
Location
near Quin , Co Clare
History
A magnificent 15th Century castle , Knappogue is situated in the tranquil heart of the County Clare countryside, and offers a more refined medieval experience with fabulous grounds and walled gardens. Built in 1467 by Sean MacNamara, son of Sioda MacNamara who built Bunratty Castle , Knappogue Castle has a long history from battle site to stately dwelling. From 1571 Knappogue was the principle seat of the MacNamara Clan, Earls of Clancullen but during Oliver Cromwell’s conquest the castle was confiscated by the English and granted to one of the Roundhead soldiers Arthur Smith. However after Charles II was restored to the throne, it was handed back to the MacNamara’s in 1670.
In 1800 the MacNamara Clan sold Knappogue to the Scott family who carried out major restoration work, before it was acquired by Lord Dunboyne in 1855 who continued Knappogue’s restoration and installed the walled garden, a lovely feature today. Knappogue Castle is a magnificent sight in a tranquil and romantic setting. It has played host to two Irish Presidents and heads of state from other countries including Charles de Gaulle of France and forms the beautiful backdrop for many a wedding reception. From April to October, medieval castle banquets are held at Knappogue, with a truly magnificent show of music, song and dance, flowing wine and good food. These are a little more intimate and refined than the banquets at Bunratty and you are given a knife and fork to eat with!
Details
Visit Length
1hr 30mins
Scattery Island Centre
Location
Merchants Quay Kilrush, Co Clare
History
This Information Centre on the mainland interprets the island on which a monastery is sited. The monastery, consisting of a round tower and several churches, was founded by St. Senan in the early part of the 6th century. His most famous pupil was St. Ciaran of Clonmacnoise . A wonderful exhibition on the history of these monuments and on the wildlife of the area is housed in this Centre. Access for visitors with disabilities to ground floor.
Opening Times
Mid June – Mid September Daily 10:00-18:00 Last admission 45 mins before closing.
Visit Length
1hr 30mins
The Burren
Location
County Clare.
History
The Burren, situated in north-west County Clare, covers over 300 square kilometres and is of extreme importance to geologists, botanists and archaeologists from Ireland and beyond. As the largest karstic limestone area in Western Europe, the Burren is an anomaly in the Irish landscape and continues to fascinate geologists who come to study its limestone patterns, underground rivers and grykes (cracks).
To the botanist, the Burren is home to rare alpine plants, delicate wonders that grow in the thin soil and crevices – gentians, mountain avens and maidenhair ferns amongst others. The survival of both alpine and Mediterranean plants in this unusual habitat continues to arouse debate and to delight the careful walker. Those interested in the ancient history of Ireland will find a wealth of material in the Burren – megalithic tombs, Celtic crosses, a ruined Cistercian Abbey and more than sixty wedge tombs. Detailed maps of the Burren, such as that by the famous Irish map-maker Tim Robinson, are dotted with sites of archaeological interest, as well as the potholes which attract more and more adventure-seekers each year. Walkers on the Burren Way enjoy a route along dry, hard limestone paths with spectacular views north towards the Aran Islands and Galway Bay.
Opening Times
No opening times
Visit Length
As long as you like
Hunt Museum
Location
Limerick
History
One of Ireland ‘s premier museums and one of the finest private collections of art and antiquities in the world, the Hunt Museum is the pride of Limerick with objects from Celtic works, to works of masters like da Vinci, Renoir and Yeats and fabulous artefacts from the ancient world.
Housed in the Palladian splendour of Limerick Custom House on the banks of the River Shannon , the Hunt Collection is internationally renowned with items regularly loaned to the British and V&A Museums in London. Donated to the people of Ireland this personal collection of some 2000 original art works and antiquities was formed by John and Gertrude Hunt, esteemed collectors and advisers to Sotheby’s, William Randolph Hearst and the Aga Khan.
The collection includes artefacts from the Stone Age to the 20th Century and is renowned for its religious art, as well as a wealth of material from ancient civilisations of Egypt, Greece and Rome and artefacts from Celtic Ireland. Among the most prominent pieces in the collection are the personal seal of king Charles I of England, a bronze horse by Leonardo da Vinci, paintings from Picasso, Renoir and Yeats and most fascinating of all a silver Syracusan coin, dating back to the time of Christ, which is revered as being one of the 30 pieces of silver paid to Judas Iscariot.
The Hunt Museum is a real national treasure, awarded Ireland’s Museum of the Year for 2004; it is certainly worth a detour to the great city of Limerick.
Details
Opening Times
Visit Length
2hrs
