COUNTY CLARE - ATTRACTIONS

Craggaunowen

Craggaunowen is the name of a 16th-century castle and an archaeological open-air museum. The Living Past Experience is Ireland`s original award winning Pre-Historic Park. Situated on 50 acres of wooded grounds, the Park interprets Ireland`s pre-historic and early Christian eras. It features a stunning recreation of some of the homesteads, animals and artifacts which existed in Ireland during those time periods. Visitors can, for example, see a replica of a Crannóg (Lake Dwelling), Ring Fort, an Iron Age Roadway, and an outdoor cooking site. A major feature is the `Brendan Boat` built by Tim Severin who sailed from Ireland to Newfoundland, re-enacting the voyage of St. Brendan, reputed to have discovered America centuries before Columbus. Visit Craggaunowen Castle built in 1550 standing defiantly on a crag overlooking the lake. See rare animal breeds such as Soay sheep and wild boar - specimens of the pre-historic era.

Admission is from Easter Saturday to end of August 10am - 5 pm, last admission 4 pm.


Dromore Wood Nature Reserve

Originally part of a private estate belonging to the Crowe Family, Dromore Wood was acquired by the state in the 1940s, in 1985 it became a statutory Nature Reserve. Covering an area of approximately one thousand acres Dromore Wood has all the attributes necessary for the perfect Nature Reserve. These include rivers, lakes, turloughs and callows (meadows that flood during winter), limestone pavement, fen peat, reed and rush beds and vast areas of species-rich woodland. The area comprises perfect habitat for a huge variety of flora and fauna species. As well as the natural, the Reserve also has an historical and archaeological aspect. The 17th century O`Brien castle stands by the lake edge. There are also the sites of Cahermacrea Castle and Kilakee Church, two ring forts, a limekiln, a children`s burial ground and a chapel.

Ennis Friary

Although a ruin now, Ennis Friary was once home to over 300 Franciscan Friars and 600 students. It was established in 1240 when the Franciscans were invited to the area and given land by Donncha O`Brien, King of Thomond. Both the powerful O`Brien family and later the MacMahons and the MacNamaras continued to provide support to the Franciscan community for centuries afterwards. This 13th century Franciscan friary 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 ornamented screen, a representation of the Virgin and Child and the Ecce Home. The Chancel is lit by the magnificent east window.

The Friary is open from May to September with guided tours available. The tour takes about 30 minutes.

Inis Cealtra - Holy Island

Mountshannon
Holy Island on Lough Derg and the river Shannon is one of the most famous monastic sites in Ireland. The recorded history of the island dates back to the sixth century. It was then, that a monastic community was established here by St. Colum Mac Cremthainn. Its many attractions include a well-preserved Round Tower, the ruins of six churches, a Holy Well, a unique graveyard with slabs dating from the eight century, Bullaun Stones, a cell like structure, which is one of the most extraordinary buildings in Ireland and a `bargaining` stone where many a marriage was brokered. Their secluded position has enabled them to survive in a wonderful state of preservation. It lies at the mouth of Scariff Bay, an inlet of Lough Derg which gives its name to an unpleasant breeze known to fishermen in particular as the `Scariff Breeze`. Mountshannon is the nearest village to the island, which is placed in the midst of some of the most beautiful scenery in the whole of Ireland.

Scattery Island

Kilrush
Located approximately one mile off Kilrush, Scattery Island is home to a monastic settlement founded in the early 6th century by St. Senan who was born locally. There are the ruins of six churches and one of the highest Round Towers in Ireland, 120 feet high, with the unusual feature of its door at ground level. The main church on the island is Teampall Naomh Mhuire (Cathedral of Saint Mary), situated next to the round tower. There is an effigy of a bishop`s head on the outside of the east window of the Cathedral believed to be that of St. Senan. The holy well, called Tobar Sinean, beside the round tower was of great reverence and respect by the islanders. It was also associated with a pattern held on St. Senan`s Feast Day on 8th March. St. Senan is believed to have died in the year 544 and is reputed to be buried in St. Senan`s Bed beside Temple Senan a small 12th Century Romanesque church.

St Flannan`s Cathedral

Killaloe
A Romanesque cathedral was built in the 1180s by Donal O`Brien but was destroyed soon afterwards by Connacht forces. A new cathedral, built in the Gothic style, was completed on the same site in the early thirteenth century. The impressive Romanesque doorway of the original cathedral is preserved in the south wall of its successor. Another attraction of the cathedral is a small stone with inscriptions in runes and ogham dating from circa 1000 A.D. The tower of the current structure, which is still used as a place of worship, is substantially taller than the original. Its turrets and battlements were added in the 1790s and a further elevation to create the belfry was accomplished in the 1890s. During the course of the sixteenth century Reformation the cathedral passed from Catholic to Protestant control.

The cathedral is normally open from about 9 am until 6 pm (dusk in winter).

Vandeleur Walled Garden

Kilrush
Beautifully constructed walls enclose this sheltered Walled Garden which is set among 420 acres of native woodland. Once the walled garden for Kilrush House, but forgotten for many years it has been re-designed for the 21st century around the old path-system with a horizontal maze, unusual water-features and a free-standing Victorian-style working glasshouse which is assessable to visitors.