COUNTY CLARE - GETTING AROUND

By Car

Driving is a great way to tour County Clare, many roads are relatively quiet and compared with many countries Irish motorists are uncompetitive, and have an easy driving style. Driving gives you great freedom, out on the open road you can stop when it`s convenient to you; to walk down a country lane, to explore a picturesque shoreline or to take a picture.

Drive on the left-hand side of the road and pay particular attention when driving again after a stop for food, petrol etc. Also there are oodles of roundabouts in County Clare especially in Ennis Town and on the road from Shannon Airport. So brush up on how to use a roundabout, remember traffic coming from the right-hand side always has precedence on roundabouts.

Be careful where and when you pull in to take picture, Clare is truly breathtaking and turning a corner you might be awe struck but keep in mind other driver`s and find a suitable place to park. Many of the popular sites have parking have graveled areas to pull in.

Some of the road signs in County Clare and rural Ireland are quite small and difficult to read. Many are also bilingual with the place name in both English and Irish. Road signs changed to kilometers in 2005 and the speed limits are marked as km - there is still an odd rouge mile sign. Brown colored signs indicate facilities and amenities of particular interest to tourists.

The direction signs are colored differently for road types:
Freeways/Motorways = Blue
National Primary & Secondary Routes = Green
Regional and Local Routes = White

During summer months there is a lot of farm activity on rural roads, so watch out for trackers and pulling large machinery, these farmers often only travel short distances on the roads so don`t be overly eager to try and overtake them. You may also meet farmers out herding, County Clare has many dairy farmers early in the morning and evening are milking times so be on alert. If you meet a heard coming towards you pull in and let them pass – do not try to drive through them!

By Bicycle

Cycling in county Clare could not be better with more than a few country roads and byways leading to seaside coves, rural villages and towns, castles and historic sites. There are several places to rent bikes with daily and weekly rates available.

Tierney Cycles, Fishing and Hobbies,
Abbey Street, Ennis.
Web www.ennisrentabike.com

Clancy`s Cycles,
Henry Street, Kilrush

Gleesons Cycles Bicycle Hire,
Main Street, Kilrush

Loop Head Adventures Ltd,
Cycling tours and bike rental, Kilbaha.

Burren Bike Rental,
The Launderette,
Ballyvaughan.
Website:https://www.burrenbike.com

Williams Rent A Bike,
Circular Road, Kilkee.
Shannonside Activity and Sailing Center,
Mountshannon.

Irish Bike Hire,
Ennis
https://www.irishcyclehire.com/hire.htm

By Ferry

There are two passenger ferry operators which sail from Doolin pier to the Aran Islands:
Doolin Ferries & O`Brien Line

The Pier, Doolin,
https://www.obrienline.com
Doolin Ferries & O`Brien Line operate two modern comfortable vessels which meet the highest safety standards set down by the Irish department of the Marine. Doolin Ferries is operated by the local O`Brien family. The service was originally carried out using traditional local boats called `currachs`.

Aran Island Fast Ferries

Doolin Pier, Doolin,
Aran Islands Fast Ferries is the fastest recorded ferry service ever to the Aran Islands with sea travelling time of only 20 minutes, from Doolin to Inis Óirr. You can enjoy the indoor luxury accommodation and panoramic views from this 36 seater fast ferry and enjoy the safety and comfort or embarking and disembarking from the pier at Doolin without the use of currachs to get to bigger boats. An hourly service operates at peak periods, the only re-scheduling of sailings which may occur will be at spring tides. A courtesy bus shuttle is available from local hostels and hotels.

There is one car/passenger ferry which operates from Killimer to Tarbert:

Shannonferry Group Limited
Killimer, Kilrush,
https://www.shannonferries.com/index.html
The main tourist routes of the West of Ireland`s Shannon Region are linked via the Killimer-Tarbert car ferry. This pleasant, 20 minute journey across the Shannon Estuary will save 85 miles from ferry terminal to ferry terminal providing a staging point for the many attractions of Clare, Kerry and adjoining counties.