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County Clare / An Clár
With a history going back over 8,000 years
Clare is considered the most beautiful county in the West, with many contrasts
and a great variety of archaeological sites, dolmens, ring forts and so
much else for the traveller to see. There are a great variety of landscapes
from the lonely unique Burren (Stoney Place) to the great towering cliffs
of Moher and the valleys in the east to the Shannon river and lakes. Enjoy
the pure air while you travel through the most picturesque scenery and
to sea-scapes from the desolate Loop Head to the beaches on the west by
the Atlantic Ocean on to the Northwest by Galway Bay. The county is divided
by the main Galway and Limerick roads.
The county capital of Ennis (River Meadow) is a busy market
town, the surrounding winding streets built around a 13th century castle.
Just 11 miles from Ennis is a lovely area of small lakes, and you can
explore a number of limestone caves nearby. Scarriff, by Lough Derg has
excellent fishing, and the traveller can take walks by the lovely Shannon
and enjoy boating and cruising, and visitors can enjoy water sports on
Lough Derg. No traveller can miss a visit to the famous Bunratty Castle
- dating from 1277 A.D. There are some fine restaurants in Bunratty and
an abundance of places for a light snack during the day. An experience
never to forget is a night out in Bunratty, the mediaeval banquet, together
with traditional dancing and music. There is an adjoining park which is
open all year to the public and the well known Durty Nellie's pub next
door.
And all throughout Clare the visitor will find superb
hotels and B & B accommodation as well as some of the country's finest
Golf Courses. Shannon is the second largest town in the county and here,
of course, you have Shannon International Airport - known as the gateway
to the west, and it was also the first Duty Free shopping area in the
world.
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