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This is a proposed 4-day tour itinary covering the West Coast of Ireland
and the River Shannon. The tour is optimised with four starting points which
will enable you to begin your tour from you own location. This tour will
allow you to follow a leisurely pace, seeing as much as possible of the
area as your time allows. Many suggestions will be made for each area which will
allow you to plan your activities. Click on the  for photos relating to the text.
Starting points: Starting Point 1 - Limerick
This tour starts in Limerick City and ends in Galway City, but of course you can join it from anywhere along the route. To see all the places of interest mentioned would take many days, so you will have to pick and choose. If you are south of the Shannon then use the Tarbet Ferry with sailings every 30 minutes to cross over to County Clare. This will cost less than $10 for a one-way trip per car and the crossing takes about twenty minutes. An alternate route not shown would be to take the main N18 from limerick to Ennis (passing Bunratty Castle) then the N68 to Kilrush.
Limerick City is Ireland's 3rd city, and will be covered in much greater detail later. There are many antiquities within the city and the following are recommended;
Just 10 miles form Limerick is Ireland's most picturesque village Adare. For many Adare embodies the traditional Ireland with it's main street lined by thatched cottages
A few miles further along the road is the town of Rathkeale where the remains of the Augustinian Priory, founded in the 13th century by Gilbert Harvey can be seen. Nearby is Castle Matrix, built in 1440 by the 9th Earl of Desmond. Associations with Spenser and Raleigh. Authentic furnishings, objects d'art and historic documents. If you divert from Rathkeale on the R518 you will come to the Askeaton (8 miles), where Askeaton Castle is located, principal residence of the Earls of Desmond during the 15th and 16th centuries. Ruins covering much of an inlet in the river Deel, including a 15th century tower, with the large Desmond Hall nearby. You can also visit the Franciscan Friary, founded in 1389 but later restored by James, Earl of Desmond in the 15th century. Nave, chancel and north trancept with well-preserved cloister arcade. some fine carvings and other remains within the friary. Turning east ( 4 miles) along the N69 towards Kildimo you will find the Curraghchase forest park, once a stately home, but now preserved with miles of marked scenic routes. If you travelled west from Askeaton (6 miles) you will arrive in Foynes. Once the centre of trans Atlantic aviation, there is now a museum celebrating that era when flying boats ruled the skys.
More information on Co. Limerick
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of INTEREST Co. Clare Co. Limerick |
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was found. Continue on to Abbeyfeale and then turn north on the R524 through Athea to Glin, where you can visit Glin Castle, a Georgian Gothic Castle on lands held by the Knights of Glin since the 13th century. Interior features include neo-classical plasterwork, a unique 'flying' staircase and collection of 18th century Irish furniture and paintings. Gate shop in Gothic Style. A few minutes further on you will reach the Tarbet Car Ferry to cross the river Shannon.
On arriving in Clare take the N67 through Kilrush -(nearby is the monastic settlement on Scattery Island, 2 miles from Cappagh Pier. St. Senan founded the 6th century monastery. Remains of six churches and a well-preserved round tower, the tallest in Ireland. ) -
and on to the seaside town of Kilkee. Kilkee has a fine crescent shaped golden beach and there are several fine restaurants overlooking the ocean which makes the town an ideal stopping point for a quick snack or lunch; there is an 18-hole Championship Golf Course. Click here for alternate route to Kilrush
Continue on the N67 to the village of Doonbeg where permission has just been granted for the development of one of Europe's finest golf courses, and on to Milltown Malbay. The road follows the coast with beaches such as White Strand, less than a mile from the main road and easily accessible by car. Milltown Malbay is a typical Irish town with a large picturesque weirs on the river just off the main street. The road still follows the coast to Lahinch with another fine beach and golf course.
From Lahinch take the R478 through Liscannor (St. Macreehy's Church, built in the early 12th century on the site of St. Macreehy's 6th century church.) to the Cliffs of Moher. These 700 ft. vertical cliffs are some of the most spectacular in Europe. Looking west across South Sound you can see Inisheer, on of the Aran Islands in the distance. Follow the R478 to the village of Lisdoonvarna, where every year the famous Batchelors Festival is held.
From Lisdoonvarna there are several routes through the Burren and we would recommend the following and, if time allows, follow some of the by-roads into the more remote areas before coming back to the main road. The Burren is a Limestone "karst" or pavement. This is a wonderland of bare rock with many antiquities such as dolmens (megalithic tombs). Poulnabrone Dolmen is an outstanding example. Throughout the year, the area is irrisitible to botanists due the wide range of delicate and rare flora that grows between the slabs of limestone. A good pair of walking boots is highly recommended for walking across the Burren.
Take the R476 from Lisdoonvarna past Kilfenora - (Kilfenora Cathedral stands on the site of an ancient monastery. The roofless chancel has some interesting features. Some carved stone crosses stand nearby. On the Kilfenora - Corofin road stands Dysart O'Dea Church and Cross, the nave and chancel of this Romanesque church date from the 12th century. The Cross of Tola is a fine example of 12th century stone carving Nearby are remains of a round tower) - to Leamaneh Castle the remains of this O'Brien castle include a 15th century residential tower and an early 17th century fortified house. Continue north on the R480 past stone forts
( Cahercommaun Stone Fort: one of the Burren's most elaborate stone forts also Cahermacnaghten Stone Fort: about 5 miles (8km) from Ballyvaughan, this round fort has a diameter of about 100 ft.) and megalithic tombs near Caherconnell, (Caherconnell Stone Fort is a well-preserved fort on Lemaneigh-Ballyvaughan road), the Aillwee Caves (well worth a visit) are just before you join back on the main road at Ballyvaughan.
In Ballyvaughan can be seen Gleninagh Castle, a 16th century tower, consisting of four storeys with underground vault.
From here the N67 turns and twists along the coast through several small villages (Dongory Castle) . From several locations there are ideal
vantage points from where to overlook Galway Bay. This is at it's most spectacular at sunset. The N67 joins the N18 at Kilcolgan and from there Galway City is 20 minute drive.
ALTERNATE ROUTE:
This route follows the main N18 to Ennis, passing Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, ancient stronghold of the Princes of Thomond at Bunratty, Co. Clare. Faithfully restored to convey a picture of life in the 15th and 16th centuries. Contains collection of early furniture, tapestries and works of art. Folk Park in grounds has farmhouses and craft shops re-erected and furnished as part of a display of 19th century Irish life.
Clare Abbey, situated at Clarecastle, near Ennis, is a 12th century Augustinian priory was founded by Donal O'Brien, last King of Munster. Nearby at Quin (4 miles) can be found Quin Abbey a Franciscan friary built in 1402 on the site of a 13th century monastery. Incorporates part of a large Anglo-Norman castle. Many interesting features including tombs and altars and Knappogue Castle built in 1467. Georgian and Regency portions added to original Norman structure in 1856. Banquet halls, reception rooms and stairways have been restored and refurnished.
There is a Franciscan Friary and Abby near Ennis. The Friary originally constructed in 1241, was much altered during succeeding centuries. Magnificent east window. Some interesting figure carvings. Killone Abbey: 3 miles (5km) from Ennis, was an Augustinian nunnery dedicated to St. John. Founded in 1180 by Donal O'Brien. From Ennis follow the N68 on to Kilrush.