Aran Islands
Clearly visible from the mainland, these stunningly beautiful islands have preserved the Gealic traditions and customs to this day.
The smallest of the 3 islands, Inisheer, is only 10 km from the mainland. There are ferry services out of Doolin and Liscannor.

Doolin
Is a small fishing village on a sandy bay some 3km from the Cliffs of Moher. It is a place of great beauty and tranquillity and a paradise for geologists, botanists, ornithologists, speleologists and walkers. Doolin is famous for its wealth of Irish folk music and festivals, the village also offers good angling.
There are delightful beaches, but the beach to the south of the pier is extremely dangerous for intending bathers.

Doonagore Castle is a short distance away. The castle is an unusual structure consisting of a circular tower in a small bawn (walled enclosure). It has recently been restored.
Between Doolin and Lisdoonvarna there are numerous interesting caves: Poll an Eidhneain (Ivy cave) is said to contain Europe's longest sialactite. The region to the north contains numerous cahers or stone ring forts and earth forts (raths) surrounded by ditches.
Ballynalackan Castle, 5 km to the north of the village, is a reasonably well preserved 15th century O'Brien tower house with walled enclosure or bawn. Its location, on a low rock-cliff overlooking the road affords magnificent views of land and sea alike.

Ballynalackan
To the south of the village is an upland area of great interest, scattered with Stone-forts, megalithic tombs remains of ancient churches.
Slieve Elva, to the north, is the highest mountain in the Burren standing at 318 m. The summit affords a clear view of the extraordinary Burren landscape as it rises, tier upon tier of limestone.

Fanore
(Fán Óir - golden slope of beach)
With its pleasant beach and broad sand dunes, Fanore is a popular place for bathers. At the point where the Caher River reaches the sea, sandhills, known as the Rabbit Warren, stretch out northward. The site of an ancient (middle stone age?) house has been excavated on the north bank.
Black Head (Ceann Bóirne - Burren headland) 4 km away has an automated lighthouse and a climb up the limestone mountain to Caherdooneerish,(Cathair Duin Irghuis - Fort of Irghus, the legenday builder), rewards you with breathtaking views of Galway Bay, the Connemara Mountains and the the Aran Islands.
Gleninagh Castle, 4.5 Km away, is a 16th century tower house occupied until about 1840 by the O'Loghlen family, chieftains of the Burren. To the East of the castle is a fulacht fiadh, or ancient cooking place.

Ballyvaughan
(Baile Ui Bheachain Behan's or Vaughan's town)
A picturesque sea-side village nestled between the Burren Mountains and Galway Bay.The village offers excellent sea fishing, entertainments and craft workshops. Bishop's Quarter beach, 1.5 km away, is an excellent bathing spot and is noted for the wide variety of shells.
The town grew up in the l9th century round the harbour, which was thriving commercially until recent times. The harbour is now used for pleasure crafts and as a starting point for boat trips to the Aran Islands.
Gregan Castle is an occupied squat tower house part dated from the 13th century, which was originally owed by the chief of the Loughlens, Prince of the Burren. Up until the end of the 16th century Burren was known as the Barony of Gregans. There are 10 acres of tranquil woodlands in the grounds.
Newtown Castle, 2 km along the road to Lisdoonvarna is a curious circular tower house rising from a square "pyramidal" base. Built in the 16th century the castle passed from the O'Briens to the O'Loghlens.
Aillwee Cave, one of the most popular attractions in Co. Clare, has over 1000 feet of passages with three main chambers.
Rathborney (Rath Bóirne- Burren earth fort) is 3km away in the Feenagh Valley. There is a medieval church on the site.























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