This stunning creation of nature was formed by the melt waters of a prehistoric ice age. The Aillwee Cave, carved out of limestone, cuts into the heart of the mountain.

For the very energetic, a walk up Aillwee Mountain is well worth the effort and will reveal perhaps the most spectacular views in Ireland of Galway Bay, over to the Maam Mountains and beyond.
Bunratty (Bun Raite) Castle overlooks the River Shannon. The castle is in excellent condition and well worth the visit, but it's a prime tourist attraction and besieged by tour buses. With the Folk Park and Durty Nelly's pub nearby, the area is starting to resemble a medieval theme park, but the historical reality shouldn't be mistaken for a Disney world creation. Durty Nelly's pub, about 75 feet from the castle, will surely ruin any good photograph of the castle, but it does serve some excellent food in the dining area.
The Cliffs of Moher are one of the most outstanding coastal features of Ireland. They rise from Doolin and ascend to over 700 feet (213 metres) just three miles south of the village. Being almost vertical, their sheer drop into the heaving Atlantic ocean is a haven for sea birds and the view from the top is never tiresome.
Both the visitor's centre and O'Briens tower monument are open all year round. The truly spectacular drive along the coast road between the cliffs of Moher and Doolin (just off the N478) is one you'll surely never forget.
This 13th century Franciscan Friary, founded by the O'Briens, 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 elaborately ornamented screen, a representation of the Virgin and Child and the Ecce Homo. The Chancel is lit by the magnificent East Window. On the North side is the beautifully carved McMahon tomb.
An area of approximately 400 hectares (1,000) acres), Dromore was established as a nature reserve because of the diversity and richness of its flora and fauna. This richness comes from the fact that it has many different habitat types. These include a river, lakes, turloughs, callows (flodded meadows), limestone pavement, fen peat, reed beds and species-rich woodland.