Local Attractions for Visitors

Bunratty Castle & Folk Park www.shannonheritage.com At Ireland’s premier visitor attraction you are invited to explore two wonderful experiences – the acclaimed 15th century Bunratty Castle and 19th century Bunratty Folk Park. The Castle is the most complete and authentic medieval fortress in Ireland. Built in 1425 it was restored in 1954 to its former medieval splendour and now contains mainly 15th and 16th century furnishings, tapestries, and works of art which capture the mood of those times. Today, the castle stands peacefully in delightful grounds. The houses and cottages of the folk park spread out at the foot of its massive walls, much in the way that the cottages and crafts of old would have clustered around its base. We invite you to wander through the castle and marvel at the finest collection of medieval furniture in the country which brings to life a vital part of our Medieval past.

Cliffs of Moher (30 miles)www.cliffsofmoher.ie The Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland's top Visitor attractions. The Cliffs are 214m high at the highest point and range for 8 kilometres over the Atlantic Ocean on the western seaboard of County Clare. O'Brien's Tower stands proudly on a headland of the majestic Cliffs. From the Cliffs one can see the Aran Islands, Galway Bay, as well as The Twelve Pins, the Maum Turk Mountains in Connemara and Loop Head to the South.  Visitor center open year round.

Aillwee Cave (30 miles)
Tel: +353 65 7077036

With its stalactites, stalagmites, relics of bears, and a waterfall-the Aillwee Cave, beneath the Burren, has become one of Ireland's leading attractions. Travel through beautiful caverns, over bridged chasms and under weird formations. An essential part of any tour to the Burren. Craft shop, farm shop, cheese manufacturing, restaurant and coffee shop.

The Burren Centre (25 miles)
Tel: +353 65 7088030

The Burren Center introduces you to one of the most enigmatic areas in the world - the Burren District. Models, displays and audio-visuals reveal the mysteries and complexities of this unique area. Visitors can explore the geology and geography of the areas, including the rich diversity of Burren flora and fauna and the history of man in his landscape.

King John's Castle (12 miles)
Tel: +353 61 360788

A visitor attraction of international standard, in the heart of Limerick’s Mediaeval Heritage Precinct on King’s Island. Features of the castle include 13th Century King John’s Castle restored and interpreted; imaginative models and 3 dimensional displays, interpreting 800 years of Limerick’s and Ireland’s history; audio-visual show on Limerick’s complex and turbulent history. Spectacular views from towers of the river Shannon which flows by it. Already pre-Norman houses, fortifications and siege mines have been excavated on the grounds of King John’s Castle. Available day or night for special group functions. Most special requests can be catered for. Floodlit by night. New for 1999, King John Castle’s Interpretative Center has been revamped and the Castle has been enlivened with costumed characters. Castle Lane opened in May 1998 is situated beside King John’s Castle. The new street includes a tavern and banqueting center and will also accommodate the new Limerick City Museum.

The Hunt Museum (12 miles)
Tel: +353 61 312833

The award winning Hunt Museum at Limericks Custom House contains an internationally important collection of some 2,000 original works of art and antiquity. It is a personal collection formed by John and Gertrude Hunt who selected each piece according to the quality of its design, craftsmanship and artistic merit. These criteria were applied to objects from all periods of the past - from the Stone Age to the Twentieth Century. While the hunt Collection is particularly well known for its religious works of art there is also a wealth of other material including material from the Celtic Past and the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Greece and Rome. Among many important works of art in the collection are the personal seal of Charles 1 of England, the Mary Queen of Scots Cross, a coin revered since the Middle Ages as being one of the "30 pieces of silver" and a bronze horse by Leonardo da Vinci. There are also paintings by Renoir, Picasso, O'Connor and Yeats. Superb restaurant facilities. Meeting facilities. Guided tours available. Affiliations: Heritage Island. Open daily - year round.

Visitor & Tourist Attractions, Co Clare, Ireland