Clare
The area of the Burren and the Aran Islands in Co. Clare is the perfect location for a short trip in Ireland. The Burren is one of the largest karst landscapes in Europe, measuring over 250 square kilometres. This area of quite barren landscape was formed when rocks and melting glaciers ripped away the soil and the limestone pavement was exposed. This area has some of the finest archaeological megalithic tombs in Ireland, if not in Western Europe. In addition to these tombs, there are also countless portal dolmens, monasteries, round towers, high crosses, and ring forts.
The quiet village of Ballyvaughan is a great spot to base yourself on a trip to the Burren and there is a good choice of quality accommodation on offer.
Hyland's is a charming, yet affordable three-star hotel in the town, which dates back to the 18th century If you would prefer a more luxurious hotel, Gregan's Castle is located in the heart of the Burren and offers breathtaking views of the unique surrounding landscape. The restaurant is famous in the area for its excellent quality food and can even claim Steven Spielburg and his wife as diners!
The Birds of Prey Centre at the Aillwee Caves, has species of birds from around the world on site including falcons, owls and vultures. Many of the birds are part of the World Wide Breeding Programme of rare and endangered species. This centre allows a rare glimpse of these birds and every enclosure is specially designed to mimic the natural habitat of the bird. With flight demonstrations during the day, this centre is a great day out for families visiting the locality.
The two million year-old Aillwee Caves are located just four miles from Ballyvaughan and are nestled unobtrusively within the Burren. These unique caves lay undiscovered until 1944, when a local farmer came across them while walking his dog. This spectacular cave system consists of over a kilometre of passages leading into the heart of the mountain. It features include an underground river and a waterfall as well as some large stalactites and stalagmites.
One of the best ways to see the Aran Islands and the views back to the stunning cliffs and beaches which make up the mainland, is to take a boat trip from Doolin. Pól's boat trip explored the largest of the three islands, Inis Mór, via the dramatic Cliffs of Moher, which stand over 200 metres above the sea. The ferry takes you to Kilronan Village in Inis Mór, which is the largest town on the island. This town is usually the first stop for visitors as it has a several pubs and restaurants to choose from. Inis Mór also has some beautiful clean sandy beaches, especially on the western side of the island.
A must see on the island is Dun Aonghasa fort, and it is usually the first stop on the tourist trail. It can get very busy here and a quieter fort is the nearby Dún Duchathair . The reason that this is less popular due to its more isolated location. Here you can see the remains of Clochans, which consists of early dwelling houses surrounded by a terraced fort wall dating back to 1,100 BC.
Price Information
Gregans Castle
1 nights dinner and B&B from €145 pps until March 14th
www.gregans.ie
Burren Hylands Hotel
€39 per person sharing per night
€59 singe rate per night
www.hylandsburren.com
Hertz
www.hertz.ie
Rental of Ford Focus or similar from 245 per week
Short Breaks Ireland
www.shortbreaksireland.ie
Discover Ireland
www.discoverireland.ie/shannon
Heart of Burren Walks
Half-day - €125
www.heartofburrenwalks.com
Aillwee Cave and the Burren Birds of Prey
Admission Fees:
Joint Adult Ticket - €17.00
Joint Child Ticket - €10.00
Cave Only Adult - €12.00
Cave Only Child - € 5.50
www.aillweecave.ie
Other Car Rental Operators
Avis
www.avis.ie
Europcar
www.europcar.ie
Budget
www.budget.ie