Shannon Key Attractions

Shannon is a relatively new town, established in the 1960s, and is the only planned town in Ireland. There are no major attractions in the town, but it serves as a good base for exploring the region.

Holycross Abbey

Holycross Abbey is located about four miles from the town of Thurles and has a magnificent setting on the banks of the River Suir. It dates back to the early 12th century and was built by Donal Mr O' Brien for the Order of Tiron. It was eventually passed on to the Cistercians and became a place of pilgrimage for people from all over the country. The church has many interesting features including a variety of fascinating windows, murals, paintings and many fine carvings.

Clare Museum

This museum has a number of interesting galleries covering the local people, places and treasures. The displays here comprise a large number of artefacts of Clare provenance on loan from the National Museum of Ireland, the de Valera Museum collection and artefacts collected locally. Some of the galleries have audio visual and computer interactive presentations, models, replicas and specially commissioned art pieces. The refurbished building has historical significance, as it was the former St Xavier's School and Chapel of the convent. Clare Museum is located in the centre of Ennis, at Arthur's Row, off O'Connell Square, adjacent to the Temple Gate Hotel.

The Shannon Dolphins

If you fancy something a little more unusual, then Kilrush is an ideal location from where to take a dolphin-watching trip. The Shannon Estuary is Irelands first marine Special Area of Conservation and home to the country's only known resident group of bottlenose dolphins. The specially adapted boat provides a unique opportunity to observe these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. It has an all round viewing area, making it easier to see, photograph or video the dolphins. It also carries a hydrophone onboard, enabling you to listen to the dolphins in their underwater environment. Success rate for encounters with dolphins is approximately 97 per cent. You can book with Dolphin Encounters by calling: +353 65 9051327.

Bunratty Castle

Bunratty Castle is a very popular tourist attraction and well worth a visit. The interior is furnished with tapestries and artefacts from various eras in the castle's history. Make sure you see the Great Hall, dungeons and four towers with their spiral stairwells. Mediaeval-style banquets are held twice every evening in the Great Hall. They are available to visitors and must be pre-booked (tel: +353 61 360788). The site on which Bunratty Castle stands was a Viking Trading Camp in 970 AD. The present structure is the last of four castles to be built here. Robert De Muscegros, a Norman, built the first defensive fortress (an earthen mound with a wooden tower on top) in 1250. This latest castle has been completely and authentically restored.

Alongside the castle is the extensive Folk Park, particularly popular with families, tourists and schools. This features reconstructions of historical cottages and buildings, giving the general feel of a 19th century-style village main street. Old tools, furniture and artefacts are displayed, with the village kept alive by some actual shops, an old home bakery and peat fires in cottages. The castle and Folk Park can be found on the N18 Limerick/Ennis Road and are open year-round.

Cliffs of Moher

The majestic Cliffs of Moher are one of Irelands most spectacular sights and they overlook the Atlantic Ocean on the coast of West Clare. From here, you have one of the most astonishing views in Ireland, and on a clear day, the Aran Islands are visible in Galway Bay as well as the valleys and hills of Connemara. During springtime, the cliffs are a bird-watchers delight, with many guillemots, kittiwakes, choughs and puffins. A new visitor centre is due to open in 2007 and will include exhibits and displays on a range of aspects of the cliffs. There will also be coffee and retail shops, a tourist information office and a restaurant with panoramic views of the cliffs and Liscannor Bay. The cliffs are situated in northwest Clare, between the villages of Liscannor and Doolin, about 40 miles from Shannon.

The Burren Centre

Burren is a unique part of Ireland that has a rich history and heritage, not to mention a striking geographical landscape. The visitor centre here lies at the heart of the historic village of Kilfenora. It boasts an exhibition with audio visual film theatre, a local craft shop and tea room. The story of the Burren is captured and impressively presented in a multi-dimensional way. Visitors can also find out more about the flora, fauna, archaeology, geology, legends and natural history of this magnificent limestone region. The centre is on the R476 between Ennis and Lisdoonvarna and is open daily (tel: +353 65 708 8030).