Welcome to Lisdoonvarna!
Some eight kilometres east of Doolin lies the small town of Lisdoonvarna. It is made famous by the eponymous song written and performed by Christy Moore. A music festival took place in the town until the 1980s. The town has a population of some eight hundred people but this swells massively once every year due to the town’s match making festival.
The matchmaking festival stems from the tradition of bachelor farmers, too busy at the farm to seek wives, arranging for marriages between themselves and local women. Dealers at street markets and fairs traditionally did the matchmaking. The present festival takes place for almost an entire month around September, with the town swelling to more than 30,000 people. It is something of an international phenomenon, getting press and media coverage around the world. The principal match maker has been performing his duties for many years and he is in fact a fourth generation match maker.
Accommodation in the area is very difficult to find at the time of the festival.
Hotels and restaurants offer good food in Lisdoonvarna. Some offer conventional Irish cuisine, such as a Sunday roast. Traditional Irish music can also be found, played live at certain establishments.
“Lios Dúin Bhearna” is translated as “Enclosure at the Fort by the Gap”. The town is, among its other claims to fame, a spa town. The spa has sulphated waters that can be enjoyed at the Spa Wells Centre in the town.
It is thought that the fort from which the town gets its name is the green earthen fort of Lissateeaun, “the fort of the fairy hill”, which can be found three kilometres to the north-east of the town, where you will also find the ruins of a Norman-era castle. The present town itself is relatively new compared to similar towns in Ireland. Most of the town dates no earlier than the nineteenth century. However, three kilometres to the northwest of the town you’ll find a fifteenth century tower house, Ballynalackan Castle, near the R479 junction to Doolin.
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Dromoland Golf Club
Co. Clare
Designed by Ron Kirby & J.B. Carr, this championship course measuring over 6,850 yards, roams through the extensive woodland and around the feral lakes of this 16th century estate with subtlety and sensitivity.
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Dunbeg Golf Club
Co. Clare
Designed by two-time British Open champion Greg Norman, is situated on a truly remarkable site near the tiny parish of Doonbeg in County Clare. The course, a true links that will test a golfer's skill and mettle, has won accolades from golfers and media worldwide.
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East Clare Golf Club
Co. Clare
This course is set on 150 acres of unspoilt, rolling, quiet countryside with majestic views of East Clare. The 18-hole course opened in 1997 and is very popular with visitors both from over-seas and within Ireland. East Clare Golf Club operates a "pay as you play" course and it is the policy to ensure visitors are accommodated at all times. The championship course has been designed by noted golf architect Dr. Arthur Spring. The par of the course is 71 with more than 6,500 yards of fairways. Hazards include several lakes, bunkers, streams and trees.
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Ennis Golf Club
Drumbiggle Road, Ennis, Co. Clare
Relatively even terrain of 5600m make it an ideal course for the holiday and society golfer.
- Tel: +353 (0)65 6824074
- Email: egc@eircom.net
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Kilkee Golf Club
Kilkee, Co. Clare
Challenging 18 hole links in an idyllic setting on the cliffs of County Clare with breathtaking views.
- Tel: +353 (0)65 56048
- Email: kilkeegolfclub@eircom.net
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Kilrush Golf Club
Kilrush, Co. Clare
Situated half mile outside the old heritage town of Kilrush was founded in 1934. The new course which was re-designed by Dr. Arthur Spring in 1994 is a gem. The clever use of the natural terrain combined with water, trees and sand bunkers has resulted in a scenic course that is a pleasure to play.
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Lahinch Golf Club
Lahinch, Co. Clare
The origins of Lahinch Golf Club go back to the closing decade of the nineteenth century. In 1892 officers of the famous Black Watch Regiment stationed in Limerick came upon a vast wilderness of duneland two miles from the spectacular Cliffs of Moher. Being good Scotsmen, they knew at once that they had found the perfect terrain for a golf links.
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Shannon Golf Club
Co. Clare
This highly rated championship course, with some magnificent views of the Shannon Estuary. Water is a feature on a number of holes, and the length of many of the holes provide a stern test for even the longest hitters. This American-styled golf course, with plenty of water hazards and bunkers. The greens are largely protected by mounds and bunkers. The course is flat and presents a superb challenge for every category of golfer.
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Spanish Point Golf Club
Co. Clare
This mature golf course provides difficulties which demand accuracy from the golfer. It overlooks the beach at Spanish Point, offering fine views but also strong Atlantic winds especially at the 6th par 3. It presents a stern challenge to all categories of handicap golfers, but is an enjoyable golfing experience.
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Woodstock Golf Club
Close to Ennis, on Lahinch route (N85), Co. Clare
Excellent 18 hole Parkland Course. Green Fees from 35 euro. Group Rates.
- Tel: +353 (0)65 6829463
- Email: woodstock.ennis@eircom.net
Clare Tourist Attractions
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Ailwee Cave - Ballyvaughan
Located near Ballyvaughan, with its stalactites and stalagmites, the Aillwee Cave beneath the Burren has become one of Irelands leading attractions. An essential part of a visit to the Burren, it affords the opportunity to travel through beautiful caverns, over bridged chasms and under weird formations.
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Biddy Early Brewery - Inagh
Located at Inagh, just 10 mile from Ennis on the Lahinch Road. Ireland's first pub-brewery is named after a Clare woman by the name of Biddy Early, who was renowned for her magical powers in the 1800s. Since it's opening in 1995 the brewery has continued to produce a unique selection of hand crafted beers in memory of the great woman. These include Black Biddy, Red Biddy, Blonde Biddy and Real Biddy.
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Bunratty Castle and Folk Park - Bunratty
One of Irelands top visitor attractions, Bunratty Castle is the most complete and authentic medieval castle in the country. Built in 1425, it was faithfully restored in 1954 and has furnishings and tapestries which capture the mood and style of the times. The Folk Park, set in 26 acres, recreates nineteenth century Ireland. The Park features include a recreated village street, eight farmhouses, a watermill, blacksmiths forge, Macs pub and restaurant and a display of nineteenth century agricultural machinery.
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Cliffs of Moher - Lahinch
Located just north of Lahinch on the coast of West Clare, are the Cliffs of Moher. Natural ramparts against the might of the Atlantic, they rise in places to over 215m and stretch for almost 8km.
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Corofin Heritage Museum - Corofin
This award winning Heritage Museum is housed in what was once Saint Catherine's Church, which was built in 1718 by a cousin of Queen Anne. Its main theme, 'Ireland West 1800 - 1860' portrays a traumatic period of Irish history under the headings of 'Lan d'Tenure', 'The Famine', 'Emigration', 'Education', 'Irish Language and Music' and others.
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Craggaunowen - Quin
Located at Quin, is Irelands original prize winning centre dedicated to interpreting Irelands prehistoric and early Christian eras. The exhibits around the grounds include a Ring Fort, a true reproduction of a farmers house dating from the 4th or 5th centuries, an Iron Age roadway and an outdoor cooking site. Also featured is the Brendan, the leather hulled boat which Tim Severin sailed from Ireland to North America, re-enacting the voyage of Saint Brendan, who is reputed to have discovered that continent before Columbus.
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Killaloe Heritage Centre - Killaloe
This centre elaborates on the theme of Celtic Ireland. Discover the history of the arrival of Christianity and the monastic tradition, as well as the development of the Shannon River as a transport system from early times.
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Knappogue Castle - Quin
Located near Quin was the pride of 42 castles built by the McNamara tribe who dominated the area for over 1,000 years. Built in 1467, it has over five troubled but colourful centuries of Irish history, given soccour to both friend and foe within its keep - including Cromwellian troops who occupied it in 1641
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Lahinch Seaworld - Lahinch
Located on the promenade in Lahinch is a dramatic new attraction where visitors can see and experience the underwater life of the Atlantic Coast. Sharks, rays and congor eels, starfish, lobsters and flatfish can all be viewed in a giant aquarium.
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Newtown Castle - Newtown
Located in the Burren, is a beautifully restored sixteenth Century round towerhouse. A tour of the castle's four floors reveals its unique architectural features and presents its social, cultural, political and historical context with rare exhibits including a limited edition facsimile copy of the Book of Kells. Adjacent to the castle is Newtown Nature Trail, a 1300m long guided walk. The trail covers an area of the Burren rich in natural and historical features.
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The Burren Centre - Kilfenora
Located in the ancient Cathedral town of Kilfenora, the centre 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. The centre contains the greatest concentrations of high crosses in Ireland. 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. For info on walks or guided tours of Burren
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The Great Stalactite at Doolin Cave - Doolin
Discovered in 1959, the Great Stalactite at Doolin Cave, Co. Clare, is set to become one of the most important eco-tourist attractions in Ireland. Measuring 6.54 metres (20 feet) in length, it is recognised as being the longest stalactite in the Northern hemisphere. Doolin Cave is located on the western edge of The Burren, an extensive karst area of North West Clare. The Burren is Ireland's most important cave area. This mystical, lunar-limestone region is punctuated by a large number of active stream caves, yet only one river runs overground through its terrain to reach the sea. Over 35 miles of cave passages have been surveyed in the region, with the Doolin Cave considered the most significant and fascinating of all.
