Essential Ireland > County Clare
County Clare on the west coast is home to some of the most majestic scenery in all of Ireland and is above all a place steeped in history, tradition and myth.
From the spectacular Cliffs of Moher on the west coast, to the rolling hills, lakes and rivers of the east, County Clare revels in its sublime natural beauty. Indeed, to many visitors County Clare is the defining image of Ireland, from its quaint coastal villages to its traditional pubs alive with the rhythmic lilt of Irish music. The county contains the unique karts limestone region of the Burren, with its network of caves, underground streams and alpine flora, making County Clare a haven for outdoor sports fans and wildlife enthusiasts from all over the world.
County Clare was badly affected by the Great Famine, with more than 50,000 people dying between 1845 and 1850. Many others chose to emigrate, either to the US or Australia, massively reducing the population and contributing to County Clare’s overwhelmingly rural character to this day.
County Clare’s proud culture and heritage proves as great a draw for many visitors as its sublime natural beauty. The county town of Ennis is regarded as the heartland of traditional Irish music, with a number of Ireland’s most famous performers hailing from the county. These include Sharon Shannon, Eamon Cotter, Martin Hayes, Eoin O’Neill, Stockton’s Wing and the Kilfenora Ceili Band. County Clare hosts several traditional Irish music festivals, including the Willie Clancy Summer School, attracting visitors from far for the ultimate authentic Irish experience.
County Clare boasts a rich historical and archaeological heritage, which by and large echoes that of Ireland as a whole. County Clare's history of human settlement stretches back into pre-historic times, the evidence of which can still be seen scattered across the county’s stunning rural vistas. There are more than 2,300 earth and stone forts, ten stone crosses, 130 megalithic tombs, 150 ancient churches, 190 castles, three cathedrals and five round towers all just waiting to be explored in this most vibrant and picturesque of Irish counties.
From the spectacular Cliffs of Moher on the west coast, to the rolling hills, lakes and rivers of the east, County Clare revels in its sublime natural beauty. Indeed, to many visitors County Clare is the defining image of Ireland, from its quaint coastal villages to its traditional pubs alive with the rhythmic lilt of Irish music. The county contains the unique karts limestone region of the Burren, with its network of caves, underground streams and alpine flora, making County Clare a haven for outdoor sports fans and wildlife enthusiasts from all over the world.
County Clare was badly affected by the Great Famine, with more than 50,000 people dying between 1845 and 1850. Many others chose to emigrate, either to the US or Australia, massively reducing the population and contributing to County Clare’s overwhelmingly rural character to this day.
County Clare’s proud culture and heritage proves as great a draw for many visitors as its sublime natural beauty. The county town of Ennis is regarded as the heartland of traditional Irish music, with a number of Ireland’s most famous performers hailing from the county. These include Sharon Shannon, Eamon Cotter, Martin Hayes, Eoin O’Neill, Stockton’s Wing and the Kilfenora Ceili Band. County Clare hosts several traditional Irish music festivals, including the Willie Clancy Summer School, attracting visitors from far for the ultimate authentic Irish experience.
County Clare boasts a rich historical and archaeological heritage, which by and large echoes that of Ireland as a whole. County Clare's history of human settlement stretches back into pre-historic times, the evidence of which can still be seen scattered across the county’s stunning rural vistas. There are more than 2,300 earth and stone forts, ten stone crosses, 130 megalithic tombs, 150 ancient churches, 190 castles, three cathedrals and five round towers all just waiting to be explored in this most vibrant and picturesque of Irish counties.