The West
of Ireland is known the world over for the beauty of its landscape and
warmth of welcomes. Staying at Ballyhannon Castle, you are ideally based
to explore the West – from picturesque villages to the bustling
cities of Limerick, Cork and Galway, or from the wild countryside of Connemara
to the mighty Shannon River and unique flora and fauna of the Burren.
There is simply nowhere else quite like it. Ballyhannon Castle is situated
on the West of Ireland in Co. Clare – the heart of the west coast.
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Bunratty
Castle and Folk Park (10 minutes' drive) is a visiting
centre consisting of a Medieval village and its famous 15th century
castle. It is an impressive living and working museum that recaptures
life in Ireland centuries past. It has urban and rural dwellings,
8 farmhouses, a village street with school, post office, pub and
pawn shop. There are daily demonstrations of bread-baking, knitting
and weaving. This is where the O’Brien Clan lived for 8 generations
before moving to their more comfortable Dromoland Estate. Nightly,
musicians and singers in period costume dress entertain their guests
throughout a 4 course banquet. Its finger-licking, cutlery-free
and meade-filled guests pay homage to an Earl and Lady randomly
selected on the night. |
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Burren (40 minutes' drive) in County Clare has been
a source of fascination and enjoyment for visitors, both local and
international, for generations. Its name comes from the Irish for
‘rocky place’, and being home to a variety of flora
and fauna, is often referred to as Europe’s largest rock garden
because of its rare artic, alpine and Mediterranean plants growing
side by side in the miles of limestone rock. The Burren is a trail
of 20 miles that crosses lands, rock hills, paths and green roads
similar to lunar-like landscape, making it popular with hikers,
as well as artists and archaeologists interested in its pre-Christian
dolmens. The Burren actually begins on the grounds of Ballyhannon
Castle – have a look from the castle-top and see the patches
of stone on the fields below. |
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The Aran Islands
are one of the Irish-speaking areas of Ireland and are Europe's
most westerly point. Inishmór is the largest island, home
to the impressive Iron Age fortress of Dun Aengus, while Inisheer’s
atmospheric beauty has attracted countless writers and artists
over the years, and has history dating right back to a 4th century
monastic settlement.
The
Cliffs of Moher (90 minutes drive) are considered
to be one of Ireland’s most famous sights. They rise over
700 feet high, stretch 5 miles along the coast and display wild
and rugged coastline. They are home to thousands of screeching
puffins and you can take a coastal walk to see unparalleled views
of the Atlantic seascape. The O’Brien tower at the top of
the cliffs offers views of the Aran Islands.
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