Plants and flowers from the mediterranian and arctic regions that would normally not grow together in the same lattitude do so in this important distinctive landscape of limestone hills and fertile pockets of grassland. 7 lakes can be seen from the top of Ballyportry, and there is lake fishing near by and deep sea angling from Liscannor, a harbour beside the 800 foot Cliffs of Moher.

The Burren is an important geological and botanical nature reserve as well as a bird sanctuary and archaeological paradise. Click here for more information.

There is hiking, pony-trekking and angling on the nearby lakes. Visitors can enjoy traditional Irish music in pubs within the area, and there is a good choice of restaurants. 45 minutes away, is the famous surfing beach of Lahinch
with Atlantic rollers and on the more sheltered Galway Bay there is another sandy beach at Fanore

For golfers, the nearby Henry Golf Tours provide chaffeured luxury mini coach tours in the west of Ireland. Featured golf courses include Doonbeg, Ballybunion, Adare Manor, Connemara, Gort, and Lahinch.

The nearest big town, Ennis, is a 20 minute drive from the castle and the cities of Limerick and Galway are an hour away.