ACTIVITIES IN THE BURREN AREA AND CLARE WEST IRELAND
 

Guided Walks in the Burren
Nearby at Bellharbour (3km) John Connolly, who has a degree in Irish Heritage, offers knowledgeable and interesting daily walks of variable duration for small groups to suit their ability.

Heart of Burren Walks
Offer half-day and day long guided walks of some of the more remote and beautiful parts of the Burren. Tailor made walks of a particular duration or on a specific theme are also available on request.

Birdwatching at the Cliffs of Moher
Local expert ornithologist and photographer John L Murphy offers guided walks to guests at Mount Vernon. The huge seabird nesting colonies on the Cliffs of Moher are an unforgettable experience. In the winter months large numbers of geese, swans and other migrants arrive here from northern Europe and as far away as Canada.

Cruise the Cliffs of Moher
Doolin2Aran Ferries are offering guests at Mount Vernon a 'two for the price of one' on their twice daily cliff cruises. The only way to truly appreciate the grandeur and drama of these 600ft cliffs.

Day trips to the Aran Islands are also available.

Bird of Prey Centre
Located at the Aillwee Caves (7km), Mount Vernon is able to offer a 50% discount to guests for lengthy walks with an expert falconer and raptor.  There are also twice daily flying displays.

Fishing
There is good shore angling near the house and in season Bass and Seatrout run the nearby narrow sea inlets. O'Callaghan Sea Angling and Cruising at Liscannor offer day trips including a stop on the Aran Islands for lunch.

Golf
Gort Golf Club, designed by Ryder Cup star, Christy O' Connor Junior, and officially opened in August 1996, is an 18 Hole Championship Golf Course set in 160 acres of picturesque parkland on the edge of the world famous Burren.

Lahinch Golf Club is frequently referred to as “the St. Andrew’s of Ireland” because of its close proximity and interaction with the local village. The links are situated on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean.

Surfing
The beautiful Fanore Beach in the heart of the Burren with all it's space, solitude and uncrowded surf provides the ideal location for those wanting to learn. Aloha Surf School runs surfing lessons on the beach.

The two-mile long beach in Lahinch with its variety of breakers caters for novice, intermediate and experienced surfers. Contact Lahinch Surf School for more information.

Horse Riding
Ride through the woodlands of the Burren or into its heart where you will get a taste of Irish history and see stone forts and old famine ruins from early 1800's.

There are spectacular, panoramic views of the Cliffs of Moher, Galway Bay, Fanore and the Aran Islands along the route.

Diving
Burren Adventures Dive Centre provides scuba diving courses and experiences for all levels and all ages from 10.

Russell Gallery
An extensive collection of original artwork and paintings much of it by local artists is only a 5 minute walk away from the house.  They also sell jewellery, organic wine and olive oil.

Burren  Perfumery 10km away and located in the heart of the Burren, the perfurmery is an ideal stopover while exploring the interior.  Tea room, shop, audio visual show, quirky herb garden and beehives.

Cassidy’s Pub
10km away at Carron - a great place to stop for lunch and fantastic views across the tops of the hills.

New Quay
15 minutes walk will bring you to the pier where Gerry Sweeney, our local fisherman, has lobster, crab and shellfish for sale.

Corcomroe Abbey - 13th century

 

Caherconnell Ring Fort - 8th century and Poulnaphuca Wedge Tomb are all on the route to Carron.

Kilfenora
15km away, the Cathedral has a splendid combination of architecture and stone carving with an important collection of beautifully carved High Crosses.  Linnane’s Pub in the village is home to the famous Kilfenora Ceili Band, a tradition kept very much alive with regular music sessions.

Corofin
Trace check your ancestry at the Clare Heritage Centre.
9.00 - 5.30pm  065 6837955

Kinvara
7km away, Burrenbeo have a comfortable bookshop, information centre and coffee shop in the main street.

Liz Murphy’s Cornstore on the quays is full of carefully sourced beauty products and unique seaweed body wrap treatments are available in her exclusive treatment rooms.

Keogh’s Bar in the village square has award winning pub grub.

The Farmers Market every Friday behind Johnston’s Hostel is full of homecooking and artisanal food, plants and even has a band playing.

Ballyvaughan
O’Lochlainn's Bar is a traditional pub with a 'mindbending' selection of old malt whiskeys.

Gregan’s Castle Hotel has an award winning fine dining restaurant.

There is a Farmer’s Market on Saturdays and Craft Market every Sunday in the old school.

Liscannor
Another very good seafood pub called Vaughan’s in the village and on the road to the Cliffs of Moher is the Rock Shop for fossils, gems and minerals.

Lahinch
Justly famous for its links golf course, there is also a fully accredited and popular surfing and rock climbing school, Ben's Surf Clinic with lessons for beginners, all the gear and their own transport.

Ennistymon
Traditional Victorian shopfronts and a waterfall on the river.

Lisdoonvarna
The Burren Smokehouse has beautifully cured and award winning smoked salmon and other delicacies.