It is impossible...
... to be bored in Ballyvaughan!
The village of Ballyvaughan is situated on the coast of North Clare overlooking Galway Bay. It is the ideal base to explore the rich heritage of the Burren and surrounding areas. The famous Burren Way (26 miles of Green Road) starts in Ballyvaughan, goes to Fanore, Doolin and ends in Liscannor. There are numerous other walks, which are easily negotiable with the aid of a map, or better still, with a local guide.
Or you can enjoy miles of quiet country roads by bicycle. Bikes can be hired in the village.
Beautiful unspoilt beaches at Bishopsquarters and Fanore invite you to swim, kayak and surf. The sheltered Ballyvaughan Bay is suitable for all kinds of water activities. Try a swim in the sea or learn to dive with the Burren Adventures Dive Centre. Fishing is another pastime - the mackerel season started early this year.
The Burren offers wonderful opportunities to observe the Burren's large wildlife community, and to discover the exotic and unique flora. There is for example a birdhide at the western end of the village.
The Burren College of Art run a Summer school with courses of six weeks, four weeks and one week duration.
Limestone areas like the Burren are notorious for their large cave systems. There are two caves open to the public: the Aillwee Caves and, since 2006, the Doolin Cave with one of the largest stalactites known to the world.
A bit down the road towards Galway, you will find the little peninsula called Newquay, with its beautiful Flaggy Shore (formerly Lady Gregory's summer residence, now a boutique hotel), the Russell Gallery, and the Martello Tower built by the English in fear of a potential French invasion at Napoleon times.
Of course, there is (modern and traditional) music in the pubs, especially during the summer months. No holidays in Ireland would be complete without a visit to the pub, enjoying the local hospitality and listening to the traditional music.
Further down on this page you will find more ideas of what to do, and links to most of them.
Or you can enjoy miles of quiet country roads by bicycle. Bikes can be hired in the village.
Beautiful unspoilt beaches at Bishopsquarters and Fanore invite you to swim, kayak and surf. The sheltered Ballyvaughan Bay is suitable for all kinds of water activities. Try a swim in the sea or learn to dive with the Burren Adventures Dive Centre. Fishing is another pastime - the mackerel season started early this year.
The Burren offers wonderful opportunities to observe the Burren's large wildlife community, and to discover the exotic and unique flora. There is for example a birdhide at the western end of the village.
The Burren College of Art run a Summer school with courses of six weeks, four weeks and one week duration.
Limestone areas like the Burren are notorious for their large cave systems. There are two caves open to the public: the Aillwee Caves and, since 2006, the Doolin Cave with one of the largest stalactites known to the world.
A bit down the road towards Galway, you will find the little peninsula called Newquay, with its beautiful Flaggy Shore (formerly Lady Gregory's summer residence, now a boutique hotel), the Russell Gallery, and the Martello Tower built by the English in fear of a potential French invasion at Napoleon times.
Of course, there is (modern and traditional) music in the pubs, especially during the summer months. No holidays in Ireland would be complete without a visit to the pub, enjoying the local hospitality and listening to the traditional music.
Further down on this page you will find more ideas of what to do, and links to most of them.
BALLYVAUGHAN MARKETS, CLUBS and GUIDED WALKS
Farmers Market at the Village Hall
- every Saturday from 10am to 2pm, May to October. Vegetables, baked goodies, plants, jams, cheeses and other foods produced in and around Ballyvaughan -
www.clare.ie/members/listing.php?id=676
Crafts Fair in the Village Hall
- every Sunday from 10am to 6pm, May to October. A great array of locally crafted gifts -
www.burrencrafts.net/home.html
CHRISTMAS MARKET 2008
For further information please contact :Leueen J Hill of Burren Crafts at 065 7078955 / 0868111511 or
Tracey Kelly Farmers Market Group on 065 7076963/0872911092
The Burren Cycling Club
- organisers of the annual Tour de Burren -
www.burrencyclingclub.com
The Ballyvaughan / Fanore Walking Club
Open to non-members, it offers walks every Sunday of the year, and the odd weekend away.
www.ballyvaughanfanorewalkingclub.com
For details about the Clare Burren Marathon Challenge
please check out: visit: www.clareburrenmarathonchallenge.com
Shane Connolly's Guided Walks
- Shane is a local farmer with a vast knowledge about the area, its people and everything related to the Burren -
homepage.eircom.net/~burrenhillwalks/guid
e.html For details of the Clare Marathon Challenge please visit:
www.clareburrenmarathonchallenge.com
PLACES TO VISIT AND THINGS TO DO IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA
Poulnabrone Dolmen
- the world famous burial tomb, only a few miles from Ballyvaughan -
www.burrenpage.com/Poulnabrone.html
Aillwee Cave
- Apart from the cave itself with its intermittent waterfall, there is a farmshop/cheeseproducer and a tearoom -
www.aillweecave.ie
Burren Adventures Dive Centre
- Denise and Ronan Sweeney give diving and first-aid courses all year round -
www.burrenadventures.com
Burren College of Art featuring Newtown Castle [I]and[/I] the Food of the Arts Café
- Art courses for amateurs in the summer, visits of the 16th century tower and a café on the campus -
www.burrencollege.ie
Caherconnell Stone Fort
- with visitor centre and tearoom -
www.burrenforts.ie/
Corcomroe Abbey
- the still impressive remains of a friary, with tombstones in the church -
www.burrenpage.com/Corcomroe.html
PLACES AND THINGS TO DO WITHIN 30 TO 60 MINUTES DRIVE
Cliffs of Moher
- enjoy the impressive cliffs and the new interpretive centre, now worth a visit in any kind of weather -
www.cliffsofmoher.ie/
Cliffs of Moher Cruises, Doolin
- on this boat trip, the cliffs can be enjoyed from a very unusual perspective -
www.cliffs-of-moher-cruises.com
Burren Centre Kilfenora
- will help you understand the Burren and why they are so unique, with many displays -
www.theburrencentre.ie/
Burren Perfumery, Carron
- the oldest perfumery in Ireland, in sublime surroundings, with a beautiful garden, distillery and video show -
www.burrenperfumery.com/
Doolin Cave, Doolin
- a magnificient example of the caves of the Burren, featuring the biggest stalactite of the western hemisphere (6 m long) -
www.doolincave.ie/
Clare Heritage and Genealogical Centre, Kilfenora
- the professional genealogical research service, and an award-winning museum in a 18th century church -
www.clareroots.com/
Burren Outdoor Centre, Turlough/Bellharbour
- courses and adventures for students and adults -
www.oec.ie/burren/
Leamaneh Castle, Kilnaboy
- built by the infamous Máire Rua, this ruin is not open for visits, but can be seen from the road -
www.burrenpage.com/LeamanehCastle.html
Lahinch Golf Club, Lahinch
- a very sought-after golf course, booking well in advance is essential for non-members -
www.lahinchgolf.com/
Gort Golf Club, Gort
- one of the many great golf courses in Ireland -
www.gortgolf.com/
Coole Park, Gort
- home of the residence of Lady Gregory, this magnificient park, visitor centre and tearoom is worth a visit in any season -
www.coolepark.ie/
Aran Islands
- Inisheer: the smallest and closest island to Doolin; Inishmaan: the middle island, and the least known one; Inishmore: the biggest and richest island in terms of archaeological sites (see Dun Aengus) -
www.visitaranislands.com/
PLACES AND THINGS TO DO WITHIN 1 TO 2 HOURS DRIVE
Ennis - the capital of County Clare
- a quaint and lovable market town with beautiful old shop fronts, pubs and the Riches of Clare Museum -
www.visitennis.ie/
Shannon Airport
- about 70 km from Ballyvaughan, an ideal airport for your visit to the west of Ireland -
www.shannonairport.com/index.html
Bunratty Folk Park
- Witness old crafts, see the castle and the old village, and take part in a medieval banquet -
www.shannonheritage.com/
Craggaunowen
- Craggaunowen recreates aspects of Ireland's past with the restoration and re-constructions of earlier forms of dwelling houses, farmsteads, hunting sites and other features of everyday life during the Pre-historic and Early Christian eras -
www.shannonheritage.com/Attractions/Craggaunowen/
Galway City
- a lively, young and beautiful university city with a small port and lots of shops -
www.galway.net/
Shannon Ferries
- 20 minute sailing from Killimer in Co. Clare to Tarbert, Co. Kerry -
www.shannonferries.com/
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE BURREN AND COUNTY CLARE
Burrenbeo
- a non-profit organisation which will enhance your experience of the Burren -
www.burrenbeo.com
More information about Clare
can be found here: www.clare-tour.com/
www.shannonregiontails.ie
