County Clare (Contae an Chláir in irish) is in the Irish province of Munster. It is located on the west coast of Ireland, northwest of the River Shannon and bordering Lough Derg. Area: 3,147 km² (1,215 square miles). Its capital is the town of Ennis.
County Clare succeeded the district of Thomond (which was part of Connacht), and when first created it was sometimes called County Thomond. Its nickname is the Banner
County, which may refer to a former local tradition of carrying banners at political meetings and public occasions.
County Clare contains The Burren, a unique karst region, which contains rare flowers and fauna. At the western edge of The Burren, facing the Atlantic Ocean, are the Cliffs of Moher. The county's Southern border is the River Shannon, the longest river in Ireland. Along this estuary
is the town of Shannon and the location of Shannon International Airport. This airport was the first airport to have a duty-free zone.
Percy French, a 19th Century Balladist, wrote his most famous song Are Ye Right There Michael? lambasting the inefficient rail network in the country at that time – and particularly, the West Clare Railway. French recounts his journey by rail between the Clare towns of Ennis and Kilkee. Unfortunately, bad as the rail network was in French's day, most of the system was closed starting in
the 1940s. It was dug up and dismantled by successive governments over several decades in the 1950s, 60s and 70s as it was deemed uneconomic.
The Clarehurling team has one of the best records of success in the country in recent years with many cups such as the
Liam McCarthy Cup having been won. There is a strong Gaelic Athletic Association(GAA) presence in County Clare with the founder of the GAA, Michael Cusack, having been born in Carron which is situated in the heart of the Burren in North Clare.
Sleepzone - The Burren which opened in March 2007, is situated in the spa town of Lisdoonvarna where it boasts close proximity
to some of Ireland’s most famous areas of natural beauty. The world-famous Cliffs of Moher, towering 200m above the
ocean, and The Burren region – 400sq miles of limestone terrain, are both only minutes away.
This fantastic new location, in it’s own landscaped grounds, has been operating as a 3-star hotel. Now a 130-bed
hostel, it has the following great features :
22 rooms - All Ensuite
Fully Licensed Bar with cosy Lounge
Conference Facilities
Spacious Guest Kitchen & Dining Room
Laundry and drying facilities
Free Private parking
Free Internet (open access PC and WiFi)
The town of Lisdoonvarna is the ideal base from which to explore many of Ireland’s historical & geographical
sites of interest, such as dolmens, stone forts, medieval castles and award-winning parks where history comes to life. The
Aran Islands are just a short boat-trip away - passing the foot of the Cliffs of Moher.
Sleepzone - The Burren is located on the Kincora Road in Lisdoonvarna town.
Top Things To Do in The Burren
Stand over 200m above the Atlantic at the Cliffs of Moher or for a unique perspective, cruise the 8km shoreline alongside
them. - www.CliffsOfMoher.ie, www.mohercruises.com.
