Sorcha’s guidebook for Lahinch
Family Activities
An outdoor, open farm that's fantastic for small kids. Depending on the season/Covid restrictions, also features a bouncing castle, in-door and out-door go karts, ball pool, all weather out-door play area and miniature golf course.
46 locals recommend
Moher Hill Open Farm and Leisure Park
R478An outdoor, open farm that's fantastic for small kids. Depending on the season/Covid restrictions, also features a bouncing castle, in-door and out-door go karts, ball pool, all weather out-door play area and miniature golf course.
A great tour of the most famous cave in Clare, you can see truly impressive stalagmites and stalactites as part of an accessible and friendly tour (as featured in an episode of Father Ted!) The grounds also feature a birds of prey centre with flying displays. Some fantastic local cheese is sold onsite.
157 locals recommend
Aillwee Cave
A great tour of the most famous cave in Clare, you can see truly impressive stalagmites and stalactites as part of an accessible and friendly tour (as featured in an episode of Father Ted!) The grounds also feature a birds of prey centre with flying displays. Some fantastic local cheese is sold onsite.
A restored 15th-century castle with an adjoining folk park that recreates a 19th-century country town. With reenactments, banquets and music in Durty Nellie's Pub.
https://www.bunrattycastle.ie/
161 locals recommend
Bunratty Castle and Folk Park
A restored 15th-century castle with an adjoining folk park that recreates a 19th-century country town. With reenactments, banquets and music in Durty Nellie's Pub.
https://www.bunrattycastle.ie/
Sightseeing
Pol an Ionain is a limestone cave near Doolin. You can take a tour and see the longest free-hanging stalactite in Europe!! (7.3 metres/23feet). The tour is a bit more thrilling and hands-on than the Aillwee Cave, you really have to watch your step! Aillwee would be better suited for smaller children and adults who might have mobility issues.
83 locals recommend
Doolin Cave
Pol an Ionain is a limestone cave near Doolin. You can take a tour and see the longest free-hanging stalactite in Europe!! (7.3 metres/23feet). The tour is a bit more thrilling and hands-on than the Aillwee Cave, you really have to watch your step! Aillwee would be better suited for smaller children and adults who might have mobility issues.
The Burren National Park
The word “Burren” comes from an Irish word “Boíreann” meaning a rocky place. It consists of a unique karst landscape of bedrock incorporating a vast cracked pavement of glacial-era limestone, with cliffs and caves, fossils, rock formations and archaeological sites.
The Burren is renowned for its remarkable assemblage of plants and animals, and over 70% of Ireland's species of flowers are found there. The region supports Arctic–alpine and Mediterranean Basin plants side-by-side, due to the unusual environment.
Visit Poll na mBrón, a dolmen dating back to the Neolithic period.
For more info: https://www.burrennationalpark.ie/
42 locals recommend
Burren
The Burren National Park
The word “Burren” comes from an Irish word “Boíreann” meaning a rocky place. It consists of a unique karst landscape of bedrock incorporating a vast cracked pavement of glacial-era limestone, with cliffs and caves, fossils, rock formations and archaeological sites.
The Burren is renowned for its remarkable assemblage of plants and animals, and over 70% of Ireland's species of flowers are found there. The region supports Arctic–alpine and Mediterranean Basin plants side-by-side, due to the unusual environment.
Visit Poll na mBrón, a dolmen dating back to the Neolithic period.
For more info: https://www.burrennationalpark.ie/
Possibly the most famous cliffs in Ireland, with spectacular views of the Aran Islands, Galway and the Atlantic Ocean. The cliffs rise up 214 metres (702 ft) just north of O'Brien's Tower. You can visit also visit the cliffs from below by taking a boat tour from Doolin pier.
https://www.cliffsofmoher.ie/
https://www.doolin2aranferries.com/
556 locals recommend
Cliffs of Moher
Possibly the most famous cliffs in Ireland, with spectacular views of the Aran Islands, Galway and the Atlantic Ocean. The cliffs rise up 214 metres (702 ft) just north of O'Brien's Tower. You can visit also visit the cliffs from below by taking a boat tour from Doolin pier.
https://www.cliffsofmoher.ie/
https://www.doolin2aranferries.com/
Gorgeous views on the peninsula, a great place to spot dolphins and visit a beautiful old lighthouse.
https://www.loophead.ie/
62 locals recommend
Loop Head Lighthouse
Gorgeous views on the peninsula, a great place to spot dolphins and visit a beautiful old lighthouse.
https://www.loophead.ie/
Places to Eat
Burren Smokehouse
Kincora RoadExcellent Smoked Salmon
Lovely atmospheric restaurant with a terrace looking out on the waterfalls in Ennistymon.
15 locals recommend
Byrne's Ennistymon
Main StreetLovely atmospheric restaurant with a terrace looking out on the waterfalls in Ennistymon.
A Michelin star dining pub with bedrooms, located in a lovingly restored 19th-century Inn, nestled in the Burren National Park. Make sure to book ahead!
16 locals recommend
Wild Honey Inn
Kincora RoadA Michelin star dining pub with bedrooms, located in a lovingly restored 19th-century Inn, nestled in the Burren National Park. Make sure to book ahead!
Vaughans Anchor Inn
Main StreetExcellent Seafood - Metallica ate there last year!!
Linnane's Lobster Bar
Excellent seafood in a gorgeous setting by the water.
Pot Duggans
New RoadA very cute tearoom with gorgeous cakes and locally made perfumes and some in the middle of the Burren.
119 locals recommend
Burren Perfumery
A very cute tearoom with gorgeous cakes and locally made perfumes and some in the middle of the Burren.
Kenny's Bar
Main StreetL'Arco Italian Restaurant
Main StreetItalian Restaurant in Ballyvaughan
Moher Cottage
Great place to stop for coffee near the Cliffs of Moher
The Cheese Press
Main StreetExcellent local cheese
One of my favourite places to eat, gorgeous views as well!
16 locals recommend
Barrtrá Seafood Restaurant
One of my favourite places to eat, gorgeous views as well!
Traveler advice
Don't miss
Surfing Lessons on Lahinch Beach
For children and adults alike, no trip to Lahinch is complete without a surf lesson! There are various schools that operate along the prom, you have various options of booking a single lesson, a summer camp or a full day.
Ben's Surf Clinic
https://www.benssurfclinic.com/
Lahinch Surf Experience https://www.lahinchsurfexperience.com/
Lahinch Surf School
https://lahinchsurfschool.com/
The Green Room
https://thegreenroom.ie/
Don't miss
Hiking in the Burren
Take in breathtaking views and reward yourself with a pint at the end of your route!
There are numerous routes in the local area for all levels of fitness and experience, from hiking up Mullagh Mór to walking along the Cliffs of Moher.
https://burren.ie/what-to-do/walking-routes/
https://www.independent.ie/life/travel/ireland/walk-from-doolin-to-the-cliffs-of-moher-it-takes-less-than-two-hours-38099442.html
Don't miss
Pollock Holes, Kilkee
The Duggerna Reef, known to swimmers as the Pollock Holes, is a famous bathing place in Kilkee.
The reef holds three large, natural rock pools for safe and sheltered swimming, in which the water is refreshed with every tide. for those not keen on sea-bathing, there’s an immense variety of marine life to be observed both in the large pools and in the countless smaller ones.
Beware of the tides, as it’s possible to become marooned on the outer rocks. If in doubt, take your cue from the locals and leave when they do.
https://www.loophead.ie/pollock-holes-2/
Don't miss
Beaches other than Lahinch
Some other beaches along the Clare coast well worth a visit, most include lifeguards and toilet facilities during the summer months.
You can find a map of the beaches here: https://clarecoco.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=010856f21f20438bb0d47379bc925fad
- Bishops Quarter (between Ballyvaughan and Bell Harbour)
- Fanore Beach (between Doolin and Ballyvaughan)
- White Strand (between Lahinch and Miltown Malbay)
- Spanish Point
- Doughmore Beach (great for surfing!)
- Kilkee
Don't miss
Boat trip out to Inis Oírr
Take a boat trip out to one of the Aran Islands and see the Cliff of Moher from another angle! Inis Oírr has one of the most beautifully clear and unspoilt beaches - the water is like crystal! You can get a ferry on Doolin Pier (journey takes less than 30 mins), make sure the check the sailing times, as they can be dependent on the weather.
https://www.doolin2aranferries.com/islands-cruises/inis-oirr/
https://obrienline.com/aran-island-ferries-doolin/inisheer/