By Air

Shannon Airport is one of the main entry points for transatlantic flights, providing access to towns and cities across the south and mid-west of Ireland. It is located just one mile from the town centre. Local buses are provided by Bus Eireann, who have a desk in the Arrivals Hall. Taxis are available 24 hours from the taxi desk, which is also situated in the Arrivals Hall.

A single terminal handles all domestic and international flights. Facilities include a good selection of bars and restaurants, open 24 hours. Shannon is the birthplace of duty-free and the airport has some excellent shops as well as the normal banking facilities and a bureau de change. Short-term and long-term car parking is available nearby.

By Rail

Travelling within Ireland by train is a popular choice, as there is an extensive rail network. You can organise and book your journey through the InterRail service offered by Iarnrod Eireann, Ireland's national rail carrier. There are Channel services from Britain, including a ferry connection which takes you across the Irish Sea, both day and night.

Trains are usually comfortable and punctual by Irish standards. Iarnrd ireann's Explorer tickets offer discounted prices, should you choose to travel by train during your stay. To get to Shannon, take a train to Limerick, which is the nearest station, 15 miles away.

By Bus

Coach services from Britain to Ireland are operated by Eurolines in conjunction with Bus Eireann. You can travel from over 1,500 locations within Britain and from over 400 destinations throughout Europe. Bus Eireann provides extensive services that link most towns. Once off the main routes, it's quite usual for small towns and villages to be served by only a couple of buses a week. Shannon is relatively small and easy to navigate on foot. Bus services are frequent to Limerick, from where you can connect to all major towns and cities.

Shannon Dolphins

If you fancy something a little more unusual, then Kilrush is an ideal location from where to take a dolphin-watching trip. The Shannon Estuary is Irelands first marine Special Area of Conservation and home to the country's only known resident group of bottlenose dolphins. The specially adapted boat provides a unique opportunity to observe these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. It has an all round viewing area, making it easier to see, photograph or video the dolphins. It also carries a hydrophone onboard, enabling you to listen to the dolphins in their underwater environment. Success rate for encounters with dolphins is approximately 97 per cent.

Clare Museum

This museum has a number of interesting galleries covering the local people, places and treasures. The displays here comprise a large number of artefacts of Clare provenance on loan from the National Museum of Ireland, the de Valera Museum collection and artefacts collected locally. Some of the galleries have audio visual and computer interactive presentations, models, replicas and specially commissioned art pieces. The refurbished building has historical significance, as it was the former St Xavier's School and Chapel of the convent. Clare Museum is located in the centre of Ennis, at Arthur's Row, off O'Connell Square, adjacent to the Temple Gate Hotel.

Cliffs of Moher

The majestic Cliffs of Moher are one of Irelands most spectacular sights and they overlook the Atlantic Ocean on the coast of West Clare. From here, you have one of the most astonishing views in Ireland, and on a clear day, the Aran Islands are visible in Galway Bay as well as the valleys and hills of Connemara. During springtime, the cliffs are a bird-watchers delight, with many guillemots, kittiwakes, choughs and puffins. A new visitor centre is due to open in 2007 and will include exhibits and displays on a range of aspects of the cliffs. There will also be coffee and retail shops, a tourist information office and a restaurant with panoramic views of the cliffs and Liscannor Bay. The cliffs are situated in northwest Clare, between the villages of Liscannor and Doolin, about 40 miles from Shannon.

Holycross Abbey

Holycross Abbey is located about four miles from the town of Thurles and has a magnificent setting on the banks of the River Suir. It dates back to the early 12th century and was built by Donal Mr O' Brien for the Order of Tiron. It was eventually passed on to the Cistercians and became a place of pilgrimage for people from all over the country. The church has many interesting features including a variety of fascinating windows, murals, paintings and many fine carvings.

Burren Centre

Burren is a unique part of Ireland that has a rich history and heritage, not to mention a striking geographical landscape. The visitor centre here lies at the heart of the historic village of Kilfenora. It boasts an exhibition with audio visual film theatre, a local craft shop and tea room. The story of the Burren is captured and impressively presented in a multi-dimensional way. Visitors can also find out more about the flora, fauna, archaeology, geology, legends and natural history of this magnificent limestone region.

May - September

July - August -> 20(°C) - Summer
January - February -> 2(°C) - Spring

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