Discovering County Clare
Categories Europe, Exploration, Favourite Places, Ireland, Limerick, Travel, Travel Blog, Travel Tips, Uncategorized, Wild Atlantic Way25 Comments
If you had ever asked me about recommendations for Clare before I would have been very quick to say The Cliffs of Moher, Doolin, Liscannor, etc. The last time I had explored anywhere else in Clare was with my parents years ago and having finally gone there last weekend I’m really sad that it didn’t occur to me to visit there sooner!
I was itching to go somewhere on my Sunday at home and my mother had recommended going on one of her favourite drives out by Loop Head Lighthouse. With no other plans for the day, we took her word for it and set off!
Our first stop was Carrigaholt where we veered left down a small road to take the ‘coast road’ along to Loop Head. It’s a really quiet road with not much happening but you will get to an absolutely stunning beach along the way. Even with the day being as gorgeous as it was, there wasn’t a single person on the beach which really added to the beauty of it.
Our next stop along the way was just before Kilbaha, on the Kilclogher north road. Another completely untouched beach and unlike anything I had ever seen before! Clare is known for it’s rock formation ‘The Burren’ – but the rock formations here were so much more breathtaking! It turns out the tide was out pretty far when we got there, as on the way home in had come in and the impressive rocks were hidden beneath the water. I just sat here for ages watching the water, it was incredibly serene and so beautiful for somewhere I had actually never heard of before.
Our last stop on the trip was Loop Head Lighthouse. Now, you might think we are crazy, but we never went into the lighthouse itself. The lighthouse costs €5 for adult admission and from the balcony at the top you can see for miles. Apparently on a clear day you can see South as far as the Blasket Islands in Kerry and North as far as the Twelve Pins in Mayo. Without even going up the lighthouse we managed to see across to Kerry incredibly clearly.
Instead of going to the top of the lighthouse we decided to walk around the grounds. We started on the right hand side which had stunning cliffs and blue skies and the sea for days. The further down we walked, there was a sea stack with amazing waves crashing against it at the far end. We went on the wild side a bit and climbed down the cliff in a few places which were all quite safe but I would recommend to take care when there are strong winds. We walked all the way around until we realized how far down we had gotten and decided to make a bee-line upwards, finding the outer wall of the lighthouse and following that to get back to the car. I think we walked roughly 3km around the whole area but you don’t have to do this much.
We considered driving towards Spanish Point and then home but since we left late and took our time walking around we drove back to Limerick straight from Loop Head. It is such a beautiful part of the world and when you get a good day like we did, nowhere abroad would come close to the views!
Have you ever visited Clare? What is your favourite coastline?
Ireland is on my list, right on top, maybe soon, Since i have to do it in pieces of 6-7 days I’m going to beg you for suggestions when i plan 🙂
You definitely won’t regret visiting here! I would be more than happy to give you any suggestions you need, my e-mail is on my ‘contact me’ page if you ever need to reach me directly!
🙂
We’ve been to Clare, and you’ve captured it perfectly with your words and images. Ireland is such a wonderful place – the scenery, the history and the people, I must visit again!
Thank you so much! I was really taken a-back by just how astounding it really was and the weather we got was absolutely perfect! 🙂
Beautiful, and I love that it’s not the standard recommendations. Saving this for my bucketlist!
Thank you! Clare has one of the biggest tourist attractions in Ireland with the Cliffs of Moher so it is easy to forget about the rest of the beautiful places it has to offer!
Your pictures are absolutely gorgeous! My favorite for sure is “Cliffs at Loophead Lighthouse.” I love the blue and green together!
Thank you! And the picture doesn’t even do it justice, it was so majestic in person!
How beautiful! Exploring off the beaten path is always my favorite way to travel so I appreciate the recommendations.
Thank you very much 🙂
I’ve never been to Clare, but it looks lovely. I love coastlines. My favorite is in Cape Town!
It is a really amazing part of Ireland! I am going to Cape Town early next year hopefully 🙂
You’ve won my vote! I’d love to go here! This is amazing and beautiful!
This is beautiful! Id love to visit!
Thank you! It is definitely a part of Ireland to check out if you are here for more than a few days!
These shots are absolutely beautiful and peaceful. Have not been to Ireland yet, and from the looks of it, I’m missing out. What a fun way to spend the day!
Thank you! It was really great to get the day to just explore 🙂
Love this. Camped at Loop Head a day after you wrote this – stunning place, though always enjoyed Diamond Rocks/Pollock Holes in Kilkee too, when the weather is stormy! I assume that from Limerick, you know them all too well!
Oh really? Wow it must have been amazing! Was it in a designated campsite or did you just choose somewhere to pick your tent? 🙂
Cold but nice to be away from the lights (apart from the lighthouse!). Oh just picked a spot to put up a tent…..really comfy with all the springy grass by the sea!
Nice to know I wasn’t going mad with how spongey I thought the grass was 😂 I’ll have to take a leaf out of your book and go camping down their some time!
Great post! We’re planning on driving the Wild Atlantic Coast when we get back so can’t wait! 🙂
Thanks! It’s definitely a must do.. The water is so clear and the sand is so golden 😍
You’ve got some amazing pictures here!
Light House and The Sea Stack, Thanks for taking me there. Sitting at the sea stack, looking at the sea in peaceful and soothing.
Thanks again, sometimes, irrespective of our desire to see and be at new places doesn’t come across but then there are some others ( like you in this case) , one gets to see the beautiful things around.