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Kilrush
"
Cill
Ruis"
The town is situated at the junction
of the N67, N68, R473 and R483, west
Clare is easily reached by road, rail,
air and sea.
The Shannon
estuary on Irelands western seaboard
stretches inland for some 50 nautical
miles from where it meets the Atlantic
Ocean at Loop Head its outer entrance
to Limerick City where the Shannon
enters the estuary. It is the longest
sheltered, naturally deep estuary in
the country and also Irelands largest
deep water bulk port, handling vessels
in excess of 180,000 D.W.T., the last
20-24 nautical miles or lower estuary is where
the dolphins are most frequently
observed. There is a regular bus
service from Ennis and Limerick to
Kilrush and a daily train service to
Ennis from Dublin. Kilrush is only 65
kms. from Shannon International
Airport and is within three and a half
to four hours journey from the major
ferryports.
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Outdoor Activities
Golf:
West Clare boasts two 18-hole golf
courses
located in Kilrush and
Kilkee, in addition by basing yourself
in west Clare, you are central to a
number top class courses within a
50 kms-radius, namely, Lahinch and
Ballybunion and for 2002 the addition
of the Greg Norman Links in Doonbeg (15 kms away). Kilrush is home to an
18-hole Championship parkland course
described as 'the friendliest
club in Ireland'. The new clubhouse,
which is only opened Summer 2001,
really compliments the, always
improving and, competitive
course...Phone (065) 9051138 or check
out the links to the left.
Dolphin Watching & Island
Trips
:Take a trip to meet pods of up to 100
Bottle Nose Dolphins in the river
Shannon and other wildlife-Departs
from Kilrush Marina. Visit Scattery
Island, home to a 6th century monastic
founded by St. Senan, a unique 10th
century round tower and ruins of seven
churches. Contact 065-9051327 for
trips and island visits as well as
deep-sea fishing.
Pony
Trekking:
Fancy a 'trot or canter' across the
countryside or on a beach -catering
for the beginner to the cowboys
amongst us. Contact Helen on
065-9060071.
Diving:
The first 5 * dive centre in the
world!! Speaking from personnel
experience-'it's the most wonderful
experience I've had' (other than
sailing!!). Jacques Cousteau rated
Kilkee as one the best scuba diving
location in Europe and among the top
five locations in the world. Its
natural terrain has proven a major
attraction to divers from many parts
of the world. Give the Kilkee Diving
and Watersports Centre a shout for
courses or 'try a dive' at
065-9056707.
Walks
: Try some of the most beautiful
'walks in the west' - form cliff walks
in Kilkee to coastal walks in Cappa or
Woodland walks in Kilrush. There are
miles and miles of peaceful walks with
magnificent landscapes and historical
sites throughout the peninsula, from
cliff top and coastal to woodland
trails. Ask at the Adventure Centre
for more details.
Cycling
: West Clare provides the ideal
environment, through its varied
terrain and road network for the
cyclist to make their way around one
of the most picturesque regions in the
west of Ireland.
Swimming:
There are a number of blue flag
beaches in west Clare at Cappa in
Kilrush, Kilkee and the White Strand
in Doonbeg, where you can enjoy a
leisurely swim. The above beaches
normally have lifeguards on duty
during the summer months, check with
them for advice on currents, depth and
safety.
More activities: click here
Visitor Centres &
Attractions
There are a number of visitor centres
and attractions throughout the
peninsula and close by to suit all
tastes and ages, you'll have no
problem finding something to do on
those rainy days.
Kilkee
Waterworld
A modern
Aquaplay Centre with a host of
features to keep everyone
amused.
Kilrush
Heritage
Centre
Tales of
valour and heroism from Kilrush's
turbulent past. Audiovisual display of
Kilrush in Landlord times depicts the
story of Kilrush from its
establishment as an estate town by the
Vandeleur landlords at the end of the
18th century.
Vandeleur
Walled
Garden
, Kilrush:
The revived
Vandeleur Walled Garden specialises in
sub-tropical and southern hemisphere
plants. View the horizontal maze,
arboretum, water features and shrub
borders. Restored farmyard restaurant
and gift shop open. Click here to find out more...
Lahinch
Seaworld
: See and
experience the underwater life of
Clare's Atlantic coastline, sharks,
rays and conger eels can all be viewed
in a giant aquarium.
Kilkee
Thalassotherapy
Centre
: Treatments
include
seaweed bath, marine body
wrap, body scrub, balneotherapy bath,
facials and Swedish full body
massage.
The
Nature Quest
Centre
: Focussing on
the sea bird colonies around the
Bridges of Ross and Loop
head.
The
Scattery Island Visitor Centre,
Kilrush
:
The centre houses an exhibition of the
natural and cultural history of
Scattery Island. The Shannon Dolphin
&
Wildlife Foundation: Use of the
second floor of the Scattery Island
Centre has been kindly offered by
Duchas to provide visitors and locals
with an opportunity to receive
information on the ecology of the
dolphins and their habitat. There are
planned weekly talks on the dolphins,
by Simon
Berrow.
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