18 MUST-DO Things To Do In County Clare with Map!

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Looking for the best things to do in County Clare, Ireland? Whether you’re looking to visit natural wonders such as the Cliffs of Moher or enjoy cultural experiences, this guide has you covered! 

The Republic of Ireland is made up of 26 counties but County Clare is certainly one of the most beautiful, at least in my opinion! Boasting dramatic landscapes, alluring beaches, and charming villages, there is something for everyone!

This county is also home to some of Ireland’s most popular attractions including the Cliffs of Moher, Burren National Park, and Bunratty Castle. 

Best Things to Do in County Clare Ireland

For the best experience, you’ll want to spend 3-5 days exploring County Clare. This will give you enough time to visit the highlights as well as some hidden gems. To make sure you don’t miss anything, try to plan out your trip in advance.

The best way to experience the Cliffs of Moher is by tackling the cliff-top trail. Along this trail, there are some fantastic viewpoints. The main platform is often the most crowded, so head to the North and South platforms as well for a different perspective. 

Talking of crowds, when I did a West Coast of Ireland Road Trip the other summer, I didn’t get to the Cliffs until past 7pm which was perfect as all the tour bus crowds had gone and I still had 3 hours of sunlight left in the day!

As you wander along, you’ll spot various seabirds as these cliffs are one of Ireland’s most vital bird nesting sites. If you’re lucky, you may even spot marine life in the waters below. Just don’t wander too close to the edge! 

Occasionally, basking sharks and seals can be spotted swimming at the base of the cliffs, and dolphins often swim playfully by the boats. Not to mention, over 35 species of birds can be seen here including puffins. 

There are some fantastic Cliffs of Moher cruises to choose from, with many trips lasting 50-60 minutes. By doing this activity, you’ll get to see the iconic ‘Harry Potter Sea Cave’, a filming location for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince!

Alternatively, you can take a trip on the Doolin Ferry which runs to the world-famous Aran Islands. This way you can combine two of Ireland’s most popular attractions in one day! 

3. Explore Burren National Park

Visiting the Burren National Park is one of the top things to do in County Clare! Covering an impressive 1,800 hectares, this national park is famous for its unique landscapes, rock formations, and caves.

The Burren also offers a range of flora and fauna. Here, you’ll find various plants, including beautiful orchids. If you’re lucky, you may even spot wildlife, such as pine martens, hares, foxes, and feral goats. This national park is also a great place for bird-watching, with peregrine falcons calling this area home! 

The best way to visit the Burren is by hiking some of the national park’s trails. These range in difficulty and distance and are signposted with colour-coded markers.

Knockaunroe Turlough is a great option for those who are short of time, or you’ve got the Mullaghmore Loop which is 7.5 km (4.6 miles) long.

First of all, it’s the traditional music capital of Ireland. As such, there are plenty of opportunities to listen to live music, especially if you visit some of the local pubs. Gus O’Connor’s Pub is one of the top options and shouldn’t be missed. 

As you explore this charming village, you can admire the coloured houses and try some traditional pub food at McGann’s Pub. We’d also suggest snapping a photograph of the nearby Doonagore Castle. Unfortunately, you can’t access it as the building is on private property.

From Doolin, you’ll have easy access to other popular locations along the Wild Atlantic Way too such as the Aran Islands and Burren National Park so this makes it a great base for exploring! 

Not only is this beach beautiful, but it’s a popular spot for surfers thanks to the area’s flooding tides. You’ll find several surf schools here if you want to take a lesson, including Lahinch Surf School and Ben’s Surf Clinic. 

Kite surfing and sea kayaking are also popular at this beach or you can simply take a stroll along the sandy shores and watch the sunset. In the summer, Lahinch Beach does get pretty busy but there’s a lifeguard present so it’s great for families! 

Other fantastic beaches in County Clare include Kilkee Beach, Fanore Beach, Spanish Point Beach, and White Strand Beach. Honestly, you’re spoilt for choice in Clare!

First of all, there’s Aillwee Cave. This cave is one of the oldest in Ireland and can be accessed on a 45-minute tour. On this tour, you’ll learn all about the cave’s geology and history, especially as 10,000-year-old bear bones were found here.

There’s also the Birds of Prey Centre, which works to educate visitors on some of the world’s top predators, such as eagles, owls, and vultures. 

For the foodies out there, don’t miss out on the farm shop, as you’ll get to purchase Burren gold cheese, as well as other local cheeses. With so much on offer, it’s no surprise that the Aillwee Burren Experience is so popular with families visiting County Clare!

The folk park is set on 26 acres of land and features a ‘living village’, made up of traditional Irish cottages, homesteads, shops, and street scenes. History really does come alive here as the staff are all dressed up in period costumes too. This is one of the great places to visit in County Clare with kids!

However, the highlight of visiting Bunratty Castle & Folk Park is the site’s world-famous medieval banquet. On this unique dining experience, you’ll get to enjoy a 4-course meal while embracing medieval music and learning about the castle.

To make the most of your visit, you’ll want to head inside the lighthouse. These guided tours will take you right up the tower, where you’ll get jaw-dropping views of the Atlantic Ocean (and the Blasket Islands if it’s a clear day).

From this vantage point, you’ve got a great chance of spotting seabirds, dolphins, seals, and even whales, making it the perfect destination for nature lovers. Film buffs will also love this place as it was a filming location for Star Wars: The Last Jedi.

The fort was inhabited until the late 16th century and many items have been excavated here over the years, including jewellery, glass, and amber. Thanks to the site’s audio-visual presentation, informative graphic displays, and guided tours, you’ll get to learn so much about this amazing place! 

While at Caherconnell Stone Fort, we’d also suggest enjoying one of the site’s sheepdog demonstrations. Known as the ‘Caherconnell Collies’, you’ll get to watch these dogs retrieve sheep from the local area and marvel at their skills.

Afterwards, you’ll be able to cuddle the dogs and give them belly rubs! Depending on the time of year, there may even be baby lambs to cuddle.

Finally, why not grab something to eat at the on-site Mountain Haven Café?

10. Explore Doolin Cave 

If you’re looking for things to do in Clare, head to Doolin Cave. It boasts Europe’s largest stalactite and will take you on the deepest underground experience in the Burren, making it a must-visit.

Guided tours of Doolin Cave last around 50 minutes and have a capacity of 20 people. On this tour, you’ll explore two chambers; the Main Chamber which is home to the Great Stalactite, and the Second Chamber which boasts other unique formations. 

Doolin Cave tours run more frequently in the summer and you’ll need moderate fitness levels, as there are 125 steps in and out of the cave. You’ll also need a sturdy pair of shoes (preferably walking boots).

With Dolphinwatch Carrigaholt, you can head out on a dolphin-watching boat trip. As County Clare is home to the largest group of resident bottlenose dolphins in Europe, it’s a great activity for nature lovers!

The dolphins and nature boat trip lasts for 2-3 hours (sometimes longer) and will see you explore the Mouth of the River Shannon. If you’re lucky, you may even get to spot whales, with humpbacks and minke whales sometimes making an appearance. 

These boat trips are also perfect for bird lovers so don’t forget your binoculars. Better yet, this company has been awarded Gold by Ecotourism Ireland, so you know you’re in good hands.

Just make sure you book in advance because these boat trips are popular!

12. Visit Poulnabrone Dolmen

While exploring County Clare, you’ll also want to visit Poulnabrone Dolmen. This iconic archaeological monument is one of the Burren’s most visited attractions and is classed as a ‘portal tomb’.

Poulnabrone Dolmen dates back around 5,000 years, making it Ireland’s oldest-dated megalithic monument. The tomb was used for a period of 600 years, and there are boards here where you can learn more information about the site.

Archaeologists have found 33 human remains at the site and have discovered a lot about the tomb’s history due to radiocarbon dating. Other interesting artefacts have been found here too, including a pendant necklace, arrowheads, and a stone axe.

It’s no surprise that Poulnabrone Dolmen is one of Ireland’s most photographed ancient monuments as it’s a popular spot. Just make sure you take care of the environment during your visit, by not moving any stones. Don’t build cairns either.

On-site, you’ll find Craggaunowen Castle which dates back to the 16th century. It’s been lovingly restored throughout the years and still houses several artefacts from the castle’s era. During the summer months, it’s open for people to visit. 

The Living Past Experience is another highlight of this place. Here, you can step back in time and learn all about what life would have been like in the Bronze Age. 

Popular attractions include Craggaunowen’s ring fort, crannog, and the souterrain. The famous ‘Brendan Boat’ is also housed here, and was used by Tim Severin to sail from Ireland to the United States. You’ll want to allow around 2-3 hours for your visit. 

As the name suggests, the Doolin Cliff Walk starts from Doolin. This 5.5-mile (9 km) hike takes around 4 hours and finishes at the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre. From here, you can take public transport back to Doolin. 

Alternatively, you can start at the visitor centre and walk back to Doolin. There’s also the option of heading south to Hag’s Head. No matter which direction you choose, try to do this hike on a clear day!

Another popular coastal walk in County Clare is the Kilkee Cliff Walk, as these cliffs offer some of the most dramatic views in Ireland. You can challenge yourself to complete the full 5-mile (8 km) loop, or you can opt for a shorter route.

There are several different food trail experiences to choose from; the Market Garden Trail, Farm to Fork Trail, and the Taste of the Ocean Trail. No matter which one you opt for, you can try delicious dishes, prepared with local ingredients.

The Market Garden Trail is suited to those who want to explore markets, while the Farm to Fork Trail focuses on livestock dishes. Seafood lovers should opt for the Ocean Trail.

This area of County Clare also hosts some fantastic food events. These include the Burren Slow Food Festival and the Burren Food Fayre, so try and time your visit with one of these for the full foodie experience! 

The Burren Perfumery is a small family-run company that makes perfumes and cosmetics, inspired by the local landscapes. Every product is made by hand on-site, and traditional methods are used. 

This shop is the perfect place to pick up some unique souvenirs, or a gift for family and friends back home. You’ve got a wide variety of products to choose from (aside from perfumes), including body lotions, facial serums, candles, soaps, and herbal tea. If you’re unsure what to get, the staff are always happy to help! 

After picking up some goodies, head to the Tea Rooms. Here, you can enjoy fresh salads, and freshly baked cakes, including scones, carrot cake, and chocolate brownies. 

On the island, you’ll find a monastery dating back to the early 6th century, the ruins of O’Cahane castle, and six ruined churches among other historical sites. These sites were invaded many times by the Vikings, so Scattery Island has a rich history. 

For the best experience, hop on a free guided tour from the visitor centre. You can also book a trip with Scattery Island Tours, which includes your return ferry, a guided tour, a free walking map, and 1.5-2.5 hours on the island.

Alternatively, you can visit Scattery Island independently. There are daily ferry crossings from Kilrush and the journey takes around 20 minutes. Just be aware that ferries typically only run during the summer months (May to September).

The gardens belonged to the Vandeleur family in the 19th century, as they were part of Kirush House. Luckily, this enchanting place is now open to the public and is home to a wide variety of flora that flourishes in this microclimate.

Boasting old stone walls, unique water features, a maze, and a Victorian-style glasshouse, the Vandeleur Walled Garden has so much to offer. There’s even giant garden chess if you’re in the mood for some lighthearted competition. 

While here, you can grab something to eat at the Woodland Bistro. This place is open 7 days a week and serves delicious hot meals and homemade sweet treats. You can grab a hearty breakfast here too!

I hope this helps you with things to do in County Clare

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