It's All Here in County Clare
Arrival Morning
Fly with Aer Lingus from Boston or New York to Shannon. Once you land, collect your complimentary vehicle from Avis Partner at Shannon Airport and make your way to the 4-Star Temple Gate Hotel, Co. Clare a charming family-owned and managed Hotel in the heart of Ennis Town, Co, Clare. The Temple Gate Hotel offers the perfect location to explore the Wild Atlantic Way and the rugged West Coast of Ireland including The Cliffs of Moher.
Arrival Afternoon
Experience the #1 rated TripAdvisor Tour in Ennis with Ollie Tours. Located off the beaten track of the usual tourist trails, this medieval town is sure to have you in awe of its cobblestone streets, vibrant traditional music culture, and jaw-dropping history. In just over 1 hour, your guide will bring the local history to light explaining the most famous gems like the Ennis Abbey but also, uncovering some of the most hidden gems in the town only seen by people on this tour.
Arrival Evening
Enjoy a delicious meal in Henry’s Bistro & Wine Bar located on Market Street, in the heart of Ennis, Co. Clare. Henry’s Bistro & Wine Bar is situated near the original site for selling livestock and agricultural produce in the historic town of Ennis. Henry’s Bistro & Wine Bar’s food style is progressive modern Irish cooking, with an emphasis on local produce which is complemented by a carefully chosen Wine List.
Arrival Night
Retire for the evening in a stunning room at The Temple Gate Hotel. The Temple Gate Hotel is discreetly situated just off Ennis Town centre, a short walk through the warm glow of the Victorian lamps in the cobblestoned courtyard leads guests to the heart of the historical and vibrant town of Ennis. Temple Gate Hotel, Ennis offers a unique blend of warm hospitality and friendly and professional service which makes it the inspired choice for business of pleasure.
The Second Morning
Visit the Burren Farm Experience and let the crisp, clean Burren air work up an appetite! This guided experience takes place in one of the most distinctive UNESCO-designated landscapes in Europe with husband and wife conservation ranger Bronagh and fifth-generation Burren farmer, Cathal. This tour will take you through this privately owned 500-acre farm in the Burren National Park with informative commentary on the unique ancient farming practices following a scrumptious picnic of our award-winning beef and local produce.
The Second Afternoon
Visit Burren Smokehouse for an Ultralux Experience. The Burren Smokehouse is over a century in the making, bringing together Irish history and Scandinavian heritage. Birgitta will bring you to a behind-the-scenes visit of the Smokehouse itself. Learn how the Burren Smokehouse smokes Irish Organic and Wild Salmon. Peter will tell you the fascinating story of how he captured the wild yeast in the Burren for the ‘Euphoria’ gruit beer. A Burren Smoked Irish Organic Salmon tasting platter is served with a tasting of four of the Burren Brewery’s unique craft beers.
The Second Evening
Stroll just up the road from the Burren Smokehouse in Lisdoonvarna to The Roadside Tavern. The Roadside Tavern is a quaint pub near the Cliffs of Moher from 1865, making it one of the oldest pubs in the area. It has been in the Curtin Family since 1893. Peter Curtin, a third-generation publican, was born in the pub. The Roadside Tavern now with chef Peter Jackson at the helm, you can be sure to taste the best produce all locally sourced to give you a true taste of the Burren.
The Second Night
Retire for the evening at the Hylands Burren Hotel. The hotel is family owned and managed by the Quinn family whose ancestors have lived in the community for over a century. Hylands Burren Hotel is located in the centre of the unspoiled and picturesque village of Ballyvaughan, which is on the mid-point of the Wild Atlantic Way and is surrounded by the mystical Burren district of Co. Clare. This is truly an excellent base to visit all the tourist attractions that are at your doorstep or to take day trips north and south of the Wild Atlantic Way.
The Third Morning
The Burren Food Trail will begin with a breakfast at the Hylands Burren Hotel in Ballyvaughan. Enjoy a feast of local foods at breakfast featuring Burren Gold Cheese, which is produced nearby. After breakfast enjoy a leisurely walk on the Ballyvaughan wood loop through scenic Burren scenery. Then make your way to Ailwee Burren Experience to continue The Burren Food Trail.
The Third Afternoon
Arrive at Ailwee Burren Experience to discover more about Burren Gold cheese and how it is produced using traditional methods. After the tour, you will have an opportunity to sample varieties of cheese. Next, it is on to Caherconnell Farm, to find out more about where the milk is sourced. Learn more about the farming traditions of the Burren which have sustained families for generations. Enjoy a sheepdog demonstration which is also onsite.
The Third Evening
Drive just down the road to beautiful Doolin, known as the Irish traditional music capital of Ireland and the gateway to the ancient sites on the Aran Islands, which are just offshore. Then stroll down the road to Gus O’Connor’s Pub, one of the world’s most famous Irish Music Pubs, where the sessions are still going strong, featuring some of Clare and Ireland’s most talented traditional musicians.
The Third Night
Check in to a charming room at Hotel Doolin, Ireland’s First Carbon Neutral Hotel and a leader in green hospitality in Ireland. Hotel Doolin is located in the heart of Doolin, traditional Irish Music and Cultural capital of Ireland. The hotel has won numerous eco awards including Irish Medium-Sized Green Organisation of the Year 2018/19 and the Green Tourism and Entertainment Award as well as being listed in the McKenna Guide 100 Best and the Irish Independent’s Fab 50 Places to Stay.
The Fourth Morning
At the Cliffs of Moher Experience, you will walk the safe, paved pathways with a view of the famous Cliffs on Europe’s western frontier and enjoy the spectacular vistas over sea, land, and sky. Explore the Visitor Centre nestled into the hillside, its unique cave-like structure accommodates a full range of facilities and attractions underground. The eco-friendly design has a minimal visual impact on the surrounding landscape and is complementary to the Cliffs’ natural beauty. Visit the Craft and Gift Store and the Craftworkers street for shopping, and purchase a local artisan gift.
The Fourth Afternoon
After your visit to the Cliffs of Moher Experience, stop for a coffee-break at Moher Cottage. Moher Cottage are continually growing their carefully curated collection of products. Showcasing amazing local Irish made Crafts, Gifts, Homewares, Art & Prints & Candles. Located less than a mile from the Cliffs of Moher experience, enjoy the incredible terrace views. The coffee has been reported as the best in Ireland.
The Fourth Evening
Visit the Vandeleur Walled Garden a space to explore and feel inspired by all it has to offer. Take a moment to count the colours, feel the life, and treat the senses. Follow the story of one of Clare’s most beautiful botanical tributes to Ireland’s rich, natural history. Set amongst 170 hectares of native woodland, this hidden gem is nestled in the heart of Kilrush Wood in County Clare. Enjoy a delicious lunch at the Brambles Woodland Café.
The Fourth Night
Settle in for the evening for a unique dining experience at the heart of Kilrush Heritage Town, on the Wild Atlantic Way. Zoe Bistro, Restaurant, and Accommodation pride themselves on delivering tantalising, thoughtful and carefully prepared dishes, using the finest of ingredients from local producers. Take a moment to relax in Zoe’s cosy, modern and uncluttered rooms, decorated in colours that reflect the coastal landscape. All rooms are en-suite and feature a rainfall shower, with high-quality, hand-picked linen to ensure beauty and comfort.
The Fifth Morning
Experience the wonder of the historic Loop Head Lighthouse. A trip to Loop Head Lighthouse is a visit of contrasts, centered around this beacon of hope that has perched majestically on the scenic headland of Loop Head peninsula for hundreds of years, looking down on the fury of the Atlantic Ocean 90 meters below. Here a world of beautiful seabirds, seals, and dolphins meets breathtaking views as far as Dingle and Connemara.
The Fifth Afternoon
Enjoy your final afternoon with a long-standing tradition of Afternoon Tea by a roaring fire at Dromoland Castle. Delight in a feast fit for royalty, enjoy the prettiest selection of treats: scrumptious finger sandwiches, warm scones with clotted cream and homemade jams, delicate pastries, the signature tea brack, and the sweetest confections. Savour specially selected loose-leaf teas which are served in sparkling silver teapots, alongside the most beautiful china. An unmissable five-star indulgence experience.
Fifth Evening Evening
Spend your last night at The Inn at Dromoland situated on 450 acres of wooded countryside in Co. Clare, The Inn at Dromoland overlooks the Shannon Estuary and is located on the renowned Dromoland Castle Estate. Enjoy a delicious meal at Deerfields Restaurant an elegant dining room of the Inn at Dromoland. The restaurant provides a relaxing, cosy atmosphere for all of your dining requirements. At the Inn at Dromoland, we aim to ensure that your dining experience is a truly enjoyable one.
The End of your Epic Trip
Fly home with Aer Lingus and relax in the comfortable surroundings of their spacious aircraft. Enjoy a complimentary in-flight meal and an in-flight entertainment system. Enjoy a safe and convenient flight and a warm Irish welcome on board. Aer Lingus, the national airline of Ireland, has been bringing the world home to Ireland since 1936. Aer Lingus is a 4-Star airline, awarded by Skytrax, the international air transport rating organization.
At Avis, we believe that renting a car in Ireland is about more than getting from A to B, It’s about taking the journey, the memories you can make and the cars you explore it in. That’s why we are offering a mid sized automatic car perfect for exploring. Take in the breath taking views of the Cliffs of Moher, and experience the best of Co. Clare.