Local Attractions

Local Attractions of Lahinch in County Clare and the West Coast of Ireland. A county of startling beauty, Clare has it all. From the Cliffs of Moher, a 214m testament to Mother Nature’s creativity, to the Burren, an otherworldly limestone landscape, this is a county where beauty and history meet. A holiday heaven, this county allows you to indulge in everything from high-octane surfing to relaxing spa treatments.

Unspoiled natural beauty and a spectacular coastline are not the only assets of County Clare… The hospitality of its people, the traditions of Irish Music and Dance, colourful small shops and cozy pubs, traditional cottages and houses are just a few of the attributes of this area.

Kilkee Diving And Watersports Centre
Kilkee is regarded as one of the best diving locations in Europe. The centre is fully equipped with the most modern equipment and its RIB’s have oxygen sets, first aid kits and VHF radios. Depth sounders are fitted on the boats to locate the correct diving sites. The centre also offers non diving activities such as deep sea angling, dolphin trips, sailing lessons and jet skiing.

Also on offer are full dive and travel packages organised dive tours, full equipment hire and a 20 seater diver training school. Facilities include a fully equipped dive shop, changing rooms with hot showers, large equipment wash down and storage area, two fully equipped 6.5m RIB’s and a coffee and snack shop.
www.oceanlife.ie

Burren Adventures Ltd Ballyvaughan & Doolin
Have you ever thought about Scuba Diving and considered taking the plunge? Make this the year to learn to dive. At Burren Adventures we provide diving for every level – from complete beginner who would like to discover the excitement of Scuba Diving, to full dive courses with internationally recognized qualifications.
Qualified divers can develop their skills and become a Advanced, Rescue or Nitrox Diver. All our courses include all equipment, wetsuit and materials. Just bring your togs and towel! We operate from both Ballyvaughan and Doolin.
www.burrenadventures.com

Nevsail Watersports
Training courses are provided in sailing, windsurfing, power boating, kayaking and canoeing to children and adults, from beginners to intermediates. These courses are provided either on a weekly basis, over a weekend, mornings and afternoons. All our instructors are fully qualified I.S.A (Irish Sailing Association) and I.C.U. (Irish Canoe Union) instructors which guarantees you a high standard of tuition and safety. We are recognised by the Irish Sailing Association and run certified courses in sailing, power boating and kayaking / canoeing. Nevsail Watersports also run summer camps for children aged 7 – 16 years of age in the mornings from 10.00hrs – 13.00hrs, Monday to Friday all summer long. The children get to try a huge variety of watersports. Wetsuits and life jackets are provided. Group outings and hire services also provided. Nevsail Watersports is ideal for school tours, corporate groups, sports and social clubs, where a specifically developed programme is designed to suit your needs.
www.nevsailwatersports.com

Walking The Burren
The Burren’s landscape is characterised by a rich variety of swirls, tiers, cliffs, caves, hollows and bare pavements that have been formed by glacial, tectonic and human processes. Explore the Burren Way, the walking route developed between Lahinch and Ballyvaughan in North Clare. It will take you through the shale uplands of the southern Burren and the limestone pavements of the northern part where you will be captivated by the numerous megalithic tombs, as well as the barrows, forts and cahers. The castles of Ballinalackan, Doonagore and Newtown are fine examples of medieval remains. Burials mounds and stone tombs, holy wells and ancient cooking places, ruined churches and battered stone walls: these sights and more will help take you back through the country’s fascinating past.

Shore Fishing
The area around Lahinch can offer you everything in shore fishing, from the latest Irish record Bass, a mere 17 lb 13 oz taken from the shore at Doonbeg, to Porbeagle and Blue Shark off Green Island near Lahinch.

Deep Sea Fishing
Protected by the stone-faced shield of the towering Cliffs of Moher, the bay is renowned as a top sea angling destination where anglers have been known to haul in a wide variety of species on one trip. The full alphabet of what you might expect to find is as follows; Bass, Bream, Black Coalfish, Brill, Cod, Conger Eel, Dab, Dogfish, Flounder, JohnDory, Ling, Mackerel, Mullet, Plaice, Pollack, Ray, Shark, Sole, Tope, Whiting & Wrasse!

Seaworld Aquarium & Leisure Centre
Lahinch Seaworld & Leisure Centre boasts one of Ireland’s largest indoor aquariums, where you can get up close and personal with a variety of sea life, including octopus, rays & sharks. Sammy Shark Playzone is a two-story maze of ball ponds, slides, scramble nets, climbing ladders and loads more to keep even the most active children happy. ‘Gymworld’ also boasts a full sized swimming pool with Jacuzzi, Sauna & Tanning Room.
www.lahinchseaworld.com

Dolphin Watching
Dolphinwatch Carrigholt offers you the unique opportunity of seeing bottlenose dolphins in their natural environment surrounded by breathtaking coastal beauty. At the mouth of the River Shannon between the Loop Head Peninsula and Kerry Head lives a group of over 100 wild resident dolphins. Imagine the magic of encountering a group of these dolphins; to watch them leap beside you and skim the water’s surface and to look into the eye of a dolphin while it surfs the bow waves!
www.dolphinwatch.ie

Cliffs of Moher
The majestic Cliffs of Moher, standing at over 214m against the mighty backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean, is one of Ireland’s premier tourist attractions. O’Brien’s Tower is located on the highest cliff and is the best location from which to view the Cliffs, from this vantage point one can see the Aran Islands, Galway Bay, as well as The Twelve Pins and the Maum Turk Mountains to the north in Connemara and Loop Head to the South. The Cliffs can be visited daily, year-round. O Brien’s tower open daily, March to October. Atlantic Edge is the exciting interpretive centre at the Cliffs of Moher’s new Visitor Experience – a huge domed cave which contains images, exhibits and displays that provide information and a multi media experience for visitors to the cliffs.
www.cliffsofmoher.ie

Aillwee Cave
The Aillwee Cave near Ballyvaughan is one of the most ancient cave systems in the Burren. It was formed by the melted waters of a prehistoric ice age, and has many incredible rock formations, including magnificent stalactites (limestone formations suspended from the cave’s ceiling). A unique aspect of the cave is its bear pits – hollows that were scraped out by brown bears for hibernation purposes. The bones of a brown bear, a species which has been extinct in Ireland for over 1000 years, were also found in the magnificent cave.
www.aillweecave.ie

Doolin Cave
One of the world’s largest free hanging stalactites can be seen in the Doolin Cave, also in the Burren area near Lahinch. To lessen the environmental effect of visitors on the cave interior, lighting has been kept to minimum and visitors are issued helmets and flashlights for a real potholing experience, as they explore the cave’s rivers and passages. The Great Stalactite is definitely the highlight of the cave, a spectacular limestone formation measuring over six metres, which makes it the longest stalactite in the northern hemisphere.
www.doolincave.ie

‘Active’ Caves
The Aillwee and Doolin Caves are ‘fossil’ caves, meaning that the rivers and streams that shaped them no longer rush through the caves, so they are not evolving and are relatively safe to explore. Keen potholers can also traverse the fascinating and extensive network of ‘active’ caves in the Burren, where rainwater streaming down from the acidic shale hills burns holes in the limestone and causes streams of water to flow underground, continually sculpting the cave systems. Many of the vast labyrinths of caves formed in this way are still unmapped and caves near Lahinch, such as Poulacapple and Slieve Elva, present a real challenge for expert cavers.

Burren Birds of Prey Centre – Aillwee Cave
This is the largest and most varied collection of birds of prey in the country. Home to eagles, falcons, hawks and owls from around the globe, the centre seeks to educate visitors in the ancient art of falconry while raising awareness of indigenous species and environmental issues involved in their protection and conservation. You can watch spectacular flying displays that provide the opportunity to see many species in dramatic free flight. The highlight for many visitors are the ‘hawk walks’ which are guided walks with an experienced handler giving you an opportunity to handle, fly and feed your own hawk.
www.birdofpreycentre.com

Moher Hill Open Farm
A visit to Moher Hill Open Farm and Leisure Park is a must for families. Here you can interact with a variety of animals, both those typically found on Irish farms, as well as more exotic species. You can meet Betty the llama, Ossie the ostrich, and Chester, a rare and lovable Falabella pony, as well as a herd of the unusual Jacob sheep. Rare birds, red deer and a family of cute pot bellied pigs complete the picture, providing a fascinating and charming animal experience. Children can feed and pet many of the animals, and there’s also a nature walk so you can enjoy the beautiful Irish countryside.
www.moherfarm.ie

Adventure Kayaking Tours
Welcome to Doolin, County Clare, home of the stunning Cliffs of Moher, the amazing landscape of the Burren and now the home of The North Clare Sea Kayaking Tour Company, the very first sea kayaking adventure company in north Clare. Our goal is to provide an exciting, new adventure for those visiting (and residents too!) the magnificent coastline of north Clare. Covering from Kinvara / Ballyvaughan to Quilty.

Our team of local, experienced kayakers are determined to show our clients all the secret treasures along the coast. From hidden coves and bays, to private islands and beaches, north Clare offers an array of exquisite scenery as well as a large variety of sea life, including sea birds, seals and dolphins. Our tours include Quilty and Mutton Island, Ballyvaughan and Liscannor Bay. We also explore two beautiful lakes, Dromore Woods and Inchiquin Lake.

We provide all equipment, including top of the range Necky kayaks, paddles, life vests, wet suits, jackets and spray decks. No experience is necessary, but a sense of adventure is!
www.northclareseakayaking.com

Atlantic Diving School
Atlantic Diving School offers all the advantages for learning how to scuba dive, obtaining your certification, or discovering the magical waters of West Clare and Irelands west coast.

The Atlantic Diving School is a full service Padi Scuba Diving School owned and managed by Chris Healy PADI Instructor since 2000. They specialise in guided personalized scuba diving and scuba instruction, geared to those people who exhibit a concern for the aquatic habitat and the conservation of our fragile environment.

Atlantic Diving School offer all levels of recreational and professional scuba diving training courses under the guidance of professional instructors. In addition they further offer special kids programs, scuba diving specialty courses and snorkeling.

Dive Sites Co Clare: Doolin, Quilty, White Strand, Miltown Malbay
www.atlanticdivingschool.ie

Soul Kite
Learn to kite surf, power kite or buggy with Co Clare’s only full time Kite school. Whatever your level, soul kite has a course for you!

If you’re looking to learn the basics or you are ready to land your first back loop, give Soul kite a call. Lessons last approximately 3 hours and start with basic beach safety and piloting skills and continue right the way through to performing your first jump.
www.soulkite.ie

Nigel Callender Rock Climbing Adventure
Nigel Callender Rock Climbing Adventures provide an unforgettable and exhilarating way to explore the Burren or further afield from a very different perspective. Courses range from learning to rock climb sessions for complete beginners, to corporate team building days and Adventure Race training. They are a great day out for families, individuals and small groups, with all sessions being tailored to the needs and location of the participants. All equipment is provided.
www.nigelcallender.com

Lakeside Watersports Centre
This is a beautiful lakeside park, situated in west shore of Lough Derg, near Mountshannon village. The park offers a rang of activities which include, motor boats, rowing boats, windsurfers and sailing-boats. All these are for hire at daily or weekly rates.

Clare Kayak Hire
Clare Kayak Hire is based in Lahinch Co Clare and do kayak tours on the River in Lahinch and tours from the Falls Hotel Ennistymon all year round.

The river is a beautiful spot for kayaking, also from the start of July to the end of August you can hire out kayaks every day in the White Strand next to Miltown Malbay just 5min from Lahinch. White Srand is a great spot for sea kayaking for all the family. All gear is provided.
www.clarekayakhire.com

Ultimate Promotions
Ultimate Promotions speciailise in the adrenalin fuelled activities of Laser Tag (also known as Laser Combat or Laser quest) and Zorbing (also known as Sphereing or Orbing).

Laser Combat Sessions
Laser combat sessions for both junior and senior players. So whether you have a birthday party, hen party or stag party, team building or fundraiser, to name but a few.

Laser Combat Missions
At Camp Crossfire, located in the scenic Ballygriffy forest, 7 kilometres North of Ennis town in County Clare. Laser combat missions are held over a wide area and allow for far more in-depth game scenarios, when compared to paintballing.

Mobile Laser Tag
Ultimate Promotions provide a fantastic nationwide mobile Laser Tag service where we can bring the event to you. Suitable for any event, the possibilities really are endless!

Zorbing
Ultimate Promotions also offer the unique experience of Zorbing. With Zorbing, riders or Zorbonauts as they are also known can enjoy either a harnessed or non harnessed ride inside one of our Spheres. Zorbing truly is a once in a lifetime experience which you will not forget. All games by booking only!
www.ultimatepromotions.ie

Dromoland Clay Pigeon Shooting
Clay Pigeon shooting year-round, using international sporting traps for groups or individuals. Everything will be arranged and a full back up service is provided.

Burren Outdoor Education Centre
The centre offers a wide range of adventure and outdoor activities which include caving, canoeing, sailing, orienteering, rock climbing and hill walking. Other programmes include Specialist Training, Environmental Studies and Team Building and Development.
www.burrenoec.com