Sites within driving distance of the hotel
Bunratty Castle & Folk Park
Bunratty Castle was built in 1425 by the MacNamaras and then passed to the O’Brien’s who were Earls of Thomond. The Castle is furnished with mainly 15th & 16th century furnishings. Medieval banquets are held in the Castle year round (reservations necessary). Bunratty Folk Park recreates rural and urban life in 19th century Ireland. Visitors can for example view farmhouses of various economic backgrounds, a watermill, church and village street. The Traditional Irish Night celebrating the best traditions in Irish music, song & dance, is held in the Corn Barn at Bunratty Folk Park vernacular gardens have been restored to a very high standard.
Foynes Flying Boat Museum
The Foynes museum recalls the era with a comprehensive range of exhibits and graphic illustrations. It also includes a 1940s style cinema, the original terminal building through which many VIP's passed, war years' radio and the weather room. Irish coffee was "invented" here in 1943. There is also a coffee shop and souvenir shop on the premises. Visits take approximately 1 hour.
Celtic Theme Park & Gardens
Built on an Celtic settlement which later became one of the most important Cromwellian plantations, the Celtic Park and Gardens were built to interpret Ireland’s past. An early Ringfort is preserved in the park, along with exhibits of stone circles, dolmens, a holy well, a stone church, and other physical structures associated with ancient Ireland. The garden is designed in a classical style, and contains a thousand roses, a rockery and a lily pond.
Stonehall Visitor Farm
Stonehall Visitor Farm is a must for all visitors. Located in a tranquil & beautiful rural setting near Adare Co Limerick. Stonehall farm allows the visitors to experience first hand the enjoyment & fun of a wide variety of animals in a secure and pleasant setting.
Lough Gur Stone Age Centre
Lough Gur is better known today than the ancient parish of Aney or Knockainy in which it is located. The beautiful enchanted lake runs into four town lands, Grange, Knockfennel, Ballynagallagh and Lough Gur. It lies 21kms southeast of Limerick City. The lake is now crescent shaped but this is mainly due to drainage work, which was carried out during the middle of the nineteenth century. This drainage reduced the level of the water by about three metres. Lough Gur is widely known for its beauty, natural flora and fauna, undulating hills, beautiful walks, historical sites, folklore, peace and tranquillity.
Knappogue Castle & Walled Garden
Knappogue Castle was built in 1467 by Sean MacNamara, and is a magnificent example of a medieval tower house. It has a long and varied history ~ from a battle field to a dwelling place. In 1571 the Castle became the seat of the MacNamara Clan ~ Earls of West Clancullen. Medieval Banquets are held in the castle twice nightly from April - October. It is an ideal location for an exclusive castle wedding reception.
The castle also contains the State~Room Apartment (available for self-catering rental) which The Andrews restored as their private residence. This apartment which accommodates ten people, is furnished to the highest standards.
Cliffs of Moher
Liscannor and Doolin, Co Clare
The Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland's top Visitor attractions. The Cliffs are 214m high at the highest point and range for 8 kilometres over the Atlantic Ocean on the western seaboard of County Clare. O'Brien's Tower stands proudly on a headland of the majestic Cliffs. From the Cliffs one can see the Aran Islands, Galway Bay, as well as The Twelve Pins, the Maum Turk Mountains in Connemara and Loop Head to the South.
Ailwee Cave
Aillwee Cave (Irish: Pluaiseanna an Aill Bhuí) is one of the many thousands of ancient caves beneath An Bhoireann, (or in English, The Burren), in northwest County Clare, Ireland. It consists of over a kilometer of passages leading into the heart of the mountain. Its features include an underground river and a waterfall as well as some very impressive stalactites and stalagmites.