Regional Info

Ballyvaughan

(Baile Ui Bheachain Behan's or Vaughan's town)
A picturesque sea-side village nestled between the Burren Mountains and Galway Bay.The village offers excellent sea fishing, entertainments and craft workshops. Bishop's Quarter beach, 1.5 km away, is an excellent bathing spot and is noted for the wide variety of shells.

Kilrush

(Church of the promontory or wood)
A busy market town with access to the Shannon.
The Shannon Estuary has pods of up to 100 young Bottle Nose Dolphins. Dolphin watch trips operate daily from Kilrush Marina, giving visitors a chance to observe the charming antics of these curious and playful animals.
Kilrush is a noted sailing centre with its 120 berth Marina and boatyard. Kilrush Creek Adventure Centre besides the marina is a mulity - activity centre offering sailing, windsurfing, archery and much more.

Carrigaholt

(Carraig an Chabhailtaigh - rock of the fleet)
The village faces east into Carrigaholt Bay on the Shannon and has a delightful beach and Dolphin watch trips operate daily from Carrigaholt Pier.
Armada ships sheltered here in 1588.
The castle here was originally a MacMahon castle, but was captured in 1599 by the Earl of Thomond and given to his brother, Donal O'Brien, predocessor of the Viscounts Clare of Clare's Dragoons fame. (The Dragoons were part of the late 17th and 18th century Irish Brigade of exiles in the French Army). The castle later passed into the hands of the Burton family after the Williamite wars.

Killaloe

(Cill Molua - church or cell of St. Molua)
Killaloe is a charming town, sited on high ground to the west of the narrow bridge crossing the Shannon. The town boasts plenty of shops, restaurants and lively pubs.
It is the original site of the royal palace of Kincora (Ceann Coraidh, the weir head), with which Brian Boru, High King of Ireland from 1002 to 1014, is associated.

Mountshannon

(Baile ui Bheolain - Boland's town)
Mountshannon was designed as a model village and completed in 1742. It is thoughfully and carefully planned out. It's tree lined streets and the uniformity of its architecture give it a grace and dignity seldom seen in villages of comparable size.
The pictureque harbour is an excellent centre for angling and sailing whilst the Slaibh Aughty mountains rolling gently behind the village are a hillwalker or cyclists dream come true. The mountains are rich in archeological remains and the local summit commands a panoramic view of Lough Derg and its five surrounding counties.