Shannon Ireland

Where the Atlantic Ocean, the River Shannon and enjoyment flow. The Shannon Region is a place of great beauty embracing counties Clare, North Kerry, Limerick, South Offaly and North Tipperary. Limerick City is the historic capital of the Region.

It takes its name from the majestic River Shannon. The region is bordered by the dramatic Atlantic coastline, where you can enjoy cliffs, golden beaches and quiet coves along Europe's most westerly shores.

The landscape also includes the rugged, lunar-like plateau of the Burren in North Clare and idyllic waters of Shannon's Lough Derg - Ireland's pleasure lake.

The Shannon Region also has excellent visitor attractions, and offers great activity options from world-class golf and fishing to horseriding, walking, cycling and water sports.

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The Cliffs of Moher, Co. Clare
Featured in almost every pictorial guide to Ireland, and used as a backdrop in films and on television... but no representation can substitute for direct experience of their grandeur and visual force.

Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, Co. Clare
One of Ireland's most famous attractions. Built in 1425, the restored castle is the most complete and authentic mediaeval castle in Ireland. The 26-acre Folk Park re-creates 19th century Ireland. Medieval Banquets nightly.

Two Great Show-Caves in Clare and Kerry
The Aillwee Cave, Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare and Crag Cave, Castleisland, Co. Kerry allow you explore Ireland underground. Guided tours through beautiful ancient caverns and under weird formations.

Birr Castle Demesne and Historic Science Centre, Co. Offaly
Beautiful, formal gardens and parkland, with thousands of rare trees and plants from all over the world, plus the Historic Science Centre and its Great Telescope - the largest in the world for 70 years.

The Burren, Co. Clare
An incredible, rugged, limestone plateau covering 100 square miles in North Clare. Unique geology, flora and fauna, with Arctic and Mediterranean flowering plants found nowhere else in Ireland, as well as remarkable archaeological relics.

The Hunt Museum, Limerick City
Ireland’s Museum of the Year, 2003. An internationally important collection of some 2,000 original works of art and antiquity, from the Stone Age to the 20th century, including a bronze horse by Leonardo Da Vinci and paintings by Renoir, Picasso and Yeats.

Foynes Flying Boat Museum, Foynes, Co. Limerick
During the 1930s and early 1940s, Foynes was the pivotal point for air traffic between North America and Europe. Irish Coffee was invented here. Museum recalls this era with exhibits and illustrations, a 1940s-style cinema and the original terminal building.

Kerry the Kingdom, Tralee, Co. Kerry
Three superb attractions under one roof: audio-visual presentation on the county, the award-winning Kerry County Museum, and the Geraldine Tralee Experience - walk indoors, through a re-created mediaeval street.

Limerick Mediaeval Heritage Precinct, Limerick City
Walking trail connects the various ancient landmarks in this historic district, with 13th century King John's Castle and the River Shannon at its heart.

Island Visits, Co. Clare
Hundreds of islands are dotted along the Atlantic and on the River Shannon. Three are accessible within minutes by tour boats: the Aran Islands via Doolin in Co. Clare, Holy Island (Inis Cealtra) on Shannon's Lough Derg and Scattery Island (monastic settlement) via Kilrush.

Holycross Abbey, Co. Tipperary
Located in a magnificent setting on the banks of the River Suir. Early twelfth century Monastery. Before the close of the twelfth century it was passed on to the Cistercians and became a place of pilgrimage for people from all over the Ireland.