The Shannon region of Western Ireland

The Shannon region is set right in the heart of the beautiful west of Ireland and has a tremendous range of activities and attractions.  It is a stunning region and the countryside, the music, the bars and the Guinness are everything that is pure fun about a visit to Ireland.

It is within easy reach of Shannon International Airport and centres around Limerick, Clare,  south Offaly and north Tipperary.  It runs across Ireland to the wild waters of the Atlantic at a spectacular point on the 700 ft high cliffs of Moher.  The cliffs are a wild place, pounded by the surf, but there are many beautiful and golden sandy beaches along the West Clare coast, including Kilkee and Lahinch -where I once spent a whole, long day bathing in the sort of sunshine that wouldn’t be out of place in Spain or Portugal.

Then of course there is the River Shannon itself, Irelands longest river which runs through Clare, Tipperary and Galway.  It is a fisherman’s paradise and ideal for the holiday maker who wants to hire out a cruiser for a week or two exploring the Loughs and backwaters of this great rambling waterway.  The largest of the Shannon river lakes is Lough Derg – it’s a paradise for fishermen but is equally popular with sailors and windsurfers.

Although much of the region is very flat, there are also some magnificent mountains like the Slieve Bloom in County Offaly, which dominate the skyline in that part of the Shannon area, and are surrounded by forests.  The whole area is understandably popular with hikers.  In fact, the entire Shannon region is a sportsman’s paradise, an ideal base for a great outdoor holiday.  Hiking, fishing, cycling, shooting, watersports, cruising and sub aqua diving are all very popular. There are a number of top class golf courses in stunning settings, including the great course at Lahinch and now the Doonbeg Links course.  There are also meandering parkland courses like the great one in the grounds of Adare Manor which provides 5 star accommodation in a centuries old setting with the golf course virtually outside the front door.  Adare Manor is very popular with golfers from both sides of the Atlantic.  There is also excellent salmon fishing, again right on the manor’s doorstep.  In fact you can see the salmon leap as you look out from the window of the bar! Trust me, I did exactly that myself.

The whole region is steeped in history and everywhere you travel you will find ancient castles and forts in various states of repair.  There are several hundred castles, forts and ecclesiastical remains - leftovers from Ireland’s embattled past across many centuries.  Some are ruins, no more than a pile of ancient rock, others, like the beautiful castle of Bunratty, are in great repair and allow visitors to enjoy medieval banquet, music and dancing with minstrels and all the splendour that would have been the same as when the castle was at its peak in the Middle Ages. 

County Clare is generally reckoned to be the centre of traditional Irish music, song and dance. In Clare almost every village seems to have its own individual brand of music with folk musicians, fiddle players and ceili bands.

The countryside is beautiful, the restaurants cater for every individual taste and, above all, the Irish welcome is as warm and friendly as it always has been.  It is a great place and after your first visit you will find you've made a lot of friends who will insist, amongst the laughter, that you come back time and again.  The craic will always be mighty. 

CHRIS TARRANT