Scenic day trips from Ennis
Ennis is perfectly located between the Wild Atlantic Way to its west and Ireland's Hidden Heartlands to the East. By basing yourself at one of Ennis’ many wonderful hotels or B&Bs, you can explore some of the very best that Ireland has to offer on your doorstep.
Stay in Ennis and the list of day trips on offer is both long and varied – combining history, culture, nature, action and just plain fun. Whether you’re travelling on your own or as part of a group, most key attractions are just a short and beautiful drive away. Here are some of the highlights…
The Burren
You can connect with the ancient past by visiting the history and mystery of the Burren – just a 23-minute drive from Ennis. The Burren is a dramatic Karst landscape, underlain by limestone which covered most of Ireland around 350 million years ago. This amazing glacial landscape is rich with wildflowers as well as an abundance of wildlife. To walk in the Burren is an experience like no other – as you take in the majestic scenery and explore the history of the land and its people.
There are over 90 megalithic tombs and portal dolmens in the region, and many ring forts – as well as picturesque farmsteads and an ancient famine road. In the summer months, free guided walks leave daily from the Burren National Park Information Point in Corofin.
Wild Atlantic Way - the Cliffs of Moher
Experience Ireland at its most rugged and naturally beautiful at the Cliffs of Moher – just a 39-minute drive from Ennis. The Cliffs are a Signature Discovery Point, stretching for 8km and reaching 214 metres in height. They are a geographical wonder and a conservation focal point, as they are home to 20 different species of birds as well as a wealth of birds, flowers, marine life and sea and land mammals.
Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands – East Clare
Rugged hills, rivers, lakes and bogland characterise this beautifully, unspoilt part of Ireland. If you’re in the mood for a picnic with panoramic views, a scenic walking tour, some historic sites and lots of Clare warmth, music and song as you go – this is the place for you. Follow the East Clare Way Walking Route – which begins just a 30-minute drive from Ennis – through the wildest parts of the region and its many villages (a moderate walking route) or head to the lovely Killaloe and follows its Historic Trail.
Loop Head – Clare’s beautiful beaches
Discover this beautiful most westerly point of Clare, located between the Atlantic coast and the Shannon Estuary. This is the land of gorgeous sea views, wild adventures, premier water activities and picture-postcard Irish villages. For a day at the seaside, it has to be Kilkee, a beautiful sheltered beach on a horseshoe bay just a 53-minute drive from Ennis – then continue on to Loop Head Lighthouse for some of the best views you’ll ever experience.
