We have a two night stay in County Clare to explore the Cliffs, Burren, etc. We will be coming out of Dingle. We fly out of Shannon on our last morning. Is Ennis a good place to stay for two nights? I thought it had enough night live (we will me there mostly at night because we will be out exploring in our car) and is close to Shannon for the flight. Is there a better place to stay near Shannon for two nights?
Thanks!
Posted by
Kansas, United States
1081 posts
The Cliffs of Mohr is really just a 1-2 hr experience and you essentially drive through the Burren, so I would stay in Bunratty & drive over to the Cliffs early in the morning and then back through the Burren and the next day visit the Bunratty Folk Park and attend the Medieval Banquet that night and the next morning you will be 5 mi from Shannon Airport.
Posted by
Missoula, Montana
511 posts
To directly reply to your query, although it's not the closest place for proximity to Shannon, Ennis is indeed grand for a couple of nights! It's a lively, engaging town with sufficient B&Bs, eateries, pubs, shops and pedestrian foot traffic to keep you well occupied.
And as long as you're so close, take one of those nights to catch the trad in Ireland's mecca for traditional music - Doolin - on the coast and a short drive away. If you're there in the summer, its three pubs (O'Connor's is the granddaddy) are home to the best in Ireland.
If, however, you're out of energy at trip's end, Newmarket-on-Fergus (right on the N18) is a fifteen-minute drive north of Shannon. It's a quiet place with only a couple of restaurants and pubs, yet no trad.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thank you so much for the quick answer. I really appreciate the input!
Posted by
44 posts
I agree with Donald. And if you stay in Bunratty, the Bunratty Castle Hotel is just across the street from Bunratty Castle and the Folk Park....and Durty Nelly's Pub. The Dromoland Castle is only ten minutes or so from Bunratty Castle/ Folk Park and, if you have the budget for it, is very nice ...either one is somewhat closer to Shannon Airport than Ennis.
But if you decide to stay in Ennis, the Poets Corner Bar in the Old Ground Hotel is by far the best pub we found in Ireland with lot's of friendly locals to enjoy spending time and swapping stories with. Other than the Poets Corner Bar I regret to say we didn't find much going on in downtown Ennis. Maybe some others can point out some great spots that we didn't find but I'm forced to say I wouldn't expect much in the way of night life in Ennis.
Posted by
S.F. Bay Area, CA, United States
1878 posts
Ennis is a very good base, about half an hour from Shannon. I think Rick called it a workaday town that does not pander after the tourist dollar while not shunning it either. My wife and I spent two memorable nights there on our 2002 trip, and are planning a possible return visit to Ireland with a stay in Ennis this year. Cruise's pub was very memorable with traditional music, back when we visited. Not sure if that's still the case now. We found the locals especially friendly, too.