Hello again!
Have about a day and half in Ireland that I am looking to fill before flying out of Shannon on July 8. Would like to stay overnight in close proximity to the airport, but open to exploring hidden gems in the west of Ireland. Please share your favorite lesser known attractions or towns.
Thank you!!!
Maybe you could describe where you've been the days before.
Great suggestion that I let you know where I will be prior to that time. Spending most of our time in Kenmare and Westport. With a short stop in Galway.
Try the Cragganowen Project in Co. Clare, the replica of a Bronze Age settlement, featuring Brendan the Navigator, etc. Lots of good history and displays with resident artisans.
With a pretty short bus ride (or drive) to the Shannon airport is Ennis, a gem of a town. You won’t be there when the major Fleadh Nua music festival is being held (we attended in 2023), but it’s still a Trad music destination, with lots of pubs where music and musicians are featured. It has a nice park, some decent restaurants (including a good Nepalese one, with Nepali music!), and a couple of nearby daytrip possibilities, which are described in the Rick Steves guidebook.
A popular but worthwhile site are the dramatic Cliffs of Moher. They're only 50 miles northwest of Shannon right on the coast. The views of the Atlantic Ocean can't be beat. (Well, they can, as there are more dramatic cliff views near the Ceide Fields in north Mayo, but that's quite a drive north.)
The great medieval town in Ireland is Ennis, which is only 20 miles north of Shannon. Ennis is an evocative town that feels like stepping back 500 years. Kilkenny is excellent, too, but it is a quite a bit farther southeast.
Bunratty Castle & Folk Park (https://www.bunrattycastle.ie/) is only 15 minutes away from Shannon. It's a bit corny, but I'd go back again.
