Doolin...

Doolin is a small seaside village on the north west coast of County Clare Ireland. Doolin is situated 8 km from the Cliffs of Moher and 6km from Lisdoonvarna and is on the Wild Atlantic Way.

Doolin was traditionally a fishing village but is now renowned as home to some of Ireland's finest traditional musicians. The main music-pubs in Doolin are McDermott's, McGann's and O'Connor's. You will find music nightly in all the pubs during the summer months. Its no wonder that several of Ireland's best musicians started out in Doolin and many come back to join in on sessions with the locals. Doolin was home to the Russell Brothers who achieved world fame with their music, most notably Micho. The local Community Centre is named after the Russell's and every year, on the last weekend in February, Doolin hosts the Russell Memorial Weekend in their memory. The Doolin Music House hosts musical nights several nights of the week, which is a lovely intimate way to enjoy local traditional music and story-telling. Many of the local shops sell local traditional Irish music albums.

From pub sessions to tranquil coastal walks a visit to Doolin offers many interesting diversions. There is a marked coastal walk from Doolin to the Cliffs of Moher along the cliff edge with magnificent views of the Atlantic and the coastline. Doolin is a good base for a visit to the Burren and is reasonably close to Lahinch for golfers. The Aran Islands are very close to Doolin, the ferry to the islands leaves from Doolin pier. In Doolin one can also try sea angling, pitch'n'putt, kayaking or mountain biking.

The award winning Doolin Cave and visitor centre is home to the Great Stalactite. At 7.3 metres (23feet) it is the longest free-hanging stalactite in the Northern Hemisphere. Its hard to believe that it was formed from a single drop of water over thousands of years. The centre also has a nature trail, cafe and gift shop.

Diving has become a very popular activity in Doolin in recent years and the area boasts some of the best diving on the West Coast of Ireland. In the 1980's a network of sub-marine caves were discovered off Doolin Point. These have been named the Green Holes of Doolin and some 1250 meters have been charted. Dive Academy based in Lahinch dive here on occasion. As for beaches and swimming there is a small beach at Doolin pier, enough to make a sand castle and there is a small pool craved out of the rock. Locally for swimming there is the old Doolin Pier or Gleninagh pier. Just a short drive away is a large sandy beaches at nearby Fanore to the North and Lahinch to the South. There is also a stunning white sand beach on Inis Oirr the smallest and nearest Aran Island to Doolin and great for a day out.

 

 

Doolin is dotted with the remains of historical churches and castles including the ruined Doonmacfelim Castle. Although reduced to one story it still remains a prominent landmark today. Ballinalacken 15th century castle is a ruin of the O' Brien Clan, it stands imposingly beside the Ballinalacken House which was built by Lord O'Brien in 1840 as his family home.

Doolin has a wide range of quality accommodation to suit all budgets, ranging from Hotels, guesthouses, bed and breakfasts, hostels, caravan and camping sites and self catering cottages. Doolin restaurants offer fine foods with local seafood a speciality. While the pubs of Doolin are renowned world wide.

Doolin is a beautiful town to walk around and it's the perfect way to discover the abundance of local craft workers and local produce, from Celtic jewelry, woolens, traditional Irish music to jam.