Activities
Nestled on the edge of the Burren Geo Park, between the Slieve Aughties and the Wild Atlantic Way, the Burren Lowlands is a fascinating area that offers visitors a wide range of activities, cycles, trails and experiences to accommodate all ages and interests. Some activities also cross over into the above regions, but it would be remiss of us not to point them out to you during your stay.
Why not check out some of the following to entertain you and enhance the quality of your holiday in our region?
Art Galleries
There’s a clue in the name of Gort’s little art gallery, The Gallery Café. It’s both a gallery and a café. So, while you have the opportunity to view whichever artist the café is exhibiting, you can also take the time to enjoy some lovely coffee & tasty homemade food as you appreciate the artwork on display. The Framing Studio regularly features displays of work by local artists in the store so check them out when in town.
While in Kinvara be sure to visit the charming KAVA, Kinvara Area Visual Arts, supporting the arts and artists living in the local area. You might also be fortunate to stumble upon a story telling group, some life drawing sessions or a small play being performed in this restored old Courthouse.
If you wander by the Flaggy Shore at New Quay, you must stop at the Russell Gallery, a pretty little gallery dedicated mainly , but not only to Fine Art with a charming café on site also.
Photo Credit: Gallery Café, Facebook
Banquet in a Medieval Castle
Dine like King Guaire at the Dunguaire Castle Banquet where visitors to Kinvara can enjoy good food, wine, song, and stories of times gone by.
Photo Credit: Dunguaire Banquet Castle
Biodiversity in a Kid Friendly Setting
On the outskirts of Kinvara lies the magical and highly informative Burren Nature Sanctuary, an ‘ark’ of biodiversity in the Burren Lowlands region. There’s something for every age group here, from an animal petting area for children to an interpretive trail that teaches you about the geology, history, and farming in the area.
Photo Credit, Burren Nature Sanctuary
Cycling
The entire Burren Lowlands region is a cyclist’s dream and a challenge for every level of ability. There is an abundance of sites to see along the way. You have little villages to stop at and chat with the locals, beautiful areas to just sit back and relax, commune with nature if that’s your thing, or have something to eat or drink to recharge those batteries for the next phase of your trip. Our photos give you an idea of the region so be sure to peruse and plan your cycle based on what you would like to see and do.
Photo Credit: Ballinderreen , Katleen Bell Bonjean
Farm Experiences
Fancy doing something truly different while is this area? Then why not join Bronagh & Cathal on their 500-acre Boston farm, for a truly unique farming experience at Burren Farm Experiences? Enjoy both a tractor and walking guided tour through the farm up to nearby Lough Bunny. Hear first-hand what makes this farm such a special place to visit and sample one of their mouth-watering picnics with delicious homemade produce during your trip.
Visitors to Rathbaun Farm near Ardrahan will be enchanted by its 250-year-old thatched cottage, turf fire and original stonewalls. Time spent here gives the visitor a glimpse into the daily workings of a sheep-farm, and an opportunity to see the animals, feed the lambs, talk to the family, and explore the farmyard.
Photo Credit: Rathbaun Farm, Facebook
Fishing
It is said “The two best times to fish is when it’s raining and when it ain’t”. Well, in the Burren Lowlands we can surely accommodate the weather for fishing, and if you speak to the locals, you be told where to fish in nearby rivers and lakes. You may find you want to travel that little bit further to enjoy a range of fishing. The links here allow you to choose either a day’s sea fishing or to stay closer to home and check out the lakes & rivers in Galway and Clare. Either way, enjoy your day!
Guide to Lakes in Galway, Angler’s Paradise, Angling in West Clare, Angling Clare the river Fergus, Trout Fishing in West Ireland, Galway Bay Fishing, and Angling Ireland’s Fishing in Galway Bay and North Clare.
Photo Credit: Christopher West
Gardens
The Coole Park Walled Garden, once the home of Lady Gregory, is a sheltered garden of 4.5 acres with many attractive features, the centre point of which is the famed Autograph tree. There is also a covered area with seating and picnic tables.
Explore the grounds of the magnificent Woodville Walled Gardens at Kilchreest. Enjoy the sights, scents and colours contained within the original stone walls and see the original Dovecote and museum.
Photo Credit: Coole Park Walled Garden, Bernice Forde Carolan.
Golf
Mark Twain once described golf as a “good walk spoiled” but golfers the world over have poured scorn on his remark and pursued their love of this sport with energy and determination. Any golfer on vacation will ensure the first item packed into the car are the golf clubs. So be sure to enjoy a wonderful round of golf at Gort’s amazing Christy O’Connor Jr designed 18 Hole Championship Golf Course. Set in 160 acres of picturesque parkland, tucked between the Burren and nearby Coole Lake, a thoroughly enjoyable few hours can be spent on this beautiful course with a brief stop at the Nineteenth to relive that truly unbelievable “hole in one”!
Photo Credit: Gort Golf Club Facebook
Horse-Riding
Just ten minutes’ drive outside Crusheen lies Drumcliffe Equestrian, catering for all ages and abilities. You can be assured of a wonderful trekking experience through beautiful countryside. The Slieve Aughty Centre is situated about 20-minute drive from Castledaly/ Kilchreest and offers visitors a phenomenal range of equine and other activities. It’s not to be missed if horses are your passion.
Set in 350 acres of land, Dartfield welcomes visitors to take part in the many activities available, including horse riding, sheep dog demonstrations or clay pigeon shooting. While you are there visit the museum dedicated to Irish horses, Connemara ponies and Irish dogs. Dartfield is a mere 15 minutes’ drive from Kilchreest.
Photo Credit: Dartfield Website
Oyster Tour Experience
Have you ever wondered about pearls and oysters; how they are farmed; how to “shuck” an oyster? If so, the tour at the family run Flaggy Shore Oysters at New Quay is the place to visit.
Photo Credit: Flaggy Shore Oysters
Seaweed Baths
If you haven’t yet immersed yourself in a seaweed bath, check out the location of these wonderful mobile baths on Wild Atlantic Seaweed Baths, to see if they are anywhere near Kinvara during your vacation. You really haven’t lived until you’ve spent an hour soaking in this outdoor bath while enjoying a panoramic sea view– it’s an experience not to be missed.
Photo Credit: Wild Atlantic Seaweed Baths
Water Based Activities
We are fortunate that the Burren Lowlands edges the magnificent Atlantic Ocean from Kinvara to New Quay and this offers visitors to our region an opportunity to try out a range of water-based activities.
Have you ever fancied learning how to do Stand-up Paddle boarding? Well now’s your chance – Wet Mongrel in Kinvara has everything you need to know about this exciting activity.
While in the Kinvara area, pop over to nearby Traught Beach for a bracing swim in the wild and refreshing Atlantic. If you’d prefer to swim in an indoor pool, then try out the heated pool at the Swan Leisure Club, part of the Lady Gregory Hotel in Gort.
One of the most beautiful lakes in the region is Lough Bunny where locals swim, kayak and do water-based yoga on a regular basis. You might like to visit and check the area out. There are no facilities at Lough Bunny, Boston and no lifeguard. If you chose to enter the water there, you do so at your own risk.
North Clare Sea Kayaking Tour Company based in Doolin, some 30 minutes’ drive from Carran and 40 minutes from Kinvara offers a range of sea and lake-based tours and experiences for visitors to the whole region.
Photo Credit: Wet Mongrel Facebook
Yoga
Fancy some relaxation and maybe a real retreat to get away from it all for a few days? Then why not book yourself in to Burren Yoga Retreats Ireland near Kinvara and find time to unwind in the most relaxing of settings. In Gort, try Yoga Moves right in town.
If you feel you need an alternative and possibly more more strenuous yoga session, why not contact Nichola at SurfSUP Yoga. Her water-based yoga can be provided on any body of water so, while you’re in Kinvara, New Quay or at Lough Bunny near Boston, book a session with her.
Photo Credit: Burren Yoga Retreat, Facebook
Shopping
No holiday is complete without a visit to The Shops and here in the Burren Lowlands we have some special places that qualify as more than just shopping, they are “experiences”.
Gifts & Souvenirs
Looking for something special?
For a truly Irish gift, pay a visit to the lovely Irish Fibre Crafters in the little village of Ardrahan and see first-hand, a weaving and hand spinning studio and crafts gallery in operation.
The Burren is home to an abundance of wildflowers, some of which are used in the manufacture of beautifully scented perfumes, candles etc. Visit Carran’s glorious Burren Perfumery to see how it’s all made and capture the scent of the area in your own home when your holiday is just a memory. While in Carran, be sure to call into Caherconnell Stone fort and visit their Gift shop and café where you can pick up some lovely woollen knits and have a brief respite at the lovely Mountain Haven café on site too.
Photo, Burren Perfumery
While in Gort, a visit to either Roosters Cafe or the Gallery Café gives you the opportunity to browse beautiful locally produced goods and artwork, such as the Dolly Tub for handmade candles, soap and tiles. Gran Gran Foods for jams and chutneys are available in local shops. While sending cards to your family & friends, look at the lovely Gift Box in the Post Office itself where you’re sure to find something to delight. Other beautiful gifts can be found in Treasures and Styleman, Quinn’s Pharmacy, Gilmartin’s Pharmacy, and Dalys Pharmacy.
A browse in Honan’s Antiques is bound to produce that special little treasure. If you fancy framing some of your photos while in the area, Gort Framing Studio is the place to get your mementos framed to the highest standard. A gift of flowers or plants can make someone’s day so why not visit Church Street Flowers and Gort Garden Centre for those special occasions. Click on the eXplore app to find out more.
For that holiday souvenir with a difference, call into Kinvara’s Cuckoo Craft and Design for bespoke and Irish produced goods or visit the magical Secret Garden Fairy Shop for ceramics, jewellery and other quirky gifts. For something for everyone to fall in love with, visit The Ark Kinvara. For personalised gifts, see Irish Whiskey Stones for that perfect something. If you’re a musician, contact Wild Goat Fiddles for a unique instrument!
Ever wonder how all that lovely chocolate is made? Drop into Hazel Mountain Chocolate factory near New Quay/ Bell Harbour to see how chocolate goes from “bean to bar”. Sample and purchase some delicious chocolates made on site.
Food & Other Essentials
The Burren Lowlands is quite a rural area. While we know you really want to get away from it all when on holiday sometimes you need to know where to find some of life’s essentials so, a variety of shops and services that are available in the locality are listed below to help you out. All are within a 15 km of Gort or Kinvara.
Gort
Supermarkets:
Pharmacies
Kinvara
Supermarket
Pharmacy
Farmers Markets
A trip to the local farmers markets allows visitors to purchase the freshest high-quality, locally produced vegetables, cheese, meats etc to enjoy especially if you are in self-catering facilities. Don’t miss these weekly events in Ardrahan, Gort & Kinvara:
The Cottage Market (temporarily closed)
Click on the eXplore app to find out more
Websites of interest in Galway & Clare specifically for Children:
The websites below provide information in the Lowlands region but also county wide, so please take note of locations before you book anything.
