County Clare occupies a striking stretch of Ireland's Atlantic coast, from the towering Cliffs of Moher in the west to the shores of Lough Derg in the east. It is one of the most visited counties in Ireland, and for good reason — the landscape is dramatic, the traditional music is the best in the country, and the pace of life is unhurried.
The Burren, a vast plateau of exposed limestone in the north of the county, is one of Ireland's most unusual landscapes. Its bare karst pavements hide an extraordinarily rich flora — Arctic and Mediterranean plants growing side by side — and the area is dotted with ancient dolmens, ring forts, and holy wells. The Cliffs of Moher, rising 200 metres above the Atlantic, are the county's most famous sight and draw over a million visitors a year.
Ennis, the county town, is a lively market town with excellent traditional music sessions in its pubs. The village of Doolin on the coast is another music hub and the departure point for ferries to the Aran Islands. Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, near Shannon Airport, is one of Ireland's most complete medieval castles and a popular first stop for visitors arriving by air.