Doolin is a tiny village on the Clare coast, spread across three clusters of houses — Roadford, Fishstreet, and the pier — linked by a single road that ends where the limestone of the Burren meets the Atlantic. Look south from the pier and the Cliffs of Moher rise along the coast.
The village is famous for traditional Irish music. There are only three pubs, so you can check them all in one evening. O'Connor's has a seisiún most nights and is the best known, but McDermott's and McGann's are equally worth a visit. The music is genuine, not staged — this has been a centre for Clare-style traditional playing for decades.
From spring through early autumn, boats run from Doolin pier to the Aran Islands and along the base of the Cliffs of Moher. The Burren, a vast expanse of cracked limestone pavement with rare wildflowers, begins immediately behind the village and rewards walking. Doolin Cave, a short drive from the village, contains the longest free-hanging stalactite in the northern hemisphere.
There are no banks or ATMs in Doolin — the nearest is in Ennistymon, about 15 minutes' drive south. Several hostels, B&Bs, and holiday cottages make it a good base for exploring County Clare, and a rented cottage for a week is surprisingly affordable.