Attractions "Villa Maria" B&B is central to the famous Cliffs of Moher, Ailwee Cave and the limestone Burren (world renouned for its geology, fauna, & flora). Other attractions include the Burren Display Centre, Carron Perfumery and Heritage Centre. We are located near Dunguaire Castle where medieval banquets can be arranged. The west of Ireland is steeped in history, particularly ancient monastic history, and we are ideally located to take in much of what is on offer in Counties Clare and Galway. Galway City is just a twenty minute drive away. |
|
 |
County Galway has a wealth
of locations, beauty spots, children's attractions and beautiful places to
see during your stay in the West of Ireland. Drive to Connemara where you
can visit the most beautiful Kylemore Abbey in the heart of Galway's wilderness. Step back in time and take a day trip by boat to the Aran Islands, tickets & reservations can be arranged through our guesthouse. Worried about how to keep the children occupied? Worry not, there's loads to see and do - check some of them out on our Children's Activities page. |
 |
Kinvara hosts a festival, known as Fleadh na gCuach (The Cuckoo Festival), a traditional music and arts festival which is held on the May Bank Holiday weekend. Kinvara is the gateway to the Burren in County Clare, is County Galway's only prominent sea village on the southern shores of Galway Bay. Situated at the head of Kinvara Bay, it once was a thriving port to which the necessities of life, such as turf fuel, were brought by the traditional Connemara sailing craft in the 19th century. This trade is recalled each Summer in Cruinniu na mBad, as sea festival organisd by the village, which sees the old boats compete in a host of exciting races and events. |
 |
On the outskirts of Kinvara stands Dunguaire Castle. It was built in the 16th. century but is said to be on the site of the 7th. century stronghold of Dunguaire, one of the Kings of Connaught. Today the castle gives an insight into the way life was lived in the 1500's in the form of banquets which are part of the tourist attractions of this area. The food is plentiful and of traditional Irish fare. Mead, the ancient nectar of the Kings, is the beverage of choice and the eating style is that of the 16th. century, so fingers only - no eating utensils! The diners are entertained with old celtic music sung by choristers dressed in the mode of the day and with the accompaniment of the harp. At night the castle is lit on the outside and it presents a glorious picture sitting on the water's edge with the town and quayside in the background.Reservations for banquets can be arranged through Villa Maria Guesthouse |
 |
County Clare plays host to two of the Country’s natural attractions. Firstly, the Cliffs of Moher and secondly The Burren, whose geology, flora, caves, archaeology and history set it apart as a place of great mystery and beauty. The River Shannon and Lough Derg form the eastern boundary of County Clare. On the west is the wonderfully varied Atlantic coast, with mighty cliffs, caverns and sandy bays. To the north this rugged coast rises nearly 700 feet above the sea in the sheer Cliffs of Moher; here also is the amazing limestone district called the Burren, with its many caves, underground streams and rare flora. On the south is the broad Shannon estuary, where Ireland's greatest river meets the sea. Towns to visit in County Clare: Ennis, Doolin, Ennistymon, Lahinch, Kilkee, Killaloe, Kilrush, Shannon, Corofin, Lisdonvarna |
 |
The Cliffs of Moher are one of the most
outstanding coastal features of Ireland. They rise from Doolin and ascend
to over 700 feet (213 metres) just three miles south of the village. Being
almost vertical, their sheer drop into the heaving Atlantic ocean is a haven
for sea birds and the view from the top is never tiresome. Both the visitor's centre and O'Briens tower monument are open all year round. The truly spectacular drive along the coast road between the cliffs of Moher is one you'll surely never forget. back to top |
 |
The Burren lies south of Galway in County
Clare, Ireland. The name Burren is from the Irish - bhoireann meaning a stony
place. Its formation has lain unspoiled since the ice-age and is composed
of karstic limestone, the largest area of such in western Europe. It is a place of surprise and delight to botanists, archaeologists and ecologists alike and occupies an area of approximately 300 sq. kilometres. The area itself is very bleak in appearance with glacial soil loss at a maximum. However is does have sufficient soil to grow a wide variety of the most unusual and rarest of plants, many of them strange bedfellows. |
 |
Nestling unobtrusively within the Burren, and just 4 miles from Ballyvaughan, are the Aillwee Caves. The caves extend into the mountain for over one third of a mile and the journey shows some magnificent stalagtite formations, one of which is an impression of 'the praying hands'. Waterfalls appear along the route and the temperature remains a constant 40F. all year round. A visit to this place opens an Aladdin's cave of wonders and well worth including in any trip to County Clare. The whole project has been completed very tastefully and the entrance and carpark are only visible up close, leaving the distant vista of the mountain unspoiled. This is an area of County Clare which attracts huge numbers of visitors. |
 |
Poulnabrone Dolmen or Portal tomb (on the right) in the Burren is 5000 year old monument. It is one of the most photographed sites & is sitting on the stark limestone landscape. It has a touching impact on all those who have encountered it in its 5000 yr existence. It has been said that some polished stone axe heads, a bone pendant, small pieces of jewellery of thousands of years old & animal bones identified as horse, cow, pine marten & most unusual the wood marten have all been evacuated at the site. Poulnabrone Dolmen is approx 30 minutes drive from “Villa Maria”B&B . |
 |
The Burren Perfumery is Ireland’s first Perfumery, set up over 30 years
ago. A family run business, each of the Perfumery's products has been hand
produced using the highest quality pure natural essences, plant extracts and
pure Irish spring water. The fragrances are mixed in a traditional way, over
a six month period, before being hand bottled and packaged. Each fragrance
has been individually formulated to capture the mystery of Ireland and the
purity of the Burren. The Burren Perfumery is located in an idyllic location in the heart of the Burren, Co. Clare, south of Galway Bay, west coast of Ireland. The Burren is a stunning natural limestone garden, one of the most unique floral landscapes in the world. |
| back to top | |
Reservations for Banquets at Dunguire Castle & tickets for the boat trip to the Aran Islands can be arranged through Villa Maria Guesthouse. For Further Information Contact: |
|