Halpins Townhouse - Things to do

Halpins Townhouse Hotel in KIlkee County Clare is located in the centre of the picturesque Victorian resort village. The ensuite bedrooms are comfortable and well appointed with every modern facility. Local attractions include scenic coastal drives, heritage sites, cliffs including the awesome cliffs of Moher, beaches and caves. Kilkee Golf course, Lahinch Golf Course and the newly open Doonbeg Golf Links designed by Greg Norman are close by. Being near to Shannon Airport and Killimer Car Ferry ensures that Halpins Hotel is an excellent base for touring the West and South West coasts.


West Ireland is the land of history and heritage, of music and merriment, of character and charm. For those wishing to visit the West of Ireland or if you are entering Ireland through Shannon Airport, please consider the Halpin's Townhouse Hotel in Kilkee, County Clare. Halpins Townhouse Hotel is ideally located for visiting the west coast, from the Ring of Kerry to the Cliffs of Moher.

Kilkee stands in a pretty horseshoe bay midway between the awesome Cliffs of Moher and the picturesque Ring of Kerry. There is plenty of scenic variety. Local attractions include scenic coastal drives, heritage sites, cliffs, beaches and caves and all kinds of sport on land and sea including golf in the adjacent Kilkee Golf Course and the newly open Doonbeg Golf Course Ireland, designed by Greg Norman.

Dive in Kilkee, Kilkee Bay, once rated by Jacques Cousteau as one of the best diving locations he had ever visited offers the diver a safe and sheltered environment to observe and enjoy the abundance of marine life that inhabits its gullies and caverns.

The Loop Drive
Well sign-posted from Kilkee, this unique Way can be taken by car or bicycle. It takes the visitor around the Loop Head peninsula, through areas of exceptional beauty and through villages of historic and folkloric interest. It leads along the Shannon shore by way of the villages of Doonaha, Carrigaholt and Kilbaha to the lighthouse at Loop Head "where the Shannon meets the sea". The return journey is along the wild and rugged Atlantic Coast with panoramic views as far as the Cliffs of Moher. Do take time out to speak to the local people and you will not be disappointed.

The Shannon Dolphins
While in Kilrush or Carrigaholt, you should take a boat trip on the Shannon Estuary to see Ireland's only known group of bottlenose dolphins, one of only six such groups in Europe. Dolphins are curious, playful, unpredictable animals, whose charming antics are bound to amaze and delight you.

Web: www.dolphinwatch.ie Kilrush
Email: info@discoverdolphins.ie Carrigaholt
Email: info@dolphinwatch.ie The Doonbeg Bog

This is an ecologically important raised bog that supports very interesting flora and fauna. This area is well worth a visit.

The Cliffs of Moher
Heading north from Kilkee you can visit the famous 700ft high Cliffs of Moher. Follow this road into the Burren, a seemingly barren almost lunar limestone landscape with its Neolithic monuments, its alpine flora and its subterranean passages carved by water over the millennia.

Scattery Island
A short boat trip from Kilrush Marina takes you to Scattery Island where you can view the remains of its 6th century monastic settlement. The atmosphere on this now uninhabited island is serenity itself.

Bunratty Castle
Bunratty Castle is 14 miles from Ennis. The ancient seat of the O'Briens, guided tours of the castle and folk park are available and the Medieval Banquet will transport you to a bygone era. Web: www.shannonheritage.com

The Vandeleur Walled Garden, Kilrush
Behind beautiful old stone walls lay the forgotten garden of Kilrush House, home to the Vandeleur landlords in Kilrush. Now redesigned and restored to its former glory, it is an oasis of tender and tropical plants that thrive in the area's uniquely western latitude climate. Facilities in the Vandeleur Centre include a coffee shop, gift shop, plant sales area and conference suite. The centre also houses part of the heritage exhibition Kilrush in Landlord Times.

Opening Hours
Open 7 days a week.
Summer 10.00am-6.00pm.
Winter: 10.00am-5.00pm
Telephone: +353 65 9051760
Email: info@vandeleurwalledgarden.ie
Web: www.westclare.com