Ballyvaughan

Ballyvaughan’s craggy landscape is beautiful and raw – a stunning place to hike or cycle across; other activities include golf, horse-riding, sea kayaking or even rock climbing. The area has many attractions, including the Aran Islands, the Cliffs of Moher and Aillwee Cave. Standing at 250m, the Cliffs of Moher are some of the most dramatic cliffs in Europe, home to many different species of wildlife including birds, dolphins and the occasional whale. The Aran Islands are located off the coast of the Burren and are well known for their traditional way of life – islanders still speak Gaelge as their first tongue – as well as their cultural and literary history. Ballyvaughan is also known for its crafts and artisanal food, such as cheese-making and their traditional smoking houses for making smoked salmon. There are plenty of fascinating historical buildings in the area, including Kilfenora Cathedral and Celtic High Crosses dating from 600AD; Corcomroe Abbey, a beautifully stone carved, built 1194; Poulnabrone Dolmen, a 5,000 year-old burial tomb; and Kilmacduagh Round Tower, one of the few intact round towers left in Ireland.

The traveller sees what he sees, the tourist sees what he has come to see.
G. K. Chesterton