IRELAND COUNTY CLARE

County Clare is on Ireland’s far west, bordered by Galway Bay to the north, Lough Derg to the east, the River Shannon to the south and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. Shannon International Airport is situated right in the centre of the county.

Also known as the Banner County, the area is renowned for its legacy in traditional Irish music - the pubs of Miltown Malbay and Doolin are famous for their music sessions - and the county is famous as the last High King of Ireland’s royal home.

This is a place of picture-postcard perfection – and Instagram-worthy posts.

Plenty To Love About County Clare

Around 120,000 people live in County Clare but near ten times that visit each year. The famous Cliffs of Moher consistently rank as one of the most visited sites in Ireland, attracting more the one million visitors.

Living In County Clare

RE/MAX agent Deirdre McTiernan now lives in Perth, WA, but West Clare was originally home. She travelled back to Ireland for Christmas 2022. She says: If you’re in the market for landscapes that take your breath away and a healthy dash of Irish culture on your doorstep, County Clare can deliver natural beauty and the County Clare way of life. What makes Clare so special? I think you have to start with its people. They are unique: friendly, fun-loving, interesting, quick to chat, joke and play fiddle at the drop of a hat.

Top reasons to visit

/ The Cliffs of Moher, Ireland’s most famous natural attraction.

/ Bunratty Castle and Folk Village, a whole town that gives an insight into 19th-century Ireland.

/ Ailwee Caves, an extensive series of caverns with giant stalactites, stalagmites, and frozen waterfalls.

/ The Burren, a world-famous natural landscape.

/ Doolin Cave near lively Doolin is home to the Great Stalactite, one of the world’s longest known free-hanging stalactites at 7.3m.

/ Fanore Beach, in the heart of the Burren.

/ Loop Head and Lighthouse.

/ Kilkee Cliff Walk, a circular walk from the west-end of the town of Kilkee.

/ Historic Scattery Island, a small monastic settlement with a still-functioning lighthouse, ancient church ruins and one of the highest round towers in Ireland.

/ Golfing the natural terrain course at Lahinch Golf Club or the traditional links Doonbeg course with idyllic views of the Atlantic.

/ Have a cup of tea at Father Ted’s house in the Lackareagh area. The Parochial House, which featured in the show, is iconic and instantly recognizable. (Ah go on, go on, go on…)

/ Lisdoonvarna Town, most famous for its September long Matchmaking Festival. (Or if you are more in need of a horse than a partner, the four-hundred-year-old Spancilhill Horse Fair, held in June each year at famous crossroads, a few miles from Ennis.)

It pays to be prepared for all weather when visiting or living in County Clare, which can prove a tad wetter than other counties, particularly in late autumn and winter. Layer up and always know where the nearest pub is so that you can quickly duck in!

The real estate landscape

Ireland’s property market proved resilient to cost-of-living fears and external pressures through 2022. Some say that resilience is set to be tested while others say it looks set to remain so this year, which began with asking prices for the average home in Ireland at 330,000 euro (436,000 euro for Dublin and 283,000 euro elsewhere around the country). Properties were still settling above asking prices in the last quarter of 2022 and, while stock levels of existing and new housing are improving, they still aren’t meeting demand.

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