Shannon Drives

S hannon is a popular             Walking is another popular         tourist region situated in      activity. Interesting trails in    southwest Ireland. Shannon      the Shannon region include The     encompasses a number of counties      Offaly Way, a trail that links     including Clare, Limerick, North      Slieve Bloom Way with Grand Canal  Tipperary and South Offaly.           Way and The Ballyhoura Way a                                             route extending from John’s        The region is a popular               Bridge in North Cork to Limerick   destination with short break          Junction in Co. Tipperary.         tourists as well as active thrill     Meanwhile, surfers flock to        seekers and sports enthusiasts.       Lahinch in Co. Clare.                                                                                       Shannon is one of Ireland’s           Visiting golfers can take          premier locations for active          advantage of a range of top-notch  outdoor enthusiasts.                  courses in the Shannon area                                              including Nenagh Golf Club in Co.  The region has excellent sports       Tipperary, Clonlara Golf and       and leisure facilities and is         Leisure Club Co. Clare and the     naturally favourable to a range       exclusive Dromoland Castle Golf    of activities. Shannon’s lakes        and Country Club.                  and rivers offer superb                                                  opportunities for anglers and         The Shannon region boasts a range  fishermen, with wild salmon,          of impressive cultural and         trout, pike and bream in              historical attractions worth       abundance. Doonbeg River in west      discovering. Top tourist           Clare is popular for salmon           attractions include Bunratty       fishing, while the River Suir in      Castle and Folk Park, Co. Clare,   Co.Tipperary is renowned for its      Clonmacnoise monastic settlement   brown trout stocks.                   in Co. Offaly, The Hunt Museum in                                        Limerick City and The Burren       Visitor Centre in Co. Clare.          signposted. This route leads to                                          the centre of the Burren. On the   The Shannon region offers an          way you’ll pass a wedge type       exciting dining experience to         stone-age tomb. Driving for        suit every taste and budget.          another kilometre will lead you    Whether you’re after cheap hearty     to a small car park. From here     grub at a gastro-pub or a fine        you can explore the Burren and     banquet fit for a king, you’re        the ancient Cathair Chomain by     guaranteed to find what you’re        foot.                              looking for in Shannon. Cheap and                                        cheerful local fare can be            While in Shannon, a drive out by   enjoyed at establishments like        The Cliffs of Moher is not to be   Dolan’s Pub and Restaurant in         missed. The dramatic cliffs are    Limerick City, while those            situated in Co. Clare,             without budget worries can dine       overlooking the Atlantic Sea.      in style at Bunratty Medieval                                            Castle Banquet.                       The Shannon region hosts a number                                        of festivals and events            Shannon offers excellent scope in     throughout the calendar year       terms of scenic hire car drives.      including the famous Lisdoonvarna                                        Matchmaking Festival, which takes  A trip to the Burren in Co. Clare     place annually in Lisdoonvarna,    is a must. The natural flora and      Co. Clare in September and         fauna of the Burren’s eerie           October. Limerick’s Killmallock    ‘karstic’ landscape attracts          Medieval Festival takes place in   botanists and geologists from all     May, while Slieve Bloom            over the world.                       Storytelling Festival takes gets                                         underway in Kinnitty, Co. Offaly   Following the main Ennis road,        in October. Many of the local      you’ll see Cathair Chomain            festivals and events are free or   do not require tickets to             for sporting short breaks, as it   accommodate those who decide to       is home to the Munster rugby team  attend last minute.                   who play in the city’s Thomond                                           Park.                              Limerick is a popular destination      About the Author Fiona writes for Argus Rentals and Car Hire Shannon Published At: www.Isnare.com