Discover Alone
“Yellow cliff? More like grey.”
Aillwee Cave is the big kahuna of the Burren, lads. You walk into this massive limestone hole and think, 'Whoa, where's the exit?' The name comes from Irish, Aill Bhuí, which translates to 'yellow cliff'. Funny, because it’s mostly grey, but you take what you’re given. It’s privately owned now, part of a centre with birds, but the cave itself is ancient. We’re talking karst landscape, all jagged and cool. You’ll see stalactites hanging down like old men waiting for a bus. It’s properly deep and damp in there. If you listen hard, you might hear the echoes of history. Or just your own footsteps. Probably just your own footsteps. Don't say I didn't warn you about the chill factor. It’s a proper gem, hidden in plain sight in County Clare. Come on down and see for yourself before I name it after myself.
Photo: Maelor (talk) (Uploads), Public domain
Then Tom went looking for the oddest places around it.
Stop 2 · A few steps on
Bird Of Prey Centre
“Birds judging my outfit.”
The Bird Of Prey Centre showcases Ireland's avian wonders, with majestic raptors and the heritage of falconry in County Clare.
Bird Of Prey Centre is recorded as a heritage attraction in County Clare.
From OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors) w377520242Photo: Iman Shaggag, CC BY-SA 4.0
More about Bird Of Prey Centre →
Stop 3 · 10 minutes down the road
Gleninagh Castle
“O’Loughlins kept secrets tight.”
Gleansleade Castle is hiding a scandal involving a secret romance in the 1600s. The O’Loughlin clan kept quiet, but the wind knows everything up on that cliff. Bring a jacket, it's never as warm as I promise.
On level ground in good pasture on the S shore of Galway Bay approximately midway between Ballyvaughan and Black Head and c. 60m S of a raised shingle beach. A 16th century 4-storey rectangular tower house (ext. dims. 8.7m E-W; 6.9m N-S) with a stair tower…
From the National Monuments Service (Archaeological Survey of Ireland) record CL002-007001Photo: Dr Charles Nelson, CC BY-SA 2.0
More about Gleninagh Castle →
Stop 4 · A 10-minute spin away
Finavarra House
“Ruins arguing about gravity.”
Finavarra House in Finavarra Demesne is just a fancy pile of ruins now, probably arguing with itself about which way to fall. The name sounds like a sneeze that got stuck. Bring someone who'll believe anything you say about it.
Remains of detached L-plan three-bay two-storey over basement house with dormer attic, built c. 1825, having three-bay three-storey return to rear. Now in ruins. Venetian door opening to ground floor. Group of detached multiple-bay single-storey outbuildings…
From the Buildings of Ireland (National Inventory of Architectural Heritage) record 20400307Photo: Mike Searle, CC BY-SA 2.0
More about Finavarra House →_-_geograph.org.uk_-_6978570.jpg){kind=link}
Stop 5 · Hop back in the car, 5 minutes
Battle of Lough Raska
“Chips and ancient noise.”
Battle of Lough Raska in County Clare was loud. A stubborn bird refuses to leave the spot. Best enjoyed with a bag of chips and no plans.
Recorded as: battle.
From Wikidata Q4871604Photo: A McCarron, CC BY-SA 2.0
More about Battle of Lough Raska →
The whole day on one map
See everything else around Aillwee Cave →
Over a million places across Ireland and Britain, all free. Explorer Tom has a story for nearly every one.