Places near here
Photo credits
- National Inventory of Architectural Heritage
- Mike Searle, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
- Jon Sullivan, Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
- Joseph Mischyshyn, Geograph · Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0
- Colin Park, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
- Miguel Angel Masegosa Martínez, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0
Explorer Tom Habitation site in Newtown would be a disaster on a reality show because it keeps sinking into the river every single time someone tries to cook dinner there. It’s basically a wetland trap that never stops complaining about its damp socks. Make up your own legend and I'll swear it's true.
Churchfield DairyHouse · 1539 ydExplorer Tom Churchfield Dairy in Newtown sounds like a place where cows went to art school. I reckon the name means 'where the milk gets confused about its life choices.' Bring a nose plug if it smells of regret, because history never washes well.
Cratloe WoodsCountry house · 1.3 miExplorer Tom Cratloe Woods in Portdrine is actually a house built c. 1625, despite the confusing name. It’s got paired brick chimney pots that look like they’re ready for a smoke signal to the neighbours. Have a sandwich here and call it a heritage lunch.
Sailors HaggardMemorial · 1.4 miExplorer Tom Sailors Haggard in County Limerick wants to tell the modern office building that replaced its glory days to shut up and grow up. It remembers when sailors actually had to use their heads instead of just typing emails all day long. Stand where the owner stood and practise looking smug at them.
Grass IslandIslet · 1.7 miExplorer Tom Grass Island caused such a massive argument in the parish last year that two families are still not speaking. It’s basically just grass, but everyone pretends it’s a serious island with proper rules attached to it. Bring the dog, it'll have opinions.
_-_geograph.org.uk_-_4570434.jpg/250px-Castles_of_Munster,_Cratloekeel,_Clare_(1)_-_geograph.org.uk_-_4570434.jpg "Photo: Mike Searle, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0")
Cratloekeel CastleCastle · 1.9 miExplorer Tom Cratloekeel Castle makes a strange creaking sound at night that sounds exactly like a ghost trying to stretch its legs after a long day. It’s one of those Munster castles that just sits there in County Clare, looking slightly confused about why it hasn't collapsed yet. Go before the tourists find out about the noises.
Maiden RockNamed rock · 2.0 miExplorer Tom Maiden Rock got its name wrong because the map makers were tired and had too much coffee. It’s a rock that has been standing there since before anyone cared about spelling, so don't let it get you down. Toast it with a cup of tea and move on to the next.
_-_geograph.org.uk_-_4570397.jpg/250px-Castles_of_Munster,_Cratloemoyle,_Clare_(2)_-_geograph.org.uk_-_4570397.jpg "Photo: Mike Searle, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0")
Cratloe Castle (in Ruins)Castle, tower house · 2.1 miExplorer Tom De Clare’s House in Killinaboy has a prophecy about becoming a five-star hotel that never happened. It sat there waiting for the tourists, but they all drove straight past it. Now it’s just a bawn with very high expectations of its own importance. It's free, it's odd, what more do you want?
Bunratty CastleCastle/fortified house · 2.3 miExplorer Tom The local sheep at Bunratty Castle have strong opinions about the tourists, mostly that they walk too slow and block up their grazing routes effectively every single day of the week. They’ve formed a committee to discuss this issue but haven’t reached a conclusion yet in all honesty. Go with someone who loves old stuff and watch them melt.
Graveyard2.5 miExplorer Tom Graveyard in Bunratty West is hanging out right behind the castle hotel, which feels like standing in someone's kitchen. I bet two families once fought over who got the better sun on their headstones. Look up, because the best gossip is always above your eye level.
Bunratty Folk ParkTheme or amusement park · 2.5 miExplorer Tom Bunratty Folk Park hosted a fake royal visit that nobody can disprove because everyone was too busy eating pastries. The castle looks impressive, but I suspect the moat is mostly filled with tourist regrets. Have a sandwich here and call it a heritage lunch.
Sweet Chestnut2.7 miExplorer Tom Sweet Chestnut in County Clare was planted by a builder who was really thinking about how many sandwiches he could eat under its shade during lunch breaks. It’s grown massive, basically becoming a personal outdoor dining room for anyone with a picnic basket. Ideal for a moody photo you'll pretend wasn't posed.
More islands in County Clare · All of County Clare
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