Traveling in December to Clare

Michele Erdvig · Host

Traveling in December to Clare

sparkytk · Newbie

I'm heading to county Clare next month and have 2 questions:

What should I be prepared for as far as weather goes(I'm from Minnesota so cold is not a problem but I don't want to overpack either)?

Any hidden gems in county Clare that I shouldn't miss? I'm staying near Lahinch for a week to celebrate my 40th Birthday.

Any suggestions would help out thanks. -TK

tony2phones · Guru

You might want to remember that there is an East side to Clare over here by Lough Derg although best in summer for the water and getting out to Holy Island Killaloe, Feakle, Scarriff and Mountshannon are places few visitors take time for.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRY4jNKFoCk

Kilmacduagh and Corocomroe Abbeys

http://www.irelandtravelkit.com/kilmacduagh-abbey-co-galway/

http://www.burrenbeo.com/visitor-info/attractions/monuments/corcomroe-abbey

Lots of lesser known ring forts and wedge tombes

With a week you should have time to explore a little

-- Edited by tony2phones on Friday 2nd of November 2012 01:50:06 PM

Green Dragon · Guru

I would say you will get much less snow in Clare than in Minnesota for the winter. That being said, anything is possible in Ireland. Prepare for wind, though, and wet as well as the cold. Also, very short days and long nights. They are farther north than Minnesota, though the climate is more moderate.

As for hidden gems - it is one huge hidden gem! The Burren will be a delightful place to explore. Shops and other tourist places may be closed, but the Burren itself is open for all to see. I know the landscape is surreal and bizarre in the spring and summer - I can only imagine how much more it is during the winter!

If you want to spend some time on the Aran Islands, I would recommend going up to Rossveal to take the ferry. I don't know if the Doolin ferry will go over in winter, as it is weather dependent, and may close down off-season.

Carla · Veteran Member

My favorite hidden gem in County Clare is the Loop Head Peninsula. The lighthouse won't be open for tours, but I assume you could still park there and walk out along the cliffs. I also enjoy walking the cliffs in Kilkee (The Dunlickey walk), and Kilkee is where you'd start the scenic drive out to Loop Head. Kilkee is just a bit south of Lahinch, about 40 minutes or so, and would be a nice excursion to do during the day.

http://www.loophead.ie/

CowboyCraic · Guru

How are ya, Tony, mo chara...out there in the back of beyond...

I think the lough derg drive is beautiful any time of the year...so many wonderful small villages, old cemeteries,

ruins to poke about in...famine graves, holy wells...Do they run the boats out to Inis Cealtra in December, mo chara?

That in itself is fabulous!

tony2phones · Guru

As to Holly Island I think out of season it's best to contact Gerard himself, Ger Madden email through the east Clare Heritage centre on ... eastclareheritage@eircom.net I know he has had his holidays so should be back now.

Just had the sister in law (ish) over for half term so bit of running around and Samhain (Halloween) Jen didn't believe the neighbours kids coming round for cake and playing music rather than just knocking on doors and demanding sweets and money.

Caught a Gypsy Wedding when I drove Chris and Jen up to Knock.. there's me sat in the car with the dog thinking they'd seen the second coming or been abducted by aliens and their over the road watching the show. No turf for the fires this year the top bog was too wet to cut, even the timber we are buying in is less than dry. Europe has also forced legislation on the cutting of turf, bans on the blanket bog outside Portumna had made the headlines.

Hopefully promised a fair winter and we are due a dry(er) summer next year.