Where is the MAGIC in County Clare?

Melissa5 · Guru

Where is the MAGIC in County Clare?

wojazz3 · Guru

Magic will find you, you can't go looking for it.

There are three pubs in Doolin and they all have trad. The famous Gus O'Connor's which will be packed in late July, McGann's and McDermott's. It should be on every night. The towns you listed will have trad but it's hard to say which night. Cruise's in Ennis will have trad avery night and there are others there too. Check this website for options. The accuracy of dates and times is slightly suspect, but it's a good source. http://www.irishmusicbars.com/ You will likely find lots of music at this time of year but you may have a hard time pushing through the doors to get in to hear. Get there early to stake out a seat and be prepared to drink a lot.

Dunguaire is a good choice for the banquet.

It depends on what you want to see in the Burren. If you want an up close look at the flora and fauna of the region, a tour will provide you with lots of data. You can easily see the area driving through and stopping from time to time. See the Poulnabrone dolman for a good feel for the place. Parking is non-existent there, so be prepared to park partial on and off the road to visit.

Bill

oopsy · Senior Member

Hi Melissa,

Given your husband's interest and expertise in flora and fauna, it might make sense to have a guided tour so he can "see it all". Plus, he could probably have quite interesting conversation with the guide about the area.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Melissa,

Bill is right...the magic will find you and it will happen when you least expect it. (Bill I love that line. Can I steal it from you?) I have to admit that the last time I was out at Loop Head it was supernaturally beautiful. It had a feeling like I was at the edge of the world with infinity in front of me. (Maybe the fact that there was nothing between me and New York but the Atlantic?) Anyway, it was special.

The Burren needs interpretation. I think your husband would benefit from the tour.

Michele

Melissa5 · Guru

Michele, Bill, and Oopsy, thanks for sharing. I'm ready to let the magic find me.

Well but sometimes the magic needs a little help. I do think hubby the biologist would enjoy a guide who really knows the area and knows where to find certain rare plants. MICHELE DO YOU RECOMMEND ANY PARTICULAR GUIDE? Or should I just try to e-mail Drumcreehy house and ask them to recommend a guide? Perhaps I should phone them from Ireland? Not sure if this is something that needs to be booked in advance.

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! I don't have the right shoes and I dont have any guides booked and my suitcase won't close and I don't care...'cause I'm going to Ireland!

-- Edited by Melissa5 at 03:18, 2006-07-06

wojazz3 · Guru

Michele & Melissa:

Ya know, it just struck me. If someone tells you how a magic trick is done, it's no longer magic, it's slight of hand. Magic is mystery and you can't know where or when it's going to happen. If you do, it's not magic. Really, it will find you ... around a fire on a cold November day at a pub in Crookhaven, a waterfall in the hills of Beara, when a couple of Frenchmen tie your boat to theirs because there are no more moorings left, a session at the Lizard in Cornwall ... the list goes on.

Bill

Michele Erdvig · Host

Melissa,

I have not done the tour. However at Drumcreehy they will know the locals and will be able to recommend someone. Also the Burren Center in Kilfenora will know who is the best. Here are a few links:

http://homepage.eircom.net/~burrenhillwalks/index.html

http://www.burren-tours.com/

http://www.heartofburrenwalks.com/

http://www.burrenwalks.com/

Burren Center: http://www.theburrencentre.ie/

Michele

Melissa5 · Guru

Thank you, Michele. Just printed out your links and I'm putting them in my luggage. We will get to a computer in Ireland and check them out for the Burren guides.

Bill, I can sure use some magic! Here we go....off to Ireland. And it has been quite a mind-exploding day today, I'll tell ya.

Right now magic to me sounds like a whole day of peace...