Discover Ballyvaughan is the village website.
Get in
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Map of Ballyvaughan
1 Ballyvaughan is on N67, which branches off M18 at Ennis and loops north through Ennistymon and Lisdoonvarna. A slow scenic alternative is along the cliff tops, northwards branching off N67 at Ennistymon for Lahinch, Liscannor, Cliffs of Moher, Doolin and Fanore. N67 continues east from Ballyvaughan to Kinvarra and Galway.
Bus 350 follows that slow route from Galway six times a day via Kinvarra, Ballyvaughan, Fanore, Lisdoonvarna, Doolin village and pier, Cliffs of Moher, Liscannor, Lahinch, Ennistymon, Corofin and Inagh to Ennis. Coming from Dublin, it's quicker to head for Galway then take Bus 350 south, than to go via Limerick and Ennis and take the bus north.
Get around
[edit]The village is small, but you need wheels to reach the surrounding sights.
No taxi based here, it would probably have to come from Galway to pick you up.
See
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- Ballyvaughan village and harbour are picturesque.
- 1 Burren College of Art puts on occasional exhibitions of student work. They're 2 km south of the village at Newtown Castle.
- 2 Corcomroe Abbey is the ruin of an early 13th century Cistercian monastery. The Romanesque church is roofless but otherwise in good condition, with fine carvings. There is the tomb of Conor O'Brien, King of Thomond, plus a neoclassical tomb of 18th or 19th century. The site is free to explore 24 hours.
- Oughtmama is a quiet lane heading into the hills southeast of the abbey, on the boundary with County Galway. There are three ruined early medieval churches, various cairns and cahirs, and the scraps of Turlough and Finvarra castles. Walk up Turlough Hill for views and the remains of a hill fort.
- 3 Dunguaire Castle, just across the boundary in County Galway, is a 16th century tower house. It's primarily an upscale events venue April-Oct but is sometimes open to tour.
- 4 Kilmacduagh Abbey, also in County Galway, is a ruin with one of the finest round towers in Ireland, 34.5 m tall.
- 5 Aillwee Caves, Ballycahill, ☏ +353 65 707 7036. Daily 10AM-5PM. Show caves, visit by guided tour. The caves were used by animals rather than humans, the cave mascot being a young brown bear from 10,000 BC that may have died while hibernating. It was one of the last bears in Ireland before they became extinct. The ticket includes the Birds of Prey Centre, with flying displays weather permitting. Adult €27, child €17.
- 6 Gleninsheen Wedge Tomb was built circa 2000-3000 BC. A fabulous gold torque was found here, dated to 700 BC; it's now in the National Museum in Dublin. Access has been closed off but you see it from the road.
- 7 Poulnabrone dolmen is one of the most impressive in Ireland. Three portal stones support a massive capstone - originally they would all have been covered by an earth mound. The remains of 33 adults were found here, dating to 3200-3800 BC. Burial objects (now in Ennis museum) suggest they were high-ranking but their bones indicate a life of hard toil and death before age 40. Open 24 hours, free.
- 8 Caherconnell Stone Fort, Caherconnell V95 YK31, ☏ +353 65 708 9999. Mid-Mar to Oct daily 10AM-4PM. Sturdy limestone ring-fort occupied from 10th-13th century AD, remarkably late for something that looks prehistoric. The centre runs a residential archaeology summer school to teach techniques, and there's also a sheepdog centre with regular demos. Fort €10, sheepdogs €12, combi €20.
- 9 Carran (An Carn) is a tiny settlement in the wilds of the Burren, best known for its perfumery. The area is dotted with dolmens. 3 km south is the stone fort of Cahercommaun, inhabited in the 8th and 9th centuries.
- 10 Leamaneh Castle is a gaunt ruin along R476 the lane between Corofin and Kilfenora. It's unsafe to enter and on private land, so just admire the facade from the lane.
- 11 Black Head has a lighthouse amidst the fractured limestone ground. You'll need a map, compass and stout boots to make your way uphill to Cathair Dhun Iorais Iron Age ring fort. You can continue 1.5 km to the summit of Dobhach Bhrainin (318 m), but beware that the sea mist can roll in at any moment, there's no clear trail on the rocky ground, and there are some sheer edges below you.
- 12 Fanore is a sandy beach with Atlantic surf.
Do
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- North Clare Sea Kayaking is based in Ballyvaughan.
- Beach: Bishop's Quarter Beach 3 km north can be reached by a lane off N67.
- Change to low gear for Corkscrew Hill, the hairpin gradient on N67 six km south of the village.
Buy
[edit]- Centra is the village store, open daily 7:30AM-9PM.
- Fuel: the service station is open M-Sa 9AM-8PM, Su 9-7PM.
- Ballyvaughan Farmer's Market is every Saturday May-Oct 10AM-2PM.
- Burren Perfumery in Carran produces scents from wild flowers. The shop and tearoom are open April-Oct daily 11AM-5PM.
Eat
[edit]- Soda Parlour on Main St does light bites Sa-W 9:30AM-5PM.
- Mr Kebab does fast food at the village crossroads, eat in or takeaway. It's open daily 4PM-midnight.
- L'Arco, Main St, Ballyvaughan H91 R277, ☏ +353 65 708 3900. W-F 5-9PM, Sa 4-10PM, Su noon-9PM. Simple tasty Italian food.
- Hotels with good dining for non-residents are Monks, Hylands Hotel and Gregans Castle Hotel, see below.
Drink
[edit]- O'Loclainn's Irish Whiskey Bar, Ballyvaughan H91 C436, ☏ +353 65 707 7006. Daily 8-11:30PM. Grand little pub, they really know their whiskey.
- Fountain Bar is in village centre.
Sleep
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- 1 Fanore Caravan Park, Fanore H91 XH34, ☏ +353 87 750 0307. Basic camping and caravan site along the coast road.
- Monks, The Pier, Ballyvaughan H91 W9TN, ☏ +353 65 707 7059. Stylish small hotel with great dining. B&B double €150.
- The Creggs, Galway Rd, Ballyvaughan, ☏ +353 86 179 3784. Cosy welcoming B&B.
- Hylands Burren Hotel, Main Street, Ballyvaughan H91 EY00, ☏ +353 65 707 7037. Mid-range place in village centre with 32 rooms en suite. It's well due for refurbishment. B&B double €160.
- Hazelwood Lodge is a pleasant B&B 1 km south of village centre.
- 2 Gregans Castle Hotel, Corkscrew Hill, Ballyvaughan H91 CF60, ☏ +353 65 707 7005. Upscale country house hotel overlooking Galway Bay and Burren mountains, open April-Nov. B&B double €400.
Connect
[edit]As of March 2025, Ballyvaughan and its approach roads have 4G from all Irish carriers. 5G has not yet reached this area.
Go next
[edit]- Kilfenora inland has an odd-looking cathedral with High Crosses. Look up your Irish ancestors at nearby Corofin.
- Doolin south along the coast has the Cliffs of Moher, caves and boat trips to the Aran Islands.
- Galway across the bay is a lively little city.