This page also describes Kilrush, and the peninsula west of town to Loop Head.
Get in
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Kilkee
The main road N68 branches off M18 at Ennis and runs west via Kilrush to Kilkee. N67 is the scenic coast road, winding from the north of the county through Lahinch.
Bus Éireann 336 runs from Ennis via Kilrush to Kilkee, taking 65 min. There are six M-Sa and three on Sunday.
Bus 333 runs from Ennis via Corofin, Ennistymon, Lahinch and Milltown Malbay, with six M-Sa and two on Sunday.
1 Kilkee bus stop is on O'Connell Street.
Local Link Bus R337 runs from Ennis to the Shannon Ferry pier at Killimer then continues to Kilrush, with 3 M-Sa and two on Sunday. It doesn't reach Kilkee.
2 Killimer is the northern pier for the Shannon ferry from Tarbert in County Kerry.
Get around
[edit]You need wheels: a bike will do, though Loop Head is a long pedal against a stiff breeze.
Local Link Bus 339 runs twice M-F from Kilrush to Kilkee, Querrin, Doonaha, Carrigaholt, Cross, Kilbaha, Loop Head lighthouse and back to Kilkee and Kilrush. That gives you four hours at Loop Head.
A combination of buses 335, 336 and 339 means a connection between Kilkee and Kilrush every hour or two M-Sa, taking 15 min; only four on Sunday.
Local taxis are Kenny's (+353 86 268 7987} and Joe McCabs (+353 852 573323).
See
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- 1 Kilkee Cliffs look out over sea stacks and the islet of Illaunonearaun.
- 2 Carrigaholt (Carraig an Chabhaltaigh, "Rock of the Fleet") on the Shannon coast is where seven ships of the Spanish Armada took shelter in 1588. There's a scenic main street and the ruin of a 15th-century castle. Dolphin-watching boat trips sail from the village April-Oct. Long Dock pub has stone walls, a roaring fire and excellent fresh-landed fish. Morrisey's, Carmody's and Keane's are three other good bars.
- 3 Kilbaha (Cill Bheathach, "Church of the Birches") is a tiny village further west. The villagers worked as pilots for ships entering the estuary: in 1873 five drowned when their pilot boat was overwhelmed in high seas. One km east, "The Grave of the Yellow Men" marks another 19th-century tragedy at sea, but the historical event is not known. Keating's is the village pub and restaurant.
- 4 Bridges of Ross near Kilbaha on the Atlantic coast is a great natural arch.
- 5 Loop Head has stiff breezes, great views and a lighthouse.
- 6 West Clare Railway is recreated at Moyasta on N67. This notoriously unreliable railway was a 3-ft (914-mm) narrow gauge, operating 1887-1961. Built to revive the local economy after the Famine, it meandered from Ennis through the fields to Milltown Malbay and Moyasta junction, where one branch continued to Kilrush pier and another to Kilkee. In 1896 the entertainer Percy French successfully sued it for making him very late for a show. When he arrived late for the court hearing, that too was because "I took the West Clare Railway here, your Honour". All that remains of the line is 2 km of track at Moyasta junction, worked by original 0-6-2T steam locomotive Slieve Callan. True to its tradition, the railway is closed ufn.
- 7 Scattery Island (Inis Cathaighis) is uninhabited and has a lighthouse, a ruined monastery, an Irish round tower and the remains of a Napoleonic-era gun battery. St Sennan (488-560) was born in Kilrush, founded churches in Ireland, Brittany and Cornwall (hence Sennan Cove), became bishop, and founded the monastery here. The island is reached by boat trips from Kilrush, usually twice a day in summer but dependent on weather and tides. Nearby Hog Island is just farmland, as are the islands in the Fergus estuary near the airport.
Do
[edit]- Kilkee beach is horseshoe-shaped bay, sheltered and safe for swimming. South amidst the flat rocks are the Pollock Holes, natural swimming pools refreshed at high tide.
- Scuba diving: snorkel or shore-dive in Kilkee from Duggerna Rocks and Myles Creek west side of the bay, or boat-dive Black Rocks. Oceanlife Dive Centre is north end of the bay. Jacques Cousteau rated Kilkee highly for its marine life among the rock formations.
- Golf: Kilkee GC is north side of the village. White tees 5515 m, par 70. See below for Trump Doonbeg.
- Corbally Cliff, Byrne's Cove and George's Head are reached by a hike north from the golf club.
- Kilkee Waterworld is an indoor pool open April-Sep.
- Nevsail Watersports offer kayaking, surfing, SUP and so on, with lessons for children.
- Culturlann Sweeny has a theatre and cinema.
Buy
[edit]- Mace convenience store on O'Curry St is open daily 8:30AM-6:30PM.
Eat
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- Out of season many places close up, try the hotels.
- Naughtons Bar and Restaurant, O Curry Street
- Pollock and Porter, O Connell Street
- Happy Harbour Chinese Restaurant on O Curry Street is open daily 4PM-midnight.
- Diamond Rocks Cafe and Restaurant, West End Kilkee
- Myles Creek Bar, O'Curry St, Kilkee V15 Y793, ☏ +353 659 056900. Reliable bar food. They also have rooms.
Drink
[edit]- O'Mara's Bar on O'Curry Street sometimes has trad music but is mostly the place for a quiet pint.
- Hickie's Bar is in Bay View Hotel.
- The Central Bar on O'Curry Street is open daily 10AM-midnight.
- The Greyhound Bar is a well restored old pub on O'Curry Street. Standing room only at busy times.
- Murphy's Bar on Market Square is a small but busy old worlde type pub with nooks and crannies with a larger back bar.
- Fitzpatrick's Bar on Chapel St is a trad bar with weekend music.
Sleep
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- 1 Pure Space, Querrin V15 F602, ☏ +353 863 819216. Eco-campsite open April-Oct, set in woodland with pre-erected bell tents, cabins and tent pitches. There are some camper vans standings but limited hook-ups and no chemical toilet disposal. Yoga, eco-workshops, sauna, and extensive play areas. Two nights minimum. Bell tent €70, cabin €100.
- Collins Caravan Park is east edge of Kilkee village as you approach from Kilrush.
- Stella Maris, O'Connell St, Kilkee V15 EV88, ☏ +353 65 905 6455. Friendly efficient place in village centre. B&B double €140.
- Bay View Hotel, O'Connell Street, Kilkee V15 Y262, ☏ +353 65 905 6058. Clean and welcoming hotel in village centre. Contains Hickie's Bar and Pier Restaurant. B&B double €160.
- Lynch's B&B, 14 O'Connell St, Kilkee V15 ET66, ☏ +353 65 905 6420. Pleasant central B&B. B&B double €140.
- Splurge at 2 Trump Hotel Doonbeg, Doughmore Bay, Doonbeg V15 KH39, ☏ +353 65 905 5600. Plush resort hotel winning great reviews for rooms, service and food. The golf course, 6885 yards par 72, was laid out by Greg Norman in the late 20th century but redesigned in 2014 by Martin Hawtree when Donald Trump acquired the hotel. B&B double from €600.
Connect
[edit]As of March 2025, Kilkee and its approach roads have 4G from Eir and Three, but only a scratchy basic signal from Vodafone. 5G has not yet reached town.
Go next
[edit]- North takes you up the coast to Lahinch, the Cliffs of Moher, Doolin and the Burren, and eventually to Galway.
- The Shannon coast east leads to Ennis, with a collection of ruined abbeys, then to the airport and touristy Bunratty.
- For city attractions head to historic Limerick.
- Wild Atlantic Way is a tour itinerary along the entire west coast. Northbound head for Lahinch as above. Southbound either go via Limerick or take the ferry across the Shannon, heading for Kerry.