Things to do
Whether your interest is Irish Set-Dancing, music, Doolin, the Burren, walking, hill climbing, fishing, surfing, bird watching at the Cliffs of Moher, or golfing they are all available in abundance while based in Kilfenora Hostel. Bring your hiking boots and rain gear and a wet or dry suit for swimming or surfing. Spend a day cycling on some of the back roads in the Burren enjoying nature. Go sightseeing to some of the Burren’s most famous archaeological and historical sites. Take a day trip to the Aran Islands. While staying at Kilfenora Hostel we will only be too happy to help you plan your day and get the most from your time with us.

Walking the Burren is one of the best ways of getting an appreciation for its unique landscape. Following the four mapped and signposted walks known as the Burren Way couldn’t be easier. These are sign-posted walking routes which offer easy access to the countryside through what are known as the green roads of the Burren. There are also walkways in Mid and East Clare, Kilfenora Hostel is quite central to these routes also.

Cycling: There is a dense network of quiet rural roads in the Burren, which provide an alternative to the busy primary roads. Bike hire facilities are available in Ennistymon. More details available at Kilfenora Hostel and West Ireland Cycling.

Caving: The Burren, which is made up of carboniferous limestone, has a vast network of caves, many of which have been mapped and explored. The longest cave in Ireland, Poulnagollum/Poll Elva, is situated on the eastern edge of Slieve Elva; an elevated peak north of Kilfenora. More details from Caving Ireland. Near Ballyvaughan Aillwee cave, which is open to the public all year round, provides a first-hand experience of what lies deep in the great rock.

Rockclimbing: The Burren has some short but steep limestone crags suitable for experienced climbers.

Surfing: At the beautiful sandy beach at Lahinch the waves appeal to the novice as much as the experienced surfers. It is considered one of the best places in Europe to learn surfing as the slower rolling Atlantic waves entering Liscannor bay are ideal. More details from the Lahinch Surf School, and Lahinch Surf Shop.

Fishing: There is trout fishing in Lickeen Lake, a 200 acre expanse of water which lies about 3 kms south of Kilfenora. It can be fished from the shore and boats are available. The rocky coastline and cliff ledges of north and west Clare provide great shore angling too. The most favoured and safest points are signposted. Boats can be hired for deep sea angling at the nearby fishing villages of Ballyvaughan, and Liscannor.

Aran Islands: During the summer there are daily boat trips to the Aran Islands from Doolin and Liscannor. It takes approximately one hour to get to the nearest island and for you to experience the difference of island life, meet the Gaelic-speaking islanders and explore these remarkably picturesque islands with an island guide on a pony and trap.

Music and Set Dancing: If its music you want, then come to Clare. Kilfenora is the home of the acclaimed Kilfenora Céilí Band, winners of many all-Ireland competitions. Set dancing and set-dancing classes take place a couple of nights a week all year round at Vaughan’s Barn. Bookmark our events page for current details of times and schedules.

Maps
The Ordnance Survey Holiday Series maps at 1:250,000 are probably the best value, though the 1:50,000 Discovery Series will also be useful.

The Burren, (1999) by cartographer and author Tim Robinson, is a two-inch map of the uplands of north-west Clare. It is probably the most comprehensive mapping of the Burren and an essential guide for the Burren explorer.

Tír Eolas has published seven Rambler's Guides and Maps, covering the Burren, and Galway, which give detailed information on the archaeological and historical sites, the birds, animals and flowers to be seen and the natural features found in the area covered by each map.

Above maps can be purchased online at Burrenbeo